It is horrible to see how such a beautiful country suffers and faces an uncertain future because of climate trends that they have no influence over. [1] Therefore, if this dyke technology could be introduced to the Maldives before the sea rises too much, it could help alleviate their impending problems. [1] M., J. Twenty-six coralline are spread across the top of an undersea volcanic ridge … "Complex causes of Maldives flooding." Will they be able to find land to relocate to en masse, and if they do, will they maintain sovereignty or become a territory of another nation? It is an Island that was Formed by an Exiled Indian Prince. The geography and the environment of the Maldives is highly sensitive. There have been no drastic changes made by major carbon polluters that can reduce rising sea levels dramatically and the United States has pulled out of the Paris agreement [2]. As ocean temperatures rise, the coral reefs themselves can begin to die off. I found this case extremely difficult to reconcile the best approach to save Maldives. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/03/maldives-plan-to-embrace-mass-tourism-sparks-criticism-and-outrage. [6]. By the time that national population relocation is required (c.80 years time as per your essay), this will have built up an extra $6.4B. [Online]. [online] Thesun.co.uk. (2017). The history of the Maldives is intertwined with the history of the broader Indian subcontinent and the surrounding regions, comprising the areas of South Asia and Indian Ocean; and the modern nation consisting of 26 natural atolls, comprising 1194 islands.Historically, the Maldives had a strategic importance because of its location on the major marine routes of the Indian Ocean. One way countries can prepare is by relocating people to … www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/08/170807082332.htm (accessed December 5, 2020). The highest point in the country is only two feet above sea level, and 80% of the country’s land is less than three feet below sea level. Beware of the sun in Maldives! [7] Nasheed expressed interest in a number of countries – Sri Lanka and India due to cultural similarities, and Australia due to the vast amount of open space on the continent. Two-thirds of the capital city Malé was flooded during the first hours of the day. Though the important question here is how the nation will hold its sovereignty and co-exist on others’ territory. Similar to the Maldives, it seems like Venice and Amsterdam will follow [1]. Nasheed’s intent to purchase land from other countries not impacted by rising sea levels in order to relocate displaced residence can lead to numerous political complications: How will tax revenue be allocation to the local government providing for these residence? I think it’s near impossible that these small islands will be able to survive. Or view hourly updated newsfeeds in your RSS reader: Keep up to date with the latest news from ScienceDaily via social networks: Tell us what you think of ScienceDaily -- we welcome both positive and negative comments. Also, what would happen to the country’s residents if the relocation program is not accepted by the residents? There are countries (e.g., the Netherlands) that have been battling rising sea levels for many years through infrastructure investment. Sadly, this is not even the first place that has succumbed to climate change – there have already been climate change refugees in Alaska, as one city was forced to relocate due to rising sea levels [1]. Whether you like it or not, the Maldives will have no choice but to adapt to sea level rise. There were 21 resort islands that closed due to serious damage and 108 deaths. The Maldives is made up of over 1,000 small islands. Available: http://statisticsmaldives.gov.mv/nbs/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/12/PP9.xls. The country as also committed to becoming the first carbon neutral country by 2020 (despite contributing a negligible amount of carbon emissions today). (2017). On 15-17 May 2007, a series of swells, between 10 - 15 feet, hit an estimated 68 islands in 16 Atolls across the Maldives, causing the inundation of up to … 11.The Maldives are ranked the world’s third most endangered nation due to flooding from climate change and global warming. At least 30 flood events have been recorded in the Maldives over the last 50 years, including major floods in the capital city, Malé. One possible way that wealthier and larger countries could help the Maldives is to invest or donate to an infrastructure fund that could build dykes around the largest islands (i.e. Rising sea levels threaten the existence of the low lying country of the Maldives, The Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, comprised of 1,200 coral islands in 26 atolls over a 35,000 sq. It might too late for the citizens of the Maldives, but their legacy can continue on elsewhere in the world. It is devastating to know we are under a threat to potentially lose such a beautiful country. Your article gave me a perspective that climate change is real and there are people whose lives are on the line. The only thing we can hope for is that the fate of these smaller islands and cities remains a stark reminder for humanity, that many lives will be lost and lands squandered if we don’t change our ways soon. The Maldives is a country made up of over 1,000 low-lying islands, and land below sea level totals 80 per cent. One should start planning soon as the Maldives is disappearing under the ocean. This and other forms of marginal increases to tourist taxes (e.g. ScienceDaily. In theory, it would eventually be able to relocate the entire population of the country. Get the latest science news with ScienceDaily's free email newsletters, updated daily and weekly. [1] Vidal, John. “Tourism with resorts acting as natural reserves can be the saviours of the Maldives,” says Adam. The most glaring concern I took from this article is how does everyone NOT know about this? After consulting with a number of international advisors and experts, the report authors came up with twelve priority projects to address the upcoming climate change issues. Maldives Equatorial Sun Light. Environmental policies are changing as increased flooding is caused by the rising sea level, which is caused by global warming, The Maldives Government has pledged to be carbon neutral so it doesn't contribute to global warming, and is encouraging other countries to do … Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/01/climate/trump-paris-climate-agreement.html [Accessed 1 Dec. 2017]. In Kandholhudhoo, a densely-populated island in the north of the Maldives, 60% of residents have volunteered to evacuate over the next 15 years - … 1. between 10 - 15 feet, hit an estimated 68 islands in 16 Atolls across the Maldives, causing the inundation of up to 600 metres from the coastline. Monitoring waves, sea level and floods is important, but further work is needed to better understand processes that cause flooding in reef environments in the Maldives and other low-lying coasts.” At least 30 flood events have been recorded in the Maldives over the last 50 years, including major floods in the capital city, Malé. 82 people were killed and 24 reported missing and presumed dead after it was hit by a tsunami caused by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake on 26 December 2004. Flood … Most importantly, what are the sustainable solutions so we do not have to see any islands facing the similar problems and how is the country going to fund it? The main reason is that short-term solutions such as reclamation of some islands as you mentioned in the article could be detrimental to the long-term sustainability as it causes some damages to the existing lands. [online] Netherlands Tourism. However, tourism would certainly be hit if all the beaches were enclosed by dykes! However, while the former president Nasheed was a great advocate for the Maldives on an international stage (he founded the Climate Vulnerable Fund – later to be known as the Vulnerable Twenty (V20) group of nations, recent political developments have certainly lost some focus. The Maldivian government released a detailed report (National Adaptation Program of Action) that outlines in detail the major threats to the country resulting from climate change and proposals for how to address these. The Maldives government is also planning for 50 more tourist resorts to be opened by 2018. An inch of sea level rise means life threatening in the years to come. A $10 excess ‘relocation fund tax’ charge per flight with 8 million international flights per year (assuming each tourist travels in and out of the country within the year) would build up an extra $80m per year for the relocation fund. I would urge the government to reconsider the relocation fund, raising money from tourists. At least 30 flood events have been recorded in the Maldives over the last 50 years, including major floods in the capital city, Malé. [online] Nytimes.com. The official language of the Maldives is Dhivehi, which seems to be a derivative of the … [2], While it is possible for some coral islands to naturally reform and adjust to increases in sea level, the Maldivian capital city of Malè is not one of them due to a number of rigid systems built up over the years to protect against storms. [1] Michael, T. (2017). What would be the contingency plan for the Maldives if the islands cannot exist and allow people to stay anymore? hotel bookings) would rapidly help the country build up the relocation fund. The Maldives are a collection of nearly 1,200 islands and atolls in the Indian Ocean, The country is located south of India's Lakshadweep islands, and about 435 miles south-west of Sri Lanka. ... “Beach and coastal erosion and flooding is … 12.The 26 December 2004 tsunami resulting from an Indian Ocean floor earthquake caused serious damage to the infrastructures of 57 islands, caused 14 to be totally evacuated, and destroyed six completely. Yep, you read that correctly. Available at: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4911040/rising-sea-levels-mean-these-cities-and-even-entire-countries-will-disappear-beneath-the-waves-within-decades/ [Accessed 1 Dec. 2017]. Tsunamis are also apparent as there are many hazard zones in the Maldives, which are spread in a nucleated fashion. 1. Languages. Monitoring waves, sea level and floods is important, but further work is needed to better understand processes that cause flooding in reef environments in the Maldives and other low-lying coasts.” Geography has made the Maldives especially vulnerable to the consequences of climate change. The study is part of ongoing research into coastal flooding and climate change adaptation at the University, led by Professor Robert Nicholls and Dr Sally Brown. March 20 2019. The possible responses to inundation and flooding fall roughly into three categories: abandoning islands, holding back the sea with dikes, and building the island upward. This effect was increased by prolonged swell wave conditions, where large, energetic waves are generated by wind storms thousands of miles away in the Southern Ocean. From the time the history of Maldives … Available: http://go.worldbank.org/M3XBP80UG0. IPCC, “Climate Change 2001: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability,” Cambridge University Press, 2001. I think it is the responsibility of the humanity as a whole to take action on climate change and to support low lying island nations like the Maldives. Republic of Maldives, “National Adaptation Program of Action,” Ministry of Environment, Energy, and Water, 2007. Local media, quoting Maldives meteorology department, said the capital had experienced a record 149mm in a few hours to the afternoon of Wednesday, 06 December. mi area. Saudi King agreed to lease Faafu islands, injecting investment into the Maldives to fight with rising sea level[1]. The Maldives were badly hit by the Asian tsunami of December 26, 2004, which killed 82 and caused substantial damage to Maldives tourism, housing, and fishing infrastructure. The other thing that large countries can provide is land for the islanders to resettle on. Maybe Not,”. Summit: Pathways to a Just Digital Future, Investigate how to address technological inequality, AI puts Moderna within striking distance of beating COVID-19, Dig into the totally digital biotech company, Race to the Last-Mile: Challenges to Wal-Mart E-Commerce Deliveries, On Trucking Automation: How the Technological Road Forward Could Leave Millions Behind, https://www.euromoney.com/article/b14qq2dslcm1zd/climate-change-mixed-messages-on-the-maldives-waterfront, http://www.netherlands-tourism.com/netherlands-sea-level/, https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mv.html, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/20/us/shishmaref-alaska-elocate-vote-climate-change.html, https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/mar/03/maldives-plan-to-embrace-mass-tourism-sparks-criticism-and-outrage, http://statisticsmaldives.gov.mv/nbs/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Statistical-Pocketbook-of-Maldives-2017.pdf, https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4911040/rising-sea-levels-mean-these-cities-and-even-entire-countries-will-disappear-beneath-the-waves-within-decades/, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/01/climate/trump-paris-climate-agreement.html. Flood defences, including … ScienceDaily shares links with sites in the. More information: Matthew Wadey et al. The sea levels across the globe is rising, which displays a long-term, increasing trend. It consists of about 1,200 low-lying small coral islands and sandbanks, only some 200 of which are inhabited, the most populous of which is Male. However, at the moment I believe there is little hope given the beliefs of the current US administration and the fact that a country with a population of less than half a million inhabitants does not play a significant role in world politcs, regardless of how beautiful the beaches are. The current head of state, president Abdulla Yameen, is doubling down on the agenda outlined above, and working to reclaim sunken islands. However, we feel that the impact is so far into the future or it might not affect me significantly. It is not intended to provide medical or other professional advice. [5]. Intergovernmental organizations like the United Nations should take the lead to address this issue as soon as possible. Authors of the paper, published in the journal Natural Hazards, examined wave and sea level data around historic flood events and found that multiple factors contribute to flooding in the Indian Ocean island chain, which has an average land elevation of just one metre. Record rainfall in the Maldives caused flooding on Wednesday 05 December in parts of the capital, Malé. Thank you for your article. Finally, the country’s islands are protected by coral reefs. The deputy mayor, Abdulla Thoyyib,… [1] Statistical Pocket Book of Maldives: http://statisticsmaldives.gov.mv/nbs/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Statistical-Pocketbook-of-Maldives-2017.pdf. The Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, comprised of 1,200 coral islands in 26 atolls over a 35,000 sq. Thank you for bringing up this important topic JDW. Nasheed advocated for assembling a fund that would be used to buy land on other countries unaffected by rising sea levels for displaced Maldivians to relocate. How can larger countries that have more influence on international climate change issues help support low lying island nations like the Maldives? The highest point in the country is only two feet above sea level, and 80% of the country’s land … [2] Cia.gov. ScienceDaily, 7 August 2017. Larger countries like Saudi Arabia already took a creative way to help the Maldivians. It is certainly a tragedy that countries like the Maldives have hardly contributed to climate change, yet are the most effected by it. Maafushivaru/Oyster. A. Doyle, “Maldives takes step to “carbon neutrality” by 2020,”, B. Doherty, “Climate change castaways consider move to Australia,”, R. Ramesh, “Paradise almost lost: Maldives seek to buy a new homeland,”, N. J. Dauenhauer, “On front line of climate change as Maldives fights rising seas,”. I wonder if the Maldives has contingency plans for if and when their island is no longer able to exist. Will the residents be willing to relocate? Being land scarce and low lying, the country is exposed to the risks of intensifying weather events such as damage caused by inundation, extreme winds, and flooding from storms. Diverting the funds towards such strategies may potentially represent a more effective way of preventing residence from being displaced. The Republic of Maldives is Sinking. Maldives is at major risk of flooding at all times. The year-round warm weather, endless white beaches and inviting water make the Maldives an exotic and scenic paradise on Earth, and a perfect getaway for vacationers and honeymooners. "Complex causes of Maldives flooding." For those who want to challenge climate change, this island only needs to be shown. Matthew Wadey, Sally Brown, Robert J. Nicholls, Ivan Haigh. 13.In 2011, UNESCO designated an area comprised of 75 islands as the Ba… The World Factbook — Central Intelligence Agency. Male). The top three are as follows [5]: The Maldives is also quite involved with international climate forums and the global dialog on the subject. Lead author Dr Matthew Wadey said: "This study gives us a better understanding of flooding in the Maldives. For example, about one third of the Netherlands is below sea level, with one point even being twenty-two feet below sea level! Materials provided by University of Southampton. The U.S. provided $1.6 million in immediate relief assistance. There are a number of other issues relating to sea level rise that threaten the long-term survival of the country [5]: What is the country doing about it today? 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