ATLANTIS - Atlantic Sea Level Rise: Adaptation to Imaginable Worst Case Climate Change
Background and Goals
The ATLANTIS project studies the effects of rising sea levels of five to six metres, due to the collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet, for the Rhône delta, the Netherlands and the Thames estuary region. In particular, the social consequences of climate effects and adaptation to "conceivable worst case scenarios" for climate change will be studied.
In addition to a scenario for each of the three regions, a formal risk assessment will be carried out and an approach selected that takes account of social values. The theory of optimum management for disasters will also be applied.
In the three case studies, the climate effect analysis will be combined with extensive consultations with experts and stakeholders, with the focus on what is viewed (by stakeholders) as most crucial, as opposed to what is quantifiable.
Content time
toResearch area/region
Country
- France
- Great Britain
- Netherlands
Spatial resolution
Thames Estuary (England),
Rhone Estuary (France),
delta of the rivers Rhine and Maas (Netherlands)
Steps in the process of adaptation to climate change
Step 1: Understand and describe climate change
Approach and results
As part of the project, three primarily qualitative scenarios have been developed, which have to consistently reflect the complex implications for Marseille, Amsterdam or London. Thus, the focus of the study is not on the facts of a five to six metre rise in sea levels, but on its significance for people.
The scenarios were developed in a series of interviews and workshops with stakeholders. The central scenario predicts an additional rise in sea levels of five metres within a century.
Parameter (climate signals)
- Sea level rise und storm surges
Time horizon
- long term = to 2100 and beyond
Step 2a: Identify and assess risks - climate effects and impact
Approach and results
The social effects of a five to six metre sea level rise will be analysed. All three case study areas would be severely affected by a five to six metre rise in sea levels.
Based on a risk analysis and cost/benefit analysis, a reduction in greenhouse gases is essential to avoid the risk of the West Antarctic ice sheet collapsing. However, the probability of complete melting has not been calculated.
Step 3: Develop and compare measures
Measures and/or strategies
Study of the hypothetical adaptation measures in the three case study areas based on stakeholder consultations. The objective is to assess the social consequences of climate effects and adaptation to "conceivable worst case climate scenarios" in three case studies.
Time horizon
- 2071–2100 (far future)
Participants
Funding / Financing
European Commission: research programme 5
Project management
Centre for Marine and Climate Research, Hamburg University
Cooperation/Partners
Flood Hazard Research Centre, Middlesex University, London
International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Laxenburg
Stockholm Environment Institute
Institute for Environment Studies, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam
Symlog Institute, Cachan
Contact
Forschungsstelle Nachhaltige Umweltentwicklung
Bundesstraße 55
20146 Hamburg
