Coastlines with Increased Vulnerability to Sea-level Rise
Résumé
The current rise in global temperatures is causing a general rise in sea level by two main mechanisms: on the one hand, increasing air temperatures are causing continental ice to melt, returning water in liquid form to the global ocean. This is glacio-eustatism. On the other hand, the increase in the temperature of the atmosphere leads to an increase in the temperature of the surface water. This is the steric effector thermal expansion. Erosion can affect two types of coastlines: rocky coasts, made of bedrock and destined to retreat, and sandy coasts formed by the accumulation of loose materials. Coastalization refers to the attractiveness of contemporary societies for settlement near the sea. A status quo that would lead to a postponement of adaptation measures could lead to a risk of “maladaptation”, the consequences of which could be additional costs in projects or the possible shift of vulnerability to other risks.