Wave Climate Variability and Extremes under Climate Change: Implications for Coastal Risk, Management, and Adaptation

Ocean wave climates are changing under the combined influence of global/regional climate variability, with important consequences for coastal environments, infrastructure, and marine activities. Variations in wave conditions, including changes in mean climate and the increasing occurrence of extreme events, play a critical role in shaping coastal hazards such as flooding, erosion, and structural damage. While wave modelling and observational capabilities have improved significantly over recent decades, it is still challenging to consistently characterise long-term variability, understand how extreme events are evolving, and translate these changes into actionable insights for coastal risk management and adaptation.Recent advances in hindcasting, satellite observations, and regional climate modelling have improved our ability to assess wave climate variability at different spatial and temporal scales. However, uncertainties remain, particularly in the representation of extreme wave conditions, the coupling between wave dynamics and coastal processes, and the integration of wave information into decision-making frameworks. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts that combine process-based understanding, advanced modelling approaches, and applied perspectives.This Research Topic aims to bring together state-of-the-art research on wave climate variability and extremes under climate change, with a particular focus on their implications for coastal risk, management, and adaptation.We welcome contributions that investigate long-term trends using hindcasts, reanalyses, and observations; assess changes in extreme wave conditions and associated coastal hazards; and explore regional to ocean-scale dynamics across a range of marine environments.Particular attention is given to studies examining wave–atmosphere–ocean interactions, impacts on coastal morphology and related sediment dynamics, and the application of coupled or integrated modelling frameworks. Interdisciplinary studies that connect physical oceanography, coastal engineering, and policy-oriented research are also encouraged, especially those translating scientific understanding into practical strategies for coastal resilience and climate adaptation.Overall, this Research Topic aims to contribute to a clearer and more integrated understanding of how wave climates are evolving and how this knowledge can support more effective and resilient coastal decision-making. Topic editors: Fulya Islek, Yana Saprykina, Berna Ayat Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/81145/wave-climate-variability-and-extremes-under-climate-change-implications-for-coastal-risk-management-and-adaptation