A new wave of young activists in the Maldives is confronting climate change threats that endanger their island nation, from coastal erosion and plastic pollution to the encroaching impacts of rising sea levels. These advocates are organizing protests, leading cleanups, and educating their peers about environmental rights in a country acutely vulnerable to climate impacts.
In Addu City, a group of young people recently used kayaks to protest land reclamation work that disrupted mangrove wetlands within a UNESCO biosphere reserve. They spray-painted "ECOCIDE" on a reclaimed section of land, highlighting the environmental damage. This action was organized by Project ThimaaVeshi, a nonprofit focused on environmental issues in the Maldives.
The nonprofit, whose name translates to "self and surroundings," is part of a growing movement of young Maldivians addressing daily environmental concerns. In the capital, Malé, activists are focused on the plastic waste accumulating in public spaces and natural areas. They collaborate with surfers and other groups for beach and coral reef cleanups, removing debris like fishing lines and collecting discarded bottles. These efforts are coupled with educational initiatives aimed at informing youth about their right to a clean environment.
Unlike previous generations, these young activists view climate change and environmental degradation not as distant concerns but as immediate realities. While the Maldives has historically positioned itself as a nation fighting against climate change vulnerability, the government has also acknowledged that development sometimes necessitates compromises. Activists argue that protective measures are not being implemented quickly enough.
Experts predict that the Maldives, located south of India and Sri Lanka, could become up to 80% uninhabitable within the next 50 years due to rising sea levels. Yameen Maumoon, a 21-year-old co-founder of Project ThimaaVeshi, described the group's beginnings as fueled by "just us and a bunch of hopes and dreams." Maumoon and Mishal Mushahid initially began their activism as student leaders working with the Addu City council, eventually forming a registered nonprofit after graduating from high school.
Another youth group, Ripple, which is seeking formal registration, emerged in Malé and the neighboring island of Hulhumalé. Co-founder Mariyam Maasha Waheed explained that the group started after friends noticed excessive trash in their common gathering spots. What began as informal cleanups gained momentum after their TikTok videos documenting the efforts went viral. Ripple now organizes weekly cleanups and campaigns against plastic pollution, working with others to recycle collected materials. The group aims to make environmental action feel more accessible and communal.
Yania Hussain Ishan, a co-founder of Barnacles, another group seeking registration, became involved in environmental issues while preparing a school presentation. Barnacles concentrates on climate education and youth leadership. Ishan noted that the widespread discussion of a climate emergency on social media has contributed to her generation's sense of lacking control over the situation.
The youth of these activists has drawn skepticism, with some government officials suggesting that youth equates to naivety. All three groups have faced assertions that their efforts are futile and that small-scale actions like beach cleanups cannot address the larger challenges. Ali Shareef, the Maldives' minister of climate change, stated at a public forum last year that young people possess too much emotion to be trusted with decision-making.
Despite these challenges, the activists assert they cannot solve the Maldives' environmental problems alone. However, they believe that waiting for larger systemic solutions is not a viable option. They are committed to fostering a generation that understands environmental rights and will pass on this responsibility to future generations. "We are deciding what kind of ancestors we will be," Ishan said. "We are defending our home, our heritage and the right of every Maldivian child yet to be born to stand on these shores, look out at the sea and feel the same wonder and security that defines who we are."