The desire to live by the sea and the economic importance of the coastline for shipping and trade means that about a quarter of the coastline of England and Wales has been developed, mainly for housing and industry. Much of this development has taken place with little awareness of the natural processes that operate on the coast, and the potential risks these create. As a result 1.8 million households (housing between 4 and 5 million people) and 140,000 commercial properties (with a financial worth of £250 billion), are now at risk from coastal erosion and flooding.
The coastline of Cor nwall in south-west England is typical: at present 30% of Cornwall’s coastline is undergoing coastal erosion. It also faces the threats of climate change and rising sea levels. Sea level is expected to rise by 5 mm each year until 2030 and perhaps by as much as 7.5 mm each year after that. This will produce a rise of between 8 and 29 cm by 2030, with 18 cm most likely.
Your organisation does not have access to this article.
Sign up today to give your students the edge they need to achieve their best grades with subject expertise
Subscribe
