More than 40% of the global population lives within 100 kilometres of the coast. A new global study shows that many coastal communities have moved inland over the past 30 years as climate hazards became stronger.
The research, published in Nature Climate Change, used satellite night-time light data and other global datasets to map settlements in 1,071 coastal regions across 155 countries.
Researchers found that poorer places often cannot retreat because people depend on coastal jobs and resources. Middle-income countries are more likely to move inland, while richer places usually stay and build coastal protections.
Difficult words
- coastal — near the sea or ocean shore
- inland — toward the centre of a country away from coast
- population — all the people who live in a place
- retreat — to move back or away from danger
- hazard — something that can cause harm or dangerhazards
- dataset — a collection of related information or numbersdatasets
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Would people in your area move inland if coastal hazards got stronger? Why or why not?
- What coastal jobs or resources might keep people living by the sea?
- What can richer places do to stay near the coast?
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