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The Problems with Rebuilding Beaches

Provided by: Vox |Published on: April 27, 2021

Videos

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Synopsis

This video from Vox shows how coastal erosion affects the vast majority of sandy beaches in the United States. The federal government funds beach nourishment projects in areas where the return on investment is high, but the projects are only a temporary fix.
Students will learn that beach nourishment projects often give property developers and residents a false sense of security.

Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Economics, Engineering

Authors: Vox

Region: North America, United States

Languages: English

Positives

Students will learn that beach nourishment projects are expensive and ineffective in the long term.
The video does a good job of explaining erosion in simple terms.
The video description offers links to articles on beach nourishment.

Prerequisites

This video begins with an advertisement.
The video does not address how climate change and sea level rise factor into rapid coastal erosion.

Differentiation & Implementation

Earth science classes can use this video to discuss natural erosion as well as the role that sea level rise plays in exacerbating the rate of coastal erosion. Students can generate ideas for how the federal government could spend the money that is earmarked for beach nourishment projects on projects that would have better long-term effects on preserving beaches.
Economics classes can discuss the role that the federal government plays in bolstering the tourist economy in coastal areas. Students could have a debate on whether or not government funding for beach nourishment is a solution for keeping the tourist economy afloat.
Other resources on this topic include this video on how an artificial oyster reef is slowing coastal erosion in Staten Island, and this Global Oneness video that shows how coastal erosion and sea level rise have destroyed an island community off the coast of Louisiana.

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Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.