Planning for sea-level rise on the south coast of England: advising the decision makers

Sea-level rise and its possible implications for shoreline management are explored in a case study of the south coast of England. Scientific understanding of the significance of likely physical changes for local environments is discussed. Appropriate management reactions are identified from an analysis of available policy options. Results illustrate how scientific information may be translated by geographers from global to local scales and made accessible for policy-makers, environmental managers and public discussion. Local factors are more important than commonly perceived, not only in terms of understanding impacts upon physical systems but also in formulating mitigating policies that are politically and socially acceptable.