The consequences of human-induced climate change will be particularly felt in coastal areas. In the US they wanted to use the often mentioned technology – and now prevent the bizarre weather with a dam that cost 500,000 dollars (approx. 460,000 euros) – but the construction took only three days.
It was a desperate attempt to protect their beachfront homes from the violence of the sea; 14,000 tons of sand had to protect the buildings in Salisbury, Massachusetts (USA) against flooding. Once completed, however, the barrier only took 72 hours, local TV station WCVB reported. The dune was completely washed away.
Residents are concerned about the future
“We’ve been hit by three storms — two in January and one now — with the highest possible astronomical tides,” Rick Rigoli, who oversaw the dune project, told the station. Ron Guilmette, whose tennis court was destroyed on the beach during previous storms, added that he now doesn’t know how much his property is worth or whether he will stay in the area. He describes the situation at Salisbury Beach as “catastrophic”.
The concern is no coincidence: During a winter storm in December 2022, a previously protective dune did not hold – as a result, numerous homes were damaged by high winds and high tides. “I don’t know what the solution is,” Guilmette said, visibly resigned.
Impacts of climate change: this is just the beginning
The residents are faced with an almost insurmountable obstacle. In addition to the well-known sea level rise, which will change the coastline in addition to flooding, the biggest challenge is increasingly stronger and more frequent storms.
This is due to the warming of the Earth’s atmosphere, which also leads to warming of the oceans. This increases extreme weather events such as storms and hurricanes, which can lead to further erosion and beach loss.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
