Weighing in on Carbon Nuetrality

Hello all. I am excited by the announcement of the goal for Maldives to be carbon nuetral by 2020. However, I am not sure what I make of the entire scheme. I have been reading widely in the international media in order to form an informed opinion. Here, I am going to share with you some of the comments I have read from people all over the world and hopefully you will share some of your opinions with me.

"Irony can and often is cruel.

The nation of the Maldives Islands is showing the world its determination to save its people from the effects of global warming. In this time of economic crumbling of the global financial sector, it is ready to commit more than a billion dollars to become carbon neutral while the industrialized nations remain carbon nihilists.

When the entire capital is spent on wind turbines, solar collectors, backup power stations and the like, the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration will have risen 20 to 30 parts per million.

An investor would not be heartless to tell the Maldives government this loan of a billion dollars is not a prudent use of capital because the future of the Maldives Islands is greatly in doubt and its ability to repay the loan doubtful as well.

It has been reported that the Maldives government is exploring options to relocate its population as the seas rise and wash away and engulf its land.

There will be losers in the global warming chaos that is besetting people and nations around the world. Melting glaciers in the Andes and Himalayas will cause water shortage for several billion people in the remainder of this century and that is becoming obvious to the Chinese, Indian, Tibetan, Peruvian scientists and hydrologists.

The investment the Maldives government is committed to make could better be spent on the massive costs it will eventually face when it will have to relocate its population.

The symbolism of a carbon neutral Maldives has a value in the global debate on reducing human impacat on the earth's climate system. But, we know enough to separate symbols from action. Insurance companies have faced the reality of rising seas and coastal and island populations will have to face that reality as well".

John McCormick, Washington, DC.


"Those who insist that there is no such thing as global warming should be invited to buy property in the Maldives and go live there. Or failing that, there are bargain properties less than five feet above sea level all over the world. When they turn out to be right, they can make a killing and have the laugh on all the rest of us. We'll be so relieved that we won't really mind, will we"?

Toughtilly, Long Island


"Just today there was a report in the Huffington Post that the U.S. northeast could see 8" above the global average in sea level rises dues to current changes. If so, Manhattan may become as uninhabitable as the Maldives. My sense is that before that happens, there will be an international triage, and countries like the Maldives will lose that battle. http://www.huffingtonpost.com...

In the meantime, if they really want to make a dramatic statement, they should ban all non-ZEVs altogether. This would mean using only electric, flywheel, compressed air and hydrogen-powered vehicles. Given the short distances each car/truck can travel on each island, these technologies current range limits should not be a problem, and the Maldives could become a global leader in carbon-neutrality, perhaps one the world later thinks is worth saving. These are the brutal Darwinian facts of life."

Scott Baker, New York City


"That's the Maldives problem today - they have no carbon-free energy resources other than sun, wind and water, and they'll have to import the needed technology - solar panels, batteries, electric boat motors and efficient refrigerators, etc. - from industrialized nations, which is expensive. To be carbon neutral, they’ll have to be fossil fuel-free - which is what “carbon neutral” really means - cap and trade is not neutral.
Seems like a perfect World Bank project, doesn't it? They did finance that $4 billion Chad-Cameroon pipeline on Exxon's behalf a few years ago... a pipeline that comes awfully close to Darfur. Perhaps they could instead invest a few billion in the Maldives on a project that would actually benefit the local population? Not too radical a notion, is it?"

Ike Solem, California


"Coral atolls are created when the sea bed slowly sinks. As the sea floor sinks the coral grows at a rate that keeps the reefs close to the surface.

The question for the Maldives is how fast the sea level rises. Studies of past sea level rise and fall in the Maldives indicate that coral can grow upward at a rate of more than one meter in 100 years".

Elery, Virginia


"Irony is where you find it . As the iconic poster child for the unrealized threat of national inundation, The Maldives spectacular lack of elevation serves as a substitute for sea level rise .

That's good advertising practice, but to extend the franchise to carbon neutrality seems a bit ambitious-- there is the small matter of the archipelago's coral reefs, which ocean acidification notwithstanding, are doing more than their fair share of sequestering CO2. Given that head start , some K-Street solon may insist the islands first acquire smokestack industries to acquire a carbon footprint worthy of erasure -

Doesn't anyone emember the ballyhoo that attended one firm's ersatz offer to make the Vatican carbon neutral?"

Russell SZeitz, Cambridge, Mass


"What to do about tourism and the revenues it generates for the Maldives? Dependent on flying obviously. How to wean off this?"

Caspar Henderson, England


"Some sea level rise may be unavoidable even if we all follow the excellent example being set by the Maldives. I wonder if they might choose to use gasification with the coconut husks and retain most of the carbon as char. If the product gas can be made clean enough, then a combined cycle turbine might be used gaining back some what in efficiency what is lost by retaining carbon. The carbon might be used as a landward backing for sea walls that help to protect against the rising sea. Some fast growing plants like bamboo might also be used to produce a greater volume of char. The Maldives might become carbon negative while preparing for the rising sea."

Chris Dudley, Maryland


"I'd like to see the Maldives focus on renewable energy for their boats, which are probably used there more than cars. Interesting to see the low cost wind and solar designs listed here- thanks to Jerry and Ike.

Anyone who has been out in the Pacific and been bummed out by two cycle engine fumes will be happy to see that day arrive.

Will these renewable outboard motors for a 16 foot fishing boat provide enough torque for the propellers? Are batteries required?"

Mike Roddy, Yucca Valley, California


"A summary of the debate on this thread so far:

a) Andy and earlier comments point out the Maldives have doubled their population but still commenters refuse to link hypocracy of the Third World demands over developed world CO2 emissions with developing world popopulation controls.

b) Next we know sea level has been rising since the last glacial low-stand. Elery points out that the rate of coral growth can comfortably keep up with the natural rate of sea level rise.

c) Next we have a series of comments pointing out the the observed climate changes were not predicted by the IPCC models, and that there is increasing interest in fluctuations of solar input to the earth. Whatever the cause, it is clear that the IPCC models are not tracking the observed climate; CO2 is increasing and the planet is cooling.

d) other points raised but yet to be commented on are the importance of air travel and tourism to the Maldives (hardly carbon neutral). Add the usual uncertainty about water vapour/co2/methane and feedback mechanisms. Is it positive? Is it negative? Again as has been pointed out - global climate has to be self regulating because the geologic record shows a repeated record towards homeostasis.

Is it any wonder the public sentiment towards fear of global warming is declining in the polls?"

M Hunt, Alaska


"Those who say this publicity stunt is all about money are right on target. $1.1 B to make the Maldives carbon-neutral? Is this a joke? They should make that money available to their citizens for moving expenses to higher ground.

And just where is this money going to come from? Where do you think?

Sea level has been rising for centuries and will continue to rise, regardless of "global warming". The Maldives' president has simply found a creative way to argue that the industrialized countries are at fault and thus should pay for their problems.

And the same goes for others who have suddenly found themselves imperiled by rising sea levels. The Dutch have had this problem for a long time and they haven't begged others to pay for a solution."

Spalding craft, North Carolina