Marine scientists are issuing a dire warning that nearly half of the world’s beaches will disappear by the end of the century, as coastal ecosystems are being rapidly “crushed” by the combined forces of climate-driven sea level rise and intensifying human development in coastal zones.
This concern was voiced by Uruguayan marine scientist Omar Defeo, who stressed that the disruption of the interconnected coastal system; comprising the dune, the beach face, and the foreshore, is accelerating global beach erosion, destabilizing shorelines, and threatening essential biodiversity, fishing, and tourism economies.
Half of World’s Beaches ‘Will Disappear by End of the Century’
Most wildlife will be gone too
But you can always have your virtual reality if you survive climate change and AI superiority https://t.co/HVjJMCDd3o— GO GREEN (@ECOWARRIORSS) November 24, 2025
Research conducted in partnership with Brazilian scientists confirms that disturbing one part of this fragile ecosystem negatively affects the others; for instance, urbanization and increased numbers of beachgoers on the upper beach negatively impact biodiversity in the lower and submerged zones. Buildings constructed directly on the sand and mechanical beach cleaning were found to significantly reduce species richness.
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A separate global survey of 315 beaches worldwide found that one-fifth are already exhibiting intense or severe erosion, where human activities are playing a particularly significant role alongside sea level rise.
There’s a critical need for immediate, partnered management and conservation efforts between countries like Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina to protect these shared and rapidly collapsing coastal resources.
