The Maldives is an island nation off the southwest coast of India. Despite its geopolitical insignificance, the country's president, Mohamed Nasheed, has perhaps one of the hardest jobs in the world. This is because the Maldives is the lowest country in the world, and many experts have declared that it will literally sink into non−existence by 2100.
Many may have shirked away from such momentous responsibilities, but not Nasheed. He is a true leader. Since becoming the president of the Maldives in 2008, Nasheed has made a name for himself as a pioneer in leading the world's battle against climate change. Perhaps his most dramatic policy was announced just months into his presidency, when he declared that the Maldives would be the world's first carbon−neutral nation, powered solely by solar and wind power before 2020. Aside from being green, this will also make the Maldives immune to hikes in oil prices. Concretely, this target will be met through many eco−friendly policies, such as a green tax for tourists.
Nasheed has also drawn attention to himself and his nation by working closely with nongovernmental organizations, multinational corporations and international universities to come up with unprecedented and creative ideas. For example, instead of erecting man−made monstrosities to stem the tide of rising sea levels, as was done by his autocratic predecessor Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, the new president and his cabinet are conducting extensive research on how the country's natural resources such as coral reefs can do the trick instead. In October 2009, Nasheed presided over the world's first underwater cabinet meeting.
On a personal level, Nasheed has made a point of walking to work every day instead of driving and just a few months ago was seen installing $30,000 worth of solar panels on the roof of his own home. These panels are expected to save the government $100,000 over 25 years.
Nasheed's actions have garnered him ample praise and an array of awards. He has won the United Nations Champions of the Earth Award and has been named one of the world's top 10 leaders, top 10 thinkers and as the number one leader/visionary in environmental issues by Newsweek, Forbes and Time magazines, respectively.
However, Nasheed does not do these things because he is narcissistic like Chad Ochocinco (yes, I just compared the president of the Maldives to Chad Ochocinco), but because he knows that bringing attention to his country and the perils of climate change are what could save his country. Nasheed is not just idealistic, but also practical. He has apparently been looking into buying territory in another country for Maldivian citizens to call their home once the Maldives inevitably does sink. A special government fund exists solely for this purpose. Australia, India and Sri Lanka are reportedly prime candidates.
President Barack Obama and the United States (before you start pointing fingers at China, note that a large portion of the factories in China that contribute so much to pollution are actually run by American companies, making products that you use on a daily basis) could learn some lessons from the inspirational leadership of Nasheed. The Obama administration initially nixed an offer from an environmental activist for solar panels on the White House. Even now that the deal has gone through and the panels will be installed this spring, it is hard to imagine Obama on his hands and knees installing them himself!
Despite his country's depressing and existential predicament — which is not even the fault of him or his people — Nasheed wastes no time feeling sorry for himself or his nation and forges on towards a better and more sustainable future. He knows that the time for action is now.
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