John Warmington, a diver in Havanna Port, Vanuatu, reflects on the dramatic decline of the coral reef he once knew intimately. Over the past decade, a series of natural disasters, including Cyclone Pam in 2015 and subsequent cyclones in 2023, along with a 7.3 magnitude earthquake in December 2024, have devastated the reef. As a result, coral has turned into a “cemetery” of bleached remains, symbolizing a loss that deeply affects local residents like Warmington.
Vanuatu faces additional challenges due to rising sea levels, which have increased by about 6mm annually since 1993, surpassing the global average. The country plans to seek advisory opinions from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on climate obligations, with support from over 130 nations, marking a potential shift in international climate law.
As the population grapples with the effects of climate change, including a potential future underwater, many are applying for climate transfer visas to Australia. Meanwhile, the government of nearby Nauru is selling passports to wealthy foreigners for income related to relocation efforts. Experts highlight that factors beyond climate change, such as coastal development and pollution, also threaten the environment.
As communities consider relocating due to rising tides and contaminated water sources, there’s a deep cultural impact, with families losing ancestral lands. Despite the devastation, Warmington and his wife are taking action by repotting coral fragments, striving to restore what little remains of their beloved reef.
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