The Cost of Power
We spend hundreds of thousands of dollars a year trying to keep nature in one place. Then we spend hundreds of millions of dollars building on those shifting sands. Maybe if we were more like those shifting sands, not putting as much stock and importance in staying in place and going with the flow, we would not be in a panic. Also, if we were more like those shifting sands, we would accept that the seeming inevitable is happening, that the waters are rising, and that they will reclaim what is their's.
Humans have always tried to fight against nature instead of going with it. We level small hills so our roads can be straight. We cut down a whole forest for a house to have a "yard" for there is seemingly less beauty found in trees than in flowing green grass. We try to shape everything to fit out needs, but nature does not work that way. Nature is stronger than anything humans can throw at it, especially the ocean. We may stall the inevitable by adding more sand between us and it, but by removing the sand built up under the water around the islands, it allows more power and strength to be behind the waves. All we can do is accept that the ocean will reclaim it's shores and that we need to accept our loss of property for those who have built along the shores. Enjoy it while it is there, but begin to prepare for when it disappears, for it won't be long now.