Do governments and scientists have a responsibility to coastal dwellers in the context of global warming?

To the
extent that governmental policies and practices contribute to the long-term warming of the
climate, then governments do have an obligation to the hundreds of millions of people around the
world who live on or within 100 miles of coastlines.  If researchers are correct, and global
warming is (a) occurring and (b) resulting in rising sea levels, and more numerous hurricans and
typhoons of ever-greater intensity, then that obligation is absolute.  While scientists are
doing their job of studying weather and climate patterns, and the effects of human interaction
with the environment, and informing the public of those findings, then they are fulfilling their
responsibilities to mankind.  While there is no consensus on any of these issues, the changing
patterns of catastrophic weather appears undeniable, as regions not normally associated with
such weather begin to experience it.

An estimated 40 percent of the world's
population lives in coastal areas, with many millions more living...