Mean Sea Level takes us through the story of the inhabitants of these small islands at the southern tip of the Indo-Gangetic Delta. Almost 7000 inhabitants have been forced to leave Ghoramara in the last 30 years, as the island has become half in size. The biggest island, Sagar which hosted refugees from other islands all these years is witnessing massive erosion now. 70000 people in the 9 sea-facing islands are at the edge of losing land in next 15 years. For these people climate change is real.
Rising Sea level, 2mm a year is resulting in daily insecurity for home and livelihoods. Experiences of this new breed of climate refugees are a little different from simplistic explanation of sea level rise that will cover their islands with water. The rivers in this delta have to meet the sea at a higher level and they need extra space to hold the water. These rivers break islands 24/7 to create the extra space. People face a constant loss of their land and home to erosion, and keep on moving inside the islands till there is no space.
All these happen while we debate climate change. There is a greater irony. These poor people got nothing out of the economy that created climate change, nor do they contribute to global warming. Mean Sea Level is a testimony of reckless political economy of our times. Climate change is real, and only a sign of our recklessness.