Maldives should start using renewable energy: President

Sept. 11, 2011 - haveeru.com.mv


President Nasheed attends the meeting on the possible Legal Form of New Climate Agreement, hosted by the Mary Robinson Foundation-Climate Justice on September 9, 2011. PHOTO/ PRESIDENT'S OFFICE

MALE, September 11 (HNS) – President Mohamed Nasheed has said that the Maldives and its people are directly affected by the slightest change in the climate, and the elements of the climate.

In his keynote address delivered at a dinner hosted by the Mary Robinson Foundation-Climate Justice (MRFCJ), the President noted how low the Maldives rose above sea level and highlighted on the devastating damages caused by the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.

He pointed out the importance of understanding the climate and its elements, in defending ourselves against such disasters.

President Nasheed called for all the nations to be more responsible of their carbon emission activity, and underscored the necessity of a legally bound climate agreement.

The President said as part of the mission of becoming a carbon neutral country, the Maldives should stop using fossil fuel, which causes collateral damage to the environment, and instead start making use of other possible resources such as solar power, wind and the ocean as our main sources of energy.

The President also underlined that in more than 70 islands of the Maldives, the water is contaminated because of sea salt intrusion to the fresh water lens. He also noted that to supply water desalination systems to all the islands, the state has doubled its expenditures.

Commending the work done by the foundation, President Nasheed expressed his gratitude to its President Mary Robinson, for inviting him to the meeting.

The Mary Robinson Foundation - Climate Justice (MRFCJ) works to secure global justice for those many victims of climate change, especially the poor, the disempowered, and the marginalised, across the world.

President Nasheed also attended a meeting on the possible Legal Form of New Climate Agreement Friday morning, hosted by the MRFCJ at the Grantham Research Institute for Climate Change and Environment.

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