Sea-level rise is an inevitable consequence of global warming. Coastal cities must prepare themselves to avoid expensive and dangerous damage to infrastructure, property, and lives. London, New York, and San Francisco were chosen to illustrate the impacts of sea-level rise and represent the east and west coasts of the United States and a large European city. To assess how coastal cities are preparing for sea-level rise, case studies were performed by interviewing officials who are intrinsically involved in long-term planning and reviewing government documents on climate change.

London is in the most advanced stage of planning for the consequences of sea-level rise and has established a collaborative task force to prospectively address this and related issues. London serves as a template that both New York and San Francisco are following to design adaptation strategies. In this complex area requiring coordination among multiple stakeholders, establishment of a task force can facilitate the city's risk assessment of vulnerable areas, integrate flood protection and resilient methods, and provide public education and outreach.