General Flashcards
(5 cards)
What is an ICZM? How is the UN involved?
Unites developers, management, and general use of coast. Holistic view.
Aims to resolve social, economic and environmental conflict.
2013 - EU adopted a new initiative: Maritime Spacial Planning and Integrated Coastal Management. Respects the limits of natural resources and ecosystems.
Covers all stages of development.
What can soft engineering do? What are 4 examples?
Beach nourishment: Added sediment (higher/wider beach), usually dredged from nearby seabed. Cheap, increases tourist potential. Easy but needs constant maintenance - erosion is still a problem.
Cliff regrading/drainage: reduces angle to stabilise. Drainage removes water to prevent landslides/slumping. Effective on clay, cost-effective drainage. Causes cliff retreat + drainage can make it dry out and collapse (rock fall).
Dune stabilisation: Marram grass planted. Provides habitats, cheap and sustainable. Time consuming.
Marsh creation: Managed retreat - purposeful flooding. Cheap, natural buffer to destructive waves, wildlife habitat. Agricultural land lost - compensation needed.
Why can soft engineering be preferred?
Sustainable, often blends in with natural environment.
However, there is still public conflict: when stabilising sand dunes, a council may fence them off, causing visitor discomfort due to restrictions. Land owners and farmers may be angry at controlled flooding.
What has been the impact of climate change in Kiribati?
Consists of 33 islands - very low-lying sand and mangrove attols. Most are 1m above sea level.
Sea level rising 4x faster than the global average.
Purchased Fiji land - 20 Sq.kms. Will be used for agriculture and fishing projects, to guarantee the nation’s food security.
Contaminating groundwater, affecting crop yields.
May become environmental refugees - government “migration with dignity” policy.
Why is sea level changing? Why is this so shocking?
Thermal expansion, meltwater (eustatic rise)
IPCC: sea levels stabilised 3000 years ago. Changed little until now. Now, there is exponential growth. Estimated rise up to 1m in selected places by 2100 (compared to now).
