US West Coast Erosion Spiked In Winter 2009-10, Previewing Likely Future As Climate Changes
Knowing that the U.S. west coast was battered during the winter before last by a climatic pattern expected more often in the future, scientists have now pieced together a San Diego-to-Seattle assessment of the damage wrought by that winter’s extreme waves and higher-than-usual water levels.
Mass tourism threatening Venice lagoon
An Italian environmental group warned that mass tourism is slowly eroding the Venice lagoon, which it said is also threatened by major real estate development and an inadequate transport network.
Sandbagged: The Undoing of a Quarter Century of North Carolina Coastal Conservation
Men cannot build houses upon sand and expect to see them stand now anymore than they could in the olden times… Many developers, homeowners, and local politicians refuse to believe the evidence that the ocean’s transformation of the shore is inevitable. By Gary Lazorick.
Elwha River Restoration: Dams Removal Project
This September, removal of two dams on the Elwha River, in Washington State, begins, setting in motion one of the largest restoration projects in U.S. history.
Northwest Coast of Madagascar
The Betsiboka Estuary on the northwest coast is the mouth of Madagascar’s largest river and one of the world’s fast-changing coastlines. Nearly a century of extensive logging of rainforests and coastal mangroves has resulted in nearly complete clearing of the land and dramatic rates of erosion. Astronauts describe their view of Madagascar as “bleeding into the ocean.”
HidroAysén’s Approval Takes Chile in the Wrong Direction
The reasons why HidroAysén should not be constructed are numerous but sadly, the authorities showed recently that they prefer to move in the opposite direction, at the expense of Patagonia. By Amanda Maxwell, NRDC.
Chilean Patagonia: a Way of Life Under Threat by Dams
A controversial project to dam two of the world’s wildest rivers for electricity, has won approval from a Chilean government commission despite a groundswell of opposition.
Coastal Dunes in Spain Threatened by Poorly Designed Infrastructure
Although the dune ecosystem is unusual, fragile and is protected by the “habitats” directive of the network Natura 2000, its conservation is very vulnerable to the proliferation of car parks, nearby buildings and inadequate boardwalks.
Hundreds of Barrier Islands Newly Identified in Global Survey
Earth has 657 more barrier islands than previously thought, according to a new global survey by researchers from Duke University and Meredith College. Barrier islands help protect low-lying mainland coasts against erosion and storm damage, and can be important wildlife habitats.