Local Government and Public Adaptation to Sea‐Level Rise

Abstract

Global warming could result in a rise in global mean sea level of 9–29 cm between 1990 and 2030. By the end of the 21st century, global mean sea level could stand 30–110 cm higher than in 1990. Those projections suggest that sea level could rise between 3 and 10 cm per decade during the next century. This is a marked acceleration over the increase of 1–2 cm per decade observed during the past century. How will local governments and citizens respond? What are the obstacles to local government and public cognition of, and response to, sea‐level rise? This paper reviews some of the basic issues involved in responding to accelerated sea‐level rise; the range of possible policy responses; the extent to which local governments and the public perceive and respond to threats of sea‐level rise; and the need for research into the determinants of cognition and response.