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Only a small proportion of funding for global change research programs has been directed at planning for sea level rise through mitigation projects. Although recent estimates of the rise by 2050 (25–50 cm) are reduced compared to previous predictions and are now within the ranges achieved in the geological past, considerable changes will still take place in the coastal zone, especially when greater and more storm surge incidence and rainfall intensity factors are considered. Adjustments available include: no action; coastal defence based on present rates of sea level rise; retreat with planning and social engineering; protection; and abatement of global change processes. Actual decisions for specific reactions will vary according to risk and impact assessment. Production of Coastal Vulnerability Indices (CVI) using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is advocated at several scales for the identification of regional response planning strategies.