The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean 700km south-west of Sri Lanka. A British protectorate until independence in 1965, it comprises 26 coral atolls and 1,192 islets of which about 200 are inhabited. It’s the smallest Asian country in terms of population (300,000) and area. With an average ground level of 1.5 metres above sea level, it’s the lowest country on the planet. And it’s the country with the lowest hight point, i.e. 2.3 metres. So, as you’d expect, due to rising sea levels caused by global warming, the Maldives is fearful of its future. Scared shitless, I’d reckon. The Maldives’ President, 42-year-old Mohamed Nasheed (pictured), a serious environmentalist and qualified scuba diver, is continuing his relentless campaign to save the Maldives. Next Saturday his cabinet will hold its first meeting underwater. Reportedly the ministers will don wetsuits and air tanks and meet 20 feet down, aiming to draw the world’s attention to the gravity of global warming, ahead of December’s Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. Reportedly ministers will communicate with hand gestures, and use waterproof pens on documents covered in waterproof material and pinned to the table. Though President Nasheed’s aiming for the Maldives to be carbon neutral in ten years, he’s no fool – because he’s also searching for a new homeland for his country’s citizens. I wish him and the Maldives all the best. But I fear St Jude, the patron saint of lost causes, is planning a trip to the Maldives. Very soon.
P.S. This post’s part of Blog Action Day 2009.
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