One of these is the Making Space for Sand (MS4S) project, part of the £200 million Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme (FCRIP) funded by Defra. The project aims to find better ways of living with coastal change—encouraging a natural, ecosystem-based approach to managing our shores.

Cornwall’s Ever-Changing Sand Dunes

Cornwall’s sandy dune systems are a striking contrast to the rugged cliffs that dominate much of the county’s coastline. Unlike cliffs, dunes are always shifting—never truly “finished.” The sea can wash parts of them away while also bringing fresh sand to build them up again. At the same time, the wind constantly changes direction and strength, moving sand in unpredictable ways.

Although they cover only about 2% of Cornwall, sand dunes are incredibly important. They act as natural sea defences, helping to absorb the power of waves and protect inland areas from flooding. They are also rich habitats for wildlife, home to rare plants, insects, and birds, as well as being places of cultural history and recreation.

Sharing the Story of the Dunes

To help raise awareness, The 2 Minute Foundation, with support from Making Space for Sand, has produced a series of short films about Cornwall’s dunes. These films explore:

• How dunes are formed
• Why they matter for coastal protection and biodiversity
• The role they play in tackling climate change

With stunning visuals and expert insights, the series highlights the urgent need to restore and protect these fragile ecosystems. Each episode is a reminder that dunes are living landscapes—constantly shaped by the elements, but vulnerable to human impact.

👉 You can watch the full series below.

Making Space for Sand

The 2 Minute Foundation

CoastSnap: Science Powered by People

At the heart of MS4S is CoastSnap, a global community science project. CoastSnap began in 2017 at the University of New South Wales in Australia and has since spread across five continents. The idea is simple: use repeat photographs, taken by the public, to track how coastlines change over time.

Think about it—every day, thousands of people take photos of the beach on their smartphones. CoastSnap turns those everyday snaps into valuable scientific data.

How It Works

As part of MS4S, 23 CoastSnap stations have been installed at key dune beaches around Cornwall. Each station includes:

• A fixed camera cradle for smartphones
• An easy-to-follow instruction sign

Visitors simply place their phone in the cradle, take a photo, and upload it. These photos are then processed and added to a growing image library.

Why It Matters

The photos collected reveal both long-term changes—like dune retreat or advance—and short-term impacts from storm events. By comparing thousands of images, scientists at South West Coastal Monitoring (SWCM) and other partners can track patterns, create storm impact visualisations, and better understand coastal erosion.

But this isn’t just science for scientists. Each person who takes part becomes part of a global network, helping to build resilience and understanding of our ever-changing coastline.

Looking Ahead

Projects like MS4S and CoastSnap show how community action and innovation can come together to tackle climate change. By working with nature, and each other, we can prepare for the challenges ahead—while helping to protect the places we love most.

Take action today:

Snap a photo at your nearest CoastSnap station and join the global community tracking coastlines.

Watch the dune films and learn how to protect these vital ecosystems: Making Space for Sand | The 2 Minute Foundation

By working together, we can ensure Cornwall’s coastlines remain vibrant, resilient, and inspiring for generations to come.

The post Building Resilience to Coastal Climate Change appeared first on Fethiye Times.