The future of coastal erosion

Summary

This podcast episode delves into the critical issue of coastal erosion, its environmental and human impacts, and the complexities of managing this growing crisis. Expert Jane Willenbring highlights how rapidly retreating coastlines affect not only wealthy vacation homes but also low-income and Indigenous communities. With rising sea levels, many people face displacement, and infrastructure like water treatment plants is at risk. The episode also explores potential solutions, from native plants to kelp, but emphasizes that these measures may only provide temporary relief. A thoughtful, multifaceted approach is needed to address the urgent challenges of coastal erosion.

Takeaways

• 😀 Coastal erosion is affecting both wealthy and low-income communities, with Indigenous villages in Alaska being particularly vulnerable to displacement.
• 😀 Coastal cliffs are eroding rapidly, with some cliffs retreating at rates of up to 30 meters per year, causing serious environmental and social consequences.
• 😀 Legal challenges arise when the government advises communities to relocate due to imminent risk of coastal erosion, raising questions about land ownership and compensation.
• 😀 The physical risk of coastal erosion includes landslides, with the potential to destroy infrastructure like water treatment plants and disrupt local communities.
• 😀 Storm surges and eroded coastal infrastructure could lead to significant health risks, such as contaminated water supplies or water shortages.
• 😀 Desalinization plants may be considered as a solution to water shortages caused by erosion, but their environmental and logistical challenges remain unclear.
• 😀 Vegetation efforts, like planting bamboo and ice plant, have often been counterproductive, as they create sediment buildup and accelerate erosion once the plants fail.
• 😀 Native plants and kelp are being researched as potential solutions to soften wave impact, though they are not seen as a long-term fix for coastal erosion.
• 😀 Irrigating lawns on coastal cliffs exacerbates erosion by adding excess moisture to the soil, increasing the likelihood of landslides and cliff collapse.
• 😀 The future of coastal erosion will require difficult discussions about who gets to live along coastlines, where displaced communities should go, and how to protect infrastructure.
• 😀 There is a lack of appetite for addressing the reality of coastal erosion, but displacement and infrastructure destruction could ultimately affect many low-income people more than the wealthy.

Q & A

What are the main causes of coastal erosion discussed in the transcript?

The transcript primarily discusses the impacts of climate change, rising sea levels, and human activities like construction along the coast as the main causes of coastal erosion. These factors contribute to the loss of land, infrastructure damage, and displacement of people living in coastal areas.

How does coastal erosion affect low-income communities differently from wealthy ones?

Low-income communities are often more vulnerable to coastal erosion because they tend to live in areas at higher risk of displacement and lack the financial resources to protect their homes or relocate. Wealthy people, on the other hand, may have the means to rebuild or relocate, making them less affected by these changes.

What are the implications for Indigenous people in places like Alaska due to coastal erosion?

In Alaska, Indigenous communities living near the coastline face displacement as rising sea levels and coastal erosion threaten their villages. The federal government has been moving people inland to avoid their homes being submerged, as some areas experience rapid erosion rates, up to 30 meters a year.

What are some of the physical and health threats associated with coastal erosion?

Physical threats include the collapse of cliffs and the risk of people being injured or killed. Health threats arise from infrastructure damage, such as the destruction of water treatment plants, which could lead to water contamination. Additionally, the displacement of communities could exacerbate health and living conditions for affected populations.

How might climate change accelerate coastal erosion?

Climate change accelerates coastal erosion by causing rising sea levels, stronger storms, and increased flooding. These factors contribute to the faster breakdown of coastal defenses like cliffs and shorelines, which can result in more significant erosion and greater displacement of coastal communities.

What role do invasive plants play in the erosion of coastal areas?

Invasive plants, like bamboo and ice plants, have been planted along coastlines to stabilize the soil, but these species can exacerbate erosion. They tend to accumulate sediment and cause sudden failures in the coastlines, making them less effective at slowing erosion in the long term.

Why are native plants considered a better choice for protecting coastlines?

Native plants are considered more effective because they are adapted to local environmental conditions and help stabilize the soil more naturally. They tend to support the slow, controlled erosion of coastlines, which prevents sudden collapses and maintains the integrity of the ecosystem.

Can kelp help protect coastlines from erosion?

Kelp has been proposed as a natural barrier to soften wave impacts along coastlines, potentially reducing the severity of storm surges. However, while kelp may help temporarily buffer some of the forces of waves, it is unlikely to stop coastal erosion in the long term.

What impact does human activity, like lawn watering, have on coastal erosion?

Human activities, particularly the watering of lawns on cliff tops, contribute to coastal erosion by adding excess water to the soil. This additional moisture can weaken the soil structure, making cliffs more prone to collapse. Lawns, particularly those on cliffs, are not ideal as they increase water infiltration into the land.

What legal challenges might arise for homeowners facing displacement due to coastal erosion?

Legal challenges could include disputes over land ownership and compensation, especially if the government intervenes by advising or forcing people to move inland due to coastal erosion risks. People may question the fairness of losing their property to erosion, especially if the government acts before the land is actually submerged.