Southern Cape coastal degradation visible as winter storms take their toll
Much of the erosion and degradation of the Southern Cape coastline, in particular from Mossel Bay to Storms River, are well documented and closely monitored by scientists, and for good reason,
Cobus Meiring of the Garden Route Environmental Forum (GREF) says even a modest rise in global sea levels and increased wind velocity make for exponentially stronger wave action, which in turn results in rapid shoreline degradation. The degradation potentially render coastal communities and infrastructure vulnerable to irreparable destruction and displacement.
“Coastal degradation is a complex matter and due to a great many factors, the manner in which it manifests is not uniform.”
“For example, the ongoing degradation of a dune system in St Francis, leaving multi-million rand properties exposed to the might of the open ocean, is not necessarily the same process as the degradation of ancient sand dunes at Kleinkrans near Wilderness, or severe damage to roads and the promenade in Cape Town and Bloubergstrand.”
According to Meiring the overall onslaught by nature on the Southern Cape coastline is relentless, consistent and on the increase with every winter as cold fronts bring ever-stronger winds and increasingly powerful wave action.
“Climate change and global warming are matters that are frightening to present and future generations, but there is a lot ordinary folks can do to mitigate the damage to the environment. A point of departure is the way we plan future developments along the Southern Cape coast, the way we manage our water sources, and the way we conserve what remains of our biodiversity,” concludes Meiring.