‘A strange phenomenon’: new island in Papua New Guinea prompts territorial dispute

While many Pacific communities are facing shrinking coastlines, a newly formed island has led to generational and tribal fights

While across the Pacific communities are dealing with shrinking coastlines, one area in Papua New Guinea has an altogether different problem: a new island that has solidified and started supporting vegetation in the last few years has caused tensions and even outbreaks of violence as competing clans lay claim to the land.

That fight has been intensified as communities struggle to deal with the consequences of warming oceans and the devastating impact of natural disasters.