Hotspots of coastal vulnerability: A DPSIR analysis to find societal pathways and responses

• Global change is likely to increase coastal vulnerability.
• There is urgent need to strengthen risk governance and disaster mitigation in coastal zones.
• Scientists, policy makers, and practitioners together should co-design solutions.

Dramatic loss of life and economic losses in coastal zones have focused attention on natural and man-made hazards. The paper starts with a review of the coastal vulnerability terminology. Coastal zones are then presented as complex, socio-ecological systems. Four main coastal hotspots of vulnerability; namely Arctic coasts, small islands, river-mouth systems and urban coasts (including megacities) are analysed to demonstrate the complexity of coastal vulnerability. A DPSIR framework is used to explore the causes and consequences of coastal vulnerability. The paper then focuses in particular on societal, as well as floods, storm-surges and tsunamis to technological and engineering solutions. These include raising awareness, advancing forecasting, enhancing preparedness and improving governance.