Climate change has had a profound impact on the Maldives, a low-lying island nation in the Indian Ocean. Rising sea levels pose a significant threat to the country's existence, as its highest point is only 2.4 meters above sea level. The Maldives are highly vulnerable to flooding, storm surges, and erosion, which have become increasingly common due to climate change. The encroachment of saltwater into freshwater sources has also affected agriculture and jeopardized the limited drinking water resources. Furthermore, the warming of ocean temperatures has led to coral bleaching, damaging the nation's vibrant marine ecosystems and impacting its tourism industry, a significant source of revenue for the country. The Maldives government has been actively advocating for global action to combat climate change and has been implementing measures, such as building sea walls and artificial islands, to address rising sea levels. However, the long-term viability of the Maldives remains uncertain unless urgent global efforts to mitigate climate change are undertaken.
Sources:
1. "Climate Change and the Maldives" - World Bank
- Link: [https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2020/01/24/climate-change-and-the-maldives]
2. "Impacts of sea-level rise and climate change on the Maldives" - ScienceDirect
- Link: [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212096313000122]
3. "The Maldives: background information" - United Nations Development Programme
- Link: [https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/environment-energy/water_governance/the-maldives--background-information.html]
Write a detailed paragraph describing how climate change has affected the Maldives
or Micronesia. At the end, include links to the sources you accessed to find this
information. Use at least three trusted sources.
1 answer
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