This study presents a global assessment of sandy beaches and shoreline change rates using satellite imagery from 1984 to 2016. By analyzing optical satellite images and applying automated image processing techniques, the researchers found that 31% of the world's ice-free shoreline is sandy. They identified that 24% of these sandy beaches are eroding at rates exceeding 0.5 m/yr, while 28% are accreting and 48% are stable. The study highlights that 32% of marine protected areas' shorelines are sandy, with 37% eroding at rates over 0.5 m/yr. The analysis also shows that 24% of sandy beaches are eroding at rates exceeding 0.5 m/yr, while 27% are accreting. The study emphasizes the importance of reliable assessments for coastal planning and climate change mitigation. The researchers used a pixel-based supervised classification to detect sandy beaches and applied an automated shoreline detection method to calculate shoreline change rates. The study found that 82% of sandy transects have more than ten annual shoreline positions between 1984 and 2016. The results indicate that the global average shoreline change rate is 0.33 m/yr, with significant variations across different regions. The study also highlights the impact of human activities on shoreline change, such as sand mining, coastal structures, and sand nourishments. The findings provide a comprehensive understanding of global sandy beach dynamics and the effects of natural and human-induced factors on coastal erosion and accretion. The study's results are available through an interactive website and can be used for coastal management and climate change adaptation strategies.This study presents a global assessment of sandy beaches and shoreline change rates using satellite imagery from 1984 to 2016. By analyzing optical satellite images and applying automated image processing techniques, the researchers found that 31% of the world's ice-free shoreline is sandy. They identified that 24% of these sandy beaches are eroding at rates exceeding 0.5 m/yr, while 28% are accreting and 48% are stable. The study highlights that 32% of marine protected areas' shorelines are sandy, with 37% eroding at rates over 0.5 m/yr. The analysis also shows that 24% of sandy beaches are eroding at rates exceeding 0.5 m/yr, while 27% are accreting. The study emphasizes the importance of reliable assessments for coastal planning and climate change mitigation. The researchers used a pixel-based supervised classification to detect sandy beaches and applied an automated shoreline detection method to calculate shoreline change rates. The study found that 82% of sandy transects have more than ten annual shoreline positions between 1984 and 2016. The results indicate that the global average shoreline change rate is 0.33 m/yr, with significant variations across different regions. The study also highlights the impact of human activities on shoreline change, such as sand mining, coastal structures, and sand nourishments. The findings provide a comprehensive understanding of global sandy beach dynamics and the effects of natural and human-induced factors on coastal erosion and accretion. The study's results are available through an interactive website and can be used for coastal management and climate change adaptation strategies.