Natural resources, energy and environment
The Maldives have few natural resources,
unless the tropical climate and sandy beaches that form
the basis of the tourism industry are taken into
account. The existence of the Maldives may be threatened
by the rising seawater levels caused by climate change.
The need for electricity has risen sharply in pace
with the modernization of the island republic. The
Maldives have long imported oil to meet their energy
needs, but the threat of climate change caused the
government in 2009 to decide that the Maldives would
become the world's first "carbon neutral" country in ten
years.
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COUNTRYAAH:
Major exports by Maldives with a full list of the top products exported by the country. Includes trade value in U.S. dollars and the percentage for each product category.
Investments were initiated on solar, wave and wind
power, as well as on plants for the combustion of
coconuts. The idea was that the country would be an
example for other countries in the fight against climate
change. Around 80 percent of the island's land area is
less than one meter above sea level.
In March 2017, however, a course change came when the
Yamin government stated that major investments in
tourism and infrastructure should be given priority over
the conversion to renewable energy. Maldivier who lived
in areas that were at risk of being submerged would
instead be moved to higher land.
Another environmental problem is that several islands
are threatened by erosion (soil destruction) since the
extraction of coral and sand destroyed the natural wave
barriers.
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Abbreviationfinder: A popular acronym site in the world covering abbreviation for each country. For example, MV stands for Maldives.
FACTS - ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Energy use per person
857 kilos of oil equivalent (2007)
Carbon dioxide emissions in total
1 335 thousand tonnes (2014)
Carbon dioxide emissions per inhabitant
3.3 tons (2014)
The share of energy from renewable sources
1.0 percent (2015)
2015
November
Vice President Adib is dismissed
Parliament dismisses Vice President Adib, who is in custody on suspicion of
treason and attempted murder of President Yamin (see October 2015).
A state of emergency is temporarily introduced
President Yamin faces an emergency permit throughout the country for 30 days.
The announcement comes two days before the opposition party MDP will hold a
planned demonstration. The state of emergency gives the country's security
forces far-reaching powers to arrest people suspected of interfering with law
and order and threatening the country's security. Government officials claim
that police recently found weapons and ammunition hides near the presidential
palace and that a bomb threat was averted. The state of emergency is canceled
after a few days as a result of pressure from the outside world.
FBI: no evidence of bomb attack
The FBI is investigating the explosion aboard President Yamin's boat and
finds that there is no evidence that it was a bomb attack.
October
The vice president is arrested for high treason
Nearly a month after an explosion occurred aboard President Yamin's boat,
Vice President Ahmed Adib, a suspect for high treason and attempted murder, is
arrested in connection with the explosion.
September
Alleged attack on board President's boat
September 28
Political intrigue increases as an explosion occurs on board President
Yamin's boat. The president's wife and two other people receive minor injuries.
The government describes the explosion as an assassination attempt on the head
of state. The incident occurs shortly after a number of government officials
have been dismissed, including the Minister of Defense.
August
Nashid is taken back to prison
President Nashid, who was convicted of treason, is sent back from his house
arrest to prison where he is to serve a 13-year sentence. It is unclear why he
is moving and the government has no comment. Nashid's lawyers and supporters are
protesting.
July
Nashid's sentence converted to house arrest
President Nashid, sentenced to 13 years in prison for treason (see
March 2015), gets his sentence converted to house arrest. This has
happened since the government appealed against the verdict, which received sharp
criticism from, among other things, the US and the UN for falling after an
unsuccessful trial. Nashid's political opponent President Yamin is raging
against "foreign involvement" in the Maldives' internal affairs.
Foreign ownership of land is allowed
Parliament votes to allow foreign ownership of land, which has been
prohibited by the Constitution; Forecasters warn that China will buy land on the
strategically located islands of the Indian Ocean, with the aim of building a
military base. President Yamin signs the change in the law, which the government
believes will increase foreign investment.
Power struggles and increased political unrest
Parliament dismisses Vice President Mohamed Jamil Ahmed and accuses him of
treason. He is replaced by Ahmed Adib. Media analysts warn of growing political
unrest in the country.
March
Nashid's defense minister is imprisoned
President Nashid's then Secretary of Defense is sentenced to eleven years in
prison for coup attempt.
Nashid is sentenced to 13 years in prison
President Muhammad Nashid, who leads the Maldives' largest opposition party
MDP, is sentenced to 13 years in prison for violating the terrorist laws. The
crime was committed when Nashid, during his time as president, let him dismiss
and arrest a high ranking judge (see January 2012). The verdict
against Nashid falls after a trial that received sharp criticism from the United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for "flagrant irregularities".
According to the High Commissioner, the speedy legal process is likely to
contravene the country's constitution, which provides that a defendant should
have the opportunity to properly prepare his defense. US Secretary of State John
Kerry also criticizes the trial and warns that democracy is threatened in the
Maldives.
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