Veranstaltung

Convener: H. von Storch
Co-Conveners: J. Church , C. Katsman

Mean sea level rise is one of the aspects of anthropogenic climate change, which is considered a virtual certainty; it deserves special attention also because it will continue for an extended time even if the atmospheric warming triggering it has ceased. The question is, how large the sea level rise may be, what role different sometimes little understood processes play, and what the regional and local manifestations will be.
The dangers of coastal flooding and erosion will in some parts of the world be further aggravated by intensifying storm surge heights. The question is, where the intensification may take place, how stable such expectations are across different scenario simulations, and how large the effect may be.
We invite contributions relevant to regional and local studies on recent, ongoing and possible future developments of mean sea level and storm related variations, methods of scenario constructions, links to global developments of the various sea level forcing factors such as temperature rise and ice sheet response, the ensuing needs and options for coastal adaptation and the opportunities to mitigate the expected rise and its impacts.
Contributions relevant to understanding the 1800-2200 time horizon are especially welcome. The session will include a focus on the North Sea, but studies of others areas are welcomed as well.