1/4 of the world's beach area will disappear

Scientists predict that about half of the world's beaches will be significantly narrowed by the end of the century, due to coastal flooding and human impacts.

According to the Guardian, the erosion of beaches will reduce wildlife habitats, as well as coastal coastal areas losing their buffer to protect them from rising sea levels or storms. storm.

Meanwhile, measures against this situation are expected to become increasingly expensive, and in some cases will not be a sustainable solution.

Based on satellite images collected over a 30-year period, scientists from the EU Joint Research Center found that erosion caused destruction of 36,097 km of coastline. They predict the situation will get worse in the second half of this century, with a quarter of the world's beach area disappearing.

That's not even the worst case scenario, since it's based on RCP 4.5 - when the sea level rises by 50 centimeters by 2100.

Aggression occurred in Collaroy, Sydney, Australia.(Photo: AAP).

However, if the world continues to emit carbon at its current rate, the sea level will rise by about 80 centimeters by 2100, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. If this happens, 13% of the beaches on Earth will be submerged.

Globally, the average intrusion would be 86.4 meters under the RCP 4.5 or 128.1 meters scenario if carbon emissions are increased, although the exact figure will have to be based on each specific beach. . Flat beaches will be more affected than steep beaches or artificially maintained harbors as part of coastal urban development.

The major beaches on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, as well as the Indian side of Australia, will be narrowed to between 100-200 meters. Reducing carbon emissions could prevent 17% of coastal erosion by 2050, and 40% by 2100, helping to maintain an average of 42 meters per coast, according to the researchers.

Rising sea levels will exacerbate problems caused by construction and barriers on the coast, such as buildings, roads, or dams that alter the natural sand replenishment system for Beach.

The third factor causing coastal erosion is an increase in storms, stemming from climate change. These storms will erode the most vulnerable beaches.

By the end of this century, about 63% of the world's low coastal areas will be at risk. In these areas, both population density and urban development tend to be higher than inland.

1. Seagrass and coastal potential
2. Rising sea levels are threatening the Indian islands