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a dying country
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| Photo Information |
Copyright: Ingrid Shaul (ingridshaul)
![Silver Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 42 W: 7 N: 112]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/s-n-g.gif) (301) |
| Genre: Landscapes |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2002-03 |
| Categories: Ocean |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2009-10-18 1:13 |
| Viewed: 189 |
| Points: 12 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
MALDIVES
The Maldives stand an average of 2.1 metres (7 ft) above sea level, making the country vulnerable to a rise in sea levels associated with global warming. If conditions do not change - according to scientific projections - the Maldives will slip below the waters entirely by the end of this century.
On 17 October 2009, all International News Agencies showed the Government of the Maldives holding a cabinet meeting underwater - to highlight the threat of global warming to the low-lying Indian Ocean nation.
Ministers spent half an hour on the sea bed, communicating with white boards and hand signals. The president said the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen this December cannot be allowed to fail.
At a later press conference while still in the water, President Nasheed was asked what would happen if the summit fails. "We are going to die," he replied.
The government has introduced a new tourist tax, paid into a special fund for buying land for the Maldivians (possibly in Australia), when the islands submerge. “We do not want to leave” they said “but we do not want to see our children and grandchildren in tents as refugees either.”
The atolls of the Maldives lie off the Indian sub-continent - SW of Sri Lanka - are covering roughly 512 miles north to south and 81 miles east to west. There is a double row of 19 Main Atolls, which form a gigantic Atoll-Oval. Within the 19 Main Atolls are 1302 islands, of which 1100 were not inhabited in 1990. Due to their shape, many islands have a lagoon.
Rising from a common plateau (a long dead volcanic land mass), the atolls are separated from each other by deep channels with sometimes rough currents. Inside these atolls – among the islands – frequently larger vessels cannot travel but only Dhoni (sailing boats). Most islands formed from coral layers - rising sharply from said plateau – are situated close to the atoll enclosure.
The capital Male occupies an island at the southern edge of the Kaafu Atoll, and the International Airport on another island nearby. Seaplanes are used to connect the individual Atolls, where Dhonis wait to ferry the passengers to the individual islands.
The wonderful undersea-world of the Maldives was “discovered” and made famous by J.J. Cousteau. During his lifetime he talked about his growing concern about the environmental destruction and resulting danger to the Maldives.
Only non-inhibited islands can be rented from the government to build a resort; they often rename the island which leads to confusion. Since we visited the Maldives the first times in 1995, the number of tourist have increased incredibly: from a little hut with control tower and a few international flights per day, to nonstop landing and departing planes during daylight today – forcing the visitors to more remote atolls to find rest. Consequently, pollution together with rising water temperature is killing at an alarming rate the previously pristine corals.
I am quoting from IVAN KRUYS INTRO
“THROUGH OUR GREED AND OVERPOPULATION WE ARE NOW DESTROYING MUCH OF THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE ON THIS PLANET. MANY SPECIES UNKNOWN TO MAN WILL DISAPPEAR BEFORE THEY ARE DISCOVERED. THIS MAKES ME APPRECIATE NATURE EVEN MORE AND ONE WAY OF EXPRESSING THIS IS THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY.”
PHOTO: I slightly lightened the image (increased the overall exposure) - no other adjustments were made.
At the time of taking the photo, the colours of the sky and surface of the water changed -as time wore on - to orange. |
roges, Argus, marius-secan, jmirah, boreocypriensis has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes. |
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- roges
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 613 W: 0 N: 546]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif)
(3180) - [2009-10-18 1:15]
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Hi Ingrid,
An exceptional landscape. What beautiful colors! I wish and I could be there. At least a few hours away from this crazy world. A bit quiet ... we need each of us. And I posted but a landscape of mountains.
Have a beautiful Sunday,
Adrian
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- Argus
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3824 W: 190 N: 11393]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-g-g.gif)
(35107) - [2009-10-18 2:20]
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Hello Ingrid,
A nice sunset shot of the Maldives reflecting a sad story not only for the Maldives but our planet in general. The sunset can also symbolise the end of life as we know it. However there will be a sunrise!
Even if we succeed in wiping out most life including ultimately ourselves, there are still a few billion years of fine conditions left for life to regenerate and re-evolve before our sun dies out. But one can hope that the world leaders can first be aware of the situation and secondly be able to do something to prevent us reaching a point of not return.
It's not just about global warming!
Anyway, this is a fine contribution, well taken and presented with a very appropriate note.
Thanks and all the best,
Ivan
Hello Ingrid.
Wonderful landscape, excellent colours and details.
A very good composition.
Marius.
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- jmirah
(4665)
- [2009-10-18 10:40]
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Hi Ingrid
What beautiful colors...Great POV and composition...TFS
Jim
Hi Ingrid,
Incredible looking colours, you've done a good job to capture it in all its glory.
I think a slim black frame would have been more suitable,
but the image itself looks great.
TFS and have a nice new week'!
Cheers,
bayram
Ps. i like your thematic intro picture so much:)
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- pirate
(3215)
- [2009-10-18 23:00]
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Hi Ingrid
that's what I call an incredible sky
brilliant compo
a dream
tfs
tom
