Heard of the Republic of Maldives? This minute island nation in the Indian Ocean is the smallest Asian country in both population and land area, and until this past year, was unknown by most North Americans. However, it has recently become clear that for a remarkably small country, the Maldives are facing phenomenally large environmental problems.
The country consists of 1,192 islands 400 kilometres south-west of India. The name “Maldives” is thought to derive from the Sanskrit for “a garland of islands” or the Sinhalese for “Necklace Islands.” Both phrases suggest how beautiful the place is, and why it draws honeymooners and vacationers from around the world. The appeal in visiting the country comes not only from its white sand beaches, lush vegetation and coral reefs teeming with exotic aquatic species but also because the Maldives may not be standing for many more years to come.
The Maldives is the lowest country in the world, with a natural ground level of only 7.7 feet above sea level. With sea levels soaring due to global warming, the ocean that has been the source of the island nation’s prosperity for two thousand years now threatens its very existence.
Last month, President Nasheed appealed to fellow developing nations to be more environmentally responsible. With his own country on the verge of being wiped off the map, reducing carbon emissions and eliminating greenhouse gases is not just a personal mission, but also a dire need. He stated, “We want to ask you to consider carbon neutrality yourself. In my mind, a block of carbon neutrals in developing nations could change our outcome. At the moment, every country arrives at the negotiations seeking to keep their own emissions as high as possible, and never to make commitments unless someone else does first. This is the logic of a madhouse, a recipe for collective suicide.”
In an interview with Perspective, Nasheed clarified that, “There is no point in pointing fingers (now). The deed is done, it’s going to happen — so let’s move on and see how we may be able to not only mitigate, but also adapt to the changing situation …Those who can assist others should be assisting others, in mitigation, adaptation, financially, technical assistance or any other form of other assistance … if we can all get together and see how we may be able to overcome these issues, that’s where the solutions lie.”
Fifteen-year-old Maldives climate ambassador, Mohaned Axam Maumoon, reiterated the president’s words in an interview with Democracy Now, as well as explaining why his people are in such a state of panic, and need help from the outside world. “We are living at the very edge, as everyone is now talking about. Our country is so fragile, in the sense that we are only protected by natural barriers such as coral reefs and sand. We haven’t got the necessary finance to build artificial barriers around the islands. We are completely subjected to climate change and global warming as well as sea level rise.”
He went on to say that the Maldives’ environmental problems are a result of global insensitivity towards the environment. “We are under threat right now because our barriers are being destroyed by our own mistakes. Because of CO2 emissions from everywhere and everyone. These corals are being destroyed and eroded and our Islands don’t have any barriers.”
On a more personal note, Maumoon revealed, “I saw with my eyes what’s happening. You can imagine standing on the beach one day, and the next day you can swim there because it became a lagoon. The erosion happens so fast and so furious. I want future children to be able to see my country as I have seen it.”
We have all heard the story of the lost city, Atlantis. With carbon emissions and global warming not slowing down fast enough to reverse the effects of years of damage to the environment, it is very possible that the Maldives will be the next island nation to sink beneath the waves. The reality of the situation is daunting for both residents of the Maldives and environmental activists worldwide. It represents not only the rapidly changing climate, but also the lack of commitment from many countries to reduce their eco-footprint.
President Mohamed Nasheed hopes to appeal to wealthier nations as well as developing ones. We all need to listen to his message when he pleads, “Please listen to us. We might be very small. We might be very small in number but please listen to us. We are all Maldivians, what happened to us today can happen to you tomorrow, it will happen to you tomorrow.”
