II. Coastal Management and Coastal Defense
41
Chapter VI : Priorities for Adaptive Responses
1
Introduction
The projected rise in sea level warrants urgent policy responses in many coastal
states, particularly those with populated coral atolls and deltas, or those with
estuary dependent fisheries. Such actions must focus on human safety and on
sustainable development of coastal resources.
Even though sea level rise is predicted to be a relatively gradual phenomenon,
adaptive strategies may require lead times in the order of 50 to 100 years, to
tailor them to the unique physical, social, economic, environmental and cultural
considerations of a particular coastal area. Moreover, even though there may be
no need to begin building dikes that are not needed for 50 years, it is appropriate
to begin planning now to avoid actions that could increase vulnerability to the
impacts of sea-level rise. It will take ten years to implement plans, in view of the
time required for the necessary analyses, training the people, developing the
plans and mobilizing public and political awareness and support. Therefore, the
process should started without delay. Protection from coastal impacts of sea-level
rise and other impacts of global climate change include both capital investment
in defense structures and maintenance costs. Moreover ff the sea continues to
rise, these structures may have to be augmented or replaced. Similarly nonstructural options to reduce vulnerability to impacts of sea-level rise, such as land
use plannings, may require actions to implement and enforce them.
It is important to recognize that decisions today on planning for coastal
development will greatly influence cost for later adaptation to impacts of sealevel rise. Charlotte (South Carolina), Venice, Shanghai, New-Orleans and Lagos
are all vulnerable because of decisions made 200-2,000 years ago. It is therefore
necessary, to establish some immediate priorities for planning and management
of coastal resources and for technical and financial assistance to developing
countries to facilitate their planning.
Developing countries should be provided with the technical and financial
assistance required to plan for coastal development in order to reduce
vulnerability to impacts of sea-level rise. There is also a need to estimate the
future long term funding requirements for developing countries that may be
required ff protection options are needed 18.
41
Chapter VI : Priorities for Adaptive Responses
1
Introduction
The projected rise in sea level warrants urgent policy responses in many coastal
states, particularly those with populated coral atolls and deltas, or those with
estuary dependent fisheries. Such actions must focus on human safety and on
sustainable development of coastal resources.
Even though sea level rise is predicted to be a relatively gradual phenomenon,
adaptive strategies may require lead times in the order of 50 to 100 years, to
tailor them to the unique physical, social, economic, environmental and cultural
considerations of a particular coastal area. Moreover, even though there may be
no need to begin building dikes that are not needed for 50 years, it is appropriate
to begin planning now to avoid actions that could increase vulnerability to the
impacts of sea-level rise. It will take ten years to implement plans, in view of the
time required for the necessary analyses, training the people, developing the
plans and mobilizing public and political awareness and support. Therefore, the
process should started without delay. Protection from coastal impacts of sea-level
rise and other impacts of global climate change include both capital investment
in defense structures and maintenance costs. Moreover ff the sea continues to
rise, these structures may have to be augmented or replaced. Similarly nonstructural options to reduce vulnerability to impacts of sea-level rise, such as land
use plannings, may require actions to implement and enforce them.
It is important to recognize that decisions today on planning for coastal
development will greatly influence cost for later adaptation to impacts of sealevel rise. Charlotte (South Carolina), Venice, Shanghai, New-Orleans and Lagos
are all vulnerable because of decisions made 200-2,000 years ago. It is therefore
necessary, to establish some immediate priorities for planning and management
of coastal resources and for technical and financial assistance to developing
countries to facilitate their planning.
Developing countries should be provided with the technical and financial
assistance required to plan for coastal development in order to reduce
vulnerability to impacts of sea-level rise. There is also a need to estimate the
future long term funding requirements for developing countries that may be
required ff protection options are needed 18.