By Coastal erosion is ‘unstoppable’
The coastal regions of North East Lincolnshire could become extremely vulnerable to rising sea levels, as a study predicts thousands of properties are at risk.
It was reported that 2,000 properties along the region’s coast are at risk of being lost to rising sea levels by 2050.
Oceans and Coastal Management revealed two specific coasts are among the most vulnerable places for erosion and sea flooding.
The areas most at risk are North East Lincolnshire and East Lindsay.
The chief executive of the UK Environment Agency recently said it is inevitable that at some point communities will have to leave the coast.
“As academics working alongside government agencies, our next challenge will be ensuring these time-limited projects translate into robust national policy and funding.
“Coastal erosion cannot be stopped, so we must help everyone relearn how to live with it.” Author and Senior Research Associate in Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Sophie Day said.
ITV reported properties at risk are likely to cost tens of billions of pounds as the average coastal home has risen to £287,000, with an estimated 200 thousand homes around the UK that could be wiped out.
According to the peer-reviewed journal, sea levels around the region will be around 35cm higher by 2050 compared to historic levels, predicting sea levels will continue to rise as global temperatures increase due to greenhouse gas emissions, melts glaciers and ice caps which cause ocean waters to expand as they warm.
The report highlights the shores are at risk of being eroded, which would worsen flooding and deepen the water of the coast, creating larger waves.
The study said investment in improved sea walls and other defences will protect many of the properties at risk.
(Image Credit: Oceans and Coastal Management journal)
