Indigenous Gunas Forced to Relocate Due to Rising Sea Levels

SOURCE www.nbcnews.com
Indigenous Gunas living on Gardi Sugdub island off Panama's coast are being forced to relocate due to rising sea levels caused by climate change. The government has developed a new site on the mainland for them to move to, at a cost of $12 million.

Key Points

  • Gunas of Gardi Sugdub are the first of 63 communities along Panama's coasts expected to be forced to relocate
  • Climate change is leading to rising sea levels and stronger storms, affecting the island
  • The new site on the mainland has been developed at a cost of $12 million
  • Panama estimates it will cost about $1.2 billion to relocate all affected inhabitants by 2050

Pros

  • Government is taking action to relocate the affected communities
  • New site on the mainland has been developed for the residents

Cons

  • Residents are leaving behind their homes, culture, and way of life on the island
  • Relocation is a result of the negative impact of climate change