As a boy growing up in Palau, an archipelago of over 500 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, Seth Techitong spent most of his days in the sea.
After school, he would dive into the clear blue water, swimming above centuries-old coral reefs, framed by dense green forests and tranquil villages.
Life on the island felt simple and safe, shaped by the rhythms of tides and seasons. Back then, the ocean meant freedom.
Today, that same ocean tells a different story.
“When I was a kid, the ocean was where we learned how to swim, how to fish, how to live,” Techitong recalled. “I never imagined that one day the sea itself could threaten the places we call home.”
For many, Palau is one of the last untouched paradises on earth. It is also among the countries least responsible for changing weather patterns, and yet one of the most exposed to the risks of natural hazards.
Rising sea levels, stronger typhoons, storm surges and flooding are no longer distant projections. They are reshaping national planning and daily life, threatening homes, livelihoods and the cultural identity of these Pacific islanders.