How Sea Level Rise Has Affected The Maldives
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Many houses in the Maldives have been built extremely close to the beach and consequently are already being destroyed by the ocean and its rising levels. Coastal erosion remains a significant problem in the lives of the Maldivians to this day. Rising sea levels also threatens their economy, with 28% of their GDP coming from tourism. As many of the beach-front resorts are the centre of this tourism industry, their destruction (due to the rising seas) is having implications on the future of the tourism industry and the Maldives' economy. The country, being a low-lying nation, does not farm on land but rather relies on the sealife for the majority of its food sources. However, this coastal erosion due to rising sea levels has been damaging the surrounding food supplies and further affecting their economy.
Protecing their houses from violent weather has also become a major part of their lives. The December 2004 tsunami inflicted $375 million damage and killed 82 people. This island of 200 people can barely afford to defend their houses and the overall island from the rising seas. Unfortunately, this island can only afford short term solutions such as building sand walls a few metres out to sea. But as this is only temporary, the island must make a decision on what to do, and fast. The highest point on the island is little more than two metres above sea level.
Protecing their houses from violent weather has also become a major part of their lives. The December 2004 tsunami inflicted $375 million damage and killed 82 people. This island of 200 people can barely afford to defend their houses and the overall island from the rising seas. Unfortunately, this island can only afford short term solutions such as building sand walls a few metres out to sea. But as this is only temporary, the island must make a decision on what to do, and fast. The highest point on the island is little more than two metres above sea level.