New Delhi, Oct 23 (PTI) With global warming threatening to render an estimated 300,000 people refugees every year, climate change is a far bigger challenge than international terrorism, Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed said today.

"Climate change is going to affect a large number of people through flash floods, diseases and massive human displacement due to sea (level) rise, besides creating food scarcity," he said at a talk on 'Environment and Conflict Resolution' here.

Nasheed, while pointing out that Maldives and other small islands have already started feeling the heat of global warming, called upon the global community to take urgent and immediate steps to arrest the menace.

"It is important to defend the Maldives which is on the front line of climate change. If it can happen today to our nation, tomorrow it can happen with you as well," he said appealing for immediate flow of funds for mitigation measures.