Maldives Climate Change Demonstration of 1980s

These photos were taken by science writer Nalaka Gunawardene who had been covering climate change for 25+ years.

The photos were courtesy to Maldivians first taking the issue of climate change internationally in the late1980s following the nation suffering from a massive storm surge in 1987. According to the writer, the experience was a forceful reminder of how vulnerable the Maldives can be to even a small rise in sea levels.

The photos show school children telling delegates – and the world – what it means to be living on the front lines of climate change impact. We, as a nation, have a long way to go in order to reverse the effects of human behavior on climate change as we are one of the countries most vulnerable to its detrimental consequences.