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.