Abstract/Summary

The UK’s coastline is under increasing threat. Rising sea levels coupled with more frequent and powerful storms caused by climate change are putting communities, businesses, and wildlife at risk of flooding and erosion. For decades, we’ve relied on hard defences like seawalls and groynes to protect us. These structures are familiar and often effective, but they come with downsides – they can be expensive, need regular maintenance, and sometimes cause more harm than good by shifting erosion problems to neighbouring coastal areas. An alternative way of thinking is now gaining attention.