April 17 2008: Millions of people live close to the UK’s coast and many will become increasingly vulnerable to rising seas as our climate changes. In north-east Norfolk, people are facing the possibility that they may be among the country’s first climate change refugees. Environmental scientists suggest that one option to tackle erosion along a nine-mile stretch of coast is not to build more concrete sea defences but begin a “managed retreat” from the sea. A section of the low-lying Broads, including six villages, could be lost to the waves if the plans were approved. But shocked residents are rallying to appeal for more money to protect their homes. There is a photo slideshow here.
