Tabasco faces severe coastal erosion and climate displacement

Tabasco is facing severe coastal erosion driven by climate change and rising sea levels, according to Alicia Bárcena, the Secretary of Environment (Semarnat). The phenomenon has caused the sea to advance up to 90 meters inland in certain areas, destroying homes, schools, and churches.

Specific critical zones include El Bosque in Centla, Pénjamo and Guano Solo in Paraíso, and El Alacrán, Sánchez Magallanes, and ejido Sinaloa in Cárdenas. The situation in El Bosque is being recognized as Mexico’s first official case of climate displacement, with only 20% of the original 150 houses and 600 inhabitants remaining; relocation is planned for 2025.

Rather than using concrete sea walls, the federal government is prioritizing natural infrastructure. Semarnat, in coordination with Conagua, is focusing on the urgent rescue of mangroves and dunes to act as shields against hurricanes. This includes the ‘Dunas Vivas’ project, supported by UNESCO, which aims to restore dunes using native vegetation to stabilize the soil. A multidisciplinary technical table has also been established with the state government to manage diagnosis and adaptation efforts.