“Whole world will be Maldivians” President

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

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Speaking at the BBC’s “greatest debate on earth” President Nasheed has said that Maldivians would be the first to sink in to the rising sea levels, but soon the whole world would be the Maldivians if the problem of climate change is not addressed. President Nasheed also said if the climate change is unchecked the countries that do not suffer the immediate effects of the climate change would also face the same prospect sooner or later.

President Nasheed also said that his daughters at the moment are very young, but he hopes to see the grandchildren whom he wishes to have someday live in the Maldives and that would only materialize if all the countries work together to address climate change.

Expressing his frustration on the slow pace of the climate change negotiations, President Nasheed also said that he “can’t play the match in the COP 15 in Copenhagen and wait to score a goal at COP 16 in Mexico City”. Highlighting the urgency of the situation, he also said that he can’t count COP 15, COP 16, COP 17 and so on and called on immediate action on climate change. Targeting at the developed countries he said that rich countries should spend money to address the climate change but spending money alone would not stop climate change.

Addressing the debate President Nasheed said that one country alone or a group of countries alone could not address the climate change and working all countries together is the only viable option.

Despite the lack of resources in the country, President said that Maldives is embarking to become carbon neutral in 10 years and he assured that Maldives is serious on its goal.

He also said that it is easy for small island states to become carbon-neutral but said that given the vast resources in the larger countries, it should not be difficult for them either.

Despite the invitation, US and China did not participate in the debate.

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