Part of the global warming/ anthropogenic climate change scam.
A scam that now has a life of its own, and almost anything advese is now attributed to man made climate change.
While I am sure the islanders have genuine concerns, the officials need to ask them.
"How come the sea level is only rising in this region, but not anywhere else. Could it be that your islands are sinking?"
Perhaps the 40 officials can have the next meeting in Venice, and take some islanders with them. They can have it explained to them that Venice is sinking...not the other way around.
