What’s at Risk?

    People have changed natural coastal areas simply by living there. As population increases, more buildings are built to live and work in. Wetlands, marshes, and swamps may be drained to provide more land to build on.  Seawalls and levees are built to keep water away from buildings.  Pollution increases. Plant and animals have no place to live and may face extinction. Beaches, dunes, and barrier islands may disappear. When destructive hurricanes and storms happen,  the damage will be more severe.

All this costs money, lots of it. The average annual loss to present property owners along the coast is $50 million; all due to erosion. At current enrollment rates, the National Flood Insurance Program will pay $10 million a year for damage caused by erosion. Nationally, over the next sixty years, one out of every four homes within 500 feet of the shoreline will be lost to erosion.

Jobs are also impacted. Tourism is a big source of income for many shoreline states. In 1997, tourism expenditures topped $185 billion dollars. If the beach is eroded or polluted and dirty, the tourists will stay away. Commercial fishermen are hurt by loss of fish habitats and may be forced out of business. Many oil and shipping companies find it more expensive to do business

Nature is also affected by what people do.  Conservation is the nature being protected by wise humans. Conservation comes from  two Latin words con, which means together and servare, which means to keep, or to guard. If humans didn't help protect nature some animals or plants  might  be destroyed.

Just for fun!