Opinion on coastal damage

Source of photo: Global EDGE

Source of photo: Global EDGE

Source of photo: Global EDGE

Ocean pollution is a complex mixture of toxic metals, plastics, manufactured chemicals, petroleum, urban and industrial wastes, pesticides, fertilisers, pharmaceutical chemicals, agricultural runoff, and sewage. More than 80% arises from land-based sources and it reaches the oceans through rivers, runoff, deposition from the atmosphere – where airborne pollutants are washed into the ocean by rain and snow – and direct dumping, such as pollution from waste water treatment plants and discarded waste. Ocean pollution is heaviest near the coasts and most highly concentrated along the coastlines of low-income and middle-income countries.

 

Life in coastal communities changes rapidly. In some areas, the coastline is eroding by as much as 10 metres a year. Stronger storms and rising sea levels are destroying homes, roads and buildings that have been landmarks for generations.

 

More than once, we'd talk to locals and they'd say, "You see those boats over there? That's where my house used to stand." Homes were washed into the sea, fishing was restricted and people had no choice but to move. This trend is disrupting communities and changing the social structure of large numbers of people, possibly millions in the future. 

 

Aside from the human aspect, why are we so concerned about coastal erosion? First, it has had an adverse and measurable impact on the economic and social development of our client countries. Second, while climate change is making things worse, coastal erosion is partly man-made and can be slowed down and managed more effectively, especially if we take a regional approach. 

 

The economic and social impact of coastal erosion was very evident in our travels. Many of the coastal generation depend on everything along the coast for their livelihoods - from agriculture, fishing and marine industries to tourism, agro-processing and offshore oil. State investments in coastal public infrastructure can be risky and the benefits short-lived. At the current rate of erosion, there is also little interest in investing in tourism infrastructure.