The small UK village of Hemsby is fighting against the devastating effects of coastal erosion and climate change as residents like Kevin Jordan have lost their homes overnight. Jordan, a retired engineer, is part of a legal case against the UK government filed by Friends of the Earth, claiming that not enough is being done to protect people from the foreseeable impacts of climate change. Hemsby, located on a fragile cliff overlooking the North Sea, is one of many coastal areas in England experiencing rapid erosion due to rising sea levels and increased storms. Jordan’s house was demolished in November, leaving him and his neighbors without compensation and forced to move to social housing. Local businesses and homes are at risk of disappearing by 2105 if action is not taken.
Residents of Hemsby are advocating for changes in government funding allocation for sea defenses to protect their community. The village’s fate is not considered a priority by local authorities, despite the increasing threat of erosion. The case brought by Friends of the Earth is part of a larger effort to push for stronger climate adaptation plans in the UK. Jordan and other residents fear that without intervention, Hemsby will become a ghost town, with the picturesque coastline lost to the sea. The village’s struggle is emblematic of the challenges many coastal communities around the world are facing due to the impacts of climate change.
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