In brief
With sea levels rising, the tiny islanders adjust to new lives while grappling with the loss of their ancestral home and culture.
In the heart of Panama, the Guna community on Gardi Sugdub Island is experiencing the profound effects of climate change, leading to their relocation as sea levels threaten their existence. "If the island sinks, I will sink with it," Delfino Davies states, smiling despite the dire circumstances. Once a vibrant hub filled with laughter and music, Gardi Sugdub now echoes with silence, punctuated only by the sound of Delfino’s broom sweeping his small museum documenting the community's history.Recognized as the first community in Panama to be relocated due to climate change, the Guna have faced government warnings about the "imminent risk" they encounter as rising sea levels make their island increasingly uninhabitable. Scientists predict that by 2050, Gardi Sugdub will no longer support a stable population, leading most of the 1,000 residents to abandon their homes. Despite this, around 100 inhabitants decided to remain, divided between disbelief in the threat of climate change and an attachment to their ancestral lands.The new settlement, Isberyala, boasts modernity with prefabricated houses, a stark contrast to the humble wooden and tin structures of Gardi Sugdub. Residents voiced mixed emotions about the departure; many left behind cherished belongings and friends. "You miss your friends, the streets where you lived, being so close to the sea," shared Magdalena Martínez, a former resident who had to leave most of her life behind as she clambered into a boat bound for her new home.Residing just a boat ride away from Gardi Sugdub, Isberyala brings both relief and challenges. The enhanced living conditions include constant electricity and improved access to resources, yet it lacks essential facilities like healthcare, causing frustration among the residents. Plans for a hospital have been stalled, but residents hope that progress will soon follow their relocation.Culturally, the Guna strive to maintain their tradition through dance and music, with children rehearsing in the new school, fostering a sense of community even amidst change. However, the loss of their previous way of life remains palpable, as the children and families navigate the emotional challenges of leaving their home behind.Experts emphasize the importance of learning from the Guna community's experience, as they adapt to their new reality while preserving their cultural identity. As rising sea levels threaten global coastal populations, the stories of Gardi Sugdub serve as a critical case study for similar at-risk communities around the world.As the community settles into Isberyala, the echoes of the past linger, and Magdalena ponders the future. “I wish we were all here,” she reflects, conveying the wish for unity in the face of relentless change.
