Sea ice covering smaller areas for shorter periods would subject larger areas of water to wind action and would thus increase wave action and cause more coastal erosion. People may need to be relocated and there will likely be more heat-related deaths. Coastal protection constructions that are costly would be required. Building and upgrading of permanent infrastructure, e.g. urban waterfront land, breakwaters, bridges, causeways, roads and railways could reach several billion dollars. Habitats and Species Lands are expected to be flooded and salt water will enter areas where plants are salt intolerant.
Coastal wetlands are likely to be lost to sea level rise.
No study of potential wetland loss in Canada has been conducted yet. However, potential loss can be compared to US data. A 30 cm sea level rise could lead to many U.S. and Canadian beaches retreating by 30 m. Changes in the timing and duration of ice cover will have an impact on the life cycle of certain species. The range and reproduction of migratory bird species will be affected. Sea level rise and salinity changes will thus have serious impacts on many fish species.