Panama will lose coastal areas and islands by 2050 due to the effects of climate change, registering an estimated rise in sea level between 0.56 and 0.76 meters in the coming years, the Ministry of Environment highlighted today.
In a statement, the Panamanian Government confirmed the severe vulnerability of its country to the impact of climate change, referring to the results of a study called “Development of a database of Marine Dynamics on the Panamanian coasts,” to assess impacts and vulnerability due to sea level rise.
The statement pointed out that the areas with the most impacts will be: Isla Carenero, Changuinola, Bastimento, tourist area in Boca Chica, Pedregal, Kusapin, Tobobe, Río Hato, Natá, Aguadulce, Paris, Parita, Llano Bonito, Isla Iguana, Portobelo, Santa Isabel, La Palma, Garachiné, Punta Chame, Playa Leona, Tocumen, Juan Díaz and all the islands located in the Comaca Guna Yala.
Ligia Castro, director of Climate Change at the Ministry of the Environment, indicated that it is essential to identify and prepare for the possible impacts of climate change, in order to build a planned adaptation.
“It is everyone’s knowledge that seawater will penetrate areas further and further from the coast, which can generate catastrophic consequences such as erosion, flooding of wetlands, contamination of aquifers and agricultural soil, and the loss of fish habitat, biodiversity, infrastructure and will force all coastal regions to adapt and the poorest and most vulnerable populations could become climate refugees,” Castro said.