Over 100 representatives of non-government organisations from across the Asia-Pacific - including the main Pacific peak bodies and NGOs - have made an urgent call for Australian PM Kevin Rudd and NZ PM Helen Clark to do more to help the Pacific with climate change, in particular increased immigration and resettlement.

The groups, including, church, environment, aid, union and community organisations, have released an Open Letter ahead of next Tuesday's Pacific Islands Leadership Forum to be held in Niue. Kevin Rudd and Helen Clark will also meet to discuss climate change on Monday.

The organisations warn that climate change is already hurting the Pacific and that large scale displacement of Pacific Islanders must be addressed.

The letter sets out a six point action plan including assistance for resettlement within the Pacific and an increase in permanent migration from the Pacific region to Australia and New Zealand. Australia will announce a guest worker program with the Pacific at the forum.

"The recently released Draft Report of the Garnaut Review warned that the world will see large numbers of climate change refugees, particularly in the Pacific”, Damien Lawson, Friends of the Earth Australia said.

"Low lying island nations such as Tuvalu and Kiribati are already facing rising seas, storms and king tides that are having a terrible impact. We could see sea level rises of several metres this century. For Tuvalu, which has an average height of less than two metres, that is a disaster."

"Professor Garnaut also said that there is an expectation by the international community and Pacific countries that Australia and New Zealand should provide assistance with this displacement."

"There needs to be substantial resources allocated to assist with resettlement within the Pacific, but central to any solution will also be increased migration to Australia and New Zealand."

"Plans for increased labor mobility such as guest worker programs are not enough. Permanent migration can build stability and resources that will assist with adaption and building resilience in the Pacific."

"The Pacific Island Leadership Forum is an opportunity to work with Pacific Island countries on a plan to assist with large scale displacement. Australia and New Zealand can not sit on its hands and wait for the disaster to come. Now is the time for action.”

Contact: Damien Lawson, National Climate Justice Coordinator, Friends of the Earth Australia: +61 419 253 342