Can Maldives Become the First Carbon Neutral Nation?
Maldives, the most paradisaical nation on the planet, has stated it’s aim to become the first carbon neutral nation in the world. This is commendable and saddening at the same time. While it’s a wonderful declaration to make in a world with increasing pollution, it’s sad because it Maldives is in direct and immediate danger from rising ocean levels as a result of global warming.
By Sunday of this week, Mohammed Nasheed, The President of the Island country, will reveal the details of their plan to achieve full carbon neutrality within ten years. This has entered Maldives in the race to become the first carbon neutral nation. Some have event referred to this race as the “Carbon World Cup.” Other countries in the running are Costa Rica, Norway, New Zealand, Iceland and Monaco. These countries are working with the UN to become “zero net emitters”. Maldives has a leg-up because none of the other countries are proposing moving as quickly as the small island nation.
Maldives is a country that many have seen in film footage, postcards or magazines, but would have difficulty identifying it on a map. Located in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India, Maldives consists of over 1,100 coral islands. (see map below)
