Climate Change
The Science and Impacts of Climate Change on the Maldives
Science of global warming and climate change
Anthropogenicly produced greenhouse gases has exacerbated global warming. The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation have resulted in almost doubling the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. The concentration of CO2 has increased at a rate of 2.0 ppm/yr., which is much faster than in pre-industrial times (1). This greenhouse gas absorbs long wave radiation heat emanated away from the earth which results in the greenhouse effect a.k.a global warming. Both the increases in CO2 and the increases in temperature have led to rising sea level, due to thermal expansion, rising temperatures in the ocean, and ocean acidification. All three of these factors have a strong effect on marine invertebrates that survive in the ocean surrounding the Maldives. Coral reefs in particular are highly threatened and the corals provide the barrier for the islands, and sustain them. With high temperatures, these corals bleach and are more susceptible to disease which almost always leads to death. Ocean acidification is resulting in lower pH seawater that may make it difficult for calcifying organisms to produce their skeletons. For example, the 1998 El Nino event, resulted in a massive mortality in the reefs surrounding the Maldives, compromising coastal communities which are likely to be more susceptible to major storms. (2)
Current and expected impacts
Sea-Level Rise
The Maldives, built on the planets most endangered ecosystems, coral reefs, are one of the lowest lying countries in the world. These two factors combined with the lasting effects of climate change make the country extremely vulnerable to destruction. The countries highest point is only 2.4 meters above sea level, and inhabitants are already experiencing environmental stresses. As the earth’s temperature increases, polar ice caps melt (in Greenland and western Antarctica), creating a slow but drastic rise in sea
Science of global warming and climate change
Anthropogenicly produced greenhouse gases has exacerbated global warming. The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation have resulted in almost doubling the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. The concentration of CO2 has increased at a rate of 2.0 ppm/yr., which is much faster than in pre-industrial times (1). This greenhouse gas absorbs long wave radiation heat emanated away from the earth which results in the greenhouse effect a.k.a global warming. Both the increases in CO2 and the increases in temperature have led to rising sea level, due to thermal expansion, rising temperatures in the ocean, and ocean acidification. All three of these factors have a strong effect on marine invertebrates that survive in the ocean surrounding the Maldives. Coral reefs in particular are highly threatened and the corals provide the barrier for the islands, and sustain them. With high temperatures, these corals bleach and are more susceptible to disease which almost always leads to death. Ocean acidification is resulting in lower pH seawater that may make it difficult for calcifying organisms to produce their skeletons. For example, the 1998 El Nino event, resulted in a massive mortality in the reefs surrounding the Maldives, compromising coastal communities which are likely to be more susceptible to major storms. (2)
Current and expected impacts
Sea-Level Rise
The Maldives, built on the planets most endangered ecosystems, coral reefs, are one of the lowest lying countries in the world. These two factors combined with the lasting effects of climate change make the country extremely vulnerable to destruction. The countries highest point is only 2.4 meters above sea level, and inhabitants are already experiencing environmental stresses. As the earth’s temperature increases, polar ice caps melt (in Greenland and western Antarctica), creating a slow but drastic rise in sea
Citations: "Carbon Dioxide in Earth 's Atmosphere." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Jan. 2013. Web. 05 Oct. 2013.