Panama is Preparing to Evacuate First Island Due to Rising Sea Levels
In a poignant and historic moment, the tiny island of Gardi Sugdub off Panama’s Caribbean coast is on the verge of a dramatic transformation. About 300 families, generations of Gunas who have cherished their lives dedicated to the sea and tourism, are preparing to leave their homes for the mainland next week. This move, while voluntary, is largely driven by the escalating threat of rising sea levels, a stark reminder of the tangible impacts of climate change. The Gunas of Gardi Sugdub are the first of 63 communities along Panama’s Caribbean and Pacific coasts that government officials and scientists expect will be forced to relocate in the coming decades. For many residents, the move brings a mix of sadness and resignation. NadÃn Morales, a 24-year-old resident, encapsulates the sentiment of many: “We’re a little sad because we’re going to leave behind the homes we’ve known all our lives, the relationship with the sea, where we fish, where we bathe, and where the...
