Global warming is transforming the Great Barrier Reef
A new study published online today in Nature shows that corals on the northern Great Barrier Reef experienced a catastrophic die-off following the extended marine heatwave of 2016.
The courts are deciding who’s to blame for climate change
Oil companies? The government? The public? All of the above share the blame.
Tsunamis could cause beach tourism to lose hundreds of millions of dollars every year
European tourists are more frequently going to places all over the world with significant tsunami risk, researchers have found. A global tourism destination risk index for tsunamis was released on April 12, at the 2018 Annual Conference of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) in Vienna.
Though wealthy, Jupiter Island gets $8.6M for beach repair from FEMA
Jupiter Island, a well-heeled seaside enclave where home values average $4.97 million, was awarded $8.6 million in federal emergency money for beach re-nourishment following a beating by 2016’s Hurricane Matthew. FEMA has obligated more than $233 million for Florida beach projects under the program.
Ocean Beach sand transfers will disrupt SF traffic on Great Highway
For the next two months, bulldozers, backhoes and dump trucks will dig up and ferry 75,000 tons of sand south from the beach’s northern shores in an effort to temporarily replenish precious coastline lost to the forces of nature and accelerated by the effect of climate change.
Like human societies, whales value culture and family ties
In a detailed genetic kinship study, an international team is the first to reveal that just like human societies, beluga whales appear to value culture and their ancestral roots and family ties.
Does new law restrict public access to Florida’s beaches?
A bill that Gov. Rick Scott signed into law last month has sent shock waves through Florida’s waterfront communities and prompted questions. The new law, which goes into effect July 1, has left some people afraid it will immediately cut off public access to beaches all over the state.
Philippines closes ‘cesspool’ tourist island of Boracay
The Philippines has announced a six-month closure of the popular tourist destination of Boracay over concerns the island’s famous beaches and clear blue waters have been transformed into a “cesspool” due to sustained environmental damage.
Seafloor erosion now occurring like coastal land loss
Scientists have discovered that the seafloor from the Mississippi River Delta to the Gulf of Mexico is eroding like the land loss that is occurring on the Louisiana coast. During the 20th century, thousands of dams were built on Mississippi River tributaries stopping the flow of fine silt, clay and other sediment from reaching the delta and seafloor to offset erosion.