The Resilience of the Gunas

While the sunsets over Guna Yala’s turquoise waters remain breathtaking, the future of these islands is quietly under threat. For the Guna people, the ocean is not only a way of life and a landscape; it is also becoming a challenge. But they choose not to respond with fear, instead with resilience, trusting their ancestors' wisdom. In the San Blas Islands, sea levels in the Caribbean are rising by 3-4mm per year, and many of the islands sit less than one meter above sea level. Some scientists* say that by 2050, the 365 islands will be underwater. That’s just 25 years from now! Saltwater is contaminating freshwater wells, coastal erosion is speeding up, and the changes in temperature and currents are damaging the coral reefs, which are vital for fishing and shoreline protection. 

In June 2024, approximately 186 families were displaced from one of the main islands, forcing them to leave their homes and the island they’ve known since childhood. Beyond physical loss, there is also a spiritual loss: every island holds cultural and ancestral significance. Most of the elderly Guna wish to stay on the islands despite being warned of potential floods, showing how deeply they are rooted in their traditions and land. Sadly, due to climate change, San Blas might disappear within a few decades, reminding us of how fragile our ecosystems truly are. In a world searching for solutions, maybe it’s time we turn to the Guna not just to protect the planet but to learn how to live in harmony with it. So, if you ever get the chance, visit the San Blas Islands—not only to experience their beauty and the wisdom of the Guna people but to honor a place that might not be here forever. 

*Steven Paton, director of the Smithsonian Institution’s physical monitoring program in Panama.