Disappearing Sands: Are Italy's Best Beaches Fading Away?

By Francesca Di Cristofano

AGROPOLIS, ITALY— Italy’s favorite beaches are shrinking with erosion. Little by little, they are getting smaller. Little by little, Italy took action. However, Italy is now making a larger difference with construction projects to help the beaches.

“I noticed the change to the beaches,” said Lucia Di Cristofano. “Yes, the erosion of the coast is a serious problem in Italy. The solution to this is constructing a long barrier of rock, so the sand won’t escape.”

Antonio Di Cristofano, who currently lives in America, said, “Every year I come here, I notice two things. One, the beaches where they did not do anything are getting smaller. Two, the beaches where they are doing something are becoming bigger.”

“I’ve certainly noticed the erosion,” added Andrea Di Cristofano. “In the course of the years, beaches have shrunk to almost nothing. When I scuba dove there, it was a mass of rocks about two yards tall. The rocks went all the way to the surface but not out, so it doesn’t ruin the landscape.”

So far, the government has only made a barrier on one major beach. Hopefully, they will do more.

This story originally appeared on the Colonial Times website.