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Threatened by rising seas, Maldives moves to go carbon-neutral – Metro US

Threatened by rising seas, Maldives moves to go carbon-neutral

The devastating consequences of climate change are already beginning to claim victims.

The low-lying island of the Maldives, in the Indian Ocean, is being faced with the looming threat of rising sea levels, a direct effect of global warming. The island’s beacon of hope, President Mohamed Nasheed, the Maldives’ first democratically elected president in more than 30 years, is the man at the forefront of the climate change movement.

Nasheed talks to Metro about how the Maldives is set to become the world’s first carbon-neutral nation.

What are the biggest environmental threats currently faced by the Maldives?
Climate change and the rising sea level are two of our biggest threats. The Maldives is already experiencing unprecedented levels of coastal erosion, threatening people’s property. Coastal erosion and seawater intrusion is also polluting groundwater and damaging farm crops.

In your opinion, who are the biggest culprits and contributors to climate change. What should we be doing to stop them?
I don’t want to get into the game of pointing fingers and apportioning blame for climate change. The whole world needs to come together behind a shared vision of low carbon development. Green and renewable technologies now exist to provide every good and service we require and we should make the goal of using them.

How long do you think it will take for the Maldives to become the world’s first carbon-neutral nation?
We aim to go carbon-neutral in 10 years; which means a 100 per cent net reduction in our carbon dioxide emissions by 2020. We will aim to shift from oil to 100 per cent renewable energy production by using wind farms, solar power and waste-to-energy plants to power the entire country. We have already signed deals with international energy firms to build wind farms in the Maldives.

Do you think people should see the Maldives as a victim of climate change or as a symbol of hope?
Every single person on this planet will be a victim of climate change unless we act to bring it under control. The Maldives just happens to be at the frontline of this challenge.
We may be the first to suffer the consequences, but we will not be the last.

What eco projects are being developed in the Maldives?
The government is currently working with international energy firms, such as Suzlon, to build wind farms that will reduce the amount of oil we burn to generate electricity. We are working with the government of Japan to install $10 million worth of photovoltaic solar panels in and around the capital city of Male.

Will you be using natural defenses, such as coral reefs, to save the Maldives?
The coral reefs are our natural defenses against the sea — they act as a natural breakwater around every island. Protecting the coral reefs is critically important to prevent erosion and ensure we don’t lose all the biodiversity of the sea. Corals are particularly sensitive to rising sea temperatures.

If one day you have to find a new plot of land for the Maldives, where do you think you would look?
We do not want to leave the Maldives. If the world comes together and tackles carbon pollution, the Maldives has a future in the 22nd century. If we can’t save the Maldives today, you can’t save London, New York or Hong Kong tomorrow. Nevertheless, it is the government’s policy to at least start thinking about the worst-case scenario 100 years down the line and for us; that means moving to dry land elsewhere.