Malé, Maldives – President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said that this generation might be the last generation to have a chance at protecting Maldives from climate change.
Speaking on the occasion of World Environment Day, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as we might be the last generation to have a go at protecting Maldives from climate change, everyone must ensure that their actions do not damage the existing ecosystems.
Considering the rate at which climate change is having an impact on Maldives, it is very likely that we might as well be the last generation to be able to protect Maldives from climate change. In order to renew the damaged ecosystems, we must take immediate measures with new mindsets.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih
President Solih stated that everyone must work together to bring the wetlands, beaches, reefs ponds and other ecosystems which have been damaged due to human activity, back to their former state. He noted that the Maldivian lifestyle and economy is very much dependent on the natural environment.
The President further noted some of the measures taken by Maldives to fight against climate change and damages to the environment. He stated that Maldives has 73 areas protected by the law of which 13 percent of reefs are included.
He also added that the Maldives is currently working towards protecting 20 percent of the Maldivian oceans and connected areas by 2030 in order to preserve the Maldivian ecosystems. In addition to this, President Solih noted that by 2030, 30 percent of global oceans will be protected in association with Global Ocean Alliance.
Furthermore, President Solih stated that the biggest struggle faced by Maldives in protecting the environment is the inefficiency of safe waste disposal and the increased usage of single-use plastics. He noted that several projects have already commenced in order to develop safe waste disposals at island level as well as regional level. He added that the import of products manufactured with single-use plastics has already been banned in Maldives.
President Solih further said that it takes several for even the slightest damage to the environment to be renewed and that lots of work must be done in order to prevent these damages.
