The garland styled coral paradise in the Indian Ocean known as the Maldives is at the brink of extinction. Environmentalists and the United Nations are raising desperate alarms to make the world realize that it’s not just the Maldives Islands sinking, but perhaps the future of mankind. Holistic measures are being suggested to avert this more than obvious catastrophe, which is fast approaching if selfish nations and irrational human intellect do not get their act together in protecting the environment.
The Maldives ARE Sinking
It is observed that Maldives will be the first sovereign nation that will be submerged under water in approximately 100 years. Maldives, an island nation with 1,190 islands, over 200 of which are inhabited, and which has most of its islands no more than 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) above sea level, has an impending threat which stands to its existence.
The recent United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Maldivian government together have observed the sea level is rising up to 0.9 cm a year and is forecasted to rise at least 7.1 inches (18 cm) by the end of the century.
The recent 2004 Asian tsunami at least partially sunk over 40% of the islands. Sixty-nine islands very completely submerged and about thirty islands were half submerged. Much of Male (The capital of the Maldives), was flooded following this tsunami. Though an attempt to protect Male has been attempted by building a 3 meter protective wall around the island, which took about 14 years to construct at a cost of $ 63 millions, this provides protection only from the tidal surges. But the solution for the threat from increasing sea level is still unresolved and may not be so easy to fix.
Tourism in Maldives – Better Hurry…
The major economy of Maldives depends on tourism. It is estimated this island nation gets approximately 30-35% of its GDP from tourism, which adds up to approximately 60% of the foreign currency that meets the nation’s major developmental needs. This tourism revenue is at risk and poses a great threat to this nation. It is estimated there are over 92 resorts operating, 60 are in process of being built and another 31 islands are considered for development. Although this development provides a quick fix to the budgetary concerns, it may ultimately lead to an irrevocable natural disaster if there is not enough study done on the impact of these developments.
The coral reefs that form the natural barriers from the tides and devastating waves and are home for hundreds and thousands of endangered species are fast depleting. Tourism is observed to be one of the major causes for this in addition to global warming.
Recently Maldives has conducted a cabinet meeting to stress the need for all the nations, especially the developed nations, to sign the Kyoto Protocol, which prescribes cuts in industrialized countries’ greenhouse gas emissions. The nation is also saving a share of the revenue generated from tourism to purchase land in safer countries in case of an eventuality which forces the need to relocate the entire nation.
The country is considering investing in land so that they don’t have to live like refugees in case they have to meet the unfortunate end. It is time for all nations of the world to awaken the fact of global warming before the rising water levels consume more island and coastal areas around the world including the Maldives.
Anjul S. Hazaam is a freelance writer who helps entrepreneurs promote their projects. His latest focus is on a terrific site about finding the best Kids Electric Cars. Find information on quality Kids Electric Scooters and more.
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