Sea-level rise could be in excess of 1m in 100 years, creating significant impacts on coastal zones. We have studied impacts at global and continental scales, and in specific environments, such as deltas or small islands. For example, research across the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta indicated what areas are at risk from flooding now and in the future. The outcomes are supporting plans to reduce the number of people exposed to coastal flooding.
Research on small islands is undertaking risk and impact assessments, advising government and other stakeholders on how to adapt to sea-level rise. In the Solomon Islands, for example, research is being undertaken into community relocations in the context of rising sea-levels. Adapting to sea-level rise is not just an engineering problem, but also a societal challenge. So our research takes a diverse, whole systems approach to understand how to instigate change.
