Shrinking Panama- the effects of climate change
While climate change skeptics may disregard the latest news that the polar icecaps are melting at a faster rate than at any time in the last 1000 years, parts of Panama are already disappearing under the sea.
It is estimated that every year in the country there is a rise of two millimeters in sea levels and low lying areas are already losing the battle. The warning comes from the National Association for the Conservation of Nature (Ancon) MarViva and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
Guna Yala (San Blas) has already prepared plans for the relocation of communities like Playon Chico, Tupe and Ustupo Null.
Iguaibiliguiña Hedman, coordinator of the Guna Youth Movement says that the situation disturbs his people, who have seen through the years islands and islets disappearing " We only see them when the tide is out” he said.
In Azuero up to 200 meters of beach have been lost says a La Prensa report
Stanley Heckadon of the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, said that some parts of Colon could soon be affected and be under the sea in 100 years as they were built on mangroves and reefs.
Bocas del Toro is among other areas that will be soon begin to feel the effects of rising sea levels according to climate experts
According to calculations by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the impact of climate change will cost Panama $6,825 000 billion by 2100, but few of the skeptics will be around to foot the bill.