Man's best solution for coastal erosion

Mapping of coastal areas reveals the reality of changing coastlines, all around the world. There is a multiplicity of contributing factors to this phenomenon, only one of which is coastal erosion. Shorelines appear to disappear, or simply go through a period of transition.

The best solutions of man may offer a temporary solution, but winds always go where winds will; waves follow wind patterns. Temperature changes like those associated with global warming, alter both wind and wave patterns. Sand goes where winds or water determine its pathway. 

While many of the coastal changes go unnoticed by the majority, more dramatic weather patterns including hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons, monsoons and tornadoes demand the attention of man, as they can bring about major, unexpected changes in a coastline of any country. Global warming can do the same thing, as ice formations typical to northern regions like the Arctic, or southern regions like Antarctica begin to break away and float to different areas.

At best, the solutions for coastal erosion attempted by man appear to be only temporary, as winds will be winds, and waves will be waves. In other words, oceans, seas, lakes and rivers will continue to have altered coastlines, as sand and other debris shifts one way or another.

Attempting to return coastlines to their state of ‘normalcy’ in one area, can result in the shifting of coastlines in other areas, as sand moves about in conjunction with wind and the wave patterns. What is true normalcy may be nature’s best solution. Man’s first instinct is to ‘fix’ something that is ‘broken’, but there are times when nature offers a better solution, based upon the understanding of a larger whole.   

 

Consider the following examples.

A waterway to the ocean has collected silt and sand from the rise and fall of the ocean’s tide. Man attempts to dredge the riverbed, in order to open up the waterway for shipping purposes and at the same time, tries to use the silt and sand for landfill, close by or elsewhere. Pumping silt and sand from the riverbed onto nearby land can lead to the unanticipated expansion of peat moss, which in turn has the potential to disrupt roadways, highways and result in the destruction of buildings, loss of homes and so forth. Barges bring tons of rock and sand to eroding beaches. Trucks and railways serve the same purpose, often with disastrous results.

Wave energy or wave patterns continue to follow their natural pattern, which can result in further problems caused by coastal alteration. At times, this can affect other areas too, whether the rock and sand is derived from a source downstream, or elsewhere. Natural habitats invariably suffer destruction when man builds new developments on coastal areas deemed landfill sites. The cost factor alone can be prohibitive. Waste products often go to landfill sites as well, leading to contamination.  

Should man stop trying to ‘fix’ his world, particularly after a major coastal disaster in a heavily populated area? There are times when that appears to be appropriate, but at the same time, there are no guarantees that the same kinds of disasters, or others like it, will not occur in the same place. Working against, or in opposition to nature alters equilibrium and balance inherent in nature.   

Nature tends to be a ‘fixer’ too. Perhaps some of the best solutions of man allow nature to ‘run its course’, or work in harmony with nature, even when this entails man learning how to live with nature and its vast realm of manifestations.