Beaches across the globe are being eroded at alarming rates due to rapid coastal development, rising sea levels, and increasingly intense storms. Natural sand dunes — once the coastline’s protective barrier — are disappearing, allowing waves to push inland more easily.
Marine scientist Omar Defeo warns that nearly half of the world’s beaches could vanish by the end of this century if countries sharing coastlines do not take urgent action to protect these fragile ecosystems.
Human-made structures such as roads, seawalls, and coastal buildings are preventing beaches from recovering after storms. This disrupts the delicate “three-part system” of sand dunes – beach face – underwater shoreline. When one component collapses, the others follow in a chain reaction.
The consequences are severe: wildlife loses habitat, fisheries and tourism suffer, and many coastal cities face growing risks from storm surges and high tides pushing into communities.
Coastlines that once served as natural shields are rapidly weakening — and the time left to save them may be far shorter than we think.
CR: https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/environment/1208593
