Geography - The Coastal Zone - Rising Sea Levels - The Maldives CASE STUDY

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Maldives CASE STUDY

Background

Population: about 300,000 people

Number of Islands: 1190, of which about 199 are inhabited

Average Island Height: 1.5m above sea level - 80% of the land is below 1m. Because of rising sea levels, scientists think the islands will be completely submerged within 50 to 100 years.

Economic Impacts

Loss of tourism - tourism is the largest industry in the Maldives. If the main airport can't work properly because of coastal flooding the country will be cut off from international tourists. This will massively reduce the country's income.

Disrupted fishing industry - fish are the Maldives largest export. Coastal flooding may damage fish processing plants, reducing fish exports and the countries income.

Social Impacts

Houses damaged or destroyed - a severe flood could entire communities homeless

Less fresh water available - supplies of freshwater are already low on many of the islands. If supplies are polluted with salty seawater during floods, then some islands will have to rely on rainwater or build expensive desalination plants to meet their water demands

Environmental Impacts

Loss of beaches - coastal flooding wears away beaches on the islands at a rapid rate. This destroys habitats and exposes the land behind the beach to the effects of flooding.

Loss of soil - the soil on most of the islands is shallow (about 20cm deep or less). Coastal floods could easily wash away the soil layer, which would mean most plants won't be able to grow.

Political Impacts

The Maldivian Government had to ask the Japanese Government to give the $60 million to build the 3m high sea wall that protects the capital city, Male.

Changes to the environmental policies - increased flooding is caused by rising sea level, which is caused by global warming. The Maldives has pledges to become carbon neutral so it doesn't contribute to global warming. The Maldivian Government is encouraging other governments to do the same.

Changes to long term plans - the government is thinking about buying land in countries like India and Australia and moving Maldivians there, before the islands become uninhabitable.