Why This Charming Virginia Island Faces the Threat of Submersion by 2100

As the ferry heads to Tangier Island, Captain Steven Thomas shares the island’s unique history, shaped by crabbing. He points to the crab shanties on stilts, where softshell crabs are kept during the summer. Tangier, part of Virginia, is one of the last inhabited islands in the Chesapeake Bay. Before colonizers arrived in the 1700s, Indigenous people frequented the island for its fish and crabs. Today, families with names like Crockett and Parks continue to live there, preserving a distinct accent reminiscent of “Southern” and “Elizabethan” English.

However, life on Tangier is in jeopardy. Since 1850, the island has lost two-thirds of its land to constant erosion and rising sea levels, now averaging just three feet above sea level. Currently, sea levels in the bay rise by at least a quarter of an inch annually. If this trend continues, experts predict that Tangier could be nearly underwater in just 50 years. Dave Schulte, a notable climate researcher, warns that the island may need to be abandoned within the next 25–30 years due to climate change effects like rising seas and intensified storms.

Even as residents maintain their seafaring lifestyle, the population is declining sharply. Recent data estimate just 240 people live on the island, a 30% decrease since 2022. Local EMT Rob Baechtel, who moved to Tangier 12 years ago, confirms that the island’s median age is over 60, leading to concerns about labor and services.

The island’s churches and political signs reflect its unique culture, while its only school has around 38 students. Young people often leave after graduation, sparking fears for the community’s future. Lukas Thomas, the sole senior this year, hopes to stay, although job opportunities may lead him elsewhere for extended periods.

Despite occasional funding pledges, substantial help has been slow. A seawall was built in 1990, and a breakwater was added in 2020, but both projects took years. Senator Tim Kaine has secured funding, providing $800,000 in 2024 and $10 million this year to help combat the rising tides, but many agree that it’s far from enough.

Efforts to restore nearby Poplar Island, which was also at risk, showcase potential strategies that might benefit Tangier as well. Experts suggest creating living shorelines with marsh grasses and oysters to shield the island from waves while enhancing the local ecosystem.

Tangier’s fight against climate change reflects broader issues facing many coastal communities. As Mayor James “Ooker” Eskridge remarked, the island embodies not just land but a way of life that needs preservation. These small, tenacious communities can provide insights into wider conservation strategies as climate change continues to threaten their existence.

For more information, you can visit resources such as the U.S. Geological Survey for monitoring rising sea levels and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for ongoing conservation efforts.

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