ABSTRACT

Recent and dramatic flooding in places as far apart as Bangladesh and North Wales are example of what could become commonplace if sea levels rise. Most scientists are predicting a rise of about one metre and this book, based on research carried out for the Commonwealth governments, describes in simple terms what in. likely to happen as a result and where the worst effects will be.

Martin Ince, a well-known scientific journalist, deals with the accuracy of our knowledge and the possible errors in assessment. He considers the different kinds of damage that higher seas could cause, inundation, increased salination, coral damage, increased flood and surge damage and so on. Brief case studies are included covering the UK, the Maldives, North America, Bangladesh, Guyana, Kiribati, The Netherlands, Italy, Egypt and Australasia. The book ends with an examination of the scientific and technical developments which could make the problems easier to deal with and, above all, set. out the policies on which governments must agree. Originally published in 1990

chapter 1|35 pages

The warmer, wetter world

chapter 2|22 pages

How the rising seas hurt

chapter 3|13 pages

Third World damage

chapter 4|21 pages

Rising seas and the rich

chapter 5|15 pages

Small states and rising seas

chapter 6|19 pages

Facing the rising seas

chapter 7|21 pages

Living with the rising seas