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examBoard: Cambridge
examType: IGCSE
lessonTitle: Case Study - Climate Change Example
Climate change is affecting different regions of the world in various ways. One of the most dramatic examples can be seen in low-lying island nations. The Maldives provides an excellent case study to understand both the impacts of climate change and how communities and governments are responding.
Key Definitions:
The Maldives is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean consisting of 1,192 coral islands grouped into 26 atolls. With an average ground level of just 1.5 metres above sea level, it's the world's lowest country. Tourism and fishing are the main economic activities, with tourism accounting for about 28% of GDP.
The Maldives is particularly vulnerable to climate change because of its low elevation, dependence on coral reefs for fishing and tourism, limited freshwater resources and concentration of critical infrastructure along coastlines. Over 80% of the land area is less than 1 metre above sea level.
The Maldives is experiencing several serious impacts from climate change that threaten its very existence. These impacts affect the environment, economy and society.
Sea levels around the Maldives are rising at approximately 3.7mm per year. Scientists predict that without significant emissions reductions, most of the Maldives could be underwater by 2100. Already, 80% of the islands experience yearly flooding.
The Maldives experienced severe coral bleaching events in 1998, 2010 and 2016, with up to 60-90% of coral reefs affected. This threatens marine biodiversity and the fishing industry, which employs about 20% of the workforce.
Over 90% of islands in the Maldives report beach erosion, with 64% experiencing serious erosion. This threatens homes, tourist resorts and infrastructure. The island of Fuvahmulah loses approximately 0.8 metres of coastline annually.
Malé, the capital of the Maldives, is one of the most densely populated cities in the world with over 200,000 people living in just 8.3 square kilometres. After the 2004 tsunami damaged 30% of the city, a 3-metre high seawall called the "Great Wall of Malé" was built around the island at a cost of $63 million. While this wall has protected the capital from storm surges, it's not a sustainable long-term solution to rising sea levels.
The Maldives government and communities have implemented various strategies to adapt to climate change impacts:
The Maldives has invested in several physical infrastructure projects to protect islands and communities:
The government has developed several policies and plans to address climate change:
The Maldives is exploring floating buildings and solar power. The world's first floating solar power plant in the Maldives was installed in 2018 and provides electricity to Malé. The government has also partnered with Dutch architects to design floating housing developments that rise with sea levels.
The Maldives has been a powerful voice in international climate negotiations. In 2009, then-President Mohamed Nasheed held an underwater cabinet meeting to highlight the threat of rising sea levels. The Maldives also leads the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in climate talks.
Despite these efforts, the Maldives faces significant challenges in addressing climate change:
After the 2004 tsunami severely damaged Kandholhudhoo island, the government relocated its 3,000 residents to Dhuvaafaru, a previously uninhabited island. The $39 million project, funded by the Red Cross, included building 600 homes, schools and infrastructure. While successful in providing safer housing, many residents reported losing their sense of community and traditional livelihoods. This illustrates the complex social challenges of climate adaptation beyond just physical relocation.
The Maldives case study offers several important lessons about climate change impacts and responses:
Physical geography (low elevation), economic structure (tourism/fishing dependency) and development patterns (coastal infrastructure) all contribute to climate vulnerability.
Effective adaptation requires a mix of hard engineering (seawalls), soft approaches (beach nourishment), policy changes and community involvement.
The Maldives demonstrates how local climate impacts connect to global systems through tourism, international aid and climate diplomacy.
How effective have the Maldives' climate change responses been?
The Maldives case study is significant beyond its borders. As former President Mohamed Nasheed stated, "What happens to the Maldives today will happen to the rest of the world tomorrow." The country serves as an early warning system for climate impacts and a testing ground for adaptation strategies that may be needed elsewhere.
For your iGCSE Geography exam, this case study demonstrates:
Remember to use specific facts and figures from this case study in your exam answers to demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding.
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