"East Coast National Parks at Risk From Sea Level’s Rise"

"Labor Day is summer’s last hurrah, and families from across the country will be flocking to the beach this weekend to soak in some final rays. Beachgoers on the East Coast making their way to Cape Cod or one of six other National Seashores, however, might want to pause and take an extra look around at the wind-tossed dunes and sloping sands. Not just because summer is coming to an end, but because these areas are some of the most susceptible to the effects of climate change and may look very different, very soon."



"There are nearly 300 miles of Atlantic shoreline protected as part of the National Park system. This includes Cape Cod, Fire Island, Assateague Island, Cape Hatteras, Cape Lookout, Cumberland Island and Canaveral. The beaches attract 11 million visitors each year, putting nearly half a  billion dollars into local economies."

Joanna M. Foster reports for the New York Times' Green blog August 30, 2012.

SEE ALSO:

"VIRGINIA: Report Lists Assateague Underwater in Next 100 Years" (Wilmington News Journal)

"Report: Canaveral, Other National Seashores Could Disappear Beneath the Waves" (Orlando Sentinel)
 

Source: Green/NYT, 08/31/2012