Discussion on Management and Protection Techniques for Coastal Erosion in Response to Climate Change

Coastal erosion has become an increasing problem in our country. This is one of the consequences of escalating climate change, which has led to the rise of sea levels and more frequent occurrences of damaging typhoon events. Another critical cause of the problem is a reduction in the amount of sediment transported into the sea due to environmental protection measures implemented in river areas. The engineering projects (structures) that are in place struggle to provide adequate protection against erosion as the standards set previously cannot satisfy the current demand. As a result, the potential failure of these structures in combating natural disasters poses significant risks to the socioeconomics in coastal regions. In this article, we analysed the main causes and trends in the evolution of domestic coastal erosion in the grand scheme of global warming and proposed strategies for its management. Insights were provided on the current protection techniques, possible future changes in sea level, coastal hydrodynamic environment, and sediments. Based on these factors, we critically discussed innovative techniques that offer permanent or emergency protection from coastal erosion. This article is a valuable reference for the Department of Coastal Management of China and research institutions that have a specialisation in coastal protection.