A new federal report warns that global warming will degrade the nesting areas in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and threaten many sea turtles, seabirds and endangered Hawaiian monk seals.

The assessment for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, released Tuesday, maintains that global warming and its associated problems will likely affect low-lying islands and also harm endangered birds such as the Laysan duck and Laysan finch.

“We’re hoping this report will reach policymakers … and raise awareness with the public,” said Randall Kosaki, deputy superintendent for research at the monument. “Climate change is real. … This is really a global problem.”

He said many of the places where seabirds and other animals live in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands rise 1 to 2 feet above sea level, and some are no higher than the sandbar in Kaneohe Bay.

It was announced Thursday that President Barack Obama will expand the monument to 582,578 square miles — an area about twice the size of Texas — from 139,800 square miles. The expansion could provide protections for more than 7,000 marine species, the White House said.

The study, conducted by the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, looked at the likelihood of coastal erosion due to global warming for the next 50 to 100 years.

The population of Hawaiian monk seals totals an estimated 1,100, with the numbers increasing in the main Hawaiian Islands, prompting some conflict between them and some people.

Kosaki said in the face of global warming and sea level rise, there are a number of choices, including whether to concede the battle to the ocean or rebuild the beaches in a way similar to efforts along Waikiki.

He said he’s not advocating any choices, but feels the public needs to be aware of their marine preserve and explore all the options before making a decision.

Kosaki said the public needs to know that their choices, such as driving gasoline-powered vehicles, contribute to global warming.

The study, “Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument,” took about two years to complete and included some of the best scientists in Hawaii, along with contributions from federal and stage agencies, Kosaki said.

A copy of the study can be obtained at sanctuaries.noaa.gov/science/ conservation/pdfs/pmnm-climate-change.pdf.