Coastal erosion
Climate change has worsened over the years thanks to the increase of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Sea level is gradually rising and may well become humanity’s greatest enemy, by absorbing a significant amount of land. For example, in Portugal, a large part of the coast will end up giving in due to erosion also caused by human action, as told by José Antunes do Carmo, engineer and researcher in the environmental area of the University of Coimbra, in an interview.
Jornal “O Gilinho” (JG) – In your opinion, what are the biggest weaknesses of the Portuguese coast?
José Antunes do Carmo (JAC) – Our coast is mainly attacked by coastal erosion, especially the western and southern sections. There are four main events that cause this erosion, like the fact that the tide is very strong in these locations, the energetic effect of waves and the effect of the wind, for instance, dunes and beaches are greatly affected by wind erosion. Many of these weaknesses are caused by human activity such as the construction of breakwaters that instead of helping, only end up “destroying” the Portuguese coast. JG – What measures can be taken to better protect the coast? JCA – In my opinion the answer is the artificial implantation of sand. This should be reinstated in the north of Portugal so that the currents can take charge of their displacement. We only need to find spaces where they can remove sand without compromising the future of that site. JG – How can breakwaters contribute to the preservation of sand? JCA – Breakwaters favoured their northern section, but left the southern area almost without sand. The sand usually flows to the beaches from the river, but the creation of breakwaters made sand disappear in some areas and appear in abundance in others. |
JG – What can happen to the structures (houses, among others) along the Portuguese coast? And how can we protect them?
JCA – Several measures are being designed. Already there are those who put the hypothesis of gradually withdrawing these structures, particularly breakwaters, so as not to harm anyone. We cannot just remove them because, for example in Espinho, the population depends mainly on previous artificial constructions; they won’t last forever, but while they exist, they “support” the life of this population. Building in in critical areas should be forbidden, in order to prevent “accidents”. If we do not take care now, by mid-century we may suffer the consequences of our actions because there will be an increase in the effects of climate change, such as erosion. |
Work by: Beatriz Sousa, Júlio Teixeira e Francisco Vieira
8th Grade
Escola Básica Augusto Gil (Middle School)
This work was carried out under the Flash Seminar held on the 15th and 22nd of April and the 20th of May 2015 at Escola Básica Augusto Gil (Middle School), in Oporto. Students developed media content based on interviews with experts in various fields related to climate change and research on the subject.
8th Grade
Escola Básica Augusto Gil (Middle School)
This work was carried out under the Flash Seminar held on the 15th and 22nd of April and the 20th of May 2015 at Escola Básica Augusto Gil (Middle School), in Oporto. Students developed media content based on interviews with experts in various fields related to climate change and research on the subject.