Climate change and the management of coastal resources

In early 1996 the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presented its Second Assessment Report 1995. In this paper some of the IPCC conclusions are discussed in the light of possible impacts on coastal resources and with respect to adaptation possibilities in coastal areas. It is concluded that present developments and trends in coastal areas are aggravating future impacts of climate change. It is also concluded that strengthening integrated coastal zone management efforts is the vehicle for improving the present day situation while at the same time accounting for future threats, which climate change is.