Bilangbilangan in the Philippines is one of the places on earth where the future of sea level rise is clearly visible. Living on this island is living on the front lines of the climate crisis. Scientists predict it will be underwater before the end of this century. The inhabitants seem to be trapped like rats. Grace Obguia: “For us, sea level rise is not something of the future, it is the harsh reality.”
She lives with her husband Ricky Añabieza (33) and their three children on Bilangbilangan, Philippines, one of the small islands in the strait between Cebu and Bohol. They have been living here from the proceeds of fishing for generations. “But nature is disrupted. And for a reason,” says Grace. “Global warming is not only raising sea levels, temperatures are also higher and we are noticing an increase in typhoons and extreme weather.”