Imagine an idyllic archipelago of 29 coral atolls and over a thousand individual islands, each a repository of ancient traditions and cultural heritage. This is the Republic of the Marshall Islands, a place where the rhythm of the tides has always been in harmony with the lifestyle of its inhabitants, from the patterns of fishing to the cycles of local folklore. For generations, the landmarks of these atolls, be they natural formations or sites of historical significance, have served as living monuments that stitch together the fabric of Marshallese culture. These landmarks are more than just geographical features: They are essential elements that sustain the island’s unique biodiversity and cultural legacy.

Climate change, manifested most directly in rising sea levels and extreme weather conditions, is dramatically altering this dynamic. The same tides that nurtured the islands are now eroding their shores, taking with them not only sand and soil, but also the landmarks integral to the Marshallese cultural identity. This dual erosion of both land and culture is not just a crisis. It’s an existential threat to an entire way of life.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), even in a low-emissions scenario, sea levels could rise as much as one metre by 2030. For the Marshall Islands, where the highest point is only two metres above sea level, 40% of the buildings in the capital city of Majuro would become permanently submerged.

But the crisis goes beyond the loss of land. Scott Paul, the city manager in Ebeye, the most populous island of the country, articulates the depth of this loss: “We have trees that we used to play under as children that are now submerged due to erosion.” These aren’t merely trees. They are part of the cultural fabric, woven with stories and irreplaceable childhood memories.

Studies conducted across 15 atolls in the Marshall Islands report increased salinization of soil and groundwater, contaminating and reducing the viability of arable land. This is not just a logistical issue. It represents a direct assault on a way of life that has sustained the Marshallese for generations.“Losing these sites is like losing part of your identity,” Scott Paul says. In the face of this relentless existential threat, the stakes go beyond relocation and land loss.