In the face of rising sea levels and depleted drinking water resources, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has said that plans for citizen relocation have been abandoned.
Instead, the PM added that he plans to combat rising sea levels through ambitious land reclamation and the construction of elevated islands. However, environmental and human rights groups disagree and warn that such policies may lead to an increase in flooding.
The Maldives, famous for its beaches and coral reefs, is now facing a climate crisis. Former President Mohamed Nasheed had previously warned that citizens could become the world’s first environmental refugees and had discussed relocation plans. However, the current president is seeking $500 million in foreign funding for coastal protection and believes that the citizens will remain in their homeland.
Despite the ongoing water crisis and rising flood risk, Muizzu is optimistic about fortifying the nation’s coasts with sea walls and designating risk areas as safe islands. However, it should be noted that approximately 80% of the Maldives is located less than a meter above sea level, raising concerns about the long-term viability of these measures.
Tourism is an important economic contributor, accounting for nearly one-third of the Maldives’ GDP. The fate of the pristine beach islands, which are popular with tourists, is unknown because fortress-like walls protect densely populated settlements, leaving the islands vulnerable.
In response to environmental concerns, reclamation projects have increased the country’s landmass by about 10% over the last four decades. President Muizzu, a civil engineer educated in the United Kingdom, was instrumental in overseeing the expansion of the artificial island of Hulhumale. However, environmental and human rights organizations emphasize the importance of careful reclamation project implementation, citing examples of rushed projects that lack proper mitigation policies.
The delicate balance between economic development and environmental preservation remains a critical challenge as the Maldives grapples with the urgent need for climate change adaptation.