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Coastal Issues That Matter in 2013

With the historic re-election of President Obama, here are the top coastal issues we need to address in 2013 and beyond.

If you only watched the presidential campaigns, it would have been hard to believe that we actually live on a changing planet. Due to the “debate” over the causes and consequences of human-induced climate change, President Obama rarely even mentioned our need to address the critical problem of a changing climate that is fueling drought, super-storms (e.g. Sandy), sea-level rise and ocean acidification.

But during his victory speech last night President Obama made a statement that stunned environmentalists.

“We want our children to live in an America that isn't threatened by the destructive power of a warming planet," he said.

Hurricane Sandy was a game changer on building consensus that our quickly evolving climate cannot be ignored and that its impacts has very real consequences. So in anticipation of the road ahead for protecting our coast and ocean, here are the top issues we need to address in 2013 and beyond.

Climate Change: Hurricane Sandy showed us the very real consequences of warming temperatures, sea-level rise and the rise of destructive super-storms. Surfrider Foundation activist Mark West argues that, “Since superstorm Sandy, I think two issues are critical: rising ocean temps from global warming and coastal restoration projects.”

What is clear is that addressing the causes and consequences of climate change has to be a top priority. In San Diego, cities such as Chula Vista have already embarked on climate adaptation planning (I was a member of the advisory committee) that should be a model for San Diego County and even nationally.

San Diego Foundation also coordinated a sea level rise adaptation strategy with the particpation of coastal cities and nonprofit organizations.

Ocean Acidification: While this is a consequence of human-induced climate change, the increase in carbon in our oceans is literally changing the chemistry of our oceans.

Ken Weiss recently reported on the issue of ocean acidification:

Rising acidity doesn't just imperil the West Coast's $110-million oyster industry. It ultimately will threaten other marine animals, the seafood industry and even the health of humans who eat affected shellfish, scientists say. The world's oceans have become 30% more acidic since the Industrial Revolution began more than two centuries ago. The ill effects of the changing chemistry only add to the oceans' problems, which include warming temperatures and expanding low-oxygen "dead zones.” By the end of the century, said French biological oceanographer Jean-Pierre Gattuso, "The oceans will become hot, sour and breathless."

Coastal Restoration: San Diego has always been a national and even global leader in coastal restoration efforts. But we need to do more in the way of restoring our wetlands, watersheds and natural dune systems in order to strengthen our natural defenses against sea level rise and help to sequester the increasing amounts of carbon in our atmosphere. Additionally, restoration projects can increase our access to open spaces and trial systems that keep us healthy as well as protect fish and wildlife populations.

Sand Replenishment: For Oceanside surfer Rick Hahn, our biggest coastal issue is, “The consequences of constructing civilization in extreme proximity to our beaches, bays and waterways.” In many cases government agencies have only come up with one solution to that problem—dumping huge amounts of expensive sand on our coastline, often prioritizing the wealthiest coastal communities due to their capacity to hire expensive and well-connected sand lobbyists to game the system. However, what we saw with Sandy’s storm surge was the futility of spending billions of dollars on wasteful and largely pork-barrel sand replenishment projects. We need to rethink these projects so that they are smaller, more strategic and less costly.

This is especially the case in Southern California where the Army Corps of Engineers is proposing to spend a quarter of a billion dollars to dump sand on small patches of beachfront in Solana Beach, Encinitas and San Clemente. SANDAG planners also need to evaluate their current project in order to identify ways to reduce impacts to critical reefs and design future projects in a way that enhances rather than destroys surfing areas. We need a national debate on the most effective ways of preserving our beaches while maintaining our fiscal health.

Marine Protected Areas: With the enactment of a new system of state marine protected areas (MPAs) throughout our coastline, California has become a global leader in strategically preserving our most critical coastal and marine ecosystems. There is no better way to cost-effectively preserve our finfish populations than investing in the conservation of their spawning grounds. It is important to help to restore our new MPAs in order to bring back our commercially valuable fish and shellfish populations and preserve our treasures of the sea.

Coastal Pollution: We have to continue reducing the flow of polluted runoff and plastic from our watersheds into the ocean so that we don’t have to worry about getting sick when we play in the ocean. Watershed and wetland restoration help in this effort, but it is everyone’s job to Think Blue.

There are a host of other critical issues including seismic testing, oil drilling in the Arctic and Gulf of Mexico, preserving endangered marine wildlife such as sharks, marine mammals and sea turtles, and the expansion of offshore drilling.

What are other critical issues we need to address to preserve our coast and ocean? Share in comments.


Serge Dedina is executive director of WiLDCOAST, an international conservation team that conserves coastal and marine ecosystems and wildlife. He is the author of Wild Sea and Saving the Gray Whale.

Wallace J. Nichols November 8, 2012 at 02:33 pm
Right on, Serge. Yes, we have an opportunity to fix some of what's broken on our coast and in our oceans. There's real momentum, let's use it for good. LiVBLUE!
J.
John Galt November 8, 2012 at 02:42 pm
I agree costal issues matter.
What is Mexico doing to pay to clean up their ongoing out of control mess? I South county that is the single biggest threat. Even if all the oils, doog poop and trash never made it into the US storm drains, and the US did everything perfect, we would still fail. When is our Southern Neighboor going to do the decent thig and clean up its act, without my tax dollars? Just wondering. I know you don't have the answers. Thanks for the rant.
Serge Dedina November 8, 2012 at 03:12 pm
John:
Tijuana and the state of Baja California have done a lot to improve its sewage collection system over the past five years--with three new sewage plants built in Tijuana at no cost to American taxpayers. There is a lot more we can do--so it will be important to have your support as we move forward to advocate specific proposals to increase sewage collection and catch more trash and sewage. We have made a lot of progress and need to continue moving forward.
John Holder November 8, 2012 at 03:44 pm
Great article! All the issues are spot on for south San Diego but I think the implementation of MPA's are huge. We recently held a lobster diving competition next to the MPA near Sunset Cliffs. It was a great opportunity to let divers and fishermen, who are sometimes naturally doubtful of MPAs, know the benefit and importance of establishing this network throughout California. Thanks!
Diane Castaneda November 8, 2012 at 03:48 pm
I agree with you Serge, that we need to address these coastal issues more and more each day especially with the younger members of our community, I believe education is key!
It has become clear that we can not continue ignoring these issues and I hope our elected officials will take charge in implementing effective and smart conservation policies.
Jack Fisher November 8, 2012 at 04:18 pm
I'm hoping that with Bobby Patton on the City Council that Serge will have an ally to finally get the City to work with Wildcoast. It is beyond belief that the City has not partnered up with Wilcoast to help bring awareness to issues facing our oceans, bays, and estuaries. Let's make 2013 the year to move forward
Serge Dedina November 8, 2012 at 04:25 pm
Hi Jack:
Thanks for your comment. Actually we have worked quite closely with the City of IB over the past 2-3 years on educating and outreach programs about water quality issues. The city has supported efforts to clean up the TJ River but not very publicly However, there is a lot more to do and hopefully Bobby can be a strong voice for doing more and supporting new initiatives in 2013.
Jack Fisher November 8, 2012 at 05:20 pm
Wow that's good to hear as I have heard nothing positive about the City being involved in recent years. Maybe we can have an Ocean Day event next year.
Tim O'Neal November 9, 2012 at 03:18 am
We definitely would not be where we are today without the tireless efforts of stakeholders such as Wildcoast. Serge, maybe with Patton on Council the Tidelands Advisory Committee can return and play a bigger role in coastal issues.
Serge Dedina November 9, 2012 at 12:37 pm
Thanks Tim--and I agree about Tidelands Committee--that needs to get going again --I talked to others about this as well. It will also be important to evaluate the current sand project--I think it was a big mistake not to have the sand pumped north of the pier through to Carnation given how much sand was pumped south of the pier and how much is moving south toward the rivermouth.
Tim O'Neal November 9, 2012 at 09:54 pm
Serge, thanks for the update on the sand. I was completely unaware that the sand was migrating towards the rivermouth. Just when you think they have a handle on the whole "replenishment" issue, mother nature throws you a monkey wrench.
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Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Marcus Boyd June 17, 2013 at 05:41 pm
My daughter made one for me on her laptop... now I see why! Lucky me though, it was one-of-a-kind!
Ed Kravitz June 16, 2013 at 08:38 pm
I know two other people who have been upset by this situation and they have started photographingRead More and video taping the violators. You can expect to see some photographic evidence soon. Post their photos here on the Patch. Shame them into being civilized responsible pet owners. Community service for violators sounds right. How much poop can you pick up for ignoring your dog's poo! Everyone loves dogs...Nobody likes the Poo. So grow up people. Pick up after your pet...or be publicly humiliated on this website. Is that how you want to be remembered. They guy or gal who got caught not picking up their dog's crap and being humiliated in front of the whole community. Start shooting those photos. Let's ID these bad pet owners .
ibcalif June 17, 2013 at 01:10 pm
Poor Tom still unhappy when pet owners DO pick up after their pets?? Yes, Tom, kids do play on theirRead More parents lawns. And on all their neighbors lawn. And in the streets. And on their cars. And demand their neighbors pay for parks programs so the kids parents don't have to. It must be that "we all live in the same community" thing and have to get along thing, eh? Yes, you are as "wierd" (sic) as you guessed. BTW, nice bragging about threatening to make someone eat dog crap from your yard.
Ed Kravitz June 17, 2013 at 01:56 pm
Wow...another flying monkey just flew bye!
Ed Kravitz June 16, 2013 at 08:34 pm
You could call Pacifica Companies...Maybe Alison Rolfson? You could call your local City CouncilRead More Representative or go to the Council Meeting early on Wednesday evening and fill out a speakers card and post the same question to the City Council. Share with us what you find out! (If Anything?) Tell them you don't care for the way they pick City Attorneys, City Managers or replacement Council Members in closed session while you're at it.
TV in IB
Jim June 7, 2013 at 10:58 am
This is a delaying tactic. They are going to try to appease enough of the groups to break up theRead More coalition. The IBCC has given away millions to some of the richest men in San Diego County. Why are the people forced to take a hair cut on the budget crisis. Let the city employees who stood by and did nothing while getting raises as IB was looted. Sincerely, IBMad@madenoughyet.com
Marcus Boyd June 7, 2013 at 11:46 am
Thank you for posting this. Great job to all who were involved with the Alternative Solution to IBRead More Sports Park Privatization Planning Committee. While the above referenced "delaying tactic" is likely true, it will be up to the community's grassroots activism to force the council to a public decision on the issue. Their "delaying tactic" comes with a price in 2014 - when two council seats and the mayors seat is up for grabs. Who's interested?
Ed Kravitz June 7, 2013 at 01:42 pm
Mayor Janney seems anguished at finding a process he can still control ? Probably so he can finishRead More the deal and deliver the goods; per the previous DONE DEAL. He acts like; No matter what process they do, the only decision will be YMCA. 16:08 Janney: "We can appoint our plants on the committee?" Gary Brown: "Oh Yea!" "OH YEA!" _____________________________________ If the YMCA took over ownership of Municipal Property and then went Bankrupt....would tax-payer assets be sold off to the highest bidder via Bankruptcy Proceedings? Maybe the YMCA is going to pass the properties through to another entity that will buy them out when they file for planned future bankruptcy? Hey ...If the YMCA is running the Municipal Pools in Chula Vista and National City now...maybe they'd like to build a pool for Imperial Beach with their own money; since all the Imperial Beach RDA money went for "OTHER PROJECTS"? Is this a classic struggle over who controls the children in the community?
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Melissa Jacobson June 5, 2013 at 08:15 pm
@ john 10 news found expired canned food from December..
John Galt June 5, 2013 at 09:06 pm
Melissa - I know that. My comment is saying that canned goods keep past the expiration date justRead More fine. It is the processed meats in the cold sections that concern me most, followed by produce.
Kelly Tracy June 6, 2013 at 09:03 am
I have been here in IB for ten years and maybe shopped at moldies/Wallys a dozen times 9 of thoseRead More were for wine. The first experience at walley was a sale on bad meat for a BBQ and yogurt that was expired the second time was canned goods that were on sale and I was charged full price the third time was a watermelon well at least the mellon was good ;-/ we need a Whole foods or Trader Joes in IB
Erika Lowery June 11, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Is there any update? I see the flyers as I go around town and I worry about her.
Pat P June 12, 2013 at 07:30 am
Have you checked Chula Vista AC on Beyer? They pick up dogs in IB that are loose.
Agenta Nines June 13, 2013 at 10:10 pm
i seen a dog that looked like her in a yard on the corner of elder and 3rd. small house. It might beRead More their dog. but it is worth driving by
The Imperial Beach Optimist Club invites you!
IB Candy June 12, 2013 at 12:13 am
I didn't know the actual name of the event was "The Port of San Diego Sun & Sea FestivalRead More Imperial Beach" ...and i'm on the steering committee. HA!