Climate change: Coastal Erosion

Changing storm patterns caused by global warming could dramatically increase the effects of coastal erosion. Around the world, climate change is projected to cause flood damage to low-lying countries and island states, including loss of coastal land to rising sea levels. In the UK, the North East Norfolk (East Anglia) coast has been eroding for centuries. However, in the past few years, erosion has been steadily gathering pace due to climate change. In 15 years, 26 seafront homes in the small coastal village of Happisburgh have been lost to coastal erosion and many more are under immediate threat. Local residents have seen a dramatic drop in house prices as a result, and many fear this may well mean the end of tourism in Happisburgh. A 2001 report claimed the parish church might be likely to disappear within 20 years. The infoclip will include helicopter shots and ground footage showing: - General views of the Happisburgh coastline showing erosion damage and a partial sea wall that has been constructed to protect part of the coast - Happisburgh's abandoned lifeboat jetty partially destroyed by coastal erosion; - Cliff House guest house that has already lost part of its garden to the sea and will soon have to close; - Abandoned houses about to fall into the sea; - Beach road which now ends on a clif; - Caravan park now on the edge of a cliff; - Property for sale next to the Happisburgh lighthouse.

European Commission | December 3, 2007

Tags:. .lowlying. .jetty. .lifeboat. .anglia. .eroding