Duiren Wagua is a member of the Gunadule nation, an Indigenous archipelago off the coast of Panama. For the past century, the tribe has had full sovereignty and autonomy over 49 islands and surrounding waters. Since then, this territory — known as Guna Yala — has become the most biodiverse marine environment in the region.

When it comes to environmental stewardship, the Gunadule have played a crucial role in protecting one of our planet’s most precious resources: its coral reefs. Today, more than 80% of Panama’s living coral reefs circle this Indigenous territory. This coral sanctuary has become even more precious in recent years; three-fourths of the world’s reefs have been bleached by ocean warming and acidification.

Such wildlife and habitat loss has had devastating consequences for the environment. Though coral reefs make up less than 0.1% of the ocean’s surface, they harbor 37% of all marine species, according to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). One billion people depend on these reef ecosystems for food, medicine, tourism, and natural protection from flooding and erosion.

“We have a recent relationship with the sea, with Muu Bil-li, the greatest grandmother,” Duiren says. “The coral reefs make up one of the most productive ecosystems in our Muu Bil-li. They also form natural barriers that protect the coastal areas and islands against high and intense waves.”

Through his photography, Duiren shares his community’s way of life with the wider world, as well as the water and wildlife that have shaped the Gunadules’ history and traditions. His images reveal how everyday life is inextricably connected to the landscape around them. The word “Gunadule” itself reflects this sacred relationship. Guna means “surface of land,” and dule translates to “people.” This connection includes how the community eats.

Read the full article about climate crisis by MJ Altman at United Nations Foundation.