Or, Where and When It Went Wrong

Not every solution works—and in some cases, they make things worse.

All over the world, coastal communities have acted urgently to stop erosion—but not every fix holds up. In some places, the wrong approach has actually made the problem worse.

Seawalls designed to protect oceanfront property have reflected wave energy and caused beaches to disappear in front of them. Groins intended to trap sand have disrupted natural drift, starving downcoast areas. Offshore structures have occasionally redirected currents or sediment in ways that backfire.

Beach nourishment — the practice of adding sand back to eroded beaches—has been one of the most widely used tools, and in many places, it’s provided real benefits. But when replenishment is done without addressing the underlying causes of erosion it can become a short-term patch instead of a long-term fix.

These outcomes aren’t failures of intention—they’re reminders that coastal systems are dynamic, and solutions must be tailored, informed by science, and grounded in the local landscape.

We believe that progress means learning from what hasn’t worked, refining our approach, and applying the right mix of tools in the right places.

This page will grow over time, highlighting examples of when erosion responses fell short—and what those experiences can teach us about doing better.