Micronesia has put the Czech Republic on notice.

The nation is up in arms about Czech plans to extend the life of a coal-fired generation plant near the German border. That path, Micronesia contends, leads to global warming and rising ocean waters that will hasten doom day.

The Czech utility says it plans to cut carbon emissions by a third, in part by closing one unit.

Now comes Kivalina Island in Alaska, threatening to sue 24 utilities and oil companies for $400 million for their role in global warming. That is the cost of relocating 300 Eskimos from the island because of erosion caused by rising water.

Lawyer types say this kind of legal threat could be for energy companies a legal minefield equal to what the tobacco firms faced in recent decades for their role in cancealing the health harms caused by smoking.

Wherever you stand on the issue of man made global warming, Al Gore and his motivations - altruistic or financially inspired, the Mayan calendar and all the rest, we should all pay attention.

A handful of islands from Micronesia to the Arctic Circle are beginning to splash up a storm. No matter how far off they may seem, a drenching may be headed our way.