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Gardi Sugdub submergence
Context:
Panama is relocating Gardi Sugdub island residents due to escalating climate threats.
More on News:
- Gardi Sugdub is an island in the San Blas Archipelago in the Guna Yala province of Panama.
- Due to rising water levels, Saltwater intrusion, and frequent floods roughly 300 Guna families are confronting the challenges of climate change.
- An estimated 63 communities along Panama’s Pacific and Caribbean coasts will face a similar fate in the coming decades.
The reasons for the submergence of the island in Panama are:
- Low Elevation: Many Caribbean islands are low-lying, with average elevations below 10 meters (33 feet) above sea level.
- This makes them highly susceptible to flooding and erosion due to sea-level rise.
- Rising Sea Levels: The island is experiencing rising sea levels due to climate change, which is causing the water to flood the island more frequently and for longer periods.
- A study found that over 3100 km2 of Caribbean coastal land will be lost due to sea-level rise from 1.5°C of warming.
- Increased Storm Frequency and Intensity: The Caribbean is prone to hurricanes and tropical storms, which can exacerbate the impacts of sea-level rise.
- Rising sea levels can lead to more frequent and intense flooding, further increasing the vulnerability of coastal communities.
- Increased Flood Risk: The IPCC warns that flood risk will increase significantly in the Caribbean due to sea-level rise.
- By 2050, flood risk is expected to double, and by 2100, it could increase by up to 10 times.
