Maldives (Sea level rise case study)

Question 1

What are the geographical facts about the Maldives?

Answer 1

• 1200 islands
• In the Indian ocean
• 81.5 metres above sea level

Question 2

What is the economy like in the Maldives?

Answer 2

• 28% of total GDP, 90% of the governments import taxes come from goods for tourism

Question 3

What are the social impacts of coastal flooding?

Answer 3

• Future displacement of population
• Destruction of houses
• Death of coral means less food for Fisherman
• 430,000 people at risk of losing their homes

Question 4

What are the economic impacts of coastal flooding?

Answer 4

• Beach and resorts being destroyed could account for the loss of 2 billion
• If the airport is lost then the population will be cut off from the rest of the world removing income from tourism

Question 5

What are the environmental impacts of coastal flooding?

Answer 5

• Beaches suffer from increased erosion
• Coastal flooding can contiminate groundwater