Relative sea level rise in China and its socioeconomic implications

Abstract

Global sea level rise over the past 100 years is 1 to 2 mm/yr, and the best estimate of sea level rise is 18 cm in 2030. In Chinese major deltas, owing to large land subsidence, relative sea level rise reaches 10 to 20 mm/yr. Therefore, potential coastal risks from further sea level rise is great. Impact of sea level rise on Chinese coastal regions includes inundation, water pollution, port and inland waterway transport, and coastal and beach erosion.

Keywords:

• Chinese deltas
• impact of sea level rise
• land subsidence
• relative sea level