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Welsh coastline is 'under threat' Action call on disappearing coast
(about 4 hours later)
A large section of the Welsh coastline could be severely damaged by erosion and flooding in the next century, the National Trust has said. Wales has been urged to take "urgent action" to prepare for the impact of coastal erosion and flooding.
It says rising sea levels and more frequent storms are threatening the existence of some coastal areas. The National Trust says three-quarters of the Welsh coastline it owns could be badly affected over the next century.
According to a report, 66 National Trust coastal sites - covering 1,572 hectares - are at risk of flooding. It owns a sixth of Wales' coast, or over 143 miles (230km), and its report, Shifting Shores, says policymakers must plan for "a future of advancing seas".
The trust is calling for urgent action and long-term planning to address the impact of future sea level rises. Environment Minister Carwyn Jones said it was "entirely consistent" with the Welsh Assembly Government's approach.
More than 143 miles of the Welsh coast is now in the care of the National Trust. The National Trust In Wales warns that 66 coastal sites covering 1,572 hectares are at risk of flooding in the next 100 years.
The Trust's report - Shifting Shores - forecasts that three quarters of the coastline in its control could lose land by erosion over the next 100 years. By that time, some experts predict that sea levels will rise by a metre (3ft 3in) and climate change will lead to more severe storms.
Contributing factors include sea levels which are predicted to rise by up to one metre by 2100, and climate change potentially leading to more severe storms. Like King Canute, we can't control the ocean and command it to retreat Ivan Huws, National Trust
'Co-ordinated response' Internationally-recognised sites which could be under threat include the Stackpole Estate in Pembrokeshire, Cemlyn Lagoon on Anglesey - an important wildlife site - dune systems on the Gower peninsula near Swansea and historic sea forts like Dinas Dinlle in Gwynedd.
Ivan Huws, National Trust Director for Wales, said: "The challenges facing the National Trust provide a snapshot of how sea level rise and climate change will affect the whole of Wales. Beaches including Marloes in Pembrokeshire may disappear, it warns, while features like coastal footpaths will need to be moved inland.
"We have started to prepare for and adapt to the changing nature of the coastline, something that all levels of government and government agencies in Wales should be focusing on now as part of a co-ordinated response to climate change." Shifting Shores highlights issues to be addressed by the assembly government's plans for adapting to climate change and forthcoming legislation for the marine environment.
Sites managed by the National Trust which could be affected include the Stackpole Estate, site of the Bosherston lily ponds, Cemlyn Lagoon on Anglesey, a significant wildlife site, and historic sea forts such as Dinas Dinlle near Llandwrog. The NT said it wanted a fresh approach, with "urgent action to put in place coherent, long-term planning to address the massive impacts of future sea level rise".
The National Trust is highlighting key areas where it says strategies will need to focus, such as simplifying decision-making with the agencies and authorities involved in coastal management; raising public awareness and understanding; and finding new financial mechanisms in areas such as insurance and compensation. NATIONAL TRUST COAST STRATEGIES Raising public awareness and understandingSimplifying decision-making with agencies and authorities in coastal managementMoving with the coast and the forces of natureFinding new financial mechanisms - eg insurance and compensation to allow vulnerable communities to adapt
Ivan Huws, director of National Trust Wales, said: "The challenges facing the National Trust provide a snapshot of how sea level rise and climate change will affect the whole of Wales.
"We have started to prepare for and adapt to the changing nature of the coastline, something that all levels of government and government agencies in Wales should be focussing on now as part of a co-ordinated response to climate change.
"No-one in Wales is more than 50 miles from the shore, and tourism is particularly dependent on our wonderful coast.
"Like King Canute, we can't control the ocean and command it to retreat. Instead, we must plan how to adapt to a future of advancing seas. The first step is to raise awareness of what is at stake."
Mr Huws said the changing coastline demonstrated that the impact of climate change was being felt "here and now".
Stackpole Estate in Pembrokeshire has already suffered flooding
"This should strengthen the call to reduce our carbon footprint, but we also need to adapt to the changes underway and plan for the future of coastal communities."
Environment Minister Carwyn Jones said the report's key messages were "very much in line with assembly government thinking".
"The future challenges we face in managing our coastline will be considerable.
"Successful management will require strong leadership, close collaboration and hard choices.
"If we are to succeed then we will need to think innovatively in terms of how we manage our coastline and ensure that we engage the whole of society in the process," said Mr Jones.