New Moore Island sinking into the sea

While it might be getting the media coverage, a short term loan of living space on other, drier shores, but the issue will only get worse as time goes on. Rising sea levels have claimed more than just New Moore Island, but this tiny disputed island is providing more attention to the issue than ever before.

The two lives of New Moore Island

The disputed New Moore Island was a tiny chunk of land – less than 2 miles long and 1.5 miles wide. The government of India claimed the island as part of their territory, saying that New Moore Island fell within established maritime borders. Conversely, the government of Bangldesh also claims the island, which they call South Talpatti. Residents of either country have never built a permanent settlement on the island. The Bhola cyclone in 1970 actually revealed New Moore Island / South Talpatti, which is what initiated the conflict. India had at one point established a base on South Talpatti / New Moore Island, but international opinion was split on the issue.

Sea levels rise beyond New Moore Island

The School of Oceanographic Studies in Calcutta reported to the BBC recently that New Moore Island had been completely engulfed by rising sea waters. The institute has confirmed that New Moore Island is no more with satellite pictures and reports from fishermen. In the last 10 years, sea level has risen an average of five millimeters per year, when the previous average was three millimeters per year. Sea level has been rising much more quickly around the Sundarban Island Chain, where New Moore Island Was – 3.14 centimeters a year. Four islands of the Sundarban chain sunk before New Moore Island.
New Moore Island isn’t the only sinker
The Sundarban Island chain is not the only home to sinking islands. The Maldives, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, has been losing land mass to the sea for years. The highest point in the Maldives is only 8 feet above ocean level, so even a high tide can cause problems for citizens. The government of the Maldives is building an artificial island called Hulhumale nearby for residents to move to. Tuvalu, a Pacific Ocean island between Hawaii and Australia, is also fast losing land mass. There are 11,000 residents of Tuvalu, all of whom could be devoid of a home in as little as 50 years. A few residents of Tuvalu – 75, to be exact – can use military personal loans to move to New Zealand. Tonga, Kirbati, and the Marshall Islands are also at risk of disappearing just like New Moore Island did.

How to curb the sinking?
In the end, there is no way to accurately measure the cause and effect of small islands ending up in the ocean. Not only do sea levels regularly change, but islands can also rise and sink separately from the ocean. Some say the sea levels are rising because of climate change, others because of normal climate variations. Governments are being asked to find solutions for islands like New Moore Island, though, because there is no way to stop an island from sinking once it has started.