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Little Encouragement From the Ocean to the Beach: Exploring the Challenges of Coastal Erosion

Al Foster

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Published in Wisdom From The Waters: A Little Encouragement From The Ocean To The Beach

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Wisdom from the Waters: A Little Encouragement from the Ocean to the Beach

by Jake Townsend

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	37490 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	84 pages

Causes of Coastal Erosion

There are a number of factors that can contribute to coastal erosion. These include:

Rising sea levels: As the global climate changes, sea levels are rising. This is causing beaches to lose sand and become narrower.
Storm surge: When a storm passes through, it can generate large waves that can cause significant erosion. Storm surge can also damage or destroy coastal structures, such as seawalls and dunes.
Human activities: Human activities can also contribute to coastal erosion. For example, the construction of seawalls and jetties can alter the flow of water and sediment, which can lead to erosion. Beach nourishment, which is the practice of adding sand to a beach, can also be a temporary solution to erosion.

Consequences of Coastal Erosion

Coastal erosion can have a number of negative consequences, including:

Loss of sand: Erosion can cause beaches to lose sand, making them narrower and less appealing to visitors.
Damage to property: Erosion can damage or destroy coastal property, such as homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
Loss of habitat: Erosion can also destroy coastal habitats, such as marshes and dunes. These habitats are important for a variety of plants and animals.
Increased flooding: Erosion can make beaches more vulnerable to flooding during storms. This can lead to property damage and even loss of life.

What Can Be Done to Protect Our Beaches?

There are a number of things that can be done to protect our beaches from erosion. These include:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will help to slow the rate of sea level rise. This will help to protect beaches from erosion.
Build seawalls and dunes: Seawalls and dunes can help to protect beaches from erosion. However, these structures can be expensive to build and maintain.
Nourish beaches: Beach nourishment is the practice of adding sand to a beach. This can help to protect beaches from erosion, but it is a temporary solution.
Restore marshes and dunes: Marshes and dunes are natural barriers that can help to protect beaches from erosion. Restoring these habitats can help to protect beaches from erosion and provide other benefits, such as habitat for wildlife.

Coastal erosion is a major problem facing beaches around the world. It is caused by a variety of factors, including rising sea levels, storm surge, and human activities. Erosion can have a devastating impact on beaches, causing them to lose sand, become narrower, and even disappear altogether. There are a number of things that can be done to protect our beaches from erosion, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, building seawalls and dunes, nourishing beaches, and restoring marshes and dunes.

Wisdom from the Waters: A Little Encouragement from the Ocean to the Beach

by Jake Townsend

4.7 out of 5