They produce few CO2 emissions, but are suffering most from the effects of climate change. Island republics in the southern Pacific like the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau and the Federated States of Micronesia are faced with rising sea levels, disappearing coastlines and — perhaps most disturbing -- a growing lack of fresh water.The rest of the world, however, hardly seems to notice. A race against time has now begun in the midst of 'paradise'.   What can be done to prevent the corals in the region’s more than 870 reefs from dying out? And how can the inhabitants stop coastal erosion on around 1,200 islands?