MODULE 2 – COASTS [MODULE OVERVIEW]

Our first encounter with the ocean begins at the coast – on a sandy beach, rugged
cliff, or lush delta.

The coasts have always attracted us – we hold a special relation to the coasts,
associating special meaning, values and beliefs.

Coastal resources such as fish and seafood, and coastal tourism generate
livelihoods and benefits for millions.

Coasts connect countries, with a high concentration of megacities and ports for
global trade.

A billion people live within 20 metres above mean sea level, on 8 million square
kilometres of land, roughly the size of Brazil.

As we modify the coast with our megacities and careless pollution, we should be
aware how dependent we are on coastal areas and how disastrous their loss would
be.

Coastal disasters can happen anywhere.

The causes are usually remote, and coasts are vulnerable to threats both from land
and the ocean.

Agriculture, industry, transport and recreation often lead to excessive sewage,

garbage, toxic waste and other contaminants that are transported by rivers toward
the coasts.

With accelerating development, sand and gravel extracted from beaches, and low-
lying coastal areas, now form the largest volume of solid material extracted globally,
with devastating impacts on coastal ecosystems!

Other threats include erosion, loss of low and wetlands, salt water intrusion, and oil-
spills.

The major threat from the ocean is sea level rise.

Already, several small island developing states are facing loss of their lands.

These nations are often those who have contributed least to the problem.

The ocean also harbours natural disasters such as storm surges and tsunamis.

So, what do we do?

How can we safeguard our coastal ecosystems, communities and infrastructures?

How do we find a compromise between enjoying and using the services rendered by
coastal regions and protecting them?
 MODULE 2 – COASTS [MODULE OVERVIEW]

Two complementary options can be considered: Minimising human intervention and

allowing the coastal system to sustain itself, and active approaches such as coastal
engineering.

Protecting natural coastal ecosystems is an efficient way to maintain the coastal

protection that they offer.

In the tropics and around many island states, healthy coral reefs protect the coast
against storm surges by helping to reduce the size and intensity of waves.

Coastal vegetation and dune restoration maintain sediment and and prevent beach
erosion.

This so-called ecosystem-based management offers local, community-based

solutions that integrate human needs at the coast with requirements for its
protection.

Coastal engineering such as building dikes offer a technological solution to guard

against rising sea levels and storm surges.

Whereas raising dykes can counter coastal flooding, problems of salt water intrusion,
alteration of the natural habitat and increased erosion remain.

With a burgeoning human population, pressures on coasts will increase.

The challenge we face is how we wish our coasts to look in the future, balancing
human needs with protection of the ecosystems and the services they provide.