Coast Case Studies

Question 1

Why did DEFRA change from hold the line to no active intervention

Answer 1

Maintaining coastal defences under a ‘hold the line’ policy i expensive, especially in low value areas, where the cost protection exceeds the econmic benefits. FCERM policy framework emphasises allocating resources where they provide the greatest overall benefit, which meant prioritising more economically valuable urban and industrial areas over rural or sparsely populated regions.

Environmental impact of hard engineering- disrupt natural coastal processes

Question 2

Case studies or how can we sustaibly manage the coast

Answer 2

Happsburgh, Chittagong

Question 3

Happisburgh

Answer 3

Link to Defrea, from holding the line to no active intervention as maintain coastal defences isn’t cost effective

No active intervention policy remains in place for much of the area under the SMP2, despite local protests.

TIS as the no active intervention has been met w resistance as it prioritises long term sustinality over the immediate protection of local properties, as seen in 1996, where failure to hold the line led to rapid erosion- lose homes—> socio econmic consequents and long term pshycoligcl distress for affected community.

Howver, DEFRA’s no active intervention recognises the growing CC impacts like RSL. These changes makes it hard to justifyhold the line in areas where defences r already under strain. By shifting to NAI, defra acknowledges long-term adaptation strategies e.g. relocating communities away from high risk areas

Overall, this event highlighted the need for better management strategies but also underscore the financial and logistical challenges of protecting low value erosion prone areas.

Question 4

Chittagong

Answer 4

Has faced challenges related to coastal erosion and CC.
To address these issue they decided to used integrated management plans e.g. Chittagong coastal management, which aims to reduce the vulnerability of the regions coastal pop while promoting sustainable development by sing hard and soft engineering.

Project emphasies restorationof mangroves to enhance resilienceto strom surges and RSL which can decrease the height of the wave by up to 66%.

TIS as it protects lives and propertywhile preserving the environemt, seeking to balance econmic growth w environmental sustainability by promoting sustainable land use and improvingdisaster risk management.

However, this can cause conflict as the project didn’tfully involve all stakeholders in the decisionmaking process especially those most affected by the interventions.

Overall, this has highlighted the projects strengths in provingsusatiabel develoemt, howervr not all the players need r met causing conflict

Question 5

Case studies for how coastal communities are being impacted by costal recession

Answer 5

1) Tuvuluu
2) Australia

Question 6

Tuvalu

Answer 6

Due to rising eustatic sea level, Tuvalu is facing more coastal recession causing the atolls to shrink

Have socio econmic consequences

E.g. as the atoll become uninhabitable, many r forced to migrate “climate refugees”, people lose their sense of belonging and culture as seen in the island of tepuka savilvili

Howver this is an invalid arguemnt as UN doesnt recognise climate refugees as they r not fleeing persecution or war. Moreover, sea walls implemented by the gov has proved to be ineffective as the island is still retreating 1.5m/year.Therefore, a better solution can be to use defras HTL to NAI policy to ensure cost effectiveness by alllowing certain atolls to flood and focus on relocating feasible solutions e.g. relocation, though this could lead to a loss in culture and identity

E.g. as land is lost, the country’s limited resources are being stretched, People can’trely on fishing and subsistence farming anymore, especially w frequent strom surges which leads to saltwater encroachment can contaminate drinking waterand harm freshwater species. Therefore to mitigate this the gov has implanted sea walls.