Rip currents are dangerous for swimmers but also ecologically important – here's how scientists are working to understand these 'rivers of the sea'

Rip currents are a leading cause of near-shore drownings, but there are effective ways to survive one. And these phenomena also play important ecological roles that are an emerging research area.

Walter Torres, Postdoctoral Scholar, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington • conversation
July 21, 2023 • ~8 min

Coastal erosion is unstoppable – so how do we live with it?

Moving entire communities threatened by rising seas isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds.

Robert James Nicholls, Professor of Climate Adaptation, University of East Anglia • conversation
Oct. 12, 2022 • ~7 min

Coastal gentrification in Puerto Rico is displacing people and damaging mangroves and wetlands

Puerto Rico’s tourism industry is booming as nations lift COVID-19 travel restrictions, but development is displacing people who have lived along its coastlines for years.

Hilda Lloréns, Associate Professor, Anthropology & Marine Affairs, University of Rhode Island • conversation
June 16, 2022 • ~10 min

Redwood trees have two types of leaves, scientists find – a trait that could help them survive in a changing climate

New research shows that coast redwood trees have a surprising adaptation that helps then thrive in both wet and dry environments.

Alana Chin, Postdoctoral Fellow in Plant Ecology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich • conversation
April 13, 2022 • ~10 min

California's latest offshore oil spill could fuel pressure to end oil production statewide

Offshore oil drilling has a long history in California, but is highly unpopular today. The latest major spill is likely to fuel efforts to wind down oil and gas production statewide.

Charles Lester, Director, Ocean and Coastal Policy Center, Marine Science Institute, University of California Santa Barbara • conversation
Oct. 5, 2021 • ~8 min

Climate change is already disrupting US forests and coasts – here's what we're seeing at 5 long-term research sites

This kind of research, with consistent data collection at the same locations over time, helps support global understanding of climate change.

Peter Mark Groffman, Professor, CUNY Graduate Center • conversation
Aug. 3, 2021 • ~10 min

A 20-foot sea wall won’t save Miami – how living structures can help protect the coast and keep the paradise vibe

Healthy corals and mangroves break waves and dissipate their energy. Paired with unobtrusive hardened structures, they can provide powerful storm solutions.

Brian Haus, Professor of Ocean Sciences, University of Miami • conversation
July 28, 2021 • ~10 min

Why ocean pollution is a clear danger to human health

Polluted oceans don't just harm wildlife, they are a source of ill health for humans too.

Philip Landrigan, Professor and Director, Global Public Health Program and Global Pollution Observatory, Schiller Institute for Integrated Science and Society, Boston College • conversation
Feb. 1, 2021 • ~8 min

Restoring seagrasses can bring coastal bays back to life

Healthy seagrasses form underwater meadows teeming with fish and shellfish. A successful large-scale restoration project in Virginia could become a model for reseeding damaged seagrass beds worldwide.

Karen McGlathery, Professor of Environmental Sciences and Director, Environmental Resilience Institute, University of Virginia • conversation
Oct. 20, 2020 • ~11 min

Sea level rise: three visions of a future summer holiday at the coast

Sea levels could be two metres higher by 2100. How will our relationship to the drowned coast change?

David Jarratt, Senior Lecturer in Coastal Tourism, University of Central Lancashire • conversation
July 31, 2020 • ~7 min

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