The following paragraphs address the particular issues raised by the small island states. In the IPCC SAR projections of sea level rise for the 21 st century and beyond were provided for the global scale. The central estimate gave a sea level rise of about 50cm by 2100. Again the IPCC TAR will assess the results so far. The impact of storm surges depends on the sea level and on the intensity of the wind creating the waves.
Tropical cyclones are particularly damaging.
Many studies have been made of the frequency, distribution and intensity of tropical cyclones in the past showing no clear trends during the 20 th century. Model studies have also been carried out although individual storms cannot be resolved in most models. Such studies so far do not show any clear result and the IPCC SAR concludes that it is not possible as yet to say if any change is likely to occur in the frequency, intensity or distribution of tropical cyclones. Many other islands possess varying topography creating a local climate that can vary substantially around the island. The distribution of atmospheric temperature and precipitation will depend substantially on this local climate.