Atoll Islands Have Secret Superpowers Against Sea-Level Rise

Abstract

When you think of tropical islands, you might imagine palm trees, sandy beaches, and a crystal-blue ocean. But some of the most famous tropical islands—called atoll islands—are often in the news for a scary reason: because atoll islands extend only a few meters above the ocean, many people believe they will soon disappear as sea levels rise due to climate change. But new research tells a different story: atoll islands are not disappearing. These islands have secret superpowers that allow them to move and grow taller with sea-level rise—but only if we let them. This requires keeping atoll islands and the ocean around them healthy. This article is about the secret superpowers that help atoll islands deal with sea-level rise, and how protecting nature can help atoll islands and the people, animals, and plants that live on them.