Carti Sugtupu is one of almost 380 small islands off the coast of Panama. About 2,000 indigenous people live there. They prepare to leave their house. The reason: According to experts, rising sea levels will soon cause many of the islands to sink into the water.
“We believe we will go down, we know this will happen, but it will take many years. It will affect our youth. Then we, the parents, think about our children,” said Magadalena Martinez, one of hundreds of islanders who will soon be resettled by the Panamanian government.
Dozens of islands are in danger of disappearing
Life on the small island of Carti Sugtupu is tough. The inhabitants live from fishing, the cultivation of certain crops such as cassava and plantains, textile production and a little from tourism. But the island is in danger of disappearing soon due to climate change. Scientists warn that rising sea levels will cause the island and dozens of others in the region to be submerged by the end of the century.
The islanders are housed on the mainland, which can be reached by boat in about 15 minutes. An entire neighborhood including a school was built here. The first residents are expected to move at the end of this year. If the move proves successful, the government in Panama City said it could serve as a model for other islands.
“I feel good, but I also feel homesick because I learned to live on the island and left many dreams and many tears there, but it is also good to be here because I am close to the school where my granddaughter goes . continue her education,” said Martinez, who is moving to the mainland.
Floods are becoming increasingly common
Life has never been easy for the locals on Carti Sugtupu, accustomed to the intense heat and the almost complete lack of public services such as drinking water and sanitation. But in recent years they have increasingly experienced high floods that inundate their homes.
The government estimates that the densely populated island of Carti Sugtupu will be completely swallowed up by the sea around 2050. The 49 inhabited islands off the coast of Panama are only between 50 centimeters and one meter above sea level. A similar fate awaits almost everyone.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
