An American scientist, concerned with global warming, is "amazed" that he has not seen many solar panels on Malta's rooftops, considering the island's potential and "wonderful opportunity" in terms of sunshine.

"Solar water heaters are everywhere in the Greek countryside, for example," said senior marine geologist Michael Fields, from the US Geological Survey, Pacific Science Centre.

One could continue to wait for improved - and cheaper - solar technology but he chose to "get into the game", despite the constant evolution and knowing he should reach break-even point within a decade, thereafter being a "happy man".

Among the latest technologies is the possibility of painting rooftops to generate energy from the sun, but this was as yet only being used for commercial applications, he said.

Government encouragement was a good incentive to get others to think like him, Dr Fields maintained, adding that the Administration too would reap the benefits in the long run. "You need to not only think you are doing something good but also know it will save you money," he said.

Going down the route of alternative energy was not only necessary for the climate but would also generate jobs and give rise to a new industry, he maintained.

Speaking about climate change, the author of over 150 papers presented at scientific meetings feels the time to act is now. "Everything that has been projected about climate change has been too conservative. The scientists avoided being alarmist in order to be credible. But it turns out everything is moving at a faster pace.

"The deniers, which are also healthy, are deluding the whole discussion," he said, pointing out that the US lost six years of planning ahead on the issue because of a political clamp that had only recently opened up.

"Climate change comes slowly but it is coming," he warned.

"It is more than just global warming, which many of us are tired of hearing about. But the models are being verified by reality.

"Harbour infrastructure and groundwater resources are at risk. They may not be imminent threats but they are problems.

"We tend not to focus on the slow-moving and chronic issues and worry about earthquakes, eruptions and typhoons but things that inch along slowly and bring about change are not planned for in advance," Dr Fields said.

He was in Malta to participate in an international conference on coastal ecosystems, sponsored by the Wessex Institute of Technology but "unfortunately" not attended by any Maltese.

Dr Fields has conducted marine research in Italy, Spain and other Mediterranean areas but is not too familiar with the local scenario. Nevertheless, he said he could "abso-lutely guarantee that there are considerations, including precipitation, groundwater, ecosystems and harbour infrastructure, which must be evaluated".

Water being a most valuable, critical resource, how it was likely to change needed to be analysed.

For the past decade, Dr Fields has focused his research on the geologic and oceanographic process that affect the health and sustainability of coral reefs. He said the chemistry of the oceans was also changing and becoming more acidic.

"We are close to a tipping point, where certain animals will no longer be able to make their shells," he said, questioning how this would affect the food web.

During his stay, Dr Fields lectured University students on human-induced changes to coastal ecosystems and possible future management solutions.

His message to them was that climate change should always be at the forefront of everything they think about.

"If they will be in charge of this country in 20 years' time, they should start thinking about it now. They need to train themselves to think how things are going to change and how to prepare for that," he said.