Climate and Sea Level Change: Observations, Projections and Implications

by Edited by R. A. Warrick , E. M. Barrow , T. M. L. Wigley

• ISBN13: 9780521115032
• ISBN10: 0521115035
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-06-25
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Through the writings of the world's leading experts in their fields, this book, first published in 1993, presents the general state of knowledge regarding the effects of climatic change on sea level and their associated impacts. The evidence for past sea level changes and their possible climatic causes on both geological and secular time-scales are reviewed, as are methods for improving observations of sea level changes. These observations examine greenhouse gas concentrations as well as oceanic thermal expansion on Greenland and Antarctic glaciers and ice sheets. Projections of global mean temperature and sea level rise over the next century are made, emphasising the uncertainties involved. A particular area of study is the low-lying coastal regions and the possible effects of severe tropical storms and storm surges. Case studies of the Ganges-Brahmaputra and Mississippi deltas, the Netherlands, Hong Kong and the Norfolk coast of the UK, among others document the regional and local scale where issues relating to sea level, physical environment and socio-economic effects are paramount.

Table of Contents

List of contributors

Preface

Abbreviations list

Overview

Climate and sea level change: a synthesis

Data

Mean sea level changes in the recent past

Recent global sea levels and land levels

Improving sea level data

Global absolute sea level: the Hawaiian and US Atlantic coast-Bermuda regional networks

Long-term changes in eustatic sea level

Projections

Future changes in global mean temperature and sea level

Possible future contributions to sea level change from small glaciers

Possible changes in the mass balance of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets and their effects on sea level

The Antarctic Peninsula contribution to future sea level rise

Model projections of CO2-induced equilibrium climate change

Observational data on the relationships between climatic change and the frequency and magnitude of severe tropical storms

Impacts and Case Studies

Geographic information systems and future sea level rise

The storm surge problem and possible effects of sea level changes on coastal flooding in the Bay of Bengal

Geographical complexities of detailed impact assessment for the Ganges-Brahmaputra Meghna delta of Bangladesh

Possible impacts of, and adjustments to, sea level rise

the cases of Bangladesh and Egypt

Impacts of sea level rise on coastal systems with special emphasis son the Mississippi River deltaic plain

Sea level rise: assessing the problems

Adjustment to greenhouse gas induced sea level rise on the Norfolk coast - a case study

What will happen to The Netherlands if sea level rise accelerates?

The vulnerability of the east coast of South America to sea level rise and possible adjustment strategies

Future sea level rise in Hong Kong and possible environmental effects

Summaries and Recommendations

Sea level changes

Severe tropical storms and storm surges

Regional effects of sea level rise

Annex: Global mean temperature and sea level projections under the 1992 IPCC emissions scenarios

Index

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