A presentation on Climate Change in the Maldives made at a workshop for journalists organized by UNDP Maldives.

1. Climate Change in the Maldives
by Ahmed Siyah,
CBDRR Project Officer

2. “Climate Change is the greatest threat facing
humanity. It threatens to undo 50 years of
development work and it will impact the poor in
the greatest sense.”
Ban Ki Moon
UN SG
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3. What is Climate Change?
“a change of climate which is attributed directly
or indirectly to human activity that alters the
composition of the global atmosphere and
which is in addition to natural climate variability
observed over comparable time periods“
-- United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
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4. Climate Change reality
• Warming of the climate is unequivocal
• Increase in global average temperature is due to
anthropogenic green house gases
(CO2, Methane, N2O, Water vapour, Ozone, CFC)
• Changes in the climate in the 21st century will be
greater than in the 20th century
• Past emissions will cause warming and sea level rise for
more than a millennium
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5. 5

6. Importance of CCA
Sustainable
Development
Disaster Risk
Reduction
Climate Change
Adaptation
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7. The Maldivian context
• Highest elevation 1.5m above sea level.
• 88 inhabited islands face perennial beach
erosion.
• Wide dispersal of population across very small
islands.
• Extremely high economic dependence on
tourism and fisheries.
• High import dependence.
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8. The Maldivian context
• Global mean sea level rose 10 – 20cm during
20th Century at the rate of 1-2 mm/year.
• Between 1990 to 2100 it is projected that the
sea level would rise up to 59 cm.
• The is more than enough to inundate large
areas of our country.
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9. Vulnerability
1. Exposure – in harm’s way
2. Sensitivity – susceptible to damage
3. Adaptive capacity – social and economic capacity
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10. Climate Change effects
•
•
•
•
•
Sea level rise
Stronger storms
Sea surface temperature rise
Coral bleaching
Change is weather patterns
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11. Climate Change is a Social Problem
• Human activities produce the emissions (we
caused this problem)
• Everyone is not at equal risk
• Not all people or groups are equally
responsible
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12. Climate Change is a Social Problem
• It puts at risk things that we value
• Responding to climate change requires social
change and social justice
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13. Social risks from Climate
Change
• Risks to basic needs
– Health
– Food security
– Clean water
• Risks to development
– Infrastructure, resources and
environment
– Economy
– Cost of living
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14. Social risks from Climate
Change
• Risks to society
– Land loss
– Forced migration
– Risk to culture
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15. Causes of social vulnerability
• Wealth
• Voice
• Gender
• Conflict
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16. What is Climate Change Adaptation?
Adaptation
refers
to
adjustments
in
ecological, social, or economic systems in
response to actual or expected climatic stimuli
and their effects or impacts. It refers to changes
in processes, practices, and structures to
moderate potential damages or to benefit from
opportunities associated with climate change.
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17. Social vulnerability is easier to change than the
environmental causes and effects
The capacity of the community to adapt to
change, self-organize, act and learn from
experience, factors which ultimately enable
communities to mobilise their assets and
resources depends on their resilience.
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18. A resilient community
•
1. … is knowledgeable and healthy. It has the ability to assess, manage, and monitor its risks. It can
learn new skills and build on past experiences.
•
2. …is organized. It has the capacity to identify problems, establish priorities, and act.
•
3. … is connected. It has relationships with external actors (family friends, faith
groups, government) who provide a wider supportive environment, and supply goods and services
when needed.
•
4. … has infrastructure and services. It has strong housing, transport, power, water, and sanitation
systems. It has the ability to maintain, repair, and renovate them.
•
5. … has economic opportunities. It has a diverse range of employment opportunities, income and
financial services. It is flexible, resourceful and has the capacity to accept uncertainty and respond
(proactively) to change.
•
6. … can manage its natural assets. It recognizes their value and has the ability to protect, enhance
and maintain them.
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19. Role of media in CCA
•
•
•
•
Inform
Educate
Increase visibility
Advocate
• Media has to be
– Credible
– Factual
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20. Dimensions of CC
• …and gender
• …and National Security
• …and Culture and Social Transformation
• … and Sustainable
Development, economy, livelihoods
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