California beaches and coastal ecosystems are
disappearing
creative solutions that have been studied and implemented in other coastal cities around the world. Learn about the issues, and the scientific options for saving our beaches.
a local grassroots group. Participate in their events, volunteer, donate and learn about their efforts and resources to save our California sand. Get involved now.
Let’s
stop dredging up
the same old solutions that do not last
It is time to consider a wider variety of coastal management and engineering options — such as multi-benefit retention structures —that have proven to minimize erosion and show promise in creating long-term, healthy, living beaches and reefs. We have built coastal cities housing tens of millions of people that have impeded the natural processes of replenishing beaches with sand. We all play a role in shaping and defining our future — to simply retreat and allow the sea to destroy highways, businesses, homes, and railroads is a wasteful and expensive path to choose. Mobilized with the latest scientific knowledge, learning from others, and having the determination to thoughtfully resolve issues, we have the potential to make a difference and rebuild our beaches. There are many options, some combinations of which have yet to be explored thoroughly. We cannot wait. We need to start now. As our work begins, we will learn together.
“Design firms from across the world were invited to apply to participate in RE:BEACH, a Coastal Resilience Competition bringing together design teams from around the world to develop innovative sand retention pilot projects for the city of Oceanside.”
“... two‑thirds of Southern California beaches could erode completely by 2100.
Beneath “layers of bureaucracy” ... the coast is washing away. ”
“While there is no silver bullet in strengthening our coast against further erosion, I believe we should consider every option that can help.”
“... if we act now and take on mitigation, we can limit the results of climate change... [The change could become] really severe and catastrophic in the future, with a lot of loss of life and money, if we don’t act.”
“The world’s coastal cities are... fighting back. A growing number... are making massive investments in technical solutions to keep seas at bay... The lesson from the most successful cities is that a combination of approaches is essential.”
“...coastal science [is] changing rapidly... ‘We’re bringing together different disciplines to these fairly complicated challenges we are facing on the coast...’”
“With global predictions of increased growth in coastal populations, the trends of coastal hardening and expansion of coastal cities is expected to further increase. Moreover, in light of processes related to global climate change, coastlines are facing growing threats related to sea-level rise... calling for immediate revision of current coastal defense measures.”
START BY WATCHING THIS ENCOURAGING VIDEO:
The RE:BEACH coastal resilience competition’s winning, nature-based design was unanimously approved by the Oceanside City Council on January 31, 2024.
MORE INFORMATION TO CONSIDER
Coastal Erosion Viewer
Explore the above interactive viewer, presented by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and see detailed results from the “first study to analyze California’s coastal cliff retreat statewide”.
— Steve Koppes, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, describes the study, August 2022
replenishing SANDBANKs
The Global Center on Adaptation explains how “an experiment in the Netherlands could change the way we tackle coastal erosion”. Read their story about the innovative Sand Motor, and how “other countries have taken note.”
— Global Center On Adaptation, article by Angela Wipperman, December 2020
San Diego Coastal Exchange
The San Diego Coastal Exchange Summary Report explores “innovative design options that address coastal resilience challenges, and [surfaces] a set of viable projects and policies that are ripe for further advancement.” These findings are the results of global experts and key regional leaders convening together in July 2020.
concrete solutions
The Switchers Community explains how a pioneering group has proven that “slight modifications to concrete have the potential to… [provide] enhanced ecosystem services… elevated water quality, increased operational life span, structural stability, and absorption of hydrodynamic forces.” November 2017.
— Offering Concrete Solutions for Battered Coastlines, and Ecologically Active Concrete, Study Results
Hawaii Beach Restoration
The Iroquois Point Beach Restoration project in Honolulu, HI, won the
2017 MFE, Best Reuse of Land, Award.
This 1984 book by Gerald G. Kuhn and Francis P. Shepard is currently available to read online": University of California Press E-Book, © 1984
to reach out, yell about it, encourage others to join in, and create new beaches where the old ones have gone by. Let’s urge government agencies to act now, and to develop a comprehensive, long-term coastal protection plan before it is too late.
CA Coastal Commission
California
State parks
US Climate Resilience
Local groups bring people together to find better
long-term solutions
California Resilience partnership
The California Resilience Partnership (CRP) is a statewide, multimillion-dollar public-philanthropic effort to support collaboration on statewide priorities. Launched with two pilot regions in 2021, the program plans to expand over the coming years to new regions across the State. If you are a funder, public sector representative, or non-profit interested in learning more about potential partnerships in future regions, please reach out.
“We are excited to participate in the California Resilience Partnership, to mobilize new funding and catalyze innovative projects that work with nature to reduce our region’s vulnerability to the most harmful impacts of climate change.”
save oceanside sand
Save Oceanside Sand is a local group of advocates for sustainable sandy beaches in Oceanside, California. Working with local, regional, state, and federal authorities, they seek scientific solutions that will protect and preserve beaches from coastal erosion and winter storms; solutions that consider environmental issues, safe access, migrating sand, and wave dynamics. Support from local communities, businesses, and residents is essential. See how you can help.
“I’ve watched the sand be pumped back on the beach... and a month later it’s gone again.”
Save Oceanside Sand works with many groups, including collaborative relationships with Save Our Beaches San Clemente and Save West Cliff. These citizen groups advocate for shoreline improvements, respectively in San Clemente and Santa Cruz. By building a coalition of advocacy groups throughout the region and state, Save Oceanside Sand aims to align and widen efforts. Please visit the above links to learn more about local community groups demanding better solutions for their shoreline issues.
