Cover photo by Ahmed Nishaath
A complex concern surfaces in the heart of Maldives — particularly in the capital — and it is one that may test the sustainability of our habitable environment. Relentless urbanization has transformed the capital Male’ and surrounding landscape: wall-to-wall buildings, streets overflowing with vehicles, and nearly 80 thousand people densely packed per square kilometer — the balance between development and environmental sustainability is becoming increasingly fragile.
Amid this, Male’ and adjacent Hulhumale’ currently face an unexpected challenge: the urban heat island effect — a phenomenon where cities are significantly warmer than their surrounding rural areas. With low-lying cities seemingly surrounded by the ocean breeze and relatively small in size, one would think we were immune right? But the reality is contradictory, and this urban heat island effect makes the islands even more vulnerable to rising temperatures.
Picture scorching pavements, buildings that stubbornly cling to the day’s warmth, and a creeping discomfort that goes beyond mere inconvenience. More than just feeling hot, it is about the unspoken health risks that come with a city growing warmer by the day. Climate projections with a high level of confidence have hinted at a future where temperatures continue to rise, projecting a 1.5°C increase in the annual maximum daily temperatures by 2100 in the country.
Humid-heat stress introduces a layer of complexity to this challenge, going beyond the numbers on a thermometer to involve the humidity surrounding those rising temperatures. The air thickens with moisture, making every increasing degree feel noticeably hotter. It is a scenario where stepping outside becomes a challenge, a struggle against heat that not only blankets but can also suffocate. The recent IPCC Assessment Report reinforces the growing concern: South Asia is set to experience an escalation of humid heat stress, with more severity and frequency.
It is a scenario where stepping outside becomes a challenge, a struggle against heat that not only blankets but can also suffocate.
Maiha Hameed
Heat index calculations — an indication of how heat affects humans — reveal that both Male’ and Hulhumale’ consistently fall within the heat index range of ‘extreme caution’, even past nightfall. This range indicates the possibility of fatigue from prolonged exposure or physical activity, and highlights the necessity to implement mitigative measures. Hulhumale’ also experienced higher heat index values than Male’, sometimes reaching dangerous levels, underscoring the need to address high outdoor humidity which could also seep indoors.
As we navigate towards the century’s end, there is a possibility that significant portions of Earth may become inhospitably hot and humid for humans to regulate their body temperature. Although certain optimistic scenarios offer some relief from these outcomes, the implications for society remain serious, particularly as densely populated regions near the equator are increasingly identified as highly vulnerable to humid heat challenges.
The urgency for adaptive measures to cool these urban spaces then becomes not just a concern, but a necessity and a form of conservation. While it is widely believed that conservation is at odds with urban development, in reality, integrating conservation practices into urban planning can enhance the resilience of our cities against rising temperatures. Green spaces and climate-responsive infrastructure are not at odds with development; they are the cornerstones for a city to thrive resiliently.
We see that our planet is going through some big climatic changes, and that cities are significantly affected. But they also play a key role in contributing to this climate crisis. Urban conservation is crucial because it tackles both sides of the issue. Steps such as creating green shaded spaces and using heat-resilient infrastructure not only protect our cities from the effects of climate change like extreme heat, but also reduce the city’s emissions by minimizing our reliance on energy for cooling.
Let’s challenge the idea that conservation efforts are only about protecting faraway natural areas, and not something that concerns us in this heavily urbanized capital region. A walk through Sultan Park or a part of Sosun Magu at noon for instance, and we all appreciate how green spaces actively cool our surroundings. Urban conservation becomes a shield, protecting us from the impacts of a warming climate that knocks on our doorstep.
From construction laborers to bridge commuters to school-goers, the consequences of a warming climate — particularly humid-heat stress — has crept into our daily experiences. Maldivians are forced to rely heavily on air-conditioning and prefer this over outdoor areas to cope with the humidity, and the excessive heat has put a damper on the unique and valuable outdoor curriculum for students, especially in outer islands.
Confronted with this challenge, urban conservation emerges as a way forward. Far from being an abstract or far-removed concept, conservation extends its influence right into the city. It recognizes the importance of maintaining biodiversity, green spaces, and overall ecological balance amid the rapid development and expansion of our urban areas.
It’s not just about aesthetics anymore, it’s about survival in a city that is becoming too warm for comfort.
Maiha is an urban climatologist by training and a science communicator at heart. An Erasmus Mundus scholar, she works in environmental policy and planning at the Ministry and takes an interest in issues linking the built environment to air quality, human health and climate change.