Beaches in various countries around the world are facing a serious threat due to coastal erosion, which is difficult to stop because of sand washing away. According to the Financial Times, authorities worldwide are making efforts to preserve coastlines in the coming years.
“Part of the erosion occurs due to natural causes such as storms, high tides, and rising sea levels as a result of global warming, leading to glacier melting,” the article notes.
To protect the coastline, various measures are used, including bringing in sand as a natural defense against flooding. However, the cost of sand is increasing, and supplies are dwindling due to high demand in the construction sector and other industries. For example, in Rodanthe (USA), 11 homes have already been lost due to shoreline erosion. Local authorities say that more than $40 million is needed to restore the beaches, which the town does not have.
The Erosion Problem in Barcelona
The coastline in Barcelona is losing 30,000 cubic meters of sand per year, equivalent to the volume of 12 Olympic swimming pools, the Financial Times reports. Even with erosion protection measures in place, some beaches may completely disappear due to this issue.
The threat of coastal erosion is becoming increasingly serious in many countries, and authorities must find ways to protect beaches from sand washing away. A lack of funding and challenging natural conditions make the situation even more complicated, and this requires urgent action to prevent the loss of beaches and coastal areas.