Sea level rise in Europe: impacts and consequences

Abstract

Sea level rise has major impacts in Europe which vary from place to place and in time, depending on the source of the impacts. Flooding, erosion, and saltwater intrusion lead via different pathways to cause various consequences in coastal regions across Europe. Flooding, via overflow, overtopping, and breaching, damages assets, the environment, and people. Coastal erosion leads also to damage, and saltwater intrusion affects ecosystems and surface waters and salinizes coastal aquifers, diminishing freshwater availability and causing salt damage to crops and health issues in people. This paper provides an overview of the various impacts and consequences of sea level rise in Europe.