Sea-level rise and variability: a summary for policy makers

This publication aims at providing an improved understanding of sea-level rise and variability to reduce the uncertainties associated with projections for sea-level rise, and hence contribute to more effective coastal planning and management. It presents a synthesis of the findings and recommendations from the discussion of position papers from a workshop on sea-level rise and variability held under the auspices of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) at the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris in 2006.

It gives evidences of: (i) the sea level change induced by glacial cycles; (ii) the increased rate of sea-level rise; (iii) the physical processes contributing to sea-level change; (iv) the regional distribution of sea-level rise; (v) and (vi) the Fourth IPCC Assessment Report model projections; (vii) the continue ocean thermal expansion; (viii) the changes in extreme sea-level events, including storm surges and coastal flooding events associated with intense cyclones; (ix) the need for mitigation; (x) the need for adaptation; and (xi) the need for improved understanding to reduce costs.