On the up side, flys aren't a problem here. “My dad milled the timber and then built the house, so I have this really intense emotional attachment to it, even though I know the science and I know the risk,” she says. “The onus is on councils and decision-makers, to look at how we reduce that risk to make [insurance] affordable and available to everybody in the future.”. The corrosive nature of saltwater, potential flood damage, and expensive insurance threaten to cut holes in your pocket. It might not be insurance that withdraws first, she says. People who lived within one kilometer of the coast were 22 per cent less likely to have mental health problems. Lisa Ellis, from the University of Otago, is looking for guiding principles that New Zealanders could apply to decide who should pay when people’s homes become uninhabitable. This affects a number of common building materials including wood, cement and metal, shortening their lifespan if they aren’t used correctly. The Risks of Living Too Close to a River. Ellis doesn't know yet what a fair solution looks like. That is why Storey is formulating some guidelines. In South Africa this can be seen along Cape Town’s prestigious Atlantic Seaboard, Umhlanga in Durban and smaller seaside towns like Knysna, Simon’s Town and Margate. Implement and Enforce International Sea Law Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of “The future we want”. There are no marina fees or boat ramp expenses. “It’s possible that we, as a society, could decide we need a whole new institution to deal with this, similar to the EQC.”. As a specialist in climate risk, she knows that things aren’t looking good for homes on low-lying parts of New Zealand’s coast. The likely damage from a flood would need to be worse than a soggy lawn. Houses with a sea view have long commanded a premium thanks to their exclusivity and atmosphere. This is, of course, contingent on how close the home is to the ocean. When you’re living on the sea, there’s always something that needs to be done. People who lived more than 50 kilometers from the coast had more symptoms of mental health problems. Most steel, for example, will rust quite quickly due to the wet, salty air, meaning stainless steel is an expensive necessity. Right now, people are making new coastal investments when the country hasn’t collectively decided who – if anyone – will pay if their properties flood. Living on a river may seem very appealing because you have beautiful and serene water views from the comfort of your home. “In the end it comes down to a simple decision. Ironically, during this same period, mangroves have disappeared … Because Kiawah Island and Seabrook Island are gated communities, residents enjoy fewer beach crowds. “All of those happen well before you get to the water at your front door at every high tide, and well before your house is completely eroded.”. Yet, as a living, feeling human, she can't let go of her love for the seaside home her dad built. As Storey points out, so far, governments haven’t stepped in to ease the uncertainty. I live in Oregon. Homes that are right in front of the crashing waves will see more erosion on barriers that protect the home and backyard from the ocean waves. One thing is blatantly obvious already: the thresholds are probably going to be reached much sooner than many people realise. 3.16 > Nations with the largest populations and the highest proportions of population living in low-lying coastal areas. In a nutshell, living by water can help you live longer. Equities seem the only option when property is unaffordable and interest rates are low. It is commonly believed that breathing in the fresh salty air can help treat the people who suffer from these respiratory problems. This week, we sail from one anchorage to another to explore some ruins on Mount Alvernia (also known as Como Hill)! Each year an estimated 8 million metric tons, or 17 billion pounds, of plastic flows into the ocean. No other single source on the subject is as comprehensive or detailed. Early indications are that houses might lose access to insurance somewhere between a one-in-50-year probability of flooding (when Storey says some people may lose insurance or face big hikes in their premiums) and a one-in-20-year probability (where she thinks getting insurance is probably unlikely). The property website found the Essex resort town was the most popular seaside destination for home seekers intent on The downfalls are that it doesn't get as warm as it does inland (which is a blessing if you don't like really hot weather.) However, something you’ll never be short on at the beach is excitement. While these are viable concerns, the benefits of living at the beach and the investment potential of an oceanfront property almost always outweigh the costs. Researchers from Exeter University found that those living around half a mile from the coast are less likely to experience mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. Share Tweet Donate. The research suggests those who live less than a kilometre from the coast are around 22 per cent less likely to have symptoms of a mental health disorder, than … While it’s tempting to think that the risk is far-off, seas that were just a few centimetres higher would dramatically heighten the flood risk in some places and reduce people’s chances of getting insurance, she says. I love living by the sea. Sierra by the Sea offers personalized care in a safe and supportive environment for adults age 18 and older who have been struggling with substance use disorders and certain co-occurring mental health challenges. 3. +27 (0)861 111 724. “In fact, most people would probably say that as long as you’re informed as to what the maintenance demands are, they’re dwarfed by the unique pleasure of seaside living.” This is backed up by the consistently high demand for seaside properties and the resulting high prices that make these areas some of the most valuable in the country. But, honestly, having a house near the sea is a great (and beautiful) privilege. People often focus on the threats the ocean poses to human health, whether it's storms and floods, harmful algal blooms or pollution. Rising temperatures are affecting wildlife and their habitats. When waves cause coastal damage, it can result in flooding. Climate change causes many ocean problems like rising sea levels due to the melting ice glaciers in Antarctica, coral bleaching due to warming sea, and changing species distributions. New Zealand's admirable habit of helping people out of trouble tends to give off the impression that the Government will step in if people find themselves under-insured, but nothing has been formalised, Ellis says. Government needs to do more to keep the laws governing Kiwis online safety relevant and effective. Storey is one of several Deep South-funded researchers who are looking for answers to urgent questions, such as who’ll sue whom to try to recover the rising cost of property damage, and who’ll probably win. Or if the council reaches a point where they say, ‘we can’t justify continuing to repair the pipes and wires to a property’. According to the President of the American Thoracic Society , Dr. Thomas W. … Some of us are even more connected and we thrive in life the closer we are to the sea’s edge. The threat of rising sea levels due to global warming is a real one; during extreme tides seawater can flood land and homes, make access difficult, and affect electrical appliances.