15/08/2009 (Find Article.com) - THE world's temperature is intensifying, with climatologists forecasting up to three degree celcius increase by 2050.

This will have a serious impact on palm oil and other crops, they told an international conference on palm oil in Serdang, Selangor, yesterday.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Fredolin Tangang said the global temperature will rise one degree celcius by 2050 because of global warming from increased greenhouse gas emission.

Adding up another one or two degree celcius from the El Nino weather phenomenon, the higher temperature could severely affect palm oil production and yield, he added.

"(Oil palm) trees are dependent on weather and water resources. High temperature will result in black bunches, cracked fruits and Marasmius disease.

"Water-related stress will lead to prolonged drought. Climate change is real and here," Tangang said in his presentation at 2009 International Conference on Oil Palm and Environment organised by Malaysian Palm Oil Board yesterday.

Tangang noted that the central region of Peninsular Malaysia could see temperature rising by 1.5 degree celcius from 2020 till 2029.

The southern region could edge up by 1.4 degree celcius, while the northern region, 1.3 degree celcius.

Malaysia and other tropical countries have sort of a respite.

According to Malaysian Meteorological Services' Yap Kok Seng, warmer weather could be felt more in the northern hemisphere than its southern equivalent.

"The tropic areas could see 1-2 degree celcius increase (by 2050) compared to the northern hemisphere's estimate of 1-3 degree celcius," Yap said.

He noted that El Nino had entered Malaysia in 2009 mildly and is expected to be moderate throughout the year.

Experts have said that typically, El Nino occurs every four to seven years, although consecutive events had happened before in 1993- 1995.