Maldives to be world’s first carbon neutral country

The President of the Maldives has introduced a strategy to convert to a carbon-neutral country in 10 years.

Mohamed Nasheed formally unveiled the plan after of The Age of Stupid, an important film about the effects of Earth’s increasing temperatures, was shown at Theemuge, the presidential palace.

It was watched by the Vice President, members of parliament, ministers and many public officials.

The film features a man isolated in the ravaged world of 2055 watching film from 2008, and questioning why that generation did not halt climate change while it could.

Only days earlier scientists in Copenhagen issued harsh forecasts that higher sea levels from temperature rises could overwhelm the Maldives and similar island nations by 2100.

The Maldives comprises 1,192 coral islands near India and Sri Lanka.

A population of about 400,000 live on 250 of them. A large part of the island group lies at 1.5 metres or less above sea level.

British specialists Chris Goodall and Mark Lynas were asked by Nasheed to assist in drawing up an innovative zero carbon proposal.

The steps that they propose may completely do away with fossil fuel consumption by 2020 in the Maldives.

The project involves the generation of renewable electricity and a distribution network with solar panels over half a square kilometre, together with 155 wind turbines, and a biomass facility that will burn coconut husks.

Large numbers of batteries would restore power when neither wind nor sun can be used.

Vehicles, businesses and houses would all consume clean energy. Boats and cars would eventually be electric models only.

The cost is calculated at around $110m a year for 10 years but the Maldives will cease importing oil, so the savings will rapidly compensate for the outlay.

Goodall said the Maldives is not surrendering but taking action, which may not be easy, but an almost carbon neutral country is a rational experiment.

Success will demonstrate to the apathetic richer counties that it can be done.

Nasheed is very critical of many countries’ reaction to the danger of climate change. He believes that many politicians are procrastinating at a time when the world is dangerously ill.

Norway is also planning to be carbon neutral by 2030 but its scheme permits significant offset of emissions through financial involvement in forest projects in other countries.

The Maldives scheme is more ruthless since it should make itself carbon neutral by 2020

The Maldives expects that tourists who are environmentally aware will be interested in visiting the country.

Tourism contributes $1bn dollars annually.