Climate Impact on Coastal Areas

Abstract

T he coastline of the United States is highly populated. Of the 25 most densely populated U.S. counties, 23 are along a coast. Coastal and ocean activities, such as marine transportation of goods, offshore energy drilling, resource extraction, fish cultivation, recreation, and tour- ism are integral to the Nation’s economy. Coastal areas are also home to species and habitats that provide many ben- efits to society and natural ecosystems. Climate change could affect coastal areas in a variety of ways. Coasts are sensitive to sea level rise, changes in the frequency and intensity of storms, increases in pre- cipitation, and warmer ocean temperatures. In addition, rising atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) are causing the oceans to absorb more of the gas and become more acidic. This rising acidity could have significant impacts on coastal and marine ecosystems. The impacts of climate change are likely to worsen many problems that coastal areas already face. Shoreline erosion, coastal flooding, and water pollution affect manmade infrastructure and coastal ecosystems. Confront- ing existing challenges is already a concern. Addressing the additional stress of climate change may require new approaches to managing land, water, waste, and ecosystems.