
9: Coastal Issues
Coastal Issues looks at how climate change might affect coastal areas—via sea-level rise, erosion, storm surges, and oceanographic changes (nutrient upwelling, acidification, or oxygen depletion)—and discusses potential management options, such as infrastructure changes, insurance incentives, land-use restrictions, and other means to reduce climate-related vulnerabilities and impacts.
Citation:
Caldwell, M. R., E. H. Hartge, L. C. Ewing, G. Griggs, R. P. Kelly, S. C. Moser, S. G. Newkirk, R. A. Smyth, and C. B. Woodson. 2013. “Coastal Issues.” In Assessment of Climate Change in the Southwest United States: A Report Prepared for the National Climate Assessment, edited by G. Garfin, A. Jardine, R. Merideth, M. Black, and S. LeRoy, 168–196. A report by the Southwest Climate Alliance. Washington, DC: Island Press.

Sea level along the California coast has risen gradually over the past century—about 8 inches (20 cm)—a rate that will accelerate in the future.

With rising sea level, risks to vital public infrastructure will increase and will be exposed to future damage from erosion and flooding.

Climate-related changes to the ocean—warming waters and oxygen depletion—can reduce available habitat for economically important marine species.
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