Debates About Sustainable Development (DP IB Global Politics: SL): Revision Note

The Maldives

• The Maldives is a small island state in the Indian Ocean, made up of 1,192 coral islands with an average elevation of just 1.5 metres above sea level

• It illustrates the tension between economic development and environmental survival more acutely than almost any other state

Economic development

• Tourism accounts for approximately 25–30% of GDP and over 60% of foreign exchange earnings

  • This funds infrastructure and contributes to a relatively high HDI score

• However, this economic model depends entirely on coral reefs, clean water and biodiversity

  • This creates a direct conflict between economic and environmental development

Environmental threat

• Sea levels are rising at approximately 3.6mm per year

  • Much of the Maldives could be uninhabitable by 2100

• Rising ocean temperatures have caused severe coral bleaching, damaging the ecosystems on which tourism and food security both depend

Political response

• In 2009, President Nasheed held an underwater cabinet meeting to pressure wealthier states on climate action

  • This demonstrated how political development can be used to advance environmental goals

• The government has explored purchasing land in other states for long-term relocation - a stark illustration of what happens when environmental sustainability is ignored at the global level

Summary

• The Maldives shows that economic development built on environmental foundations is only sustainable if that environment is protected

• Without global action on climate change, the state's social and economic progress may ultimately count for nothing