Your Favorite Ocean Beach May Be Vanishing Due To Climate Change And Sea Walls - CleanTechnica

The article discusses the accelerating loss of ocean beaches worldwide due to climate change-driven sea level rise and the widespread use of sea walls. Historically, beaches could naturally adapt to rising seas by shifting landward, but this dynamic has been disrupted. Sea walls, often built to protect coastal infrastructure, prevent the natural movement of sand, causing beaches to erode and vanish. Researchers warn that by 2100, most sandy beaches globally will face severe loss. The article also highlights the legal principle of public trust, rooted in Roman law and carried into modern U.S. law, which holds that shorelines below the high tide line are public property, ensuring free public access despite these environmental challenges. A detailed case study of Barcelona illustrates these issues. To prepare for the 1992 Olympics, Barcelona transformed its rocky coastline into tourist-friendly beaches. However, climate change-induced sea level rise and increased storm activity have since caused significant erosion, with storms washing away large portions of the beaches. Efforts to combat this, such