Half of the world’s beaches could disappear by the end of this century as a result of climate change-induced coastal erosion and rising seas, study finds.
Vousdoukas said most of the world’s coastlines are already eroding, but parts of North Africa, Central America, West Africa, northern Australia and small island nations could be among the most at risk.
The loss of beaches has important cultural and economic implications for countries, but there are also ecological concerns, according to Vousdoukas. Robert Young, director of the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina, said the findings are important, but that many beaches around the world are already in peril.“There are probably hundreds of kilometers of the world’s beaches that have already disappeared,” said Young, who was not involved with the new research.
Some degree of coastal erosion is natural, and shorelines have been constantly changing throughout history. But Young said climate change will wreak havoc along waterfronts that have been heavily developed, particularly if the effects of global warming outpace a community’s ability to either relocate or build up resilience.
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