Beach lovers in for a shock: Climate change will wipe out half of world's sandy coastlines by 2100
Beaches occupy more than a third of the global coastline, often in highly populated areas.
By PTI |
iStock
Apart from tourism, sandy beaches often act as the first line of defence from coastal storms and flooding.
PARIS: Climate change and sea level rise are currently on track to wipe out half the world's sandy beaches by 2100, researchers warned on Monday.
Even if humanity sharply reduces the fossil fuel pollution that drives global warming, more than a third of the planet's sandy shorelines could disappear by then, crippling coastal tourism in countries large and small, they reported in the journal Nature Climate Change.
"Apart from tourism, sandy beaches often act as the first line of defence from coastal storms and flooding, and without them impacts of extreme weather events will probably be higher," lead author Michalis Vousdoukas, a researcher at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, told AFP.
"We have to prepare."
Some countries, such as the United States, are already planning extensive defence systems, but in most nations such massive engineering schemes will be unfeasible, unaffordable or both.
Australia could be hit hardest, according to the findings, with nearly 15,000 kilometres (more than 9,000 miles) of white-beach coastline washed away over the next 80 years, followed by Canada, Chile and the United States.
ADVERTISEMENT
The 10 countries that stand to lose the most sandy shoreline also include Mexico, China, Russia, Argentina, India and Brazil.
Sandy beaches occupy more than a third of the global coastline, often in highly populated areas.
But new construction, sea level rise, storm surge from hurricanes or typhoons, and reduced sediment from dammed rivers are all eroding these shorelines, threatening livelihoods and infrastructure.
Zohar, a resort recreation area in the southern part of the Dead Sea.
ADVERTISEMENT
To assess how quickly and by how much beaches might disappear, Vousdoukas and colleagues plotted trend lines across three decades of satellite imagery dating back to 1984.
From there, they projected future erosion under two climate change scenarios.
ADVERTISEMENT
The "worst case" RCP8.5 pathway assumes carbon emissions will continue unabated, or that Earth itself will begin to boost atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations - from, for example, permafrost - independent of human action.
A less dire scenario, called RCP4.5, would see humanity cap global warming at about three degrees Celsius, which is still far more than the "well below 2C" limit called for in the 2015 Paris Agreement.
Under RCP8.5, the world will lose 49.5 per cent of its sandy beaches by 2100 - nearly 132,000 kilometres of coastline.
Even by mid-century, the loss would be more than 40,000 kilometres.
The increasingly likely RCP4.5 outlook would still see 95,000 kilometres of coastline shorn of its sand by 2100, most of it within the next 30 years.
The UN's science advisory group, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), projected in a major report last September a sea level rise of a half metre by 2100 under the more optimistic scenario, and 84cm under RCP8.5.
From Jodhpur To San Juan, Here Are Top 10 Travel Destinations You Ought To Visit In 2020
1/11
All the travel junkies out there, if there is one listicle you must focus on, it’s this one. With 2019 travel goals (hopefully) met, it’s time to start planning for the 2020 holidays. Booking.com has delved into global booking trends to reveal 10 of the top emerging travel destinations for 2020.
Jodhpur from India has found its spot among the top 10 list, alongside some lesser known spots in Eastern Europe to under-the-radar spots in Asia. Commenting on the study, Ritu Mehrotra, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives for Booking.com said, “As we proceed towards a new decade, we will see travel becoming more and more sustainable and technologically-advanced, further aided by enhanced services and offerings that enable the modern day inquisitive traveller to experience the world.
81% of Indian travellers say that in 2020 they want to go somewhere that offers experiences they’ve never had before. From catering to their peaked interest in lesser known destinations to counter over-tourism, to customised travel recommendations, we want to ensure that the travellers have the most diverse selection of places to stay at as we help them prepare and plan their travel in 2020 and beyond.”
Here’s where you should be headed to satiate the wanderbug in you.
All the travel junkies out there, if there is one listicle you must focus on, it’s this one. With 2019 travel goals (hopefully) met, it’s time to start planning for the 2020 holidays. Booking.com h..
Read More
For travellers looking to take a cultural beach trip in 2020, Il Gzira is located on the north eastern coast of Malta and lies in direct view of the walled city of Valletta. This stunning seaside destination takes its name from the Maltese word for “island” and with the city’s sweeping Marsamxett harbor overlooking Manoel Island, it’s not hard to see why.
Fort Manoel, which was built in 1726 on Manoel Island adjacent to the town itself, makes a great day trip for travellers to learn more about the town’s history and the island’s past as a hospital quarantine. After exploring, travellers can enjoy local cuisine with incredible views as they relax at one of the many restaurants overlooking the harbor.
For travellers looking to take a cultural beach trip in 2020, Il Gzira is located on the north eastern coast of Malta and lies in direct view of the walled city of Valletta. This stunning seaside des..
Read More
Thanks to its breath-taking scenery, Ninh Binh is often referred to as the “Ha Long Bay on land” as the dense greenery of the landscape surrounding the city emerges from land rather than water. Quieter than its nearby namesake, Ninh Binh offers travellers a scenic escape just a few hours away from bustling Hanoi.
Outside the city itself, Ninh Binh province is a medley of mountains, rivers, caves, rice fields and pagodas. Taking a boat tour in this picturesque natural area may look like something from a movie, especially given its starring role on the big screen in the past.
Thanks to its breath-taking scenery, Ninh Binh is often referred to as the “Ha Long Bay on land” as the dense greenery of the landscape surrounding the city emerges from land rather than water. Quiet..
Read More
Bright colonial architecture with colorful and unique landscapes nearby, Salta is located in the heart of the Argentine Andes and is a great ‘best of both worlds’ destination for the one- in-five (19%) of global travellers who want to visit Argentina in 2020.
Whether taking in the colorful cityscape with a visit to 9 de Julio Plaza, a lush public square in the heart of the city, San Francisco Church, a historic church and monastery that dates back to the 1600s or exploring the nearby colorful landscape of The Hill of Seven Colors and Salinas Grandes (salt flats), a trip to this beautiful part of the world will leave a colorful impression.
Bright colonial architecture with colorful and unique landscapes nearby, Salta is located in the heart of the Argentine Andes and is a great ‘best of both worlds’ destination for the one- in-five (19..
Read More
The second largest city in South Korea’s Jeju Island, Seogwipo, is a bustling coastal city surrounded by natural wonders of the volcanic coastline. Ideal for active travellers, Seogwipo’s clear blue waters will prove popular with scuba-diving enthusiasts, while nearby Mount Hallasan is a great option for those looking to lace up their boots and take a hike.
Seogwipo is also the perfect base to visit the nearby waterfalls - Cheonjiyeon Falls and Jeongbang. To refuel after a day of adventuring, the Seogwipo Olle Market offers tastes of the region with various street food and fresh produce stalls, while downtown Seogwipo is home to many traditional Korean restaurants and BBQ spots.
The second largest city in South Korea’s Jeju Island, Seogwipo, is a bustling coastal city surrounded by natural wonders of the volcanic coastline. Ideal for active travellers, Seogwipo’s clear blue ..
Read More
The stunning city of Jodhpur is known as one of the most colorful cities in the world, with thousands of blue houses transforming the urban landscape into a sea of ocean-colored buildings.
Aside from its vibrant setting, Jodhpur is home to the Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace and the Mandore Gardens, ideal for culture vultures interested in architecture and museums. Foodies and shopaholics will also love exploring the winding medieval streets of Jodhpur and sampling authentic Indian food and spices at one of the many bazaars.
The stunning city of Jodhpur is known as one of the most colorful cities in the world, with thousands of blue houses transforming the urban landscape into a sea of ocean-colored buildings. Aside from..
Read More
Located in northwest Poland, Swinoujscie is a beautiful port town on the Baltic Sea that’s a perfect destination for water lovers. Travellers can immerse themselves in the town’s history and visit the Museum of Sea Fishery, which features model vessels and astonishing sea creatures, before continuing the sea theme and taking a walk to the 19th Century Lighthouse for panoramic scenery of the harbor from the observation deck.
Adrenaline junkies can dive into even more aquatic experiences, spending the day doing water sports on Swinoujscie Beach, one of the widest beaches in Poland.
Located in northwest Poland, Swinoujscie is a beautiful port town on the Baltic Sea that’s a perfect destination for water lovers. Travellers can immerse themselves in the town’s history and visit th..
Read More
Takamatsu, also known as Udon Kingdom and the Gateway of Shikoku, is a port town that’s the perfect vacation for travellers interested in vibrant food scenes and scenic backdrops. Once you have finished feasting on noodles, a must-visit is the picturesque Ritsurin Park.
The park is a Japanese national treasure and is home to many tea houses where travellers can experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony; plus the Engetsu-kyo (moon crossing) bridge and iconic lotus ponds.
Takamatsu, also known as Udon Kingdom and the Gateway of Shikoku, is a port town that’s the perfect vacation for travellers interested in vibrant food scenes and scenic backdrops. Once you have finis..
Read More
Puerto Rico’s capital San Juan is an extraordinary Caribbean destination boasting vibrant culture and architecture. Walk the cobbled streets of Old San Juan to see the colorful Spanish colonial buildings; explore Fortaleza Street, also known as umbrella street and discover roads full of lush greenery surrounding the houses nearby.
The flora isn’t the only picture opportunity for travellers, with a thriving art scene, San Juan’s streets are adorned with street art while more architecturally-minded travellers can enjoy El Morro, Castillo de San Cristobal and Paseo de la Princesa. A trip to San Juan will also aid in Puerto Rico’s recovery efforts following the effects of Hurricane Maria back in 2017.
Puerto Rico’s capital San Juan is an extraordinary Caribbean destination boasting vibrant culture and architecture. Walk the cobbled streets of Old San Juan to see the colorful Spanish colonial build..
Read More
Travellers looking to go off-grid with their 2020 travels should head for the mountains in Zabljak, a small town in northern Montenegro and at the center of the Durmitor mountain region. Whether traveling in winter for an adrenaline-packed trip on the snowy slopes or during the warmer months to experience thrilling water sports on the lakes and rivers and hiking trails nearby, this destination appeals all year round.
The must-see list includes Durmitor National Park, Black Lake and the Djurdjevica Tara Bridge, a concrete bridge that was once the biggest concrete arch bridge for vehicles in Europe.
Travellers looking to go off-grid with their 2020 travels should head for the mountains in Zabljak, a small town in northern Montenegro and at the center of the Durmitor mountain region. Whether trav..
Many climate scientists, however, say these estimates are too conservative, and have predicted in peer-reviewed work that the ocean watermark will rise twice as much.
Experts not involved in the new findings said they should sound an alarm.
"The study's linkage of global coastal degradation to (fossil fuel) combustion is a landmark advance," said Jeffrey Kargel, a senior scientist at the Planetary Research Institute in Tucson, Arizona.
In Asian delta regions that are home to hundreds of millions, sediment from Himalayan glacier-melt that could rebuild sand deposits is trapped in downstream reservoirs.
"Coastal erosion of the Indus and Ganges delta areas of South Asia is expected to be extremely rapid," Kargel noted.
The impact of receding coastlines that still maintain a thinning ribbon of sand should also be considered, said Andrew Shepherd, director of the Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling at the University of Leeds.
"Between a quarter and half of the UK's sandy beaches will retreat by more than 100 metres over the next century, depending on how rapidly polar ice sheets melt," he said.
"Unfortunately, ice losses from Antarctica and Greenland are both tracking the worst-case climate warming scenarios."
