The South West Coast Path is disappearing, writes Catherine Cannon.

In March this year, I walked the 400-km-long north section from Minehead to Land's End and was struck by the frequency of signs warning of dangerously eroded sections or diversions due to landslips.

Our fragile coastline is on the front line when it comes to extreme weather caused by deepening climate chaos.

More frequent storm damage, combined with rising sea levels, leads to faster coastal erosion, which makes maintaining the trail more expensive—threatening the access we currently enjoy.

Half of the top ten warmest and wettest winters since records began have been in the last decade.

Every day on the trail, I walked by waterlogged fields.

I spoke to campsite owners forced to close for the usually busy Easter holiday period because the ground was too wet and frustrated farmers losing thousands because they were unable to plant spring crops.

UK food production is already drastically down, which will make us more reliant on imports—from countries experiencing similar or worse problems.

I don't think many people grasp how serious this is.

On the current trajectory, over the coming decades food shortages will become common.

The terrifying reality is, our children could be fighting for food.

To those who think they don't understand climate issues enough to get involved in the drive for bolder action, or that it's worrying but there isn't much we can do, please rethink.

Scientists know what needs to be done.

We are just (still) lacking the leadership to take us in the right direction.

Spending time walking the Coast Path is incredible.

The place where land meets sea, where you experience the ferocity of natural forces, is exhilarating.

It should also be a massive wake-up call to everyone.

The coastal path is on the brink, quite literally.

If walking the SWCP is on your 'to do' list, do it soon—before it (or your knees) is gone!