Study: Sea Level Rise Could Cost

Rising sea levels over the next century could be an economic disaster for local beach towns, such as Hermosa Beach, according to a state-commissioned study by San Francisco State University economists.

The report, which was released Tuesday and funded by the state Department of Boating and Waterways, includes information on Ocean Beach in San Francisco; Venice Beach and Malibu in Los Angeles; Carpinteria in Santa Barbara County; and Torrey Pines State Reserve in San Diego County.

"Sea level rise will send reverberations throughout local and state economies," said Philip King, associate professor of economics at San Francisco State and author of the report.

"More than 80 percent of Californians live in coastal communities, and California's beaches support local economies and critical natural species," he said.

The study, titled "The Economic Costs of Sea Level Rise to California Beach Communites," suggests that tourist locations, such as nearby Venice Beach, could lose up to $440 million in tourism revenue between now and 2100 if sea levels rise by 4.6 feet (1.4 meters)—a projection specific to the California coast.

The study also reports that if sea levels rise, the cost of the effect on the two Malibu beaches could be $28.5 million in structural damage, $498.7 million in lost tourism spending due to eroded beaches attracting fewer visitors and $102.3 million in habitat and recreation losses.

"Understanding the kind of impact sea level rise will have is important for deciding what adaptive action to take," King said. "Seawalls have become the de facto policy for dealing with erosion and sea level rise but our findings suggest that other policies such as beach nourishment or where possible, allowing the coastline to retreat, could be more cost effective."

The report is available to view online at the California Department of Boating and Waterways' website.

The Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental action group, in July showing that rising sea levels along Southern California's coast are "highly likely" before the end of the 21st Century.