THE MALDIVES AT RISK: ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF RISING SEA LEVELS ON NATIONAL SURVIVAL

Abstract

As an island nation in the Indian ocean, the Maldives face an existential threat from rising sea levels caused by climate change. The study examine the environmental, economic and social consequences of the rising sea level in Maldives and review present adaptive strategies. A qualitative research design, involving interviews with key stakeholders, analysis of policy documents and historical flooding data is used to generate a comprehensive understanding of the issue. Highlights include that the Maldives suffers heavily with rising coastal flooding, saltwater intrusion and loss of essential infrastructure. These effects are exacerbated by the national
dependence on tourism, which is extremely sensitive to environmental decline. Although there is an appeal to adaptive strategies including land reclamation and island raising, these strategies are often costly, environmentally compromising, and limited in their ability for scale. Mangrove restoration and coral reef conservation among others are ecosystem-based approaches that provide sustainable alternatives but need to be invested in, scaled up. Insufficient enforcement, fragmented governance and lack of funding are examples of policy gaps contributing to the ineffectiveness of adaptation action. The study calls for urgent actions to reinforce policy coherence, secure a wide range of funding sources and scale up community-based adaptation projects. The study will continue to support local capacity-building efforts, the scaling up of ecosystem-based solutions and even innovative technologies such as floating infrastructure. But Maldives have a lot to offer for other vulnerable island countries and humanity in general. They tell how integrated, equitable and aspirational climate adaptation the way is forward, published in the journal Nature Sustainability, highlights how adaptation can be consistent with sustainable development goals while emphasizing a need for more international cooperation to face rising sea levels.