Spain fears for the future of Barcelona’s disappearing beaches
Climate change could spell the end for beaches at European hot-spot
- Coastal erosion is severely impacting Montgat, a town north of Barcelona, threatening its beaches and summer tourism.
- The erosion is primarily caused by climate change, leading to more intense storms and significant sea level rise.
- Man-made beaches, developed for tourism after the 1992 Olympics, are eroding at an accelerated rate compared to natural coastlines.
- Authorities recognise that simply replenishing sand is insufficient, advocating for structural solutions like breakwaters to prevent further loss.
- Scientists report that sea levels along the Catalan coast are four times higher than three decades ago, with an estimated 60 million euros needed to stabilise the metropolitan coastline.