Climate change to fuel invasive species

SINGAPORE - Climate change is set to drive the spread of invasive plant and animals species, threatening forests, fisheries and crops, in a double blow to nature and livelihoods, a World Bank-funded report said on Friday.

The study by the Nairobi-based Global Invasive Species Program said a warmer world, more extreme weather and higher levels of planet-warming carbon dioxide will give some species an edge, devastating ecosystems at sea and on land.

"The estimated damage from invasive species worldwide totals more than $1.4 trillion annually - 5 percent of the global economy," said the report issued on the sidelines of a major United Nations meeting in Japan aimed at combating the destruction of nature.