Thaafana

President Obama's message to President Nasheed and other leaders of the world

2009-06-04T14:19:00.009-04:00

"....there are some who advocate for democracy only when they are out of power; once in power, they are ruthless in suppressing the rights of others. No matter where it takes hold, government of the people and by the people sets a single standard for all who hold power: you must maintain your power through consent, not coercion; you must respect the rights of minorities, and participate with a spirit of tolerance and compromise; you must place the interests of your people and the legitimate workings of the political process above your party. Without these ingredients, elections alone do not make true democracy."

President Obama's Speech on 04th June 2009

2009-06-04T14:17:00.002-04:00

Fixing the education system

2009-05-03T12:01:00.005-04:00

In my previous post, I highlighted the failures of the educational system in our country. In this post, I am going to look at some ideas that I think might help fix it. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but just a few thoughts.

Our schools produce a product for which there is no market and develop skills for which there is diminishing demand. As a developing country and as a country heavily dependent on tourism, we need to train our students in planning, construction and hospitality through our school system.

If our education system is to produce a product that is in demand we need to:

1. Restructure the curriculum to align itself with the demands of the job market. Transfer more responsibility onto teachers and students and devise a system to reward teachers who do well.

2. Create problem-focused subjects and programs. For instance, we can expand on tourism and construction related subjects.

3. Increase collaboration between the secondary schools and Maldives College of Higher Education. Faculty and other resources at the college can be used to teach the secondary school students. This is a win-win situation for both the schools and the college. The schools will have more dynamic programs and the students enrolling in the college will be of a higher calibre and better prepared for undergraduate studies.

4. Transform the testing system. Instead of having students take exams in which they just reproduce facts discussed in class, we should incorporate more research papers and term projects. Original scholarship and research must be encouraged and rewarded.

5. Expand the range of options available to students. At the moment, all the students go through the same program, with only limited choices. But instead, if we can have custom-made programs for each student as much as possible, it will help the students to do well, as they will be more likely to enjoy what they are doing.

Some of the ideas expressed here are originally from Mark C. Taylor, the chairman of the religion department at University of Columbia.

Islam, Virgins and Grapes by Nicholas D. Kristof

2009-04-23T14:21:00.000-04:00

Cambridge O’ Level results indicate a bleak future for the country

2009-04-17T18:22:00.003-04:00

More than 7000 Maldivian students sat in the Cambridge Ordinary Level exams held in late 2008. Of these, only 27 % passed. That’s right; 73 % or 5110 students failed the O’ levels! More than 2000 of these did not pass even a single subject. What does this mean to the future of the country?
This means 5110 youngsters who finished school last year will have no chance for a higher education. This means 5110 youngsters will be looking to join the work force. Since these youngsters are not qualified for most jobs on offer and since our job market is not growing at a rate to absorb 5000 new workers every year, this means a majority of these youngsters will be unemployed. This means, with nothing better to do, these youngsters will turn to drugs and gangs to kill time. This means these youngsters will be hardened criminals and drug addicts in a couple of years. I will leave it to your imagination what this would mean to our country’s economic and social fabric in a few years.

What worries me even more is that it seems that nobody cares about these kids anymore. The fact that more than 5000 students failed the O’ levels was only mentioned as a side note in the media under the headline that the top 10 has been announced. None of the so called journalists, pundits, and analysts seemed to have even noticed that our education system has failed miserably.

In one of the articles in the media, it was mentioned that more than 9 million Rufiyaa was spent to seat those kids who didn’t pass a single subject. The writer was apologetic and tried to portray that money as been wasted. I disagree. I don’t think it was wasted money and I think we should spend another 9 million if necessary to seat these kids again next year so that they can become productive members of society. Or else the cost will be much more than 9 million Rufiyaa when these kids turn out to be hardened criminals. We still remember the 50 million Rufiyaa incurred by the state when hell broke in Maafushi jail recently.

As a country, we need to wake up from our slumber, without politicizing everything, if we are to have any hopes for the future. As of right now, that future is looking very bleak.

Carbon neutral blueprint does not make the cut on close review.

2009-04-05T15:48:00.005-04:00

The following article by Ahmed Naish appeared on Minivan News on 05th April 2009.
The first step towards carbon nuetrality

And here is my response to this article:

With all due respect to Chris Goodall and Mark Lynas, anybody with a college degree could have come up with their plan. Everybody knows that wind, solar and biomass energy sources are inherently better than fossil fuel. That’s the stuff for school textbooks. What the authors have failed is to conduct a case-specific cost-benefit analysis of the transition. They have failed to test if their assumptions are valid and economically or otherwise viable. The authors themselves acknowledge that they have not been on the ground in the Maldives to test out the coral limestone and sandstone foundations that are assumed would cut costs. Public available information on subjects like this in the Maldives is inadequate and incomplete to be considered as primary sources for such a draft, because such information is not based on any credible research or data collection. On the other hand, most government officials don’t know what they are talking about on issues like this because they are misinformed and they have never travelled to the islands themselves to double check their facts and assumptions.

Before we go any further with this plan and make financial commitments, I urge Chris Goodall and Mark Lynas to come to the Maldives and get their hands dirty. Putting together a text-book esque plan is easy. What is hard is making sure it works.

What do you guys think?

We are not stupid

2009-03-29T16:18:00.007-04:00

While rapid climate change and sea level rise is a fact, Maldives will not go under, as predicted by most, even in the next 500 years. There is no absolute data showing that there is an actual sea level rise relative to the islands in the Maldives. On the other hand, there are some theories that the coral platforms the islands are on are actually rising. We all know that the announcement by President Nasheed to buy land in a foreign country was a political trick by the government. When President Nasheed came into power in November, the state funds and reserves were very low. Therefore, in order to buy time, he needed to run a story which will take the attention away from the real issues. With no precedence in history and all kinds of sovereignty issues he knows it will be nearly impossible to buy land in a foreign country even if we had the money (which we don’t). The President’s goal was achieved with the story running in all major international news outlets and having the local populace excited about an issue other than government mismanagement.

Two weeks ago, the President made another big splash in the international media by announcing that Maldives will become a carbon-neutral country by 2020!

Again, this is a political trick by the government. Achieving carbon neutrality by 2020 is completely unrealistic! Even if we had the will and the money, 10 years is way too short. It is estimated that the project will cost $ 1 billion over the 10 years. The gross foreign currency reserves in MMA is $257 million while the country’s net reserves is a mere $116 million. While we hardly have any money in our coffers, we are not going to attract any foreign investments by portraying the country as environmentally doomed. The majority of carbon emissions in the Maldives are from airplanes bringing in tourists from all over the world. So if we are to become carbon neutral we may have to stop the flights which bring in the tourists. That’s probably not a very good idea for a country in which 78% of the economy is based on tourism. Even if we miraculously become carbon neutral, that is not going to change anything with regards to climate change and sea level rise since we are not contributing even 1 percent of the world's carbon emissions. Therefore, there is no logical reason for Maldives to spend $1 billion on carbon neutrality when the country doesn’t even have a good education or health care system.

While climate change and global warming are real issues faced by Maldives, it seems that the President and the government are trying to use science to advance other agendas.

Weighing in on Carbon Nuetrality

2009-03-18T15:59:00.003-04:00

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

Fighting the good fight

2009-02-21T01:11:00.004-05:00

Today is a sad day in that I learned that a good friend of mine has been diagnosed with cancer. Bollu, 26, and I went to the same elementary and middle school. We played soccer together. I saw him a couple months ago after a few years and he was himself; full of life and energy. There was no way to tell that his body was slowly eaten away by cancerous cells when we were joking around at the coffee table and playing PlayStation. My prayers are with Bollu and I hope he has the strength to fight through this. I also hope that he gets the support he needs from friends, family and society at large.

Skid skid skid down the highway

2009-02-18T20:43:00.003-05:00

So today was another routine school day. Long hours in the classroom and the library. But after school me and my roommate decided to go to the wholesalers to buy stuff for a student run store in the dorms. Since neither of us own a car, we borrowed a friend's and headed out.
When we left our building it was raining. As we walked up the hill to the parking lots the rain turned to snow and it was accumulating on the ground. We didnt take much notice since neither of us had checked the weather forcast and went on our way.
We took a wrong turn on the way out of campus; instead of taking 9W North we were on 9W South which takes us to the mountain road. The mountain road is known to be highly dangerous in adverse weather. There was snow and ice on the ground and we were driving very carefully.
After a while we realized that we were going the wrong way and turned around. By now more snow had accumulated on the surface. As soon as we reached a turn in the road the car started skidding. We had no control over the car. We were on a dangerous part of the highway moving fast with other vehicles around us. On one side of us was the barrier that separated the lanes, on the other side was either the mountain or a sizeable drop. The car was going the left then to the right and to the left. We skidded out of control for at least 150 feet maybe 200 feet. Finally when we came to a stop the car had completely turned around and was facing the wrong way in the middle of the lane. There were at least 20 other cars stopped behind us. Miraculously and with some expert manuevering from my roommate we didnt hit anything or fall off the road.
The drive to Central Valley that normally takes 25 minutes took us more than an hour. That was some shopping trip!

Snap shots

2009-02-16T17:21:00.006-05:00

I love photography and taking pictures. However, I havent been able to do much exploring with my camera lately due to my busy academic schedule. I hope to get more into photography this summer and ultimately after graduation.

You can check out some of my pictures by clicking the title of this post. These pictures are straight from the camera, without any editing. I probably should be selective in uploading my pictures because some are not as good as others. In any case, please let me know what you think of them.

Hello!

2009-02-16T14:45:00.004-05:00

Hello everybody! I have always been fascinated by my friend's blogs and have always meant to start one. But until now I havent been able to mainly due to a lack of time. Now that I have started one, I will try to keep a lively conversation going.

I am interested in everything from the hard sciences to the social issues that are around us. I am especially into economics, social issues, politics, the environment, and of course sports. I will use this blog to express my thoughts on subjects that are of interest to me. I will also try to use it to share with my readers whats going on in my life.

Thanks for visiting my blog and hopefully you will find it rewarding and interesting in the days to come. Feel free to drop me a line at any time.