France’s remote archipelago of Saint-Pierre and Miquelon, nestled off Canada’s Newfoundland coast, is confronting an unprecedented challenge: how to move an entire village before rising seas wash it away. The 400-building village of Miquelon sits precariously just 2 meters above sea level, making it increasingly vulnerable to storm surges and rising tides driven by climate change.

Mayor Franck Detcheverry recently stood atop a grassy hill 40 meters above the current village site, surveying what could become his community’s new home. The proposed relocation would move all residents and buildings to this higher ground, about half a mile from their current location. Saint-Pierre and Miquelon represents France’s last territorial foothold in North America, making the preservation of this unique community particularly significant.

However, the ambitious relocation plan has sparked division among the archipelago’s residents. While some view the move as essential for long-term survival, others are reluctant to abandon their historic village and the way of life it represents. The debate reflects a broader challenge facing coastal communities worldwide as they grapple with the realities of sea-level rise and increasingly severe weather events.

This situation exemplifies the difficult decisions that climate change is forcing upon small island communities globally. As traditional adaptation measures like sea walls prove insufficient, managed retreat to higher ground is becoming an increasingly necessary but emotionally challenging option for vulnerable coastal populations.