Climate change threatens to relocate residents of Panamanian Island

Summary

On Earth Day, a report from Panama highlights the looming displacement of over 1,000 members of the Gunayala tribe due to rising sea levels caused by climate change. For generations, the Gunayala people have lived on islands off Panama's northern coast, but frequent flooding and erosion threaten their way of life. Despite efforts to protect their land, the tribe must relocate to new housing two kilometers inland, funded by the Panamanian government. This transition from a water-based to a land-based lifestyle raises deep cultural concerns as the tribe fights to preserve its traditions amid environmental devastation.

Takeaways

• 😀 Over 1,000 members of the Gunayala tribe in Panama will have to relocate due to rising sea levels caused by climate change.
• 🌊 Gunayala’s islands are facing frequent flooding and may be fully submerged by 2050 due to sea level rise.
• 🏝️ The Gunayala tribe has lived on these islands for centuries, but their traditional way of life is now under threat from climate change.
• 💧 Rising sea levels are currently occurring at a rate of 3.5 millimeters per year, accelerating the flooding on their islands.
• 🚫 Despite efforts to combat the rising water using rocks and coral, the tribe acknowledges they can no longer stop the encroaching sea.
• 🏘️ A new settlement, Guaradi Sugdube, has been built for the Gunayala people, funded largely by the Panamanian government, but it is far from their water-based lifestyle.
• 💡 The new settlement is located two kilometers from the islands, which will create a major shift in the tribe’s way of life.
• 🎒 Members of the tribe, like Magdalena Martinez, hold on to their cultural traditions but face challenges as they prepare to leave their ancestral lands.
• 🌱 The Gunayala people continue to view their traditions, such as basket-making, as a way to preserve their culture amidst this crisis.
• 🌍 The relocation of the Gunayala tribe marks one of the first mass relocations of people due to climate change, highlighting the global urgency of addressing the climate crisis.

Q & A

What is the main issue facing the Gunayala tribe as mentioned in the report?

The Gunayala tribe is being forced to relocate due to the rising sea levels, which threaten to submerge their islands off the northern coast of Panama by 2050.

Why are the Gunayala islands at risk of being submerged?

The islands are low-lying, and the rise in sea levels is caused by climate change, particularly the melting of glaciers and the expansion of water molecules due to global warming.

What traditional lifestyle do the Gunayala people live, and how is it being affected by climate change?

The Gunayala people live in a water-based communal lifestyle with homes built directly on the water. Climate change and rising sea levels are making this way of life increasingly unsustainable, with flooding becoming more frequent and severe.

How has the community tried to cope with the rising sea levels?

The Gunayala people have attempted to use rocks and remnants of coral reef to reclaim or expand their land to combat rising waters, but this approach has proven insufficient.

What is the significance of the new housing development for the Gunayala people?

A new housing development called 'Guardi Suktube' is being built to relocate the Gunayala people, offering them a land-based community that is funded by the Panamanian government. However, it is significantly different from their traditional way of life, and the project is facing delays.

How far is the new housing development from the Gunayala islands?

The new housing development is located about 2 kilometers away from the Gunayala islands.

What is the cultural significance of the Gunayala people’s way of life, and how are they responding to the change?

The Gunayala people view their traditional water-based lifestyle as an essential part of their cultural identity. Despite the imminent relocation, they remain determined to preserve their culture, emphasizing that tradition is carried within, rather than tied to a specific location.

How do the Gunayala people view the industrialized world’s role in their predicament?

The Gunayala people see climate change as a problem caused by the industrialized world, which they believe is unfairly impacting their culture and livelihood.

What is the projected timeline for the Gunayala islands to be underwater?

Experts predict that by 2050, the Gunayala islands will be completely submerged under water, which is less than 30 years from now.

How does the Gunayala people’s reaction to the transition from water-based to land-based living reflect their resilience?

While the transition to land-based living is challenging, the Gunayala people are determined to retain their culture, continuing to practice traditional crafts like basket-making and resisting the fear of losing their identity. Their resilience is reflected in their efforts to adapt while maintaining their core traditions.