Mackenzie Beach in Cyprus, the shoreline of San Tedora in Italy, and Blåvand Beach in Denmark are the latest victims of global warming. The melting polar ice caps and formidably escalating global sea levels are threatening the coastlines of these European beaches (and beyond), affecting water quality and hygiene levels.
A favourite among local Larnaca families and tourists alike, the palm-shrouded coastline of Mackenzie Beach in Cyprus is now in jeopardy. Impacted by rising seas, the beach’s shoreline is projected to shrink by a whopping 660.9 metres by 2100. As per the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, San Tedora’s shoreline in Italy has faced a reduction of 514.2 metres of shore due to elevated water levels. Also on the climate crisis radar, the coastline of Denmark’s Blåvand Beach is expected to pare down significantly by 2100, with the water encroaching up to 181.1 metres closer to the shore.
European Beaches Fighting Global Warming: Analysing the grave impact and way forward
The climate crisis caused over 28 trillion tonnes of ice to melt in just the last two decades. During this period, the sea levels surged by an average of 34.6 millimetres globally. Moreover, since the 1970s, the average global temperature has increased by 0.15 to 0.20 Celsius degrees per decade (according to NASA Research and Visual Capitalist).
Some possible solutions to climate change and increasing sea levels, within the European beaches and across the world, include creating dunes along the backshores of beaches, planting submerged aquatic vegetation to battle corrosion, and increasing shoreline setbacks.
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From Asia to the Americas: The unrelenting grip of climate crisis on seashores worldwide
Beyond the European beaches, a significant number of sandy shores in the Asian continent are also battling rising sea levels. By the end of this century, the shorelines of the Patuakhali and Chattogram beaches in Bangladesh are expected to shrink by 361.2 metres and 245.8 metres, respectively. By 2100, Myanmar’s beaches — Kabyar Wa and Ngapali — might also lose shorelines up to 351.7 metres and 249.5 metres, respectively, owing to rising water levels.
Moving towards the Middle East, Qatar’s sandy shores may also need to brace for impact. Its beaches, namely Al Dayeen and Al Khor, might shed 298.6 metres and 278.9 metres of coastline, respectively. Saudi Arabia’s Royal Caribbean Beach and Israel’s Dado Beach (Haifa) are also on the climate crisis radar, potentially giving up 336.2 metres and 201.4 metres of shoreline, respectively.
Turning to Africa, in addition to Nigeria’s Landmark Beach, the Entry of Elugushi Beach, Lekki in Nigeria will also lose 338 metres of its shore.
Under the United States and South America’s umbrella, six beaches are expected to experience shrunken shorelines. These include Playa Akumal in Cancun, Mexico (265.9 metres), Beach of Morro Branco in Beberibe, Brazil (224.6 metres), Brealade’s Bay in Jersey (213.6 metres), Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, US (204.7 metres), Playa Veracruz in Panama City (202.4 metres), and Clearwater Beach in Longboat Key, Florida (193.4 metres).
(Feature Image Credit: Deputy_illustrator/Shutterstock)
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Written By
Yashita Vashishth
Writer by day, reader by night, Yashita has a flair for all things travel, wellness and food. She has previously worked at Condé Nast India and Times Internet. When not working, you can catch her binge-reading the latest thriller on the block, re-watching Friends, trying a new recipe or hosting her friends.
