The Trouble with Seawalls

Recent events in Tofino, Canada, remind us that a beach is dynamic in nature and ever evolving.
Pondicherry-Tamil Nadu, South India; By Aurofilio Schiavina
The erosion of Pondicherry beaches is not an isolated case along the Indian coastline; it is estimated that the coastline has already lost about 25% (1,500 km) of its beaches due to anthropogenic factors.
Photos tell different stories about sand berm effort to block oil spill

Critics and supporters of building sand berms to shield Louisiana’s coast from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill have released dueling photo sequences.
A Sand Trap in the Gulf; By Robert Young, in The New York Times

Of the many cleanup solutions being pursued in the Gulf of Mexico, few are as ambitious as Louisiana’s berm project.
Use of Hardened Beach Structures to Slow Erosion

While the use of hardened beach structures are debated, there is little debate over what they do beaches over time.
Use of Sand Bags on Beaches

Sand bags are used to stabilize buildings that are threatened by the ocean.
The Negative Impacts Of Groins

The negative impact of groins on downdrift shorelines is well understood.