The nation plans to add to its islands with floating golf facilities that aim to promote the plight of global warming.

The country’s government has signed an agreement with a Dutch firm to investigate how feasible the idea of the floating golf course would be, and how this would work in a nation that surrounds itself with rising oceans.

A statement issued by the office of President Mohamed Nasheed has promised that the methods of developing the golf course will “reduce the impact on underwater life, and minimise the changes to coastal morphology.”

Since coming in to office in 2008, Nasheed has been quick to prioritise climate change as one of the most challenging threats to the Maldives.

One of the first announcements he made was a plan to buy alternative homeland in Sri Lanka or India because of the danger his nation finds itself in. With around 80% of the 1,200 islands being no more than a metre above sea level, its likely that global warming could have a severely damaging effect on the Maldives.

Even after the Asian Tsumani, up to 40% of the islands were left lying under water, with 100 people dying and others being forced to evacuate their homes.

Last year, the President held an underwater cabinet meeting to draw attention to the potential fate of the islands, in which he and his minister used scuba equipment.

Dutch Docklands, the company that is likely to take on the task of building this floating golf course, describes itself as “the global leader in floating developments, concepts and infrastructure.”

They have also previously built floating islands in Dubai, based on hundreds of years of experience in dealing with the dangers of rising sea levels in the Netherlands.

The floating islands incorporate technologies such as water cooling, water desalination and the use of floating solar blanket fields. In order to make the golf course work, there will be underwater tunnels to connect the holes and facilities together. Golfers will also be enabled to experience the reef surrounding them.

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