The Maldives is a tiny nation of 1,190 islands clustered in the Indian Ocean, touted for its sun and sand, crystal-clear waters, and its branding to the world as a tropical wonderland. It mostly relies on both its bountiful fishing industry and appealing tourism industry to sustain its economy, while its population thrives within the country’s island and/or urban lifestyle.
Being a low-lying nation, the Maldives is at high risk of sinking under the rising sea levels, which is brought on by climate change. While it shifts between a south-west monsoon and a north-east monsoon, bringing around a dry season and a wet season respectively, climate change has exacerbated the conditions of these weathers, leading to days of either intense heat or heavy downpours. As the sea level rises, the islands are prone to erosions and flooding, which can cause structural and financial damages.