Officials sound alarm over catastrophic threat swallowing coastal nations: 'A perfect storm of vulnerability'

Rising sea levels are threatening the Maldives — by 2050, climate scientists expect significant portions of the islands to become uninhabitable. 

What's happening?

The Maldives, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean composed largely of natural atolls, is vulnerable to the effects of rising sea levels, like so much of the planet and low-lying coastal lands in particular. According to World Day, sea levels appear to be rising by about 3.39 millimeters annually in some parts of the country.

"The Maldives is crossing what we call an anthropogenic tipping point," Aisha Rahman of the Maldives Climate Research Institute told World Day in a mid-May report. "Human activities have compromised the islands' natural ability to adapt to rising seas, creating a perfect storm of vulnerability."

Some scientists have been documenting unexpected results in studying the impacts of a warming climate on the area, noting that certain islands actually seem to be stable or growing rather than shrinking or sinking. The reasons for this are still being interrogated but may include the possibility that while some coastlines experience erosion, others see sediment redeposited by waves.

Even considering the uneven effects of erosion and subsidence, reportedly only about 20% of the Maldives are a meter or more above sea level. 

Why are rising sea levels concerning?

Rising global temperatures, fueled by the burning of dirty energy sources, are melting glaciers and driving sea levels on an upward trajectory. Entire nations face mass displacement due to ocean encroachment, and marginalized communities are likely to continue to bear the consequences disproportionately.

Costly damage to homes, infrastructure, and vital services is a major hazard of flooding that can bring serious health and safety concerns. In addition to floods, other related threats include saltwater and microbial contamination of freshwater sources, which can strip communities of clean drinking water, disrupt agriculture, harm ecosystems, and cause biodiversity loss.

In tourist destinations like the Maldives, rising sea levels can also have economic consequences. The tourism industry makes up approximately 28% of the nation's gross domestic product, per World Day.

Local industries like fishing as well as cultural heritage are also vulnerable to disaster.

What's being done to protect coastal communities?

With extreme weather events increasing in frequency and intensity due to the effects of human-caused pollution, it has become more important than ever to support resilience-building for coastal communities. Governments and civil society organizations are seeking solutions while scientists work to develop technologies that might help regions better adapt to sea level changes.

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In some areas, officials are increasing funding for at-risk areas and installing dams, sand piles, and even erosion-preventing mangroves for protection. Artificial "smart reefs" could help provide storm surge protection along coasts, while forecasters might incorporate artificial intelligence as a tool for mitigation.

The adoption of renewable energy sources can bring multiple pertinent benefits. By switching to alternatives like solar power, we can not only reduce the heat-trapping gases that drive global temperatures higher but, by incorporating a backup battery system, also prepare for the extended grid outages that floods and surges can cause.

Renewables can also help to lower utility bills, and EnergySage's free tool lets residents compare quotes from vetted local installers, with the potential of saving customers up to $10,000. While the company's primary focus right now is the United States, renewable adoption anywhere can help to drive down pollution with effects everywhere.

A global perspective can translate to advocacy efforts as well. Learning about and organizing around critical climate issues with others can galvanize opportunities to support pro-environment policies and humanitarian protections as temperatures and sea levels continue to rise in tandem.

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