The Maldives and Climate Change

The Maldives is the world’s most low-lying country with 75% of land barely one meter above sea level. This makes climate change and rising sea levels a major threat. The danger facing the Maldives was evident in 2004, when the Pacific Ocean tsunami covered nearly every inch of the country’s atolls, leaving the entire population impacted. The economic damage alone is thought to have set the country back almost two decades.

Scientific projections indicate that the Maldives could disappear completely by the turn of the century if ocean levels continue to rise at the current rate. However, long before that happens, the Maldives could become virtually uninhabitable due to the combined impact of climate related phenomena, including severe weather events (e.g. cyclones, high winds and storm surges), floods, coastal erosion, extended dry seasons, saltwater contamination of groundwater and soil, increased sea surface temperatures, vector borne diseases, ocean acidification, and coral bleaching.

Currently, 90% of atolls are experiencing severe coastal erosion, fresh groundwater is fast disappearing, and in 2016, a coral bleaching event damaged approximately 60% of the coral reefs that surround the atolls. This is particularly concerning as the coral reefs are the last line of defence against rising water and destructive waves.

The capitol Male is particularly vulnerable due to its small size, dense population, and flat landscape. While the Government has constructed sea walls to protect the island, a more permanent solution is required.

While climate change is largely responsible for many of the environmental issues facing the Maldives, extensive development is also contributing to the damage. An estimated 860 tonnes of solid waste is discarded daily, with around 21% due to tourism. Plastic makes up a significant proportion of this waste, some of which inevitably ends up in the ocean. In addition, the creation of seaports and the Government’s extensive land reclamation projects is also putting strain on an already delicate ecosystem.

The Maldives’ economy relies primarily on tourism and fishing, which are the first industries to be adversely affected from climate change related events. For this reason, successive Maldivian Governments have invested heavily (up to 50% of the country’s budget) to combat the effects of climate change and prepare for the future.

Advocacy for climate change mitigation has been a key component of the Maldives' foreign policy since the turn of the century. Raising public awareness is a key strategy, as well as lobbying developed countries to reduce carbon emissions, including the biggest producers – China, the United States, and India.

For further information on Maldives and climate change, see the resources below:

Videos

1. Maldives to turn climate change solutions to survive | GMA
2. Significant portion of the Maldives lost to climate change | 60 Minutes Australia
3. Maldives: How saving seagrass helps fight climate change | Global Ideas

Articles

1. Facing dire sea level rise threat, Maldives turns to climate change solutions to survive – ABC News (go.com)
2. Islands in the Maldives Were Expected to Vanish. Climate Science Tells Another Story. – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
3. Maldives calls for urgent action to end climate change, sea level rise (cnbc.com)
4. Maldives rests hope on new National Adaptation Plan to tackle climate change | Global Adaptation Network (GAN) (unep.org)
5. The Maldives is racing to create new land. Why are so many people concerned? (nature.com)
6. GREAT TSUNAMI OF 2004 IN THE MALDIVES | Facts and Details
7. The Maldives is threatened by rising seas – but coastal development is causing even more pressing environmental issues (theconversation.com)