Taking Care of our Environment with the Next Generation of Islanders

Low lying island nations like the Maldives are on the front line of the climate emergency. Ninety nine percent of the Maldives is made up of ocean territory and the Maldivian economy is dependent on the natural beauty of this marine environment. Now more than ever it is imperative we do all that we can to preserve our natural resources for future generations.

According to the UN, 104 million non-biodegradable plastic bags were imported to the Maldives 2018, whilst waste generation in Malé alone increased by 155 percent over the last decade. More than 8 million tons of toxic plastic is dumped into the ocean annually and end up ingested by plankton, fish and other marine animals. Reefs are at risk as corals consume microplastics and are unable to expel the harmful micro particles of plastic. The latest studies and research estimate that there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish by 2050. Nearly 80 million biodegradable bags were imported in to the Maldives in 2018 according to Maldives customs statistics. Environmentalists say these bags are more harmful to marine life as they disintegrate quickly and are far more easily consumed by fish and other marine life.

The Maldives Women’s Association regularly runs Make Your Own Bag workshops for school children in Male’. Partnering with schools, other NGO’s and organizations such as ECO Care Maldives, The American Center of Maldives and The Scout Association of Maldives. Teaching children to make their own reusable cloth grocery bags and paper lunch bags in an effort to curb the use of plastic bags.

These events serve as a fun and casual space to open dialogue with the next generation of islanders about our place in major global issues like the climate emergency and waste management. It is also an opportunity to encourage each child to take responsibility to contribute to local efforts starting with their own lifestyle habits.