Islands
“Any area of land smaller than a continent and entirely surrounded by water. Islands may occur in oceans, seas, lakes, or rivers. A group of islands is called an archipelago. Islands may be classified as either continental or oceanic. Oceanic islands are those that rise to the surface from the floors of the ocean basins. Continental islands are simply unsubmerged parts of the continental shelf that are entirely surrounded by water” Britannica definition of Island Geography
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Small Island Development States
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Oceans
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Ongoing Projects
Island and its Communities
The discovery and eventual settlements of the thousands of islands around our beautiful planet, give way to some of the most captivating stories, myths and legends in the historical context. Since possibly a few thousand years ago, islanders have been and are still great voyagers. Their interpretation of ocean currents, prevailing winds and navigating with the stars are legendary up till this very day. Because of the remoteness of many of these islands, and archipelagos, some of the rarest flora and fauna are found on these islands around the world. They are part of some of the most unique ecosystem that exists.
Islands played a key role in the history of the early explorers, who dared risks their lives into the unknown. Exploration and colonization brought about new species of flora and fauna, endangering the native species, devastating the fragile ecosystem and its communities as well.
Early explorers turned islands into key stop overs as well, mostly because of its remoteness, strategic location and replenishment hubs. Hence the trade routes started to come about and islands where right in the middle of most of these key ocean trade routes. Some had strict rule of law in place with a mixture of natives, slaves, colonialists, adventurers. Some didn’t, hence brought about numerous pirates’ stories that still exists today. Some stayed uninhabited by humans till today, some morphed into a totally different type of community and islands than they were centuries ago.
For hundreds of years thereafter, islanders have been progressively migrating around the globe. Creating new groups of people, Diasporas everywhere. The modern day voyager. To connect and innovate is something islanders have been doing for centuries. Today millions of people now call the thousands of islands around the world home.
Climate Change, Islands, and its Resilience
The threats that climate change is inflicting and its future effects have been well documented. Island communities are being severely affected. Threats of sea temperature rise, sea level rise, and frequency of extreme weather, makes this the biggest fight that islanders have faced simultaneously.
To connect with each other has never been more important than in this century. Where our ancestors and islanders were known to innovate and come up with solutions as they had no other choice, today we are again left with no other choice but to innovate and find common solutions to survive.
