Climate and Sea Level Change: Observations, Projections and Implications

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

Overview

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 Δs, 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521115032
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	06/25/2009
Pages:	448
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.60(h) x 1.00(d)

Table of Contents

List of contributors; Preface; Abbreviations list; Part I. Overview: 1. Climate and sea level change: a synthesis R. A. Warrick; Part II. Data: 2. Mean sea level changes in the recent past V. Gornitz; 3. Recent global sea levels and land levels D. G. Aubrey and K. O. Emery; 4. Improving sea level data D. T. Pugh; 5. Global absolute sea level: the Hawaiian and US Atlantic coast–Bermuda regional networks W. E. Carter, W. Scherer and J. M. Diamante; 6. Long-term changes in eustatic sea level M. J. Tooley; Part III. Projections: 7. Future changes in global mean temperature and sea level T. M. L. Wigley and S. C. B. Raper; 8. Possible future contributions to sea level change from small glaciers M. Kuhn; 9. Possible changes in the mass balance of the Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets and their effects on sea level J. Oerlemans; 10. The Antarctic Peninsula contribution to future sea level rise J. G. Paren, C. S. M. Doake and D. A. Peel; 11. Model projections of CO2-induced equilibrium climate change M. E. Schlesinger; 12. Observational data on the relationships between climatic change and the frequency and magnitude of severe tropical storms S. C. B. Raper; Part IV. Impacts and Case Studies: 13. Geographic information systems and future sea level rise I. Shennan; 14. The storm surge problem and possible effects of sea level changes on coastal flooding in the Bay of Bengal R. A. Flather and H. Khandker; 15. Geographical complexities of detailed impact assessment for the Ganges–Brahmaputra Meghna Δ of Bangladesh H. Brammer; 16. Possible impacts of, and adjustments to, sea level rise; the cases of Bangladesh and Egypt J. M. Broadus; 17. Impacts of sea level rise on coastal systems with special emphasis son the Mississippi River Δic plain J. W. Day, W. H. Conner, R. Costanza, G. P. Kemp and I. A. Mendelssohn; 18. Sea level rise: assessing the problems H. G. Wind and E. B. Peerbolte; 19. Adjustment to greenhouse gas induced sea level rise on the Norfolk coast - a case study K. M. Clayton; 20. What will happen to The Netherlands if sea level rise accelerates? J. G. de Ronde 21. The vulnerability of the east coast of South America to sea level rise and possible adjustment strategies E. J. Schnack; 22. Future sea level rise in Hong Kong and possible environmental effects W. W. -S. Yim; Part V. Summaries and Recommendations: 23. Sea level changes P. L. Woodworth; 24. Severe tropical storms and storm surges A. B. Pittock and R. A. Flather; 25. Regional effects of sea level rise J. G. Titus; 26. Annex: Global mean temperature and sea level projections under the 1992 IPCC emissions scenarios T. M. L. Wigley and S. C. B. Raper; Index.

Editorial Reviews

'Contributers present their material skilfully and clearly, providing a valuable balance of data …' Endeavour

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