Climate change could spell the end for beaches at European hot-spot

• Coastal erosion is severely impacting Montgat, a town north of Barcelona, threatening its beaches and summer tourism.
• The erosion is primarily caused by climate change, leading to more intense storms and significant sea level rise.
• Man-made beaches, developed for tourism after the 1992 Olympics, are eroding at an accelerated rate compared to natural coastlines.
• Authorities recognise that simply replenishing sand is insufficient, advocating for structural solutions like breakwaters to prevent further loss.
• Scientists report that sea levels along the Catalan coast are four times higher than three decades ago, with an estimated 60 million euros needed to stabilise the metropolitan coastline.

IN FULL

Spain fears for the future of Barcelona’s disappearing beaches