The Maldives

• The Maldives is an island to the south of India. It is located within the Indian ocean. Many of the most at risk islands are coral atolls only 1 to 3m above sea level.
• The Maldives has a population of 400000 people spread out over 1200 islands, although many islands are not inhabited. 90% of the population live in the capital city, Male.
• The highest point on the island is only 2.3 meters above sea level so a rise of 50 cm would cover 77% of the land area. 100 cm would cover 97% of the land area. Areas that remained would be vulnerable to storm surges and erosion. Even small changes in sea level lead to massive amounts of land loss due to the country's unusual topology.
• The Maldivians have made multiple plans to create new habitable space to protect from rising sea levels. Male is ringed by a 3m high sea wall to prevent flooding.
• Hulhumale is a new artificial island created by coral and sediment deposits from dredging between 1997 and 2002 at a cost of US$32 million. It is a full meter higher than Male, which would become useful in the future.
• Reports assessed the impacts of sea-level rise, projecting an increase of up to 0.9 meters by 2100. Without effective adaptation strategies, coastal flooding could severely damage up to 3.3 percent of the Maldives total assets by 2050 during typical 10-year floods, resulting in damages of US$0.7-1.1 billion of GDP.
• What extraordinary lengths is the Maldives taking to combat rising sea levels?

  Construction of artificial islands
• Why is the construction of artificial islands unlikely to help the whole population of the Maldives?

  It primarily benefits urban areas, ignoring isolated islands
• What percentage of inhabited islands in the Maldives are experiencing coastal erosion?

  97 percent
• What is a potential risk of focusing on protecting the capital city Malé?

  Isolated islands may be ignored
• What traditional income sources are at risk due to the focus on urban and tourism development?

  Sustainable management of fishing and mangroves
• How does the focus on urban and tourism development affect coastal management in the Maldives?

  It overlooks sustainable management of resources
• What potential conflict exists in the Maldives regarding coastal management?

  Focus on some areas over others
• What actions are being taken to help vulnerable coastal communities in the Maldives?

  • Education on mangrove swamps by MFF
  • Grants for sustainable farming by GEF
  • Funding for mangrove nurseries by Japan
• What organization is working with Maldivian communities on coastal mangroves?

  Mangroves for the Future (MFF)
• Why are mangrove swamps important for coastal communities in the Maldives?

  They act as a natural defense against erosion
• What type of grants has the Global Environment Facility (GEF) provided to islanders?

  Small grants for sustainable farming
• What is the purpose of the grants provided by GEF to islanders?

  To develop sustainable and organic farming
• What are the threats to coral reef fish mentioned in the study material?

  Overfishing and global warming
• Which government has funded mangrove nurseries in the Maldives?

  The Japanese government
• What is the goal of funding mangrove nurseries in the Maldives?

  To replant damaged mangrove areas