by Danois

Created on: February 04, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

In a few years the Maldives are gone. Swallowed by the sea!

Ironically the Maldives were the first nation to sign the Kyoto Protocol designed to limit CO2 emissions and now it looks like they will be the first nation to suffer the consequences of the industrialised world's energy hungry lifestyle.

The islands are a beautiful tourist paradise in the Indian Ocean. Travellers from all over the world are attracted to the bright turquoise water, the white sandy beaches and the warm climate. But the islands are slowly but surely drowning in the rising waters.

The sea currently rises around one centimetre every year, but that is set to increase as global warming gathers pace in the years to come. Every centimetre counts as only one in five of the 1190 islands reach more than one metre above sea level. The highest point on any of the islands is two metres and 40 centimetres.

Scientists' best estimate is that several of the islands will be gone for good in less than 20 years. In a recent interview, the president of the Maldives warned the world, "Our destiny tomorrow is your destiny the day after tomorrow".

The capital Male is surrounded by a three metre high wall. It is a small island with a population of over 80.000 many of whom have already been forced off their islands by rising sea levels. There is a constant rush hour on the city's busy streets and every square metre is utilised. The only empty spaces are the Maldives national football stadium and a nearby training ground.

The population has grown with a third in the last five years and the trend looks set to continue if the sea level keeps rising. 220,000 people are living outside the city's protective wall. And with space rapidly running out, where are they going to live when washed off their islands, how are they going to support themselves?

The environmental disaster is happening on the Maldives right now. Even though it is happening slowly, it is a reality. The government is fighting a brave battle against the waves, but it is a battle they are set to loose. The small state cannot rescue themselves, their survival depends on decisions made in the USA, UK, Russia and China.

We have to cut CO2 emissions now. Otherwise the beauty of the Maldives will be lost forever.

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