n IMFO : Official Journal of the Institute of Municipal Finance Officers - Sea level rise and it's likely financial impacts

Abstract

The impact of climate change particularly on sea levels will have an effect on coastal cities, towns and coastal communities who live along the coast. It is estimated that of the world's total shoreline, sandy shorelines accounts for about 34% of this which equates to approx. 170 000kms. It is these sandy coastlines, which are the most vulnerable to sea level changes. Sandy shores by their very nature are easily erodable and changed by wave action. South Africa has approximately 3000 kilometers of coastline the majority of which are these vulnerable sandy shorelines.