The Shishmaref struggle: An Alaskan village facing climate change and relocation

  • Shishmaref is a town in Alaska, inhabited mostly by Inupiak indigenous people who have lived in harmony with their environment.
  • The effects of climate change have caused coastal erosion, forcing the community to make the difficult decision to relocate.
  • The cost of the relocation is estimated at $180 million, a sum the community cannot currently cover.
  • The Shishmaref struggle is symbolic of the realities of climate change facing communities globally.

shishmaref

shishmaref It's a small town located in Alaska, United States, home to approximately 600 people. Most of its residents are descendants of the Inupiak, an indigenous Eskimo group who have subsisted for generations through fishing and seal hunting, among other activities that allow them to feed themselves. However, this community faces a serious problem: rising sea levels, which have led to coastal erosion at an alarming rate, causing the shoreline to retreat more than a kilometer in the last 35 years, averaging about 30 meters of displacement annually.

The situation in Shishmaref has become so critical that its residents have made the difficult decision to relocate, becoming the first locality to be relocated due to the consequences of climate change.

Destroyed house

The decision to move was not easy. The community held a referendum, the result of which was revealing: 78 residents voted to remain, while 89 opted to relocate. Thus, by majority, Shishmaref prepares for relocation, although the specific date for carrying out this process has not yet been determined.

The town's mayor, Harold Weyiouanna, has repeatedly stated that doing nothing is not a viable option. "The land is crumbling into the sea while the community continues to grow," he said. Although a rock seawall has been built in an attempt to protect the island, the mayor emphasizes that "more is needed to ensure life on the island."

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Shishmaref is among the 31 villages most vulnerable Climate change on the US coast. Flooding and erosion are not only destroying homes, as evidenced in the image above, but are also hindering the daily lives of its inhabitants. In fact, since the 1970s, the community has been considering relocation as a solution to its growing crisis.

However, the cost of relocation is exorbitant. A study by the Army Corps of Engineers has estimated that relocating Shishmaref would cost around 180 million, an amount that the community currently does not have.

As sea levels rise, time becomes a critical factor. The community faces not only the challenge of finding the necessary funding, but also the urgency of taking action to safeguard their home and culture.

According to information reported by local mediaThis phenomenon is not unique to Shishmaref. Other communities in Alaska are also considering relocation due to similar issues, such as coastal erosion and rising sea levels. For example, the Isle of Jean Charles in Louisiana, home to 25 Indigenous families, has been reported to be in critical condition, with its land area having shrunk by 98% in the past 60 years.

The history of Shishmaref is not just a matter of geography; it is also a story that reflects the deep connection between the people and their cultural heritage. Many residents, especially the younger ones, feel that leaving the island would mean giving up their history, their roots, and their way of life. Esau Sinnok, a 19-year-old from Shishmaref, said in an interview: "The 650 people in this village are my family. And if they take away my chance to see them every day, I don't know what will happen."

Indigenous communities like Shishmaref have lived in harmony with their environment for centuries, taking advantage of the resources nature provides, but climate change is threatening their way of life. Research indicates that Alaska has experienced a temperature increase of between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius in the last half century, double the global average, resulting in the melting of the ice sheet that protected the coasts from erosion and the impact of storms.

In this context, there is a need for an action plan that considers not only the physical relocation of the community but also the preservation of its culture and traditions. The federal government has expressed some concern, but there is still no clear plan to facilitate the gradual relocation of communities affected by climate change.

Climate change is not an isolated issue; it affects communities around the world. At the recent Climate Change Conference (COP), issues of forced migration due to environmental disasters were discussed, and while Shishmaref is a specific case in point, it represents a global trend in which coastal communities are being displaced due to factors such as sea level rise and erosion.

The Shishmaref case has become a symbol of the fight for climate justice. As the world faces the challenge of adapting to a changing climate, it is imperative that concrete steps be taken to help vulnerable communities cope with the impacts of climate change, ensuring their survival and dignity in the process.

Sadly, Shishmaref's story is not unique. There are many other communities around the world with similar stories. The decisions made today will not only affect Shishmaref, but will also determine the future of other communities facing similar challenges.

The Shishmaref struggle is a wake-up call. The realities of climate change and its devastating effects on vulnerable communities must not be ignored. As the world warms, it is crucial to act now to ensure that villages like Shishmaref have a future. The inhabitants of this community are not only fighting for their homes, but also for their cultural identity and their right to exist in the world as they have for centuries.

At-risk communities are waiting for leadership that will help them effectively address these challenges. Shishmaref's story is a reminder that we can't wait any longer; the time to act is now.

  • Shishmaref is a town in Alaska, inhabited mostly by Inupiak indigenous people who have lived in harmony with their environment.
  • The effects of climate change have caused coastal erosion, forcing the community to make the difficult decision to relocate.
  • The cost of the relocation is estimated at $180 million, a sum the community cannot currently cover.
  • The Shishmaref struggle is symbolic of the realities of climate change facing communities globally.

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