0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:02 > 0:00:04- My name's Siwan Davies.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09- I'm a scientist studying - climate change in the distant past.
0:00:09 > 0:00:14- I've been astounded by how quickly - Greenland's ice caps are melting.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18- 10,000km away, I visit a country - that's suffering...
0:00:19 > 0:00:23- ..because the level of the sea - is rising as the ice melts.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36- Situated in the Indian Ocean...
0:00:36 > 0:00:41- ..is a unique country comprising - of a cluster of 26 islands...
0:00:41 > 0:00:44- ..spread out - over 35,000 miles square.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48- 1,092 coral islands...
0:00:48 > 0:00:51- ..200 of which are inhabited.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- When you think of the Maldives...
0:00:56 > 0:00:59- ..exotic holidays spring to mind...
0:01:00 > 0:01:03- ..but the real Maldives - are very different.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19- I'm in Male, - the capital of the Maldives...
0:01:20 > 0:01:23- ..where more than - 120,000 people live...
0:01:23 > 0:01:26- ..quite literally on top of - each other within a square mile.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30- The economy is fragile, - politics are unstable...
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- ..there's a reliance - on tourism and fishing...
0:01:34 > 0:01:38- ..and there's a danger that the - country is sinking beneath the sea.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47- The Maldives is a Muslim country, - with a population of 337,000.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51- A third of the inhabitants - lives here in Male...
0:01:52 > 0:01:53- ..an overcrowded city.
0:01:56 > 0:02:01- Imagine London with four times - as many people living there.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03- Male's population is that dense.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09- During the mid-1990s, it was decided - that enough is enough.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13- They began building a new island - on the adjacent lagoon.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18- More than 30,000 people - now live on Hulhumale...
0:02:19 > 0:02:22- ..with much travelling - back and forth.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27- Creating an artificial island - is a very bold idea.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- The work of building the island - isn't yet complete.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34- It was once a turquoise lagoon...
0:02:34 > 0:02:39- ..but it was filled with sand and - concrete to create the foundations.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42- They ensured - that the level of this island...
0:02:42 > 0:02:44- ..was higher than the other islands.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49- The building work - took seven years.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- It was erected - two metres above sea level.
0:02:52 > 0:02:57- Its design ensured wider roads, - more space and more greenery.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00- People first moved here in 2004.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05- I met Aishath Nayasheen from the - Housing Development Corporation...
0:03:06 > 0:03:09- ..to ask her about - the ethos behind the development.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17- Easing the pressure - on Male's housing and transport...
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- ..is the main reason.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23- People move here to have better - education, jobs and healthcare.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27- They want to flee from - the effects of climate change...
0:03:27 > 0:03:29- ..and live in a safe environment.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33- Hulhumale has been called - Youth City and the City of Hope.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38- But does Nayasheen believe two - metres above sea level is enough?
0:03:38 > 0:03:42- Even though Hulhumale - is two metres above sea level...
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- ..I wouldn't say - it is enough, but I think...
0:03:45 > 0:03:47- ..it is going to help us...
0:03:47 > 0:03:53- ..to buy some more time to create - awareness among the community...
0:03:53 > 0:03:57- ..creating the city - and the whole of the Maldives...
0:03:57 > 0:03:59- ..to become - more climate change resilient.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02- Thank you for meeting me.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04- Thank you for meeting me.- - You're welcome.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12- This is - a bold and ambitious project.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16- Hamdhaan Zuhair from the - Environment Protection Agency...
0:04:16 > 0:04:19- ..explains the project's next steps.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22- When the work is completed...
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- ..100,000 people will live here...
0:04:25 > 0:04:28- ..with health - and education resources...
0:04:28 > 0:04:31- ..and technology - and tourist centres.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- More sand will have to be extracted - with giant machinery.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38- The project's second phase - is only in its third month.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41- I asked Hamdhaan about his work.
0:04:45 > 0:04:50- It's my job to reduce the effect of - construction on the environment...
0:04:50 > 0:04:52- ..and protect the coral beds...
0:04:52 > 0:04:56- ..since climate change is - having a detrimental effect on them.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- Perhaps rising from one to two - metres doesn't sound much to you...
0:05:02 > 0:05:04- ..but it's substantial for us.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- It's a lot of work - to protect us for the future.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- I'm very much concerned - about climate change...
0:05:11 > 0:05:17- ..and the impact climate change - is having in the Maldives.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21- Recent statistics suggest - about 90% of inhabited islands...
0:05:22 > 0:05:24- ..experience - some form of coastal erosion...
0:05:25 > 0:05:28- ..so protecting all of the islands - is very difficult...
0:05:29 > 0:05:32- ..for a country like the Maldives - with minimal resources...
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- ..so resources - need to be directed...
0:05:36 > 0:05:41- ..to the more populated areas...
0:05:41 > 0:05:43- ..of the country.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47- The government currently has - a concept of safe islands.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52- In each atoll, the government - has plans to have safer islands.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59- But there's another problem.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- What happens to the refuse here...
0:06:03 > 0:06:06- ..including the mountains - of plastic bottles?
0:06:13 > 0:06:17- Few visitors are allowed to go - to this next artificial island...
0:06:18 > 0:06:22- ..but I've been invited to see where - all of the Maldives' rubbish goes.
0:06:22 > 0:06:27- But at this point, I didn't - quite realize what awaited me.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51- A million tourists - visit the Maldives every year...
0:06:51 > 0:06:56- ..producing around four kilograms - of waste per capita each day.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01- This is a sight they don't see - whilst sipping their cocktails.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13- One of the Maldives' main problems - is how to dispose of rubbish.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15- Since land is scarce...
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- ..they've created an artificial - island called Thilafushi.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- In effect, it's a landfill site.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26- There are major problems here - as a result of climate change.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- The stench, - smoke and heat was intolerable.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- This was once a pretty lagoon...
0:07:37 > 0:07:40- ..that was turned into - an artificial island in 1992.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- Ships laden with refuse - come here from the islands...
0:07:44 > 0:07:48- ..and must sometimes wait - seven hours to dump their waste.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- 500 tonnes a day.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- Poisons from battery, - asbestos and medical waste...
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- ..are killing marine life - and endangering human life.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04- It isn't difficult to predict what - will happen as the sea level rises.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11- The rain came and made the island - of Thilafushi even more threatening.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- Just to prove a point, - the unexpected downpour...
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- ..during the country's dry period - caused severe flooding...
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- ..in Male that night.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- In Part 2, we'll explore - how the climate challenge...
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- ..endangers - the Maldives' main industries.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- Fishing and tourism.
0:08:40 > 0:08:41- .
0:08:42 > 0:08:42- Subtitles
0:08:42 > 0:08:44- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- Early morning in Male, - the Maldives' capital city.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- The harbour - has been bustling for hours.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- Two industries sustain the country.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10- Tourism and fishing.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- This is the country's main harbour.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- The reason - I've come to the Maldives...
0:09:35 > 0:09:39- ..is to see how the country - is adapting to climate change.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44- I've already spoken to politicians, - but what about the ordinary folk...
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- ..who are trying - to earn a living here?
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- Fishing trawlers - come in and out of here constantly.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54- It's an incredibly busy harbour.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- Down at the harbour in Male...
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- ..I'm meeting Ahmed Riyaz Juaharee - from the Marine Research Centre...
0:10:11 > 0:10:15- ..to hear about the impact - climate change is having on fishing.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- I asked him to describe his work.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- As-salamu alaykum. Nice to meet you.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- I undertake research work - for the fisheries' ministry...
0:10:27 > 0:10:31- ..and monitor the country's - entire fishing activity...
0:10:31 > 0:10:35- ..taking into account the biology - and the numbers caught.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- I spend a lot of time - with fishermen...
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- ..and advise them - about the best methods.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- Sustainable fishing is important - to ensure success.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50- I asked him how climate change - affected fish numbers.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- Fishing is in grave danger - due to climate change.
0:11:01 > 0:11:06- Small fish used as bait are - sensitive to changes in temperature.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11- As the sea's temperature rises, - bait stock declines.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- Tuna is caught close to the surface - with a pole and line.
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- As the temperature - of the sea's surface rises...
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- ..the tuna don't rise to the surface - making them impossible to catch.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- I asked him why they fish - with a pole and line.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- No-one fishes with a net.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36- Fishing with a pole and line - means you catch one fish at a time.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- There's no risk of catching - a dolphin or a shark by mistake.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- Fishermen abide by strict rules...
0:11:43 > 0:11:47- ..and bring their yellowfin tuna - and skipjack...
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- ..to this harbour to sell.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- Many fishermen fear the future...
0:11:53 > 0:11:55- ..and the uncertainty.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- Riyaz introduced me - to a fisherman...
0:12:00 > 0:12:02- ..and we asked how climate change...
0:12:03 > 0:12:05- ..affected him - and his fellow fishermen.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- I find there is less bait around - and fewer fish like tuna...
0:12:19 > 0:12:21- ..rising to the surface.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- A change in weather also affects us.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- We're seeing far more storms - in the Indian Ocean...
0:12:28 > 0:12:32- ..and this prevents us - from going out to fish at sea.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- We sit in the harbour and wait...
0:12:35 > 0:12:37- ..when we should be out at sea.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43- I do worry about this because - my livelihood depends on fishing.
0:12:45 > 0:12:46- Thank you.
0:12:48 > 0:12:54- Buying and selling fish like tuna is - key for the economy for two reasons.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- The largest fish are exported.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- Maldives' tuna is available - in our own supermarkets.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- This is the Maldives' - largest and busiest markets.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- There are smaller markets - on the small islands.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- By the end of the day, - every fish will be sold.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- Yellowfin tuna - and reef fish like the red snapper.
0:13:18 > 0:13:23- Prices vary daily. The second reason - is that fish a food source.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26- As a climate scientist...
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- ..I'm concerned - about the future of the Maldives.
0:13:30 > 0:13:31- Are you concerned?
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- Are you concerned?- - Definitely. We are very concerned.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- Fish is the main source of protein - for the Maldivians...
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- ..and it is also - providing food security...
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- ..for the Maldivians - living across the country.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49- So, any decline in catches...
0:13:49 > 0:13:54- ..will affect the food security - of the communities.
0:13:54 > 0:14:00- So we are taking initiatives, - steps to ensure that the stocks...
0:14:00 > 0:14:02- ..are sustainably exploited...
0:14:02 > 0:14:06- ..and the reef is preserved...
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- ..and sustainably used...
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- ..so that for future generations...
0:14:13 > 0:14:18- ..the fish is still available - as a source of protein.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22- Thank you very much.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29- The Maldives is among the - Alliance of Small Island States...
0:14:29 > 0:14:33- ..established to highlight - their precarious situation.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- Thoriq Ibrahim is the government's - Environment Minister.
0:14:38 > 0:14:44- I ask him what are the main problems - facing the Maldives.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48- Our problems are serious.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53- Unexpected flooding is happening - and as the sea level rises...
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- ..our store of fresh water - turns salty.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58- We have to extract the salt.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03- We currently send thousands - of bottles of drinking water...
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- ..to all the islands, - but this creates the problem...
0:15:07 > 0:15:08- ..of plastic waste.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- We're trying to supply - solar energy to the islands.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16- Though we're suffering - the effects of climate change...
0:15:17 > 0:15:19- ..we're not the ones causing it.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- We're a metre above sea level and - our homes are 100 feet from the sea.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26- We're facing huge challenges...
0:15:26 > 0:15:30- ..in terms of our safety, - health and the economy.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- We must safeguard tourism.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37- Tourism is the main industry - for us...
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- ..and it is very important - for our survival.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- It's the main income source - to the Maldives.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- But it all depends - on our environment.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53- Our beaches, our reefs, - our marine resources.
0:15:53 > 0:15:59- If we cannot protect and preserve - these natural beauties...
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- ..tourism will go...
0:16:01 > 0:16:06- ..so it's very much inter-related - to our environment.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- Fishing and tourism.
0:16:14 > 0:16:19- Two industries that keep - the Maldives' heart beating.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23- Images of the busy harbour - will stay with me for a long time.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28- The way of life and the culture is - so reliant on the sea and its waves.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33- It is that which now threatens - its fragile existence.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36- The challenge - they're facing is huge...
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- ..but their determination to survive - is obvious too.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01- Tourism is responsible - for nearly 93,000 jobs...
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- ..which accounts for - 60% of the country's jobs.
0:17:06 > 0:17:07- But even that is at risk...
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- ..due to the effects of - climate change on the coral reefs.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16- Seaplanes - serve as the country's buses...
0:17:16 > 0:17:20- ..which predominantly - transport tourists.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30- Palm trees, clear crystal waters, - vibrant coral and colourful fish...
0:17:31 > 0:17:33- ..attract tourists to the Maldives.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37- But without the coral, - all this is in danger.
0:17:37 > 0:17:42- I'm on my way to a cluster - of islands called Baa Atoll...
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- ..which is a UNESCO site.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- It's a journey of 40 minutes - to the northwest of Male.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53- A hotel here has realized - that it must take action...
0:17:53 > 0:17:57- ..to protect the coral - that surrounds the island.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- This is the Maldives' - most luxurious hotel.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04- They realize the importance - of safeguarding the coral...
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- ..to attract tourists and divers.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13- As a result, they've established the - unique World Biosphere Reserve...
0:18:13 > 0:18:17- ..which shows their readiness - to act for the sake of the island.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- Commercial reasons - might be behind this action...
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- ..but the important thing - is that it's happening.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27- The hotel has opened a centre...
0:18:28 > 0:18:33- ..to protect and develop marine life - and preserve coral.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- Back in 1998, El Nino weather...
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- ..caused the temperature of the sea - to rise...
0:18:40 > 0:18:45- ..destroying 90% of the coral - surrounding the Maldives islands.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- The hotel was assisted by - the Seamarc environmental agency.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55- They formed Reefscapers, the world's - most successful project of its kind.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58- I'm meeting Sebastien Stradal...
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- ..one of - the project's principal scientists.
0:19:01 > 0:19:02- Hi, Sebastien.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- Hi, Sebastien.- - Hi, Siwan, how are you?
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- Welcome to the centre. - Let me show you around.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- I was shown their display of fish...
0:19:12 > 0:19:15- ..some of which - are dependent on healthy coral.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- I've come to see the scientists' - efforts to rebuild the reef...
0:19:31 > 0:19:35- ..and cultivate coral - which withstands warmer water.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- Building a basket is the answer.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- So here we've got our coral frame.
0:19:40 > 0:19:47- Basically, it's an artificial frame - made of metal and covered with sand.
0:19:47 > 0:19:52- The idea of this is to transplant - pieces of coral we've collected.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55- Live coral, of course.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57- The idea...
0:19:57 > 0:20:00- He describes - different types of coral.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- He tells me - they are living creatures.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06- Inside the tiny holes - in the coral...
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- ..are creatures - creating calcium carbonate...
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- ..to provide shelter - for the algae that live inside.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- If coral shelters algae, the algae - give the coral sugar and energy.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- Symbiosis. Perfect co-habitation.
0:20:25 > 0:20:26- The Maldives sits on coral.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- Beneath our feet - are hundreds of metres of coral.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- All the islands - are reliant on this habitat.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- So, in a couple of decades...
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- ..this ecosystem is under threat...
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- ..principally - because of climate change.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- Climate change is affecting - the temperature of the sea...
0:20:48 > 0:20:50- ..and the rise of the sea as well.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55- By doing this project, - we're able to restore the reef.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- We know the level of the sea rises, - so it's important...
0:20:59 > 0:21:01- ..that the coral grow - at the same time.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06- If the coral are growing slower - than the rise of the sea...
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- ..they will die - because they will be too low...
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- ..and not get - enough energy of the sun.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- They won't create enough sand - to build the islands...
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- ..so this is also - a big problem for the Maldives...
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- ..when the top of the Maldives - is only sand.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- If the sea's meant to rise, - it will be washed away.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- Hopefully our contribution - will help.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44- It's obvious to me that coral isn't - just something pretty to admire.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50- Losing it would be tragic - for the planet for several reasons.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55- Coral can live in temperatures - between 21-29 degrees Celsius.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- The sea's current temperature - is 29 degrees.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- It's a fine line - between life and death.
0:22:01 > 0:22:06- The coral will lose the algae, lose - food, it will turn white and die.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13- The natural occurrence of El Nino - every four years...
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- ..damages lots of coral, - but only temporarily.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20- Coral recovers.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- Due to climate change, - there's a danger...
0:22:23 > 0:22:27- ..that El Ninos will happen - more often and be more powerful.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30- By rebuilding the coral beds...
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- ..scientists hope the new coral...
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- ..will be stronger and will adapt - to withstand warmer temperatures.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42- With my basket in place...
0:22:42 > 0:22:45- ..I hope it'll nurture - more animals to live on it.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48- I'd like to return to see it...
0:22:48 > 0:22:53- ..but at least we can check on it - online to see how it's developing.
0:23:04 > 0:23:09- If it's hopeful that coral - will adapt, I wonder if people will?
0:23:20 > 0:23:24- Next time, I visit the islands - where communities live...
0:23:25 > 0:23:28- ..as they try to rescue coral - for very different reasons.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33- For preserving food and protecting - the only shelter they have...
0:23:33 > 0:23:37- ..from the waves of the Indian Ocean - that are knocking at the door.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:59 > 0:23:59- .