UN Expert Warns Maldives Stuck Between Rock and Hard Place on Climate Change Issue
The Maldives is on the precipice of a catastrophic future, warns United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to a healthy environment, David R. Boyd. Following his visit to the Maldives from 16 to 25 April, Boyd’s findings paint a grim picture of the Maldives’ fate, with the low-lying islands facing imminent peril due to rising sea levels.
“With the highest point of land barely 2.4 meters above sea level, the prospect of complete submersion is a stark reality,” Boyd remarked.
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The Maldives is on the precipice of a catastrophic future, warns United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to a healthy environment, David R. Boyd.
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“Maldives could become uninhabitable due to a multitude of factors including severe heatwaves, floods, coastal erosion, and extreme weather events.” he cautioned, highlighting the profound implications for human rights, notably the right to a healthy environment.
At the heart of Boyd’s concerns lies the contentious issue of land reclamation, which has witnessed a rapid escalation in recent years. While the government asserts the need for additional land to accommodate housing, infrastructure, and industry, Boyd sounded a cautionary note. “The Maldives finds itself caught between competing imperatives,” he remarked, stressing the delicate balance between protecting vulnerable islands and mitigating the adverse effects of reclamation on marine ecosystems.
Acknowledging the potential of sustainable land reclamation as a tool for resilience, Boyd stressed the importance of community involvement and support.
Moreover, he highlighted other pressing environmental challenges, including waste management and the nation’s heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels, which exacerbate pollution and hinder efforts towards carbon neutrality.
“Maldives has serious waste management problems, including open burning, dumping of waste, and microplastic contamination,” Boyd said. “Wherever one travels, one sees litter on streets, on beaches, in the ocean, and tangled in the roots of trees “
During his visit, Boyd engaged with government officials, civil society representatives, and youth, gaining valuable insights into the Maldives’ environmental landscape. A comprehensive report detailing his findings is scheduled for presentation to the Human Rights Council in March 2025.
As the Maldives grapples with the stark realities of climate change and unsustainable practices, Boyd’s urgent warning serves as a rallying cry for immediate action to safeguard the nation’s future and uphold its people’s fundamental rights.
