Coastal retreat needs to start now, say researchers

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-06-18 04:00

New Zealand; International

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The opportunities to find solutions to sea-level rise are shrinking, according to a European and New Zealand research team. They say long-term dynamic planning for coastal retreat needs to begin urgently and proactively - not as a one-off, last-resort option. During retreat, factors like no-build zones, better public awareness, and lack of insurance will help to widen the window for solutions, while a lack of available land, and a culture of coastal living, will narrow this window. Proposed actions include: engaging communities, vulnerability assessment, compensating people, and repurposing land.