Managing the ‘mega-houses’
As Dare County municipalities try to address concerns about the proliferation of “mega-houses” and their impact on the character and environment of beach communities, the town councils in both Southern Shores and Duck met last week to explore new approaches to the issue.
“We are at war”: Expect almost 5 feet of sea level rise when planning for the future, leaders say
Building a road, a school, a bridge in Hampton Roads? Think about how long you want it to be around, and whether it might be underwater by then. That’s what regional planners recommend in light of sea levels projected to rise nearly 5 feet over the next century.
NC beach homes and coast are ‘doomed’ and residents need to get out, scientist says
There’s a “disaster” approaching North Carolina’s coast, and it’s not a hurricane. It’s an increasingly encroaching sea, Orrin Pilkey says.
Beach rebuilding efforts won’t stave off climate change impacts forever
Supplemental sand may have saved a North Carolina beach from Hurricane Florence, but some say the projects aren’t worth it.
Three ways making a smartphone can harm the environment
Nearly five billion people worldwide will use a smartphone by 2020. Each device is made up of numerous precious metals and many of the key technological features wouldn’t be possible without them. Mining these metals is a vital activity that underpins the modern global economy. But the environmental cost can be enormous and is probably far greater than you realize.
Shark Mystery: Where Have South Africa’s Great Whites Gone?
The world’s most famous sharks are the great whites off Cape Town, featured in the popular “Air Jaws” series. But now these sharks have mostly gone missing, and some experts blame a fishery for depleting the smaller sharks that the great whites feed on.
Worst “red tide” toxic algae bloom in years killing turtles, manatees in Florida
Thousands of fish, eels and turtles are dying, sometimes as far as the eye can see, in parts of southwest Florida. Just this week, one of several lifeless manatees was pulled from the water. The suspected culprit is a toxic algae bloom known as “red tide.”
Global Study of World’s Beaches Shows Threat to Protected Areas
A first-of-its-kind survey of the world’s sandy shorelines with satellite data found that they have increased slightly on a global scale over the past three decades but decreased in protected marine areas, where many beaches are eroding.
Does new law restrict public access to Florida’s beaches?
A bill that Gov. Rick Scott signed into law last month has sent shock waves through Florida’s waterfront communities and prompted questions. The new law, which goes into effect July 1, has left some people afraid it will immediately cut off public access to beaches all over the state.