Climate Change Infographic: Coastal Zone Development

  Growth in coastal watershed countries, like the U.S, has significantly increased in the past 40 years. Human activities have heavily changed the coastal environment through development changes in, land use and over use of land resources, which makes life on the coast more challenging. Changes in temperature, water levels, precipitation, ocean acidity, and ocean circulation are primary climatic forces affecting the coast. Over the next few decades, sea surface temperatures are expected to rise faster. In coastal areas where precipitation will increase, there will be more floods or there wont be enough precipitation which causes droughts. Many marine ecosystems are threatened with acidification and climate change. This is because the oceans are absorbing more carbon dioxide, which harms coral reefs and shellfish. For example, in California, sea levels have risen approximately 7 inches and is expected to rise at growing rates in this century. When engineers build coastal bridges, tunnels, roads and buildings, they have to account for land and coastal changes.Waste water management and drainage systems will become overwhelmed in the future if increased rainfall intensifies over more impervious surfaces.