Climate Change in Belgium
Case Study - Answers
Answers
1. From interpretation and analysis of figure 1.4, what are the trends that can be seen
and the possible consequences of these trends?
From analysing the 4 graphs in figure 1.4 a trend of sea level rising can be observed. The
line of best fit in all of the graphs indicates this trend, with sea level rising 2.32 – 2.35 m by
the year 2006. Information supplied by the case study (figure 1.2) show that the
consequences of this trend will be coastal flooding of the Belgian coast. Areas of
Blankenberge and Nieuwpoort will mainly affected by flooding. Coastal erosion may also
occur along the Belgian coast due to sea level rise, but coastal flooding will be the main
consequence.
2. From the information obtained from the above case study and figures do you think
coastal flooding is a future concern to the Belgian coast? (See pages 14 – 18)
Knowledge gained from the above case study, specifically from the figures 1.2 - 1.4 indicates
that coastal flooding is a major future concern for the Belgian coast. For example increased
sea level rise, predicted correlation between increased wind speed and wave height are all
indicators and contributing factors to future coastal flooding.
3. Outline the possible social, economical and environmental impacts of coastal
flooding along the Belgian coast (See pages 18 – 22)
Possible social impacts from coastal flooding are: safety of the general public located in
flood risk areas. Damage to transport infrastructure e.g. roads, railways and even shipping
industry is another potential impact. Another impact is the disruption to transport and
shipping industry through the development of coastal defences to prevent coastal flooding.
Reduction in tourism might also occur due to the coast being less desirable to visit. Finally
loss of jobs due in flood affected areas and also potential increase in jobs in construction
industry due to rebuilding of damage and appropriate defences. Coastal flooding has the
potential to cause the following economical impacts: Economic infrastructure damage e.g.
fishing and shipping industry get damaged due to flood events and increased storminess.
Insurance costs and protection against flooding could see production value increase for
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industries located along the Belgian coast. Damages to industrial and agricultural properties
will subsequently lead to temporary or permanent decrease in production. Indirectly, this can
result in economic losses at supplier and customer companies. The possible Environmental
impacts of coastal flooding include: contamination of water due to the turbidity caused by
coastal flooding. Fresh water dunes will also be contaminated by salt water intrusion from
flooding. Main environmental impacts due to flooding are its affects on habitats and
ecosystems both marine and land based. Loss of habitats and damage can be caused to
both marine and land. Construction of coastal defences can affect ecosystems also through
disruption.
4. Of the impacts listed in question 3, which has the potential to produce the biggest
negative effect the Belgian coast. (see pages 23 – 25)
The economical impact to industries will have the biggest negative effect to the Belgian
coast. If fishing/shipping and agriculture industries are affected badly by coastal flooding this
will harm the country on an economical level causing loss of jobs and potential increases in
prices of goods. Since Belgian coast is host to many types of industry and is an important
economical asset to Belgium this type of impact will cause the biggest negative effect in the
future.
5. What considerations or preventions could be undertaken to attempt to prevent
coastal flooding for Blankenberge and Nieuwpoort? (See pages 23 – 25)
The main consideration and prevention that could be undertaken would be the construction
of coastal defence along the Belgian coast. These defences will prevent or reduce the
impacts of coastal flooding will have on Belgian coast. Considerations include insurance for
coastal areas against flooding. Plans for an appropriate response through emergency
services if coastal flooding occurs and finally education to the public and industries on
coastal flooding are all considerations that could be undertaken.
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6. For this area list the difficulties when dealing with future changes (e.g. funding,
technology).
The main difficulties when dealing with future climate change is the funding of schemes to
tackle and prevent coastal flooding. For example gaining funding for the construction of
coastal defences may be challenging. Bureaucracy is another problem faced when trying to
push these plans through and undertake action. Finally another difficulty is making the public
and stakeholders and local industries believe there is an issue and coastal climate change is
a serious matter to consider and address. For this case study making people believe there is
a potential threat of coastal flooding.
7. List other climate change factors that could affect the Belgian coast and why?
(See pages 14 – 23)
Belgian coast is host to marine and land based habitats and ecosystems. Climate change
factors including, sea temperature rise and air temperature rise could have an effect on
these habitats and ecosystems. They could make Belgian coast undesirable for species with
sensitive habitat requirements, causing a reduction in biodiversity. Increases in sea and air
temperature could also make the Belgian coast more desirable for different and new species
and in turn increase biodiversity. Spatial distribution of species habitats can also be affected
by these climate change factors. Increase in sea temperature and air temperature have the
potential to cause unnatural changes in ecosystems along the Belgian coast. A rise in
extreme storm events and weather events could also have an effect on the Belgian coast
causing similar problems to coastal flooding; damaging of habitats, economic infrastructure
and coastal erosion.
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