Paradise at Risk: How Rising Sea Levels Threaten the Maldives and Its Vibrant Ecosystems

Introduction: A Tropical Paradise in Peril

The Maldives, an idyllic archipelago of 1,192 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, is a bucket-list destination known for its turquoise waters, white sand beaches, and vibrant coral reefs. Yet, this tropical paradise faces an existential threat from rising sea levels driven by climate change. Scientists warn that 80% of the Maldives could become uninhabitable by 2050, with the entire nation potentially submerged by 2100. As the Maldives builds artificial islands to bolster its tourism-dependent economy, these efforts are accelerating coastal erosion and damaging reefs, forcing some residents to flee their homes. At Boncopia, we explore the challenges facing the Maldives, the impact on its ecosystems like seagrass and coral reefs, and the urgent need for sustainable solutions, as highlighted in a 2025 FRANCE 24 report by Léa Delfolie, Aminath Liuvina, and Anna Hartley.

The Maldives: A Low-Lying Nation at Risk

With an average elevation of just 1.5 meters above sea level, the Maldives is the world’s lowest-lying nation, making it acutely vulnerable to rising seas. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) projects sea levels could rise by 0.5 to 1 meter by 2100, potentially submerging most of the Maldives’ 187 inhabited islands. Already, 90% of islands report flooding, 97% face severe coastal erosion, and 64% experience ongoing shoreline loss. Freshwater shortages are also critical, with 97% of the country lacking potable groundwater due to saltwater intrusion.

The Maldives’ economy, heavily reliant on tourism (30% of GDP) and fisheries (11% of employment), is at stake. Coastal erosion threatens resorts, while coral bleaching—exacerbated by rising sea temperatures—devastates reefs that support marine life and attract 1.7 million tourists annually. These pressures, combined with displacement of local communities, underscore the urgency of addressing climate change.

Seagrass and Coral Reefs: Vital Ecosystems Under Threat

Seagrass meadows and coral reefs are the Maldives’ ecological lifelines, supporting biodiversity, coastal protection, and livelihoods:

• Seagrass Meadows: These underwater plants store carbon 35 times faster than rainforests, sequestering 27.4 million tons of CO2 annually. They provide habitats for species like seahorses and stabilize sediments, reducing erosion. However, pollution, warming waters, and coastal development degrade seagrass, weakening its protective role.

• Coral Reefs: Reefs absorb 97% of wave energy, shielding islands from storms and erosion. They support fisheries and tourism but are highly sensitive to climate change. A 2016 bleaching event damaged 60% of the Maldives’ reefs, and the IPCC warns that a 2°C global temperature rise could eliminate nearly all shallow corals.

The loss of these ecosystems accelerates coastal erosion, leaving islands like Dhiffushi—where flooding occurs twice monthly—vulnerable. Seagrass and coral degradation also threatens species like flat oysters, which filter water and build reefs, further destabilizing marine ecosystems.

Artificial Islands: A Double-Edged Sword

To combat rising seas and support tourism, the Maldives has turned to land reclamation, creating artificial islands like Hulhumalé, a 480-hectare urban hub near the capital, Malé. Built by dredging sand from lagoons and fortified with 3-meter-high sea walls, Hulhumalé houses 100,000 people and serves as a relocation site for those fleeing low-lying islands. Other projects, like Addu City’s reclamation of 194 hectares, aim to boost tourism and industry.

However, these projects have significant downsides:

• Environmental Damage: Dredging destroys coral reefs and seagrass, releasing stored carbon and disrupting marine habitats. Human Rights Watch reports that rushed reclamation, like the burial of 70% of Kulhudhuffushi’s mangroves, violates environmental regulations.

• Coastal Erosion: Construction alters sand movement, exacerbating erosion on inhabited islands. Over 90% of Maldivian islands report severe shoreline loss, threatening homes and infrastructure.

• Community Displacement: While artificial islands provide housing, they prioritize tourism and elite interests, leaving local communities like those in Dhiffushi with limited benefits. Some residents face forced relocation as their islands become uninhabitable.

The FRANCE 24 report highlights NGOs’ concerns that these projects “choke” ecosystems, undermining the natural defenses that seagrass and reefs provide.

Climate Impacts on Tourism and Fisheries

The Maldives’ economy hinges on tourism and fisheries, both under threat:

• Tourism: Contributing over 50% of GDP, tourism relies on pristine beaches and reefs. Coastal erosion and bleaching deter visitors, with 60% of resorts reporting infrastructure damage. The World Bank estimates a 2.3% GDP loss by 2050, rising to 12.6% by 2100 without adaptation.

• Fisheries: Fish stocks could decline 75% by 2100 due to warming waters and reef loss, threatening food security and livelihoods for 20% of households.

Sustainable tourism and mariculture could mitigate these losses, but urgent action is needed to protect ecosystems and diversify livelihoods.

Adaptation Strategies: Balancing Resilience and Sustainability

The Maldives is implementing innovative adaptation measures, but challenges remain:

• Nature-Based Solutions: Restoring seagrass, coral reefs, and mangroves enhances natural barriers. For example, coral planting and the Modular Artificial Reef Structure (MARS) on Summer Island promote reef recovery, costing $300 per meter compared to $3,000 for sea walls.

• Coastal Protection: Sea walls, groynes, and breakwaters protect Malé and other islands but can increase erosion elsewhere. A balanced approach combining natural and engineered solutions is critical.

• Artificial Islands: Projects like Hulhumalé offer higher ground but must prioritize sustainable dredging and community benefits to avoid ecological harm.

• Policy and Community Action: The National Adaptation Programme of Action integrates climate resilience into development. Community programs, like Bebe Ahmed’s “Save the Beach,” educate youth on reef restoration, fostering local stewardship.

The Maldives contributes just 0.003% of global emissions yet faces disproportionate impacts, prompting calls for international support. Developed nations, responsible for most emissions, must fund adaptation, as emphasized at the UN Ocean Conference.

Global Lessons from the Maldives

The Maldives’ struggle offers lessons for other low-lying nations:

• Ecosystem Preservation: Protecting seagrass and reefs is cost-effective and enhances resilience. Global efforts, like the UN Decade for Ocean Science, prioritize these ecosystems.

• Sustainable Development: Balancing tourism with environmental protection requires strict regulations and community involvement.

• Equity in Climate Action: Small island states need financial and technical support from high-emission countries to adapt and mitigate losses.

The Maldives’ resilience, from coral planting to artificial islands, inspires hope, but global emission reductions are critical to its survival.

How You Can Help Save the Maldives

Individuals can support the Maldives’ fight against climate change:

• Choose Sustainable Travel: Support eco-friendly resorts that prioritize reef and seagrass conservation.

• Reduce Carbon Footprint: Cut energy use and advocate for renewable energy to slow global warming.

• Raise Awareness: Share stories like the FRANCE 24 report on social media to highlight the Maldives’ plight.

• Support NGOs: Donate to organizations like the Maldives Coral Institute or Marine Conservation Society working on reef restoration.

Every step toward sustainability helps protect this paradise for future generations.

Conclusion: A Race Against the Rising Tide

The Maldives stands on the front lines of climate change, battling rising seas that threaten its islands, ecosystems, and way of life. While artificial islands like Hulhumalé offer hope, they risk accelerating coastal erosion and damaging seagrass and coral reefs—vital allies in this fight. As the FRANCE 24 report underscores, the Maldives’ story is a call to action for global cooperation. At Boncopia, we believe in amplifying solutions and inspiring change. By protecting ecosystems and supporting sustainable adaptation, we can help ensure the Maldives remains a vibrant paradise, not a memory swallowed by the sea.

Thought Questions:

1. How can the Maldives balance tourism-driven economic growth with the need to protect seagrass and coral ecosystems?

2. What responsibilities do high-emission countries have to support low-lying nations like the Maldives in adapting to climate change?

3. How can community-driven initiatives, like reef restoration, be scaled globally to address coastal erosion and biodiversity loss?