Opportunities & Hazards
Geography: Cambridge International GCSE (2027 Exams), topic 2.3.1
Opportunities and Hazards of Living Near the Coast
Coastal areas offer benefits like tourism and fishing but pose hazards such as flooding and erosion, impacting local communities and environments.
Benefits of coastal living
- Coastal areas attract tourists, boosting local economies in geography.
- Tourist activities include beaches, water sports, and sightseeing.
- Tourism creates jobs in hotels, restaurants, and transport.
- Tourism encourages investment in infrastructure within coastal geography.
Benefits of coastal living
- Fishing is a key food source and livelihood near coasts.
- Fishing industries in coastal geography promote economic development.
- Coastal geography supports trade through harbours and ports for goods.
- Trade hubs connect coastal regions to global markets.
Opportunities
- Coastal areas are habitats supporting biodiversity.
- Beaches and cliffs offer recreational opportunities in coastal geography.
- Coastal areas have potential for renewable energy from wind and waves.
Further hazards
- Coastal geography shows flooding risks from high tides and storms.
- Storm surges in coastal geography can damage homes and infrastructure.
- Rising sea levels increase flood risk in coastal geography.
- Tsunamis are also a risk in tectonically active coastal regions.
Hazards
- Coastal erosion wears away land, damaging homes and infrastructure.
- Erosion harms beaches, reducing tourism and affecting fishing areas.
- Human actions like construction and deforestation can speed up erosion.
Test yourself on Opportunities & Hazards
What renewable energy potential exists in coastal geography areas?
How does erosion affect coastal economic activities negatively?