Seawalls and other shore-parallel structures (such as revetments and bulkheads; Figure 3-3) are built to reduce coastal risks to infrastructure where the natural beaches and dunes have been eliminated or significantly restricted and where other risk reduction options are prevented by lack of space or sediment.

Sea walls. Concrete walls that are placed at the foot of a cliff to prevent erosion. They are curved to reflect the energy back into the sea.

15 Ways to Help Protect the Ocean and Coasts, Regardless of Where You Live

• Always pack your reusable water bottle.
• Ditch single-use cups, straws and utensils.
• Bring that reusable mindset into the grocery store.
• Consider the parts of your environmental impact that you can’t see.

Reduce your footprint.

1. Greenhouse gasses are a major contributor to sea level rise.
2. buffers for coastal areas during rainstorms and hurricanes.
3. from permeating into the ground and lead to an increase in runoff and erosion.
4. clean the air and soak up rain.
5. Obey “no-wake” zones.
6. www.CleanOceanAction.org.

Ocean waves are powerful forces that erode and shape the world’s coastlines. Most are created by the wind. Winds that blow over the top of the ocean create friction between the air and water molecules, creating a frictional drag that shows up as waves on the surface of the ocean.

What’s the difference between waves, seas and swell? Waves are generated by wind moving over water; they indicate the speed of the wind in that area. Swell are waves (usually with smooth tops) that have moved beyond the area where they were generated.

As wind blows across the water’s surface friction occurs and energy is transferred from wind to water. The result is a rising crest that forms into a wave. Over time and distance, sustained wind strength and duration build up a large amount of energy beneath the ocean’s surface, forming deeper waves known as swells.