Grenada Braces for Impacts of Climate Change
Over the last 25 years, the fragile Grenadian islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique have been bombarded by storms, hurricanes, higher tides and sea surges. This resulted in severe loss of mangrove vegetation along the coastline, beach erosion, damage to soil and serious threat to the local tourism industries which depend heavily on the pristine condition of the beaches and health of the marine life.
Fishing impacts on the Great Barrier Reef
Fishing is having a significant impact on the make-up of fish populations of the Great Barrier Reef, new research shows.
In Paradisiacal Nicaragua, Contemplating a Canal
In late December, workers began building access roads for the $50 billion canal. It represented enough of a step forward that it sparked protests. But the future of the project remains in question, not the least because of Lake Nicaragua itself.
Thinking Back to Look Ahead
Throughout history human societies have had to confront and adjust to climatic and environmental hazards. A long-term perspective that draws on such experiences must inform today’s climate policies argue Jago Cooper and Christian Isendahl.
Sea-Level Rise Poses Hard Choice for Two Neighborhoods: Rebuild or Retreat?
New York’s status as a global hub of finance, media, and culture means that both moves are happening under a microscope. The waterfront is becoming a tale of two cities: one where it’s become too dangerous to remain, and another deemed impossible—or perhaps too valuable—to abandon.
Planned Mega-Port in Brazil Threatens Rich Ecological Region
Activists and local residents have brought legal action aimed at blocking the construction of a nearly 50 sq km port terminal in the Northeast Brazilian state of Bahia because of the huge environmental and social impacts it will have.
From Texas to Maine: NOAA’s Expanded Flood Information Tool
A NOAA flood exposure risk mapping tool that was developed in New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Pennsylvania has now been expanded to cover coastal areas along the entire U.S. East Coast and Gulf of Mexico.
BCDC Approves Sand Mining Permit in San Francisco Bay
San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) unanimously approved a 10-year mining permit for sand removal from San Francisco Bay, and from two other areas near Suisun. The amount of sand the permit requests is 15 times greater than the annual amount of sand that comes into the bay from the delta.
County Declares Six Houses on Buxton Beach Unsafe, NC
A Dare County building inspector has put up “unsafe structure” notices on six oceanfront houses north of this town on Hatteras Island, NC. Most of the recent erosion seems to be in an area where owners had placed sandbags in front of the houses.