Snapshot Prince Edward Island

24 June 2025

Photo: B. Ratter

“No matter where you go, coastal erosion! But it’s not just because the sea level is rising. It’s also because people are trying to stop the erosion with armor made of rocks.“ Beate Ratter is an expert in climate adaptation. She’s currently researching climate change and adaptation measures on a small island. Can you guess which one? She reports: “The massive granite blocks had to be imported since there’s no granite on this sandstone island. And yet, they only hold back the sea for a short time. The soft, sandy ground and the tidal movements cause the heavy stones to sink slowly. Placing a ‘cushion’ beneath the granite blocks could prevent this sinking. Layers of gravel, cobbles, and rocks are gradually added, increasing in size. I found these rocks on an island in the North Atlantic. Red sandstone, flat hills, extensive farmland – the ‘Potato Island,’ which mainly produces the long fries for well-known fast-food chains. Greetings from… can you guess which island I’m exploring in search of climate resilience?“