Disappearing islands - Maldives

• Location

  Maldives is an independant nation of islands located in the north Indian ocean within the continent of Asia. It is located south of India.
• Problems of sea level rise:



  • 80% of the islands could be uninhabitable by 2050
  • coral reefs destroyed - Vulnerable to erosion
  • flooding would be common
  • no fresh underground water
• Social impacts


  • Homes and other infrastructure like airports close to the coast are at risk
  • Disappearance of the islands could lead to a loss of culture
  • Wells contaminated by saltwater - lack of fresh drinking water
  • Islands could be submerged by 2070, people at risk of becoming climate refugees
• Economic impacts

  • Tourism accounts for 28% of their GDP, which is threatened by sea level rise
  • Loss of income from reduced tuna catches due to warmer oceans
  • Destruction of agriculture due to saltwater intrusion leads to loss of income
• Environmental impacts


  • contains 3% of the world's coral reefs which are threatened
  • more frequent extreme weather events
• Maldive's responses


  • Artificial islands above sea level
  • Reef restoration
  • Raising global awareness
  • Constructing a floating city