I know that there are a lot of skeptics about global warming and sea level rise. I do not want to argue with them and make them believe that sea level is rising. I just want to state here that while we argue over this matter, the fate of people of Maldives is at stake. Sea level is rising really there and many people here are starting to accept that sooner or later their islands will go under sea. President Gayoom feels that there is still time to save his country. MinivanNews wrote:
“The Maldives is under grave threat from rising sea-levels, but there is still time to save the country, according to President Gayoom.
In an interview on BBC Radio’s Today programme, which attracts an average of 4 million listeners in the UK, Gayoom said that global warming was already having effect.
As well as his fears that the country will be flooded, he said he was concerned that coral reefs surrounding the islands could be damaged.
"We are a very low-lying island nation," he said. "If the seas are going to rise, it will cause a great threat to the survival of my country.’
"On average our land rise is a mere four to five feet above sea-level, and in case of any rise in sea-level that would be quite a big threat to our country."
He added: "Our records show that during the past decade the sea on average in the Maldives has risen by one millimetre every year; that means one centimetre in ten years."
Well, I do not see any political will among world leaders to act decisively on the issue of global warming. They do not bother about Maldives at all. Instead they are too much concerned about their economic interest. Environment pollution is the main contributor behind global warming and rise in sea level but rich industrialized countries are not ready to cut back the pollution.
It will take another 70-100 years for Maldives to go under sea but the process has started and it seems to have taken an irreversible course. We can only pray.
Hmm.. something wrong with the maths here.
1 foot = 30 CM ( Approx)
Water Rises by 1 mm every year.
So it will rise by 1 Foot in 300 Years.
And 3 / 4 Foot ( which is average height , there will be areas more than that too ) in 900 to 1200 years.
Is this country falling short of other short term issues.. Childcare , education , women rights ..
Posted by: Sam | October 5, 2006 5:06 PM | Permalink to Comment