The Maldives is a Group of Islands in the Indian Ocean, 199 of which are inhabited by about 300,000 people.
The average island is 1.5m above sea level, but 80% of land is below 1m above sea level. Scientists think that they will be completely submerged within 50 to 100 years.
Economic Impacts of Rising Sea Levels
Loss of tourism (the largest industry in the Maldives, producing about 33% of GDP)
If Velana International Airport, the main International Airport in the Maldives can't function as normal due to flooding, the country will be cut off from international tourists, majorly reducing the country's income.
More than 1 million international tourists visited the Maldives in 2015.
Coastal flooding may also damage fish processing plants, reducing the Maldives fish exports. Fish are the Maldives' largest export (producing about 10% of GDP), so this will also massively decrease the country's income.
Social Impacts
Houses could be damaged or destroyed, and severe flooding could make entire communities homeless.
Supplies of freshwater are already low on many of the Islands. If supplies are polluted with salty seawater during floods then less freshwater will be available. Some islands will have to rely on rainwater or build expensive desalination plants (also economic) to meet their water demands.
Environmental Impacts
Coastal flooding wears away beaches on the islands at a rapid rate. This destroys habitats and exposes the land behind the beach to the effects of flooding.
The soil on most of the islands is shallow (20cm deep or less), and the soil layer could be easily washed away by coastal flooding, so most plants won't be able to grow.
Political Impacts
The Maldives Government had to ask the Japanese Government to give them $60 million to build the 3m high sea wall that protects Malé, the capital city.
Environmental policies are changing as increased flooding is caused by the rising sea level, which is caused by global warming, The Maldives Government has pledged to be carbon neutral so it doesn't contribute to global warming, and is encouraging other countries to do the same.
Long-term plans are also changing. The Government is considering buying land in countries like India and Australia and moving Maldivians there before the islands become uninhabitable.