ABSTRACT
Climate change forecasts predict an increase in global temperatures; over the past 25 years an increase of 0.2 °C per decade has been observed. This is likely to cause global sea levels to rise yet further; they are currently rising around 3 mm per year with an increase in the frequency and magnitude of storm events. When these two factors are combined, this will have the effect of focusing wave energy closer to the shore and cliff faces, leading to increased rates of coastal erosion. The present chapter describes the major contributory factors to coastal erosion and then discusses the potential adaption strategies to protect coastal regions from the impacts of erosion.
