Global warming threatens beaches

Miles of British coastline and dozens of beaches are under threat from rising sea levels, environmentalists warned today.

Global warming is threatening to inundate beaches, marshes and mudflats along the south-east coast, threatening the habitat of hundreds of species of birds and animals.

Several popular tourist

resorts are also at risk from rising waters and erosion of the coastline.

In a bid to warn the public about the danger of rising sea levels, green activists will this weekend stage dozens of North Sea and English Channel beach events.

They say a habitat "as important as the threatened rainforests" is at risk. Thousands of people are expected to take part in Saturday's Low Tide Festival in Britain, France, Holland and Belgium.

"There is a serious danger we will lose these beautiful beaches and mudflats unless we act to slow down the impact of global warming," says Alex Midlen, chairman of the Sail partnership which is helping to stage the events.

"In the greater Thames estuary, the impact of climate change is already with us as rising sea levels contribute to the rapid erosion of intertidal habitats," he added.

"These are some of the world's most productive environments - quite different in character from a tropical rainforest, but no less important to the planet's ecology.

"It is the responsibility of all of us to do our bit to reduce global warming and climate change so this unique environment remains part of our coastal heritage." Areas at risk in Essex include nature reserves near Walton on the Naze; beaches at Clactonon-Sea, Southend and Leigh-on-Sea; and mudflats and marshes at Blackwater and Benfleet. In Kent, the Isle of Sheppey, the resort of Tankerton and Crayford Marshes are among dozens of locations under threat.

The UK is staging 11 lowtide events along the east and south coast and in the Thames estuary.

Among those taking part in mainland Europe is the French national sea centre Nausicaa, in Boulogne, which has pioneered research into the impact of climate change, rising sea levels and storms on sea life around the globe. The centre is visited by thousands of Britons every year.

Saving Britain's beaches requires action on a global level by governments to reduce greenhouse emissions, but steps can be taken locally to help reduce the impact of rising sea levels.

RiverOcean, the Brightonbased group organising the Low Tide Festival, cites examples of how rising sea levels can be safely managed.

At Abbots Hall Farm in Essex, 60 hectares of mudflats have been created by building a new sea wall further inland. These help absorb the impact of the waves, as well as providing a habitat for hundreds of birds and sea creatures.

Tomorrow's events will include guided walks along the foreshore. The festival follows the publication of a disturbing forecast of the impact of climate change over the next 30 to 100 years.

Future Flood, co-ordinated by chief government scientist Sir David King, warned frequent flooding will threaten four million people in coastal and estuary towns and villages unless urgent steps are taken.

For full details of the Low Tide Festival, contact River Ocean on 01273 234032 or visit www.riverocean.org.uk.