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In a matter of a few years, climate change has shifted from being a niche topic discussed by a handful of “curious” individuals to a stark reality we are all grappling with. Is it too late? Some argue that it is. However, the crucial task at hand is to acknowledge that global warming is the paramount issue for all of us, ordinary citizens and governments alike.
The economic stakes are immense, yet the onslaught of fires and floods are compelling everyone to confront the issue. Global sea levels are not just rising, they are accelerating at an alarming rate, posing a threat to swallow islands and coastlines, thereby permanently altering the world map. The living conditions of people across the globe are being severely impacted.
Global sea levels are not just rising, they are accelerating at an alarming rate, posing a threat to swallow islands and coastlines, thereby permanently altering the world map. The living conditions of people across the globe are being severely impacted.
Coastal communities in Mexico, Bangladesh, and Somalia are bearing the brunt and struggling to adapt to the climate crisis. Many have been stripped of their livelihoods and homes due to escalating water levels. This is a reality that can no longer be overlooked. The comet is here, and it’s time we looked up.
Mexico. Alicia stands in what’s left of her house in Sánchez Magallanes, in the Mexican state of Tabasco, on a strip of sand between the ocean and the lagoons. Erosion destroyed the foundation of part of the house, leaving only two rooms and the kitchen habitable. After a storm six years ago, Alicia says: “There was sand up to the front door. We walked down the hallway and just saw the sea, nothing but the sea. Our house had disappeared, it was sea and sand. My husband hugged me and I just cried.” César Rodríguez/Norwegian Red Cross/IFRC
Juan reinforces the foundations of their house with sand every day in an effort to prevent further erosion from the sea. Photo.
Roque’s son, Alex, plays in the back of their house in Sánchez Magallanes. Rising water levels left the family living in two small rooms. “At night, when the north wind comes, I can’t sleep. I’m afraid the house will fall down while we sleep,” says Roque. Photo by César Rodríguez/Norwegian Red Cross/IFRC
A man stands on what used to be a breakwater in Sánchez Magallanes. Locals say it extended 50 metres into the sea. Photo.
A new road was recently constructed from Sánchez Magallanes to the nearby town of Paraíso as the old one has been eroded by the sea. Locals believe it is only a matter of time before the same happens with the new road. Photo by César Rodríguez/Norwegian Red Cross/IFRC
Pedro, a coconut picker in Sánchez Magallanes says: “Before, there were more coconut plantations, which are now under the sea. There were many coconut palms and more work.” Photo.
Janet del Carmen and her daughter, from the community of José María Morelos Santa Rita in Tabasco, sit by the river and look at what used to be their backyard. “I know that in five to ten years this house will no longer exist, but I have nowhere to go,” she says. Photo.
A cow crosses a flooded pasture near Sánchez Magallanes. Hundreds of cattle and other animals are dying either from drowning or lack of grazing due to the river flooding. Photo by César Rodríguez/Norwegian Red Cross/IFRC
Somalia. Bandarbeyla, a small town in northeastern Somalia, is one of many settlements along the country’s coastline that are experiencing the effects of the climate crisis. Photo by Luvai Gohar/Norwegian Red Cross/IFRC
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami killed hundreds of Somalis and destroyed more than 300 homes. Even 17 years later, some families are still living in makeshift shelters because they cannot afford to rebuild permanent homes. Photo.
The tsunami also destroyed livelihoods: boats were destroyed, leaving people unable to fish. According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the lack of climate change legislation and effective policies on land use, disaster risk management and fisheries “allows unsustainable and high-risk practices such as building in areas prone to coastal erosion to continue unchecked”. Photo: Luvai Gohar/Norwegian Red Cross/IFRC
A fisherman is repairing his nets. “Climate change has had a big impact on fishing,” says Bandarbeyla district mayor Rashid Yuusuf. Photo: Luvai Gohar/Norwegian Red Cross/IFRC
Bandarbeyla also suffers from a lack of proper infrastructure, which means that residents have difficulty finding clean water. Photo: Luvai Gohar/Norwegian Red Cross/IFRC
In Buhlhar, rising temperatures have pushed people inland in search of cooler climates. Temperatures often exceed 40C during the day. “Right now, only 500 people live here,” says Zakaria Hassan Musa, deputy mayor of Bulhar district. The town once had a population of about 2,000. Luvai Gohar/Norwegian Red Cross/IFRC.
Gurrey Mohammed is one of the many Somalis struggling to make a living from fishing. They claim that high sea temperatures cause fish to move to deeper waters. Photo by Luvai Gohar/Norwegian Red Cross/IFRC
Bangladesh. In the village of Pratapnagar, in the Satkhira district near the Sundarbans, this dam is constantly being destroyed by the tide. Photo: Rafiqul Islam Montu/Norwegian Red Cross/IFRC
In the neighbouring village of Katmarchar, Sushila Rani Baulia shows where the paddy and vegetable fields used to be where she used to meet her family’s needs. Floods from the Amphan super cyclone last year destroyed her land. Now the family has to make a living by working as daily wage labourers. Photo.
In Kurikahunia village in Satkhira, Farooq Hossain Gazi used his savings to build this house after losing his previous house to winds, storms and tides. But his house is sinking and he will have to give it up as well. Photo.
Ismail Hossain and his family live in a hut by the river in Kurikahunia, with this boat being their only means of transport. The area, which is frequently flooded by tides, was devastated by Cyclone Amphan. Photo by Rafiqul Islam Montu/Norwegian Red Cross/IFRC
Without a strong embankment to protect Harishkhali in Satkhira district, villagers have to rebuild the dam after every disaster to protect their community from tides. Photo: Rafiqul Islam Montu/Norwegian Red Cross/IFRC
Ratna Mandal collects drinking water from one of the few wells in Gantirgheri village near Khulna, which have been functioning since Cyclone Yaas hit the Bay of Bengal. Photo.
The strong currents caused by Cyclone Yaas swept away the dike that was meant to protect Gantirgheri. Three months later, it has still not been repaired. Photo.
