Climate Change Causes Crumbling Coastline
By Sue Clark on Dec 24, 2007 in Threatened 
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An Ounce of Prevention
Climate change, aka Global Warming, is being blamed for the erosion of dunes at the West Point Lighthouse on Prince Edward Island. The site it has guarded mariners against since 1876 now threatens to approach the light, bringing it down. Although it’s not in any present danger, a call to action was issued by Norm Catto, a geography professor at Memorial University in St. John’s, according to a story at Canada.Com.
He states a warming trend is responsible for more severe storms and less ice cover during the winter is leading to greater beach erosion issues on both coasts. He feels tiny P.E.I. may be more vulnerable than a lot of other places due to its sandstone cliffs. The time to do something is now, according to Robert Henderson, a member of the legislature that has called for protection for the landmark. “I’m just trying to raise alarm bells to say that in a few more years we may have a serious problem,” he states in the story.
History of the Lighthouse
Only two keepers tended the light from its beginnings until it was automated in 1963. Its deterioration,like so many other lighthouses, began at that time. The West Point Development Corporation began restoring the site in 1982. The original two story keeper’s house was razed, but has been reconstructed based on the original plans. It now houses a museum, with some of the original furnishings rescued from the original house on display. There is also a restaurant, and a nine room inn for those wanting to stay at the lighthouse. More information on staying at the light is available at their website, westpointlighthouse.com.
Is It Worth Saving?
I can’t believe that question was asked in the story. Every lighthouse is worth saving. We’ve all lost far too much of our maritime history as it is. So the answer, of course, is yes. Whether the island will wait until the lighthouse needs to be moved, or do something now before it gets to that point is the real question. Building up the dunes is one possibility, or perhaps putting in other protection from the encroaching sea. But surely they don’t want to wait until the lighthouse is ready to be engulfed. I applaud the forward thinking of Henderson and Catto, who realize the time to act is now, before it becomes an emergency.
Is Global Warming To Blame?
Perhaps, perhaps not. I believe there may be a climate change afoot, but whether or not it’s exacerbated or caused by humans is open to debate. However, I also think that all things nature are cyclical. We may be in a natural warming trend. And whether warmer weather is cause for more and more severe storms, I can’t say. But looking ahead to the future, as more and more lighthouses being threatened by coastal erosion from whatever cause, it’s a great idea to start planning on protecting and preserving these beacons that have protected us for so long while we still can.
Photo Credit: West Point Lighthouse by WhyNotThisOne on Flickr (Creative Commons license).
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