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What Frommer's 500 Places To See Before They Disappear lacks in positivism, it certainly makes up for in great information. Especially with regards to an article on disappearing beaches. Though I advise that you read this yourself, I just couldn't help but to fill you in on some of the highlights. According to the book, "for each inch the ocean rises, a beach gets on average 3 1/4 feet narrower. Add to that sinking coastal lands, increasing violent storms, and human interference with natural beach architecture by dredging channels and building sea walls and jetties, and it's a recipe for disaster."
5 Beaches to Visit While You Still Can
The Hamptons, N.Y.
The problems with this beach's erosion are a result of beach stabilizing jetties in Georgica Pond. These jetties block sand migration to down-current making for accelerated erosion. The shrinking dunes from Sagaponack to Westhampton are the first large piece of evidence of the beach's problematic future.
Miami Beach, Fla.
Miami Beach has been the center of wealth and affluence since it started to be built up in the 70's and unfortunately that has caused accelerated erosion. Years of building sea walls and "borrowing" sand from the sea floor have caused the beach to shrink even faster. Interfering with the beach's natural landscapes has caused huge issues with this fast eroding beach Mecca.
Gold Coast, Australia
This world renown beach has endured decades of over-development and though oceanfront boulders protect shoreline buildings, it doesn?t allow for the production of new sand. Inland waterways are already being dredged for sand to pump out onto the disappearing beaches.
Negril, Jamaica
This hotspot has been slammed with tourists since the 1970's. But unfortunately corrupted offshore coral reefs and the dredging of sea grass beds have left little defense against wave erosion. Again, human interference is the predator of this shrinking beach.
Santa Barbara, Calif.
Known for its Spanish-Mediterranean architecture, and perfectly groomed white sand beaches, this "American Riviera" is in trouble. Robbed of replenishing sediment because of upriver dams and seawalls that intensify wave action, this American classic won't be around much longer.
More on Beaches:
What's Your Ocean IQ?
Rising Seas and Powerful Storms Threaten Global Security
California Prepares for Rising Sea Levels
Sea Level Rise Best Case Scenario: 50cm Rise, 10% of World Population Hit
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