By Jo Nova
Since 1984 humans have gushed forth 64% of our entire emissions from fossil fuels. (Fully282,000 megatons of deplorable carbon “pollution”.)
During this time, satellite images show that 24% of our beaches shrank, while 28% grew. Thus we can say that thanks to the carbon apocalypse there are 3,660 sq kms more global beaches now than there were thirty years ago. Yes. It’s that bad.
The encroachment of beaches would mean there is less ocean for fishes. Thankfully sea levels have risen too, so it looks like it will all work out.
This study also produced a handy map of where the sandiest beaches are. Clearly Africa wins (unless you prefer rocks and cliffs).
h/t GWPF
Sandy beaches (yellow) versus Rocky beaches (black). Percentages indicate the proportion of sandy beaches. Source
Presumbly the paradox of how seas can rise unprecedentedly fast at the same time as beaches are growing will be explained through global currents shifting ominously due to rising CO2 levels. Either that, or the paradox and the study will vanish into a subterranean library — like the deeper Asthenosphere Archive, where they will be converted to magma.
Seriously, though, this study appears to be the first to use automated detection with satellite images (nearly 2 million of them) to assess global beaches. Previous studies did things manually, or just interviewed people.
A few outlets have reported this, mainly with the predictable focus on the disappearing beaches and prophecies that “good beaches can’t last”.
When beaches shrink it is climate change, but if they grow, it’s due to nature or activists.
The Times of India suggests that Marine Reserves are not reserving the beach:
Life’s a beach, but only for the time being
Bad stuff is always just about to hit:
But while reclaiming land from the sea might be one factor helping boost beaches overall, around 70,000km of sandy coastlines are being washed away and erosion in marine reserves may point to a bleaker future for beach lovers.
A quarter of the world’s beaches are being eroded at a rate of more than half a meter (20 inches) a year, said the researchers, who found beaches make up around 30% of the world’s coastline. Some 6,000 kms of beaches are retreating at an even faster rate of 5 meters per year, said Luijendijk, who also works at Deltares, a research institute based in the Netherlands.
However, the United States is home to four of the seven fastest eroding beaches, with some coastal areas in Texas and Louisiana receding by up to 15 metres a year, with Mississippi river damming affecting the amount of sand reaching the coast.
Will Earth run out of sand….
“The main question for the future is whether there will be enough sand available to maintain all beaches,” said a statement from Deltares on the report. — SBS (AAP)
Not my “main” question.
You might not hear about this on CNN or the ABC/BBC/CBC.
Factoids
- In 1984 CO2 levels were 344ppm. Today 406ppm.
- Cumulative human emissions were calculated from CDIAC.
