Urban and Island Sustainability: Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Coastal, Marine, and Groundwater Systems, and Developing Adaptation Strategies for Coastal Hazards and Flood Management

The critical issue that is discussed in the research paper is related to the phenomenon of climate change and its impact on urban and specifically island sustainability regarding the coastal, marine and groundwater systems. Coastal and island areas are the most sensitive to climate change since they are threatened by rising sea levels, severe weather, and jeopardized ecosystems necessary for people's livelihoods; therefore, the paper focuses on the effects of the identified environmental challenges. About 150 million people or 40% of the world's population live within 100 km of a coastline, which makes these areas significant for economic and environmental uses. This research explores the main risk drivers that compromise these areas, which arise from the impacts of sea levels on structures, cropland and freshwater sources. It also pays special attention to calling for wide-ranging efforts of adaptation to coastal impacts and flooding for the sustainable management of the coastal urban and islands in relation to other climate change challenges.