Quantifying and managing the risks of sea-level rise

We propose an integrated multidisciplinary effort to quantify the risks of sea level rise (SLR) in this century and to provide actionable information and tools to manage these risks. To improve probabilistic projections of SLR, we will develop new technologies that allow us to collect unprecedented data in the most vulnerable areas of the ice sheets and learn physics from these data. This includes a new high-altitude, long-endurance drone that can fly in the stratosphere for months at a time, continuously collecting the highest time-resolution data available from a new lightweight, low-power radar. To address the costs of SLR, we will develop methods to estimate costs associated with the increased incidence and severity of flooding due to SLR. Our manifold contributions to risk management involve helping communities and governments develop inclusive policies to adapt to SLR and improving engineering design and investment strategies that consider both “grey” and “green” infrastructure.