Latest news with #coastalprotection
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Singapore to assess climate threats to Pulau Tekong, Southern Islands and more in sea level rise study by 2026
SINGAPORE, June 28 – Singapore will launch a study by 2026 to assess the risks of rising sea levels on selected offshore islands and explore suitable coastal protection strategies, its national water agency PUB said today. CNA reported that tender for the risk assessment study has been issued, and it will examine both the potential impact of climate change on these islands and the timeline for implementing defence measures. 'Rising sea levels will pose risks to Singapore's offshore islands,' CNA cited Hazel Khoo, director of PUB's coastal protection department. 'Some are home to rich biodiversity and heritage, and are spaces enjoyed by many, while others serve industrial and defence purposes.' PUB said eight islands were selected based on a preliminary assessment of their vulnerability: Pulau Tekong, the Southern Islands (St John's and Lazarus), Kusu Island, Sisters' Islands (Pulau Subar Laut and Pulau Subar Darat), Pulau Bukom, Pulau Hantu, Pulau Pawai, and Pulau Senang. Other islands not included in the study will be assessed as part of broader development or planning initiatives by respective agencies. Pulau Ubin and Pulau Ketam will be covered in a future site-specific study for the north-eastern coast, including Punggol and Pasir Ris, while Semakau Landfill will be evaluated by the National Environment Agency for potential development. According to the third National Climate Change Study published in January 2024, sea levels around Singapore could rise by up to 1.15 metres by 2100, and up to 2 metres by 2150 under high emissions scenarios, based on UN climate data. PUB is also conducting site-specific coastal protection studies on the mainland, including areas along the city-east coast, Jurong Island, and both sections of the north-west coast, with studies for Sentosa and the south-west coast set to begin by 2026. PUB said the study's findings will also shape the planning of future, more detailed research on the islands.
Malay Mail
9 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Singapore to assess climate threats to Pulau Tekong, Southern Islands and more in sea level rise study by 2026
SINGAPORE, June 28 – Singapore will launch a study by 2026 to assess the risks of rising sea levels on selected offshore islands and explore suitable coastal protection strategies, its national water agency PUB said today. CNA reported that tender for the risk assessment study has been issued, and it will examine both the potential impact of climate change on these islands and the timeline for implementing defence measures. 'Rising sea levels will pose risks to Singapore's offshore islands,' CNA cited Hazel Khoo, director of PUB's coastal protection department. 'Some are home to rich biodiversity and heritage, and are spaces enjoyed by many, while others serve industrial and defence purposes.' PUB said eight islands were selected based on a preliminary assessment of their vulnerability: Pulau Tekong, the Southern Islands (St John's and Lazarus), Kusu Island, Sisters' Islands (Pulau Subar Laut and Pulau Subar Darat), Pulau Bukom, Pulau Hantu, Pulau Pawai, and Pulau Senang. Other islands not included in the study will be assessed as part of broader development or planning initiatives by respective agencies. Pulau Ubin and Pulau Ketam will be covered in a future site-specific study for the north-eastern coast, including Punggol and Pasir Ris, while Semakau Landfill will be evaluated by the National Environment Agency for potential development. According to the third National Climate Change Study published in January 2024, sea levels around Singapore could rise by up to 1.15 metres by 2100, and up to 2 metres by 2150 under high emissions scenarios, based on UN climate data. PUB is also conducting site-specific coastal protection studies on the mainland, including areas along the city-east coast, Jurong Island, and both sections of the north-west coast, with studies for Sentosa and the south-west coast set to begin by 2026. PUB said the study's findings will also shape the planning of future, more detailed research on the islands.
New York Times
3 days ago
- General
- New York Times
In Florida, ‘Powerful Little Plants' That Protect From Big Storms
A curious trend is underway in Southwest Florida. Young red mangroves trees, some with nicknames like Rosie, Penelope and Dingle, are being adopted and raised in backyard gardens, at restaurant host stands, beside bank teller windows and in school classrooms throughout Sanibel Island and the Fort Myers area. Their purpose is an existential one for the state: to help buffer the fragile coastline from rising seas and increasingly ferocious storms. Mangroves, evolutionary marvels that can grow in coastal saltwater, are critical to life in Florida. They provide essential habitat for fish and wading birds, improve water quality and pull carbon from the atmosphere. They also stabilize shorelines from erosion and can reduce property damage during storms, which is of growing importance as climate change intensifies hurricanes. Last month, volunteers on Sanibel Island planted 500 red mangrove seedlings that had been nurtured by local residents over months, to help the community recover from recent storms. 'These are powerful little plants,' said Julie Weaver, a volunteer who lives on Sanibel Island near Clam Bayou where the planting took place. The empty shoreline where volunteers worked in May was previously a thick mangrove wetland, before Hurricane Ian devastated the Fort Myers area in 2022. The trees were wiped out by the storm, Florida's deadliest in decades. More hurricanes, like Milton and Helene in 2024, followed, worsening the damage and slowing recovery. Some of the volunteers planting seedlings at Clam Bayou were residents whose homes were damaged. Some mangroves on the island snapped like toothpicks, but still provided a buffer, said Dana Dettmar, an environmental biologist with the City of Sanibel. 'Even though the aboveground portion of the tree was gone, all the root systems were still intact,' she said. 'And so in that area it held our beach.' Mangroves can rebound naturally from storm damage. But the process is slow, especially when surviving trees are stressed and might not propagate. Planting as many sturdy seedlings as possible increases the odds of faster recovery, because not all of them will reach maturity. 'It's a numbers game when it comes to mangroves,' said Kealy Pfau, who leads volunteer programs for the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. The foundation's Adopt-a-Mangrove program enlists volunteer 'mangrove mamas' and "propagule papas' to grow seedlings at their homes, schools and workplaces. This increases how many seedlings they have to plant, while also educating the community on the local importance of mangroves. The process starts in the summer when healthy red mangroves drop propagules, which look like green beans. Potted propagules cared for by Susan Lloyd, a volunteer. Photo by Susan Lloyd The propagules grow into seedlings and are collected, potted and put up for adoption in the community. In the spring, seedlings that are sturdy enough are returned and planted at restoration sites. Cheryl Day, a volunteer, described it as 'giving nature a good jumpstart.' This was her third year as a 'mangrove mama.' She has raised about 200 seedlings in the lush garden of her Fort Myers home. 'I'm a plant freak, so this is something I couldn't help but do,' Ms. Day said. Cassie Hill helped to care for a seedling at the Sanibel Recreation Center with children in the center's after-school program. Daniel Billheimer adopted a mangrove the day he reopened his restaurant, The Lighthouse Cafe of Sanibel Island, in a new Ian tore through the original building his family had operated for decades. He also lost his home in the storm. Neighbors rallied around him as he worked to reopen. He said caring for the seedling felt like a 'civic responsibility.' 'It's important for me to give back to the community that gave so much,' Mr. Billheimer said. Before Hurricane Ian, restoration focused on pockets of mangroves needing a boost. After the storm, many areas needed restoration. But with that need, the number of people wanting to participate also grew.'When we started to see some of those areas slowly start to come back with some green leaves, it was such a symbol of resilience that I think the community needed to see,' Ms. Pfau said. When Adopt-a-Mangrove started in 2020, 400 seedings were adopted. This past year, she said more than 1,000 were distributed across Lee County. Some volunteers named their seedlings and decorated their pots. Almost 70 percent of Sanibel, a barrier island, is protected as conservation land. Joel Caouette, an environmental biologist with the City of Sanibel, said the city looked for 'nature-based' solutions for living with storms, and had often partnered with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation on the mangrove plantings, including this one at Clam Bayou. 'There's nothing we can do to stop the storm surge,' he said. 'So it's more about learning how to live and building a resilient landscape.' Another planting site at Woodring Road on Sanibel Island. At Clam Bayou, the Adopt-a-Mangrove seedlings were planted alongside about 1,000 more donated by two Florida companies that grow mangroves for need five to 10 years before they reach maturity and start reproducing. In 10 to 15 years, the trees could reach more than 10 feet tall. Scientists with S.C.C.F. will keep tabs on their growth and survival. Eric Milbrandt, a biologist and researcher with the organization, said conditions at the site were promising for many to make it. But anything could happen to them, he said, like future storms or 'being eaten by a rabbit.' Grace Pabalan, 16, said she planned to start an Adopt-a-Mangrove club at her Fort Myers school as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project. 'It's really important that we get involved with our community and help protect the mangroves because they're protecting us,' Ms. Pabalan said.
BBC News
15-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Lyme Regis Cobb: Calls to speed up repairs to iconic breakwater
Calls have been made for an early consultation on proposals to ensure the future of a Grade I listed breakwater after a new hole was Cobb in Lyme Regis is eroding at the seaward base of the wall that supports its Council's harbours consultative committee heard there was uncertainty in the area about the proposals for the next stage of the works and funding for the emergency work has yet to be Marks, from the Lyme Regis harbour Consultative Group, said: "The uncertainty around the funding is still a major concern as is any further slippage to the programme." The group has called for an early public consultation on the stabilisation proposals for the fifth and final phase of the town's environmental protection initial Lyme Regis Phase 5 programme was for construction to start in winter 2026, continuing into spring 2027, subject to available funding and gaining the necessary consents for the this stage, detailed designs for the project have not been completed, with a consultation planned after the summer for Cobb users looking at how their access might be maintained during the historic Cobb has been subject to erosion from wave impact on the outer harbour wall, which has caused the movement of stone blocks, and the deterioration of the structure on the inner harbour wall. Dorset Council's service manager for coastal protection, Matthew Penny, said that during low tide inspections of the seaward high wall in March and April, officers found "further and ongoing deterioration with large, open, scour voids now present at the base of the seaward structure".Councillors previously heard that adequate funding was in doubt, which could result in design changes to make the scheme more Marks said he had been told there would be public engagement and awareness sessions this year but with no indication when they would be said: "It is the view of the harbour consultation group that these sessions should be held as a matter of urgency to let the people know what is happening."Mr Penny said the council had recently submitted a capital bid to the Environment Agency, telling the harbours committee that more financial contributions were said further delays were likely to drive up costs, with some funding available in the current financial year from the regional flooding coastal committee, which would pay for design were continuing between Dorset Council, Historic England, Natural England, South West Water and the Environment Agency about the project. You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
The Independent
10-06-2025
- The Independent
Majorca removes 1,700 sun loungers from beaches after anti-tourism protests
Majorca is planning to remove nearly 1,700 of its sun loungers from beaches on its capital to make more room for locals as protests against overtourism continue on the popular island. According to reports, Palma's council has said it plans to reduce sun beds on the city's beaches by 20 per cent by 2026. The reduction is partly in response to beach erosion, but also in response to complaints from residents that the cost of sun beds and umbrellas have meant there are few free spaces left where they can enjoy their local beaches, German-language local news outlet Mallorca Zeitung reports. In total, 1,644 loungers will be removed from Palma's four beaches. Playa de Palma will go from 6,000 sunbeds and 2,503 umbrellas to 4,436 loungers and 2,218 umbrellas, the news outlet reports. On Cala Major, sunbeds will be reduced by 300 to 250, Ciutat Jardi's sunbeds will be reduced from 300 to 288 and Cala Stancia will go from 150 to 132 loungers. Can Pere Antoni beach, which is managed by the coastal protection agency rather than Palma council, will also have its sunbeds reduced, going from 200 to 94. In another change, the council also plans to let beachgoers reserve loungers and umbrellas via an online app by 2027, Mallorca Zeitung reports. The changes come after the mayor of Palma, Jaime Martinez, announced the council's plan to invest 300 million euros in improving Playa de Palma over the next decade, according to the Majorca Daily Bulletin. The initiative also includes a ban on the building of any new tourist hotels, and existing hotels must either be upgraded or turned into residential apartments. Overtourism has been an ongoing issue in Spain, and on Sunday water-pistol protest will be held across popular tourist destinations including Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, Barcelona, Tenerife and Malaga, as well as Venice and Lisbon, the Majorca Daily Bulletin reports. The protests have been organised by the Southern Europe Network Against Touristification (SET) in reaction to a tourism boom that has led to housing shortages in popular tourism hotspots. Majorcan anti-tourism activists published an open letter in March, urging tourists not to come to the island over summer as forecasts indicate this summer will see record numbers of visitors travelling there. 'Mallorca is not the paradise they are selling you. The local population is angry and no longer hospitable because the land we love it's being destroyed and many of us have to leave the island because it is uninhabitable. Put yourselves in our place!' said the letter, signed by a number of community groups. 'Our leaders do not listen to us, so we, the residents, ask you: DO NOT COME. We do not need more tourists; in fact, you are the source of our problem.'
