1. Assessment of Climate Change Impacts
Sea Level Rise in Bangladesh and the Netherlands
Paula Aschenbrenner and Magdalena Tordy
(NASA 2015)

2. Content Definition of objective
Introduction and general description of the problem
Methodology and background information
Application to case study
Discussion and Conclusion
Summary

3. Definition of Objective
Assessing climate change impacts, especially concerning future sea level rises in Bangladesh (South Asia) and the Netherlands (Atlantic region)
Objective: establish a link between the statement of the IPCC and current and possible future situations in these countries
Look at economic condition and historic development

4. Introduction ...
Climate Change is a global issue with various impacts and consequences
Changing sea level; expressed differently in various regions (latitude, climatic condition)
Major challenge: inequitiy in economic condition
Paris Agreement in 2015
Rio Declaration on Environment and Development in 1992

5. ... and Description 5th IPCC report state:
Global mean sea level rise is likely
Atlantic region one of most affected ones
South Asia: high degree of cumulative climate- related risk, e.g. flood risk
Historic differences in sea level rise protection
Netherlands started 500 B.C
Bangladesh has hardly any protection
Different perception of „heavy flood“

6. Methodology Desktop research
Drivers of sea level rise due to climate change
Past changes in sea level
Future changes in sea level depending on different scenarios
Impacts on sea level rise in the Netherlands and Bangladesh
Ability to adapt to climate change

7. Methodology cont.
Drivers of global sea level rise due to anthropogenic climate change
Warmer ocean water expands
Melting ice land is adding water to oceans
Regional ocean currents (lead to unequal rise of sea level)

8. Methodology cont. Impacts of sea level rise
increased flood risk and submergence
salinisation of surface and ground waters
morphological change, such as erosion and wetland loss
loss of soil and land resources
damage to coastal infrastructure
sub-optimal functioning of the sewerage systems
Spreading of diseases

9. Methodology cont.
Four RCP (Representative Concentration Pathways) scenarios
RCP2.6
RCP4.5
RCP6.0
RCP8.5
Four emission scenarios: CO2 emitted from 2000 on
1,280GtC
2,560GtC
3,840GtC
5,120GtC

10. Methodology cont.
Percentage of the population-weighted area for each nation or megacity below the projected long-term local mean sea level from emitting 1,280 GtC.

11. Case study: The Netherlands and Bangladesh

12. Case study: The Netherlands and Bangladesh, cont
Sea level rise is long term impact of climate change
Scenarios predict a sea level rise of up to 1m up to compared to 1990
Flooded area in case of sea level rise of 1m

13. Case study: The Netherlands and Bangladesh, cont
25% now already below sea level
First dykes built 500 B.C.
If no measures are build risk of floods, ground water salinisation and erosion
Technical and financial capacities are available to install future protection measures
Bangladesh
High populated coastal areas
in case of 1m sea level rise 10% of the total land area of the country will be lost, 13 million people without home
Hardly any protection like dykes
lack of financial and technical capacities

14. Discussion and Conclusion
Climate Change impacts are very diverse and have high influence on humans and ecosystems
Global mean sea level rise is likely until 2100:
High risk for Bangladesh and the Netherlands
Will be seen even hundreds of years later
Consider socio-economic capacities -> influence risk
The Netherlands have higher capacities to adapt
Over 1/3 of Bangladeshis suffer from malnourishment -> further reduction of agricultural land
International agreements and cooperation needed for climate justice and support

15. Summary Assessment of Climate Change Impacts
Future sea level rise in Atlantic Europe and South Asia
Possible consequences for affected population
State of the art consensus of future CC impacts (diff. RCPs and CO2 emission scenarios)
Case study: Sea level rise in Bangladesh and the Netherlands
Analysation of future impacts and challenges for populations
Sea level rise has high impact in both countries, even far beyond 21st century
Difficult to make exact predicitions – depends on capacities to adapt

16. The End
Thank you for your attention!