Researchers warn “we need to act quickly” as less than 16% of the world’s coastal regions remain intact

Coastal areas around the world are experiencing high levels of “human pressure”, with only about 15.5% of them remaining intact since 2013, according to a recent study by Australian researchers.

The study, from the University of Queensland, focused on quantifying “industrialized” pressures known to be harmful to the environment, such as roads, nutrient pollution from agricultural activities and even heavy fishing.

Calling for urgent conservation efforts, the researchers identified areas that are extremely degraded and areas that have remained intact.

“The rate at which these areas are degrading poses enormous threats not only to coastal species and habitats, but also to the health, safety and economic well-being of countless people living or relying on coastal areas around the world.” co-author Brooke Williams wrote.

In the United States, it is becoming increasingly clear that only the rich can afford to live near rising seaspartly because high-income people are able to afford climate mitigation measures, according to an economist.

Coastal cities such as Miami are at increased risk of flooding due to climate change, and in May 2021, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis signed a $ 640 million resilience bill to curb rising sea levels in the state.

The survey found that more than half of the coastal areas of the United States are under very high levels of human pressure, while neighboring Canada has managed to keep most of its coastal area intact.

Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware had high levels of human stress, compared to some areas that remained relatively well-preserved, including the Louisiana coastal areas, the Everglades National Park, and the Averglades National Park. the study.

Dr. Amelia Wenger, the study’s lead author, described the findings as “really impressive” and urges those in power to respond proactively to help with conservation efforts.

“Understanding why coastal ecosystems are under pressure can help us design and implement more goal management strategies, and we hope to slow this decline and even reverse it,” Wegner said in a study statement.