The first partially submerged Dutch community is not in the Netherlands but in the Caribbean Sea. A fifth of Bonaire could disappear under water within this century. This is the result of a recent study by Freie Universität. It outlines the potential impact of global warming on island life.

Not only the infrastructure and the economy are affected, but also the cultural heritage. Most of Bonaire’s tangible heritage is coastal and therefore vulnerable to flooding from sea level rise and storms.

In all climate scenarios, all of southern Bonaire’s cultural heritage will disappear underwater if no action is taken, such as restoring mangrove forests. The faster the earth warms, the more the heritage is threatened.

Endangered Slave Houses

Sea level rise first hits the famous slave houses of 1850. Made of coral limestone, they are barely two meters high and have a window and a small door through which you cannot stand upright. A door is missing and the window cannot be closed either.

“The houses were built by the Dutch to show the world how well slaves were treated on Bonaire. But nothing could be further from the truth,” says Bòi Antoin. He is perhaps the island’s most famous man fighting for the preservation of cultural heritage.

“Only thirty slave houses were built, while about four hundred slaves worked in the salt mine. Most of the slaves slept outdoors, but for propaganda purposes sixty of them were allowed to sleep in the slave houses, two per hut.”

“Heart of the Story”

Bòi is shocked by the report. “The disappearance of this cultural heritage would be very bad. I can’t think of any other object on Bonaire that makes slavery as visible as these slave houses. This is at the heart of our slavery history. You can read about it here and see it for yourself.”

According to climate report researchers, other heritage is also under pressure, including from extreme weather conditions and increasing heat. This affects matters that give the islanders a sense of identity and continuity, such as fishing.

“Healthy corals important for fisheries”

Climate activist Meralney Bomba can often be found in the nature reserve near La Gai. This is also an area that will fall victim to the sea in this century if nothing is done. In addition to the mangrove forests, the largest in the kingdom, the underwater corals are also in danger of being lost.

“Healthy corals are very important to the fishery as they are an important shelter and breeding ground for most fish,” says Bomba. Corals are dying off on a massive scale around Bonaire. If the La Gai fishermen go away, the locals won’t come here and neither will the tourists.”

She is angry that the Netherlands has passed a climate law mandating that action must be taken to combat climate change and its consequences, but according to her, the three Dutch municipalities of Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius have been left out. “We have been part of the Netherlands as a municipality since 2010 and are the first municipality in the Netherlands to notice the consequences of climate change.”

“I joined Greenpeace and I’m suing the Dutch state to get the islands included in the Netherlands’ climate plans.” What annoys Bomba is that Bonaire is not responsible for global warming, greenhouse gases and CO2 emissions, but is experiencing the consequences .

“We are the victims and that is not fair. I am fighting for my children to enjoy this beautiful and valuable area, but due to climate change they may not experience it anymore.