Man Made Island

Global warming is not just a theoretical concern in a country that is mostly three feet above sea level. Under President Gayoom, the Maldivians have built Hulhumale, a man made island that is six feet above sea level. This is where we went for Fishing Fun (see earlier post in February). You know you're in a developing country when a tour of the sights includes the fish packing plant and the water plant.

Here's a link to an NPR story on the project and the general problem of global warming in Maldives. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18425626

It's a nicely done radio package and I played it in a VOM workshop on the use of natural sound. The Wall Street Journal had a slightly different take which, in my opinion, is closer to reality. Not many people have moved to Hulhumale because the lots are expensive and building on them is even more expensive. The government has plans to build 1500 subsidized apartments here, but for now this brand new island has a bombed-out feeling to it, with more emply lots than houses.

One TVM staffer who lives on Hulhumale is Zihunath, one of the English anchors. She is a former member of the Maldives national swim team and coaches young swimmers in her nonexistent spare time. Her eight year old son is a nice kid wno looks like he has the potential to be an athlete as well. Zihu takes the ferry between the manmade island and the capital, about a 20 minute ride each way -- beautiful during nice weather and no fun when it's choppy.