Communicating uncertainties in sea level projections to policy makers and general public

Abstract:

For the more than 600 million people living in low-elevation coastal areas sea level rise is one of the primary damaging aspects of climate change. Small islands and large megacities with vital infrastructure, high population density and substantial fraction of global economic activity on the coast facing unprecedented challenges due to climate change and sea level rise. Impact and risk assessment, adaptation policies and long-term decision-making in coastal areas depend on robust estimates of future sea level rise. Despite significant progress in the scientific understanding of the physical mechanisms contributing to sea level change, projections of sea level rise remain highly uncertain. In addition, future sea level projections are changing following the new scientific studies. In this presentation we discuss how new information about the future changes in coastal hazards might best be communicated to stakeholders and decision-makers, and what are the current barriers to using climate projections in management activities? We as well discuss how the scientific community improve the sharing of knowledge and information about future climate-related risk in vulnerable coastal areas with relevant sectors who need this information the most by sharing our experience working in Singapore for National Sea Level Programme.