Coral reefs are as good as concrete defenses at protecting tropical coastal cities from the rising seas but are far cheaper, scientists said in a study published on Tuesday. Instead of committing billions of dollars to build breakwaters and sea wall, many tropical cities should consider conserving or restoring their coral reefs, they said. The paper, published in the journal Nature Communications, coincides with that the West Antarctic ice sheet is starting to collapse - a phenomenon that will slowly drive up sea levels over hundreds of years.

Ingham, R. (2014, May 16-17). Reefs cheaper than concrete to protect coast cities. BusinessWorld, p. S3/9.