169Understanding Sea Level Rise and CoastalHazards
of natural causes or because of anthropogenic contributions. Since
anthropogenic effects have much to do with the burning of fossil
fuels, greenhouse gases, and so on, if signicant, they will be addi-
tive to the eustatic rise (Held and Soden 2000). A reduction in fossil
fuel use may occur (Odum and Odum 2001), although its impact on
sea level may not become apparent during this century.
2. The main interest to coastal protection is related to the relative
SLR, which has been increasing in many places and decreasing
elsewhere. The main cases of relative sea level change are eustatic
change, isostacy (tectonic warping of the earth’s crust), and subsid-
ence due to natural and anthropogenic ...