Global Center Event: Why sea levels rising and how can we stem the tide
(Groningen, the Netherlands, 05 February 2019) The Global Center on Adaptation together with the Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI) hosted a discussion on the impact of sea level rises and the latest research on sea level rise projections.
W ith a warm welcome to all guests, Patrick Verkooijen, CEO of the Global Center on Adaptation, introduced the guests to the important work of the center: “adapting to our new climate reality will require a complete transformation of policies, programs and projects across governments, the private sector and civil society to ensure the wellbeing of humanity. This new climate reality needs a mindset ready to adapt – and in the Netherlands particularly, as history has shown us, sea-level rise can have a substantial impact on its inhabitants”
Honored guest Peter den Oudsten, Mayor of Groningen, stressed the importance of a close collaboration between the province, municipalities, organizations and the different waterboards to work on climate proofing the Wadden Sea coast. Although the city of Groningen sits relatively high on the Hondsrug (a ridge of sand located in the region Drenthe and Groningen), the possible effects of sea-level rise will influence the northern region, and hence the city itself. Innovative and nature-based solutions such as the double dike project are necessary to protect the area not only from sea-level rise but also from land subsidence and earthquakes.
The status quo of sea level rise research and the importance of the Arctic
Dewi le Bars, climate research scientist at the KNMI, stressed that global sea level rise in the 20th century has ben faster than the last 30 centuries combined due to ice melting in the Arctic.
Richard Bintanja, senior climate researcher at the KNMI and Honorary Professor Climate and Environmental Change at the University of Groningen followed up on Dewi’s talk by showing the dramatic changes the Arctic has gone though in the past 50 years and raising the question of whether we are heading towards a new Arctic.
Patrick Verkooijen closed the day with a video of how communities in Kiribati are adapting to sea level rises and the message: There is hope. Adaptation can make a real difference!
