The effects of climate change are being felt in a very real way in Mauritius. Not only are they visible through the erosion of the coastline, but they have also generated a new relationship between the inhabitants of coastal areas and the sea. A striking example is found in Rivière des Galets, in the south of the island, where a wall was erected to protect the village from rising water levels and the dangers associated with tropical storms.
For the residents of Rivière des Galets, life has changed considerably. In the past, they enjoyed stunning sea views from their homes. Steffi, a resident of the village, remembers with emotion the moments when she was able to observe dolphins and whales from her home. However, things have changed.
Today, a wall separates the village from the sea. This wall, built eight years ago, was erected to protect the inhabitants from submersion caused by rising waters. The modest villagers have lost the chance to wake up facing the ocean. They now have to go around the wall to be able to contemplate the sea. A sad reality which bears witness to the consequences of climate change.
Daryl, an 18-year-old resident, confides that during his childhood, there was sand in the same place where the wall now stands. The sea was further away and the children could play football and swim in complete safety. Today, children can no longer enjoy this space, considered dangerous. Fishermen have also been affected, as they now have to moor their canoes at the end of the village.
Despite everything, some residents see the wall as a form of protection. Prem, a resident in his 50s, says now is better than before as the wall protects them from the floods that once engulfed their homes and yards.
The situation in Rivière des Galets is unfortunately not an isolated case in Mauritius. The country is experiencing an acceleration in sea level rise, which has now reached 5.6 mm per year, exceeding the global average of 3.3 mm. Coastal erosion affects all coastal areas of the island, with some areas losing up to 20 meters of beach. Additionally, the island’s average temperature has increased by 1.40 degrees Celsius since the 1960s, according to Météo Maurice.
The situation in Rivière des Galets highlights the concrete consequences of climate change on coastal populations. Protective measures, such as the construction of a wall, are a necessary response to ensure the safety of residents in the face of rising waters and tropical storms. However, it is imperative to continue to fight climate change and put in place adaptation policies to preserve our coasts and the communities that live there.