This book is a sequel to my Coastline Changes: A Global Review, which was published in 1985, and initiated the Coastal Morphology and Research series. At about that time, there was a sudden surge of interest in climatic change and sea level variation, stimulated by evidence that the composition of the Earth's atmosphere had been modified by the discharge of increasing amounts of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide generated by urban, industrial and agricultural activities. These are among the gases that produce the so-called greenhouse effect, which maintains Earth's surface temperature at a much higher level than would otherwise exist: their enhancement by human agency is likely to cause global warming and a world-wide sea level rise. The aim is to provide a background for discussion and evaluation of problems resulting from coastal submergence, in particular for those concerned with the planning, development, conservation and management of coastal areas. This book should also be of use to people concerned with education and training, and media publicity, when they address problems of a rising sea level and their consequences for coastal environments.