Constructing Sea-Level Scenarios for Impact and Adaptation Assessment of Coastal Areas: A Guidance Document

R J Nicholls; S E Hanson; J A Lowe; Richard A Warrick; X Lu; A J Long; T R Carter

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Constructing Sea-Level Scenarios for Impact and Adaptation Assessment of Coastal Areas: A Guidance Document

R J Nicholls, S E Hanson, J A Lowe, Richard A Warrick, X Lu, A J Long and T R Carter

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

2011

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Abstract

Global-mean sea-level rise is one of the more certain impacts of human-induced global warming and it will drive local impacts and adaptation needs around the world's coasts. A key element in assessing these issues is the development of sea-level rise scenarios (or plausible futures). This guidance document summarises key relevant material concerning sea-level rise scenario development for the 21st Century from previous Working Group I and Working Group II assessments of the IPCC. The document describes the mechanisms which contribute to sea-level change and a methodology for combining available data on these mechanisms to create suitable sea-level rise scenarios for impact and adaptation assessments. Each component of the sea-level rise scenario, including the global volume of the ocean, regional effects due to differential thermal expansion of the ocean and dynamic effects and vertical land movements due to various natural and anthropogenic causes, are reviewed and methods to estimate these changes are considered that are consistent with the IPCC SRES emission scenarios. Procedures for developing relevant scenarios are illustrated, including the minimum requirements, and example sea-level scenarios are also included.

Details

Title: Constructing Sea-Level Scenarios for Impact and Adaptation Assessment of Coastal Areas: A Guidance Document
Authors: R J Nicholls (Author) - University of Southampton, United Kingdom
S E Hanson (Author) - University of Southampton, United Kingdom
J A Lowe (Author) - University of Reading, United Kingdom
Richard A Warrick (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
X Lu (Author) - UNFCCC Secretariat, United Kingdom
A J Long (Author) - Durham University, United Kingdom
T R Carter (Author) - Finnish Environment Institute, Finland
Publisher: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449872402621
Output Type: Report

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