Climate change amplifies California’s coastal erosion

Preventative measures needed to combat natural, human contributions to changing coastal climates

By Khoury Williams

Most of California’s beaches could be washed away by 2100, according to a recent study from the United States Geological Survey.

The impact of coastal erosion, which refers to the soils, rocks and sands being carried away or worn down by changes in the climate, have worsened with climate change.

According to the California Coastal Commission, California’s beaches get visited more than 150 million times per year, making the ocean and coasts in California one of its most popular destinations for both tourists and local residents.

The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary found 85% of California’s coasts are experiencing active erosion from human involvement and natural causes.

El Camino College’s earth sciences professor Sara Di Fiori said human interaction and misuse can contribute to the problem.

“All of these impacts and all of these collisions between the ocean, gravity, time and weather are constantly shaping the coast,” Di Fiori said. “If there weren’t people [living] there, this wouldn’t be a problem.”

The Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program released an interactive topographic map showing the state of California’s coastal erosion before and after a heavy rainstorm made its way to the state in January.

The South Bay coast, a region in southwest LA County, experienced increased erosion due to the wave of heavy rainstorms.

Rancho Palos Verdes, a city on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, is in a unique position as it sits directly above a fault line that worsens its coastal erosion problem.

“There’s a fault that is lifting

[Palos Verdes Peninsula] out of the ocean. It goes up, sometimes the fault’s not active and it erodes and gets smaller,” Di Fiori said.

Di Fiori added rising sea levels and rain storms also increase the “energy” that shapes its coastlines.

Associate Planner for Rancho Palos Verdes Steven Giang said the coastal erosion plan for the Palos Verdes Peninsula involves a preventative measure that minimizes development with zoning.

“We have stricter standards when you’re along the coasts and that gradually gets less strict as you go away from it,” Giang said.

The irreversible impacts of coastal erosion on California necessitate a focus on preventive measures, which can help mitigate further deterioration by implementing comprehensive planning and proactive monitoring strategies along the coasts.

Climate Central Inc., an independent group of scientists and researchers, predicts the Santa Monica Pier could be completely submerged in the ocean within 80 years if climate change is not addressed.

J.D. Allen, an award-winning podcast host recognized for excellence in science communication by the National Academy of Science, said neighborhoods might need to move in a “coastal retreat.”

“Your southern sunny California beaches that everybody loves are gonna be washed away … and so that economic value that California has for its pristine beaches is going to disappear,” Allen said.

Allen said coastal erosion can also worsen sewage, electricity and essential trading harbors that include access to fishing vessels and cargo ships. He noted that if people want to continue living and building along the coasts, they have to adapt.

“A lot of my podcasting work has been about climate adaptation,” Allen said. “If we want to continue to live somewhere, we have to figure out a way.”