Indigenous Guna Community in Panama Relocates Due to Rising Sea Levels

The Indigenous Guna community on the island of Carti Sugtupu in Panama is being relocated as a result of rising sea levels caused by climate change. This marks the first climate change-related evacuation in Panama, affecting over 1,300 residents.

Experts predict that Carti Sugtupu, located just 2 km from Panama's Atlantic coast, will be completely submerged by 2050. The island, which spans only five soccer fields, has already seen several homes submerged. Overpopulation is also a contributing factor to the relocation.

The Panamanian government has constructed a new settlement, Nuevo Cartí, on a 14-hectare plot of land belonging to the Guna community. The project, costing $12.2 million, includes 300 homes, each approximately 41 square meters, situated on 300 square meter plots. The relocation aims to provide the community with better living conditions and modern amenities.

President Laurentino Cortizo has criticized wealthy industrial nations for their role in climate change, stating that they have failed to meet their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There are countries like ours that have to adjust their resources as a result of the climate crisis, Cortizo said, emphasizing that poor island nations like Panama are the first to be impacted by global warming.

Why this matters: Rising sea levels and climate change are having devastating impacts on communities around the world, highlighting the need for urgent global action. If left unchecked, climate change could displace millions of people, exacerbate social and economic inequalities, and threaten global stability.

The Guna community has expressed mixed feelings about the relocation. Villager Victoria Navarro shared her happiness, saying, 'I'm very happy, it feels like a dream. We have been fighting for 14 years and it has finally come true.' However, the community has also requested permission to continue efforts to boost tourism to ensure the disappearing island is not forgotten.

The relocation process will begin next week, with children, disabled people, and the elderly taking the first boats out of Carti Sugtupu. The new settlement is expected to provide the community with a more sustainable future on the mainland.

Panama has 386,000 people living less than 10 meters above sea level, making it particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. The Guna community's relocation serves as a poignant illustration of the urgent need for global action to address rising sea levels and other climate-related challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Panama's Guna community is being relocated due to rising sea levels caused by climate change.
• Carti Sugtupu island will be completely submerged by 2050, affecting 1,300 residents.
• New settlement, Nuevo Cartí, built on 14-hectare land with 300 homes and modern amenities.
• President Cortizo criticizes wealthy nations for failing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Rising sea levels threaten global stability, displacing millions and exacerbating social inequalities.