Vulnerabilities and Small Islands October 24, 2002 COP 8 New Delhi, India

The Maldives

Geography A chain of coral atolls 860 km long, km wide 26 geographical atolls Over 5,000 separate reefs 1,192 islands

Geography - islands average height above mean sea level is 1.5 m over 80% of land area less than 1m above mean sea level size: from 0.5 to 2 sq.km 3 islands greater than 3 sq.km total land area: approximately 300 sq.km

Vulnerabilities to Climate Change 1.Land loss and beach erosion 2.Infrastructure damage and economic impacts 3.Food security 4.Damage to coral reefs 5.Water resources

Sea level rise Most susceptible – least defensible

Land loss and beach erosion 80% land area less than 1 m above MSL

Beach erosion Severe beach erosion in over 50% of islands

Infrastructure damage and economic impacts Airport is extremely vulnerable Ground level of airport does not exceed 1.7m above MSL Runway of airport partly flooded during high wave incidence of 1987

Infrastructure damage and economic impacts Tourism – major source of revenue Marine dive sites at risk Infrastructure damage – investment risks

Fisheries Tuna main source of protein 85kg/yr/capita consumption Main export Tuna affected by seasonal monsoon as well as ENSO events

Food security Agriculture Heavy import dependency Food storage and distribution

Damage to coral reefs Bleaching 80% in shallow water 30-45% at depths of 10-30m

Water resources 25% groundwater 25% desalinated water 50% rainwater

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