Adapting to a Changing Tide: Climate Adaptation Strategies to Save the Maldives

Introduction: The Maldives’ Fight for Survival

The Maldives, a breathtaking archipelago of coral islands in the Indian Ocean, faces an existential crisis from climate change. Rising sea levels, coastal erosion, and warming waters threaten to submerge 80% of its land by 2050, endangering its tourism-driven economy and vibrant ecosystems like seagrass meadows and coral reefs. As highlighted in a 2025 FRANCE 24 report by Léa Delfolie, Aminath Liuvina, and Anna Hartley, the Maldives is implementing bold climate adaptation strategies, from artificial islands to ecosystem restoration, to protect its people and biodiversity. At Boncopia, we dive into these strategies, exploring how the Maldives is adapting to climate change while offering lessons for the world. Join us in this urgent journey to secure a sustainable future for this paradise.

The Climate Crisis in the Maldives

With an average elevation of 1.5 meters, the Maldives is the world’s lowest-lying nation, making it acutely vulnerable to climate impacts:

• Rising Sea Levels: The IPCC projects a 0.5–1-meter sea level rise by 2100, potentially submerging most of the Maldives’ 1,192 islands. Already, 90% of islands face flooding, and 97% report severe coastal erosion.

• Warming Waters: The ocean has absorbed 90% of excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions, causing marine heatwaves that trigger coral bleaching. A 2016 event damaged 60% of Maldivian reefs.

• Freshwater Scarcity: Saltwater intrusion has left 97% of the country without potable groundwater, threatening communities and agriculture.

• Economic Risks: Tourism (30% of GDP) and fisheries (11% of employment) are at risk, with a projected 12.6% GDP loss by 2100 without adaptation, per the World Bank.

These challenges threaten seagrass meadows, which store carbon 35 times faster than rainforests, and coral reefs, which shield islands from storms. Adaptation is critical to protect these ecosystems and the livelihoods of 557,000 Maldivians.

Key Climate Adaptation Strategies

The Maldives is pioneering a range of adaptation strategies to combat climate change, balancing engineered solutions with nature-based approaches:

1. Land Reclamation and Artificial Islands

   • How It Works: Dredging sand from lagoons creates artificial islands like Hulhumalé, a 480-hectare hub near Malé with 3-meter-high sea walls. These islands provide higher ground for housing and tourism.

   • Example: Hulhumalé now houses 100,000 people, serving as a relocation site for those from flood-prone islands. Addu City’s 194-hectare reclamation supports tourism infrastructure.

   • Pros: Offers immediate protection, supports economic growth, and accommodates growing populations.

   • Cons: Dredging damages seagrass and coral reefs, accelerating erosion elsewhere. Human Rights Watch notes violations of environmental regulations in projects like Kulhudhuffushi.

   • Success Tip: Use sustainable dredging practices and prioritize community needs to minimize ecological harm.

2. Coastal Protection Infrastructure

   • How It Works: Sea walls, groynes, and breakwaters reduce wave impact and erosion. Malé’s tetrapod barriers and reclaimed land protect the capital from flooding.

   • Example: The Japan-funded Malé sea wall, completed in 2023, safeguards 70% of the city’s infrastructure, housing 40% of the population.

   • Pros: Effective for urban areas, preserves critical infrastructure.

   • Cons: High costs ($3,000–$10,000 per meter) and potential to worsen erosion on neighboring islands.

   • Success Tip: Combine with natural barriers like reefs to enhance resilience and reduce costs.

3. Nature-Based Solutions: Seagrass and Coral Restoration

   • How It Works: Restoring seagrass meadows and coral reefs strengthens natural defenses. Seagrass sequesters 27.4 million tons of CO2 annually, while reefs absorb 97% of wave energy. Techniques include planting seagrass shoots, sowing seeds, and using Modular Artificial Reef Structures (MARS).

   • Example: Summer Island’s MARS project and coral planting have restored reefs, boosting marine biodiversity and tourism. In Arcachon Bay, France, seagrass restoration supports flat oysters, offering a model for the Maldives.

   • Pros: Cost-effective ($300 per meter vs. $3,000 for sea walls), enhances biodiversity, supports fisheries.

   • Cons: Slow growth rates, vulnerable to ongoing climate stressors like warming waters.

   • Success Tip: Pair with pollution reduction to ensure long-term success.

4. Community-Based Adaptation

   • How It Works: Local communities lead efforts like beach cleanups, reef restoration, and education campaigns. Programs empower fishers and youth to protect ecosystems.

   • Example: Bebe Ahmed’s “Save the Beach” initiative in Dhiffushi educates youth on reef conservation, while community-led seagrass planting in Addu fosters stewardship.

   • Pros: Builds local ownership, cost-effective, raises awareness.

   • Cons: Limited by funding and scale, requires long-term commitment.

   • Success Tip: Integrate with eco-tourism or carbon credit schemes for sustainable funding.

5. Water Management and Desalination

   • How It Works: Desalination plants and rainwater harvesting address freshwater scarcity. Solar-powered systems reduce reliance on costly fuel imports.

   • Example: The Maldives’ 2024 expansion of desalination capacity in Malé provides 50% of the city’s water, supporting 150,000 residents.

   • Pros: Secures potable water, supports agriculture and tourism.

   • Cons: Energy-intensive, high maintenance costs, potential brine pollution.

   • Success Tip: Use renewable energy to power plants and manage brine disposal to protect marine life.

6. Policy and International Advocacy

   • How It Works: The Maldives integrates adaptation into national plans like the National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA) and advocates for global emission cuts. As a leader in the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), it demands funding from high-emission nations.

   • Example: At the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice, the Maldives called for $500 billion in climate finance for vulnerable nations by 2030.

   • Pros: Aligns development with resilience, amplifies global support.

   • Cons: Reliant on international cooperation, slow progress on emission reductions.

   • Success Tip: Strengthen partnerships with NGOs and UN programs for technical support.

Challenges in Adaptation

Despite progress, adaptation faces hurdles:

• Funding Gaps: Adaptation costs $1–2 billion annually for the Maldives, but global climate finance falls short. Only 2.5% of multilateral funding targets small island states.

• Environmental Trade-Offs: Artificial islands and sea walls can destroy seagrass and reefs, undermining natural resilience. Over 70% of reclamation projects lack proper environmental assessments.

• Displacement: Relocation to artificial islands often prioritizes tourism over local needs, displacing communities like those in Dhiffushi, where flooding occurs twice monthly.

• Climate Uncertainty: Accelerating sea level rise and marine heatwaves challenge long-term planning.

The Maldives contributes just 0.003% of global emissions yet faces disproportionate impacts, highlighting the need for global equity in climate action.

Global Lessons from the Maldives

The Maldives’ adaptation strategies offer a blueprint for other vulnerable regions:

• Hybrid Approaches: Combining nature-based solutions (seagrass restoration) with infrastructure (sea walls) maximizes resilience.

• Community Engagement: Local involvement ensures sustainable outcomes and cultural preservation.

• International Cooperation: High-emission nations must fund adaptation, as emphasized by the UN Decade for Ocean Science (2021–2030) and Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework.

The Maldives’ resilience inspires hope, but global emission cuts are critical to its survival.

How You Can Support the Maldives

Individuals can contribute to the Maldives’ adaptation efforts:

• Choose Eco-Friendly Travel: Stay at resorts supporting reef and seagrass restoration, like those using MARS technology.

• Reduce Emissions: Cut energy use, support renewables, and advocate for climate policies to slow sea level rise.

• Raise Awareness: Share stories from the FRANCE 24 report or UN Ocean Conference on social media to highlight the Maldives’ plight.

• Support Conservation: Donate to NGOs like the Maldives Coral Institute or Marine Conservation Society.

Every action helps preserve this paradise and its ecosystems.

Conclusion: Building a Resilient Future

The Maldives is a frontline warrior in the battle against climate change, using innovative adaptation strategies to protect its islands, seagrass meadows, and coral reefs. From artificial islands to community-led restoration, these efforts show resilience in the face of rising seas. As the FRANCE 24 report underscores, the Maldives’ fight is a global call to action. At Boncopia, we champion sustainable solutions and collective responsibility to ensure this paradise endures. By supporting adaptation and reducing emissions, we can help secure a vibrant future for the Maldives and beyond.

Thought Questions:

1. How can the Maldives balance economic reliance on tourism with the environmental costs of artificial islands?

2. What role should international climate finance play in supporting small island nations like the Maldives?

3. How can nature-based solutions, like seagrass and coral restoration, be scaled globally to enhance climate resilience?