Areas of vulnerability should not be developed to ensure coastal ecosystems are intact. Such regions are already prone to recurring coastal storms or erosion; thus, putting up developments degrades the natural systems that should be always preserved. Further, developers should not be allowed to build structures in vulnerable coastal areas to maintain natural beach events such as sand transport, which may destroy sites that were previously sustained (Clark, 2018).
Governments at all levels (federal, state, or local) should be at the forefront of funding mitigation strategies and projects geared toward protecting coastal lands. In addition to the government providing financial support, they should also strengthen and implement field strategies intended to protect coastal regions. Leaders at all levels of government should ensure that the initiatives that offer platforms for state, federal, and local activities are supported in sustainable ways. Moreover, the private sector can play a significant role in preventing further degradation of the affected lands. The industry can publish materials to educate the public on the importance of preserving marine environments both in the short and long run. In addition, it can organize workshops and establish regional networks to involve many players in reclaiming degraded lands (Clark, 2018).
Given the negative impacts of developments along with coastal lands, sustainable strategies should be put in place to protect these areas. For example, organic agriculture can be utilized to reduce the number of issues that result from the use of farm inputs like fertilizers. Furthermore, people should be sensitized to plant trees to minimize erosion and, consequently, preserve the lands (Cetin, 2016). It is critical to state that all the strategies should be aimed at attaining the best ecosystems at the coast.
References
- Cetin, M. (2016). Sustainability of urban coastal area management: A case study on Cide. Journal of Sustainable Forestry, 35(7), 527-541.
- Clark, J. R. (2018). Coastal zone management handbook. New York, NY: CRC Press. Web.