- VI 1 - 



(3) THE RANGE OF FUTURE SEA LEVEL RISE ESTIMATES COULD BE NARROWED 

 BY ACCELERATING RESEARCH. 



- Differences in estimates of sea level rise are due to 

 deficiencies in scientific knowledge and in the methods 

 used for constructing estimates. These deficiencies 

 can be corrected. 



- The most important research opportunities for improving 

 sea level rise estimates are in estimating the transfer 

 of ice and snow from land to sea, understanding the 

 growth of the minor trace gases, and narrowing estimates 

 of the sensitivity of the climate system to increased 

 greenhouse gases. Many opportunities exist for improving 

 knowledge in these areas. 



- Under current funding, estimates of sea level rise will 

 improve very slowly. 



- Greater and more secure funding of interdisciplinary 

 teams could produce a more rapid improvement in 

 estimates . 



