Such changes would be felt especially in low-lying, populous and poor countries such as Bangladesh.

ECONOMIST: Climate change (I)

But I think it's going to be very important to the low-lying regions.

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The Environment Agency said 1, 500 homes in low-lying areas would be at risk from flooding and coastal erosion without the flood defences.

BBC: Flood plans to protect 1,500 Sussex homes

They are a hard-working couple: Willem-Alexander regularly gives speeches at water conferences, sharing his low-lying nation's centuries of experience battling to stay dry, while soon-to-be Queen Maxima, a former investment banker, has carved out a career as a microfinance expert.

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While the spillways will divert water away from Louisiana cities, low-lying central parts of the state will be flooded.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Mr Mitchell said the increasing numbers of people living in low-lying or famine-prone areas meant the scale of future tragedies would be greater.

BBC: World 'dangerously unprepared' for future disasters

Spills would also be a health risk, since carbon dioxide is heavier than air, and so can build up in low-lying or poorly ventilated spots.

ECONOMIST: Carbon capture and storage

They talked about some of the tough things we have to deal with, particularly extremely low-lying areas and areas where we have a low-income black population who we have to be very sensitive about.

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