Storms and Rising Waters Session: Sea level rise in Atlantic Canada presentation summary

Sea-level rise is a concern for Canadian aquaculturists as it can lead to much greater flood potential in culture areas and the potential for damage to support infrastructure such as small craft harbours. The 2013 fifth Assessment Report (AR5), from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that the rate of global sea-level rise since the mid-19th century, has been greater than the previous two millennia. From 1901 to 2010, global average sea level rose an average of 0.19m (with an uncertainty range of 0.17m - 0.21m). Global sea-level will continue to rise during the 21st century and will very likely exceed that observed between 1971 to 2010 due to increased ocean warming, and increased loss of water mass from glaciers and ice sheets. Sea-level rise will vary regionally due to a combination of differences in ocean circulation, vertical land motion and other local drivers.