The Australian government is contemplating the relocation of hundreds of residents from the Cocos Islands within the coming decades as the threat of rising sea levels accelerates, sparking outrage among inhabitants.

This proposal, unveiled in January, outlines the potential movement of not just the islanders, but key infrastructure—such as power stations, roads, water resources, and shops—within a 10 to 50-year timeline.

The Cocos Islands, a remote archipelago of 27 small atolls located 2,936 kilometers (1,824 miles) west of Australia, face mounting dangers from coastal erosion and rising seas—phenomena driven by the escalating impacts of climate change. Government projections estimate that by 2030, sea levels around the islands could rise by 18 centimeters (7 inches) compared to 1992 levels.

The proposal, framed as a "long-term managed retreat," has been presented as the most "viable option to protect lives in a socially, economically, and environmentally respectful way." However, this suggestion has ignited fierce backlash among many residents, who fear that such a drastic move would disrupt their way of life.

The big picture

With a population of roughly 600, the islands' residents are primarily descendants of Malay workers brought by the British in the 1830s to work on the coconut plantations. The islands were colonized by the British in 1857, and their sovereignty was transferred to Australia in 1955. For many, leaving would sever deep-rooted cultural and ancestral ties to a land they’ve inhabited for generations.

Frank Mills, chief executive of the Shire of Cocos Islands, voiced his profound disappointment at the government's decision to overlook long-term climate adaptation strategies, such as infrastructure upgrades, that might allow residents to remain in their ancestral homes.

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"It is really disappointing and we are going to do what we can to challenge the Commonwealth and their views of the world," Mills told AFP, hinting at the possibility of legal action.

For the islanders, the decision to leave their homes is far from simple. "That is not an overnight decision," Mills explained. "Everything is involved in that decision: where they would go? Generations of people are buried on Home Island – would they be relocated to a suitable place on the mainland?"

The Australian government has pointed out that the proposal is still in its early stages and remains open for community consultation.

Why it matters

The situation on the Cocos Islands is not unique. Low-lying island nations around the world, including those in the Pacific, are grappling with the existential threat of rising seas. Wesley Morgan, a fellow at the non-profit Climate Council, pointed out that Australia’s recent treaty with the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu—granting its citizens the right to live in Australia should their homeland become uninhabitable—marks a new phase in addressing climate displacement.

In the Pacific, countries like Fiji have already begun relocating entire communities to higher ground, with such efforts underway since 2014.

"Australia should be doing everything it can so people who have lived on these islands for many generations can stay there and maintain their culture in their homelands," Morgan stressed.

He also emphasized the importance of Australia taking immediate action on climate change, including cutting emissions and transitioning away from coal and gas, to ensure the islands' future is not lost to rising waters.

The situation underscores a larger global reality. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has confirmed that global mean sea levels are rising at rates unprecedented in at least 3,000 years, driven largely by human-induced climate change.

Read more: Rising seas blamed as flooding hits Pacific islands