The Maldives

The Maldives is a floating Nation that is in danger of losing its ability to float.

The nation of Maldives faces many environmental issues, not unlike almost every country in the world. If indeed the looming environmental crisis begins to take hold, no one is safe.

Brief History

Maldives is small and very unique. It is a nation made up of 1,200 islands spread across 510 miles of Indian ocean according to The Encyclopedia of Nations. 

It was a British protectorate until 1968, when it became a republic. Following its independence, President Maumoon Abdul GAYOOM dominated the political scene. he was elected to six consecutive terms as president. 

Following political demonstrations, in 2008 the first ever multi-party election was held. GAYOOM was defeated by political activists and marine scientist, Mohamed NASHEED. 

                            Former president Mohamed NASHEED. NASHEED is a marine scientist and political activist. NASHEED was forced to resign just 1 year after the elections. His Vice President was put in charge of the island nation.

ISSUES

The issues for Maldives are inherent. Since the country consist of Islands that are not especially high above sea level, any rise in sea level could be catastrophic. 80 percent of Maldivian land is 1 meter or less above sea level according to the world fact book.

Naturally the rising sea levels, due to recent global warming, is now threatening the livelihood of Maldivian citizens.

The Maldivian government is trying to secure a future for Maldives. The Hulumale project is an effort to raise Islands by 3 meters using sand, concrete, and shingles.

Scientists are also studying ways to re-grow coral. Coral reefs help to protect the Maldives by propping up the Islands. Due to rising sea levels, some of the reefs are being wiped out.

The sea levels are continuing to rise and Maldives is seeing first hand, the danger that future global warming can cause. 

Sources

https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/mv.html
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5476.htm
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/Asia-and-Oceania/Maldives-ENVIRONMENT.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7946072.stm

PICTURE COURTESY OF: http://www.mymaldives.com/blog/maldives-president-mohamed-nasheed-resigns/

Patagonia

So far we have focused on stories filled with doomsday scenarios and worst-case scenarios. For the sake of my sanity and yours, let us tell the story of Proyecto HidroAysén.

Patagonia, Chile, is home to a rich and natural environment. It is home to the Andes Mountains, rain forests, beautiful and free-flowing rivers, and various animals.

                                         The Marble Caves of Patagonia, Chile. Just one of the natural                                                                rarities in this area.  

Patagonia is a protected and untouched natural habitat. Recently, like many other sites we explored on this blog, it has faced destruction due to human growth and influence.

The HidroAysén was a proposed hydro-electric complex. The project would call for the construction of five plants, two on the Bater river and three on the Pascua River. The HidroAysén is a joint project with European energy company that will own a 51 percent stake to a 49 percent stake for Colbun SA, a Chilean company. Executives claim HidroAysén would reduce Chilean dependence on fossil fuels and provide energy to thousands of central Chileans, according to hidroaysén.cl.

                                          A Demonstration of Chilean citizens against HidroAysén.

According to NRDC.org,  the project would flood 14,000 acres of habitat and ranch land,displace families and disrupt national parks and reserves through the construction of transmission lines.

On June 10, The Chilean government rejected the proposal.

"This project has many aspects that were poorly though out," said Chilean Energy Minister Maximo Pacheco to the bbc.

With the loss of the project, supporters believe that Chileans lost the opportunity to wean off fossil fuels and become energy independent.

Sources
http://www.hidroaysen.cl/

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/chile-rejects-huge-hidroaysen-dam-patagonia

http://www.nrdc.org/international/patagonia/

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-27788286

The Great Barrier Reef

Known as one of the few living structures visible from space, the Great Barrier Reef is in danger of losing some of that visibility.

The Great Barrier Reef is an ecological system that stretches almost 1,800 miles across the Australian coast, according to greatbarrierreef.org.

The GBR is home to thousands of living organisms, including some endangered species such as the  large green sea turtle and the dugong or sea cow.

    A satellite image of the Great Barrier reef from outer space. The GBR is one of the only living             structures visible from space.  

As we have discussed in previous entries this natural wonder is at odds with current human and economic development, which may have been triggered by the rapid speed of global warming. This seems to be a continuing theme throughout the investigation of disappearing wonders on earth.

The dangers that face the reef are many. Coral bleaching is a main concern facing this historic natural wonder.

Before we understand coral bleaching, we must take a look at corals.

A coral is actually classified as an animal and not a plant. The only reason why this animal, which holds many characteristics of a plant, is classified as such is because it cannot produce its own food. Instead the coral has tiny, tentacle like arms that capture microorganisms for food.

Beside the act of hunting, a coral looks and acts like a plant. It takes root on a rock or hard surface much like a plant does. It lacks the physical features of an animal however.

Most coral contain algae called zooxanthellae. This algae plays a critical role in the survival of the coral. While the coral provides the algae with food from its waste, the algae provides the coral with oxygen and waste removal.

Because of rising sea levels and temperatures, zooxanthellae find it more difficult to survive, thus interrupting the relationship. Coral bleaching occurs when the algae inside the corals are killed, and the coral begins to turn white. This death is often caused by an extreme rise in temperature.

Sources:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2013/05/16/disappearing-wonders-10-world-heritage-sites-in-danger/2163883/

http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/

http://www.greatbarrierreef.org/

http://www.wwf.org.au/our_work/saving_the_natural_world/oceans_and_marine/priority_ocean_places/great_barrier_reef/

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/154

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/explorer-pleads-to-save-the-great-barrier-reef/

http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/coral.html