This thesis historicises the Dutch response to sea-level rise, tracing the progression from scientific discovery to public awareness and eventual political action. Through a literature-based analysis and timeline reconstruction, it explores how early warnings, beginning with 19th-century measurements and Jakob Bennema’s 1954 dissertation, failed to prompt immediate policy change. Instead, a familiar pattern emerged: delayed governmental response despite increasing societal and scientific concern. The research highlights key moments in Dutch awareness, including early media coverage and political debates, and questions whether the Netherlands is once again waiting for disaster before implementing proactive climate adaptation strategies.