UK Village Fights Back Against Coastal Erosion and Climate Change

[Social Media]

 

Kevin Jordan once envisioned a peaceful retirement on the Norfolk coast in eastern England, where he could spend his days listening to the soothing sounds of the sea. His dream was abruptly shattered in November of the previous year when his home was demolished due to severe coastal erosion, leaving him with nothing overnight. Now, at the age of 71, Jordan is at the center of a landmark legal case spearheaded by the climate activist group Friends of the Earth. The case accuses the government of failing to protect its citizens from the foreseeable impacts of climate change.

 

 

Jordan's house was precariously perched on a fragile cliff made of sand and clay, similar to dozens of other homes overlooking the seaside resort of Hemsby Beach, about eight miles north of Great Yarmouth. Until recently, a road led to his front door. Now, the tarmac ends abruptly, and an orange barrier warns anyone from proceeding further. Reflecting on the events that led to his current situation, Jordan recounted, "Last November there was a storm... it really caught us by surprise how it became so fierce during the evening through the night." The next day, residents discovered that part of the road had been washed away, leaving Jordan's house dangerously close to the edge.

 

 

A report submitted to the Norfolk council in February highlighted the severity of coastal erosion in the region. The local coastline, which extends over 150 kilometers, was identified as one of the worst-affected areas in northwest Europe. The report predicted a sea level rise of 1.15 meters by the end of the century, potentially causing nearly 1,000 homes and businesses to vanish by 2105 if no preventative measures are taken. Jordan, an electrician specializing in submarines, had purchased his house overlooking the North Sea after losing his partner 15 years ago. Although he was aware of the erosion risk, experts at the time assured him that it would not become a concern for at least 100 years.

 

In the aftermath of the storm, Jordan and four of his neighbors received letters instructing them to vacate their homes, which were slated for demolition within a week. No compensation was offered, and the only option for Jordan, who was in poor health, was to relocate to social housing a few kilometers away. From his new window, he now sees only concrete buildings, a stark contrast to his previous view of the sea. "Here before that was just sea, I didn't have any curtains, I could see passing ships at night with their lights... it was fabulous," he lamented.

 

The Marine Climate Change Impacts Partnership estimated in 2020 that 28 percent of the coastline in England and Wales was retreating by at least 10 centimeters annually due to erosion. This problem is exacerbated by global warming, which contributes to rising sea levels and more frequent storms in both winter and summer.

 

In Hemsby, the local population swells from about 4,000 to three times that number during the summer tourist season. However, residents feel neglected by local authorities. Lorna Bevan, owner of The Lacon Arms pub, expressed her frustration, asking, "Why are they not looking after us?" She added, "People say, 'It's just something you should have thought [about]'. But there's no way anybody could have anticipated these losses 15, even 10 years ago." Bevan's pub has become the headquarters for the "Save Hemsby Coastline" group, which is advocating for changes in the way government funding is allocated for sea defenses. Currently, Hemsby does not qualify for funding because the combined value of its businesses and homes does not meet the required threshold.

 

Jordan will appear at the High Court in London, where Friends of the Earth will argue that the UK's climate adaptation plan is insufficient to protect those affected by climate change. For Jordan, the court action is not just about his personal loss but also about the future of Hemsby and similar communities. He warned, "The minute you don't have the beach resorts and shops anymore, everything will be dead. Hemsby will become a ghost town."

 

As the case unfolds, it highlights the urgent need for more robust measures to combat coastal erosion and protect vulnerable communities from the increasingly severe effects of climate change. The fate of Hemsby serves as a stark reminder of the real and immediate impacts of global warming, demanding immediate and effective action from governments and policymakers. Jordan's story, and the ongoing battle of Hemsby's residents, underscore the importance of addressing climate change and protecting the livelihoods of those living on the front lines of its effects.

 

Credit: RFI 2024-07-22

 

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[Chomper Higgot]

Sadly not Clacton.

[JonnyF]

11 hours ago, Social Media said:

Jordan's house was precariously perched on a fragile cliff made of sand and clay

 

What could possibly go wrong?

[candide]

29 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

 

What could possibly go wrong?

It's certainly not a good idea to buy a house very close to the sea  (in particular now, in respect to rising sea levels an associated erosion).

 

However, we don't know when he bought his house (he's 71). That was maybe not a concern at that time.