Changing Climate

Question 1

Maldives Locational

Answer 1

• Small country located in the Indian Ocean, off the SW coast of India
• Made up of 1200 islands, 80% of which are less than 2m above sea level

Question 2

Maldives Management

Answer 2

• Island of Hulhumale was made 3metres higher using Sand, concrete and shingle, is able to house 160,000 people, plan is to have 7 more islands like this
• Beach nourishment in order to combat the destructive wave erosion occurring on 80% of beaches in Maldives. Soft engineering strategy which involves adding more sand to the beach to reduce wave erosion and it’s impact on the coastline, as the waves will break sooner with more sand
• Encouraging growth of natural coral reefs. Rising sea temperatures and increasing acidity attack the algae that feed the corals. Corals absorb wave energy and protect the nearby islands.

Question 3

Maldives Impacts

Answer 3

• There are over 80 resorts serving over 500,000 tourists a year, which must decrease due to sea level rise. Tourism provides nearly 30% of the Maldives GDP
• 25% of the Maldives is in danger of their house being eroded or flooded due to the encroaching sea. 80% of islands are only 2m above sea level
• 300,000 Maldivians are at risk of becoming environmental refugees

Question 4

UK locational

Answer 4

• The UK is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, to the North of France
• Has a population of 67million

Question 5

UK impacts of Climate Change

Answer 5

• 200,000 homes could be submerged by 2050 if sea levels continue to rise, as predicted by 0.75cm by 2050
• Roughly 80,000 elderly people are predicted to be affected by heatwaves predicted for 2050
• Warmer weather would aid the farming industry, as growing seasons would be longer meaning more food will be grown. Vineyards would be able to produce roughly £9000 per acre, annually