Learning to Adapt to Climate Change in the Maldives
USAID helps secure biosphere reserve designation to better conserve natural resources
Climate change is an ever-present threat to Maldives. As global sea levels rise, part of this country of 1,200 islands on atolls in the Indian Ocean could become uninhabitable by the mid-21st century as floods that damage infrastructure and contaminate freshwater become more frequent.
Maldivians are adapting to and mitigating these climate stresses through local, national, and global interventions, including working with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to designate certain areas as biosphere reserves. This internationally recognized designation sets up a “learning place for sustainable development,” a site for testing approaches on how to sustainably manage natural systems that conserve biodiversity and manage and mitigate climate change impacts on local economies.
In 2011, UNESCO designated Baa Atoll, in central-western Maldives, as a biosphere reserve. Comprising 75 islands inhabited by 12,000 people dependent on tourism and fisheries, it supports one of the largest groups of coral reefs in the Indian Ocean, which act as a conduit for the transport of plankton necessary for biodiversity to thrive and to reduce the effect of waves and storm surges. Since this designation, Baa Atoll’s sustainable ecotourism tourism industry has bloomed, hosting more than 350,000 tourists annually pre-COVID.
Due to the success of the Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve, the Maldivian Government sought this status for two of its southernmost atolls, Fuvahmulah and Addu. Both Fuvahmulah and Addu host diverse coral ecosystems, wetlands, and thousands of fish species. Their economies depend largely on tourism and fisheries. Fuvahmulah has a rich history of traditional medicinal practices that are dependent on the island’s biodiversity, while seagrass beds and mangrove forests in Addu Atoll’s 30 small islands function as carbon sinks and combat the effects of climate change.
At the request of the Ministry of Environment, USAID supported the UNESCO biosphere status by conducting ecological assessments of protected areas, preparing zonation maps, supporting stakeholder consultations, and supporting the application process. In October 2020, UNESCO declared the two atolls as biosphere reserves.
In addition to supporting the biosphere designation, USAID helped assess ecologically sensitive areas and the recovery potential of coral reef ecosystems. To improve climate resilience, USAID also supported government efforts to develop a management plan for one of the largest and biologically diverse marine-protected areas in Maldives.
Muhusina Abdul Rahman, a senior conservation officer at the Ministry of Environment, was a driving force in obtaining biosphere reserve status for the two atolls. She spoke to us about what it means to be declared a biosphere reserve and how this will support sustainable development in the island nation.
How does climate change affect Maldives?
As one of the most vulnerable and lowest-lying countries in the world, we experience the impacts of climate change in Maldives every day. We already see the changes in weather patterns, extreme rainfall, sea swells, increased sea levels, coral bleaching, and coastal erosion. We need to act on it now.
What does biosphere status mean to an island nation like Maldives and to its people?
The biosphere is a way of life, a sustainable way of living where the beautiful islands and atolls of Maldives receive global recognition for their biological and cultural diversity. Maldives’ beauty extends from underwater gardens of coral reefs to unique ecosystems of wetlands, mangroves, and seagrass.
As a member of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, Maldives pledges to test approaches to sustainable development that are socially and culturally appropriate and environmentally sustainable — and to share solutions and lessons learned with the global community.
Communities in Addu and Fuvahmulah have worked hard to conserve their exceptional environmental and cultural heritage. Being declared as biosphere reserves gives us an opportunity to sustainably develop these atolls and ensure that the existing environmental and cultural diversity are conserved for future generations.
Who do you consider the ‘champions’ in helping achieve the declaration?
This declaration would not have been a reality without the enthusiasm, commitment, and leadership of city councils and the community — they are the true champions in helping achieve this designation. Their way of life since the beginning is the reason that we can enjoy these beautiful ecosystems today.
Previous projects such as the Climate Change Adaptation Project, the Maldives Protected Area Systems Project, and the Maldives Environment Management Project paved the way for this designation. USAID’s REGENERATE project played a key role during the nomination process by helping with ecological surveys, community engagement, and mapping the biosphere reserves’ zonation and supporting the technical application process to UNESCO for this designation.
How will this status help to combat climate change?
One of the critical components in UNESCO’s Lima Action Plan is addressing climate change in biosphere reserves. This designation helps combat climate change through ecosystem-based approaches of mitigation and adaptation that demonstrate sustainable development while conserving the environment and culture.
What makes you passionate about this issue?
I dream of a hopeful, better future for the local communities. I hope the global recognition brings additional livelihood opportunities through sustainable development. I hope it will help people appreciate and conserve the existing coral reefs, mangroves, and wetlands. And I hope that future generations get to enjoy our beautiful country — there is no other place in the world as unique as Maldives.
About the Authors
Julie Fossler is USAID’s Senior Development Outreach and Communications Advisor and Passanna Gunasekera is a Program and Outreach Specialist at USAID’s Mission in Sri Lanka and Maldives. Muhusina Abdul Rahman, a Senior Conservation Officer at the Ministry of Environment, Maldives, was interviewed for the article.
