Maldives - Sea Levels

Question 1

What did the government of the Maldives do in 2008?

Answer 1

• They held an underwater cabinet meeting to show the world the threat they faced from global warming

Question 2

What is the risk that the Maldives face?

Answer 2

• The entire population becoming environmental refugees as the country will be completley underwater if sea levels rise as predicted

Question 3

How are the Maldives avoiding the risk they face?

Answer 3

• President Nasheed’s plan is to buy a new homeland for his people using money from tourism

Question 4

How important is tourism to the Maldives?

Answer 4

• It provides Maldives economy almost 30% of its GDP

Question 5

What will happen as Global Temperatures continue to rise?

Answer 5

• The polar ice sheets and mountain glaciers around the world are melting, leading to more water in the sea
• As water gets warmer, it expands causing rising sea levels

Question 6

What will the impacts be on the Maldives?

Answer 6

• Coral reefs will die as they’re bleached and the water gets deeper
• The ecosystem associated with the reefs will be lost
• People will be forced to leave their homes and become environmental refugees
• The traditional way of life will be lost