<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jun/27/dancing-feasts-and-faith-mark-life-on-a-vanishing-island-tuvalu-photo-essay>
"As the sun sets in Tuvalu, children climb and play on mountains of sand that
have been dredged from the seafloor. Women walk in the ocean shallows searching
for shells that have travelled up with the sands, to make necklaces and other
decorative pieces.
Little by little Tuvalu, a tiny atoll in the Pacific Ocean, is being swallowed
up as the ocean rises from under the once solid ground. This is the reality
facing its 12,000 inhabitants who live in the shadow of possible climate change
extinction, mostly as a result of rising sea levels.
For six days each week, heavy machinery operated by local workers moves large
piles of sand around in an effort to reclaim land and prevent the flooding and
destruction that comes with king tides. When the workers pack up in the
afternoon, children enter the site, oblivious to the “must wear steel cap boots
and a hard hat” signs.
Nearby at the airport, locals gather. The runway, which cuts through the centre
of the island, receives just three flights a week. At other times the airstrip
serves as a pitch for long games of late afternoon volleyball, and a place for
children to ride bikes or play cards. Women sit in circles with little ones,
laughing and talking among themselves."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
