Since about 1980 the differences are stationary at about 1 m (von Storch, 2009). This difference is best explained by two factors, namely the dredging of the shipping channel and measures for improving storm surge defense AUY-922 purchase (by shortening dike lines and blocking tributaries). Thus, the increasing storm surge hazard in Hamburg is hardly related to man-made climate change, but mostly to modifications of the topography of the river Elbe and of the tidal regime in this river. The tidal wave – and thus also any storm surge – travels upstream much faster and peaks more efficiently in Hamburg. The change in hazard is man-made,

but not by emitting greenhouse gases, but by modifying the river. This explains the past changes in a plausible manner; however, this explanation does not imply that future minor modifications of the river will lead to further significant increase of hazards. Also, even if presently climate change is a minor factor, this may change, when an

accelerated sea level rise takes place in the North Sea. This analysis is a typical “detection and attribution” case (Hasselmann, 1979): In this format, it is first asked selleck chemicals llc if we observe a change, which is beyond the range of “normal” variations – and the increase of storm surge heights after 1962 is clearly beyond that range. In that case we conclude that we have “detected” a change, which needs an explanation beyond “natural

variations”. In the “attribution”-step, different possible causes are examined, which of them is most successful in explaining the change. In our case it is the modification of the estuary. Unfortunately, all too often, complex phenomena are prematurely related to some causes, often those Decitabine in vitro which fit certain political or economic interests best. Also, some scientific institutions seem to have bound themselves to certain explanatory frameworks, and find it difficult to think beyond a once chosen paradigm (Fleck, 1980). The use of coastal zones are changing, reflecting changing political, economic and societal human activities and preferences. “Marine Spatial Planning” (MSP) describes the “public process of analyzing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives that have been specified through a political process” (UNESCO, 2014). This process needs contributions not only from natural sciences and engineering, but also from social science for understanding structures, perceptions, interests and power balances of the involved actors and affected population. Marine Spatial Planning is in itself not a scientific task; science contributes to this task by providing background knowledge and information, and by analyzing and suggesting methods of how to implement this type of planning.