Workshop reports

The major output from the workshop will be a WCRP report summarizing the current state of the science, an outline of future research requirements for improving our understanding of sea-level rise and variability and a description of the observational requirements (both experimental and sustained systematic observations). A careful consideration of uncertainties will be included. The report will contain sections on requirements for improving present estimates and future projections of:

sea-level rise and variability,
ocean thermal expansion,
non-polar glacier contributions,
ice sheet contributions,
vertical motion due to glacial isostatic adjustments and tectonic motions,
terrestrial (including anthropogenic) water storage contributions,
changes in the frequency/intensity of extreme events, and
changes in surface waves, ocean swell, etc.

The report will also address the extent to which current programs adequately cover the requirements and what additional efforts may be necessary. The report will consider traditional observational techniques (e.g. tide gauges), as well as recent observational techniques (e.g. radar and laser altimetry, satellite gravimetry). One page abstracts of the presentations will be included as appendices. The full report will be accompanied by a summary report which will briefly present the case for future research and observational programs. The report will be different from the forthcoming IPCC Assessment Report in that it will not contain projections of future changes. It will focus on science and observational requirements, including uncertainties identified during the workshop and by IPCC. The starting point for the workshop will be the current IPCC uncertainties, and the Report will address how the uncertainties could be addressed for the fifth IPCC Assessment Report.