Intro: MALDIVES_ALLISONJOYCE_07

Local women swim in the ocean in Guraidhoo, Maldives. The Maldives is one of the world's lowest-lying countries; more than 80% of the Maldives’ land is less than one meter above sea levels, making it extremely vulnerable to climate change. At current global warming rates, 80% of the Maldives could be submerged by 2050. At the recent UN General Assembly, when discussing the threat of climate change, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said “There is no guarantee of survival for any one nation in a world where the Maldives cease to exist.” (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

Local women swim in the ocean in Guraidhoo, Maldives. The Maldives is one of the world's lowest-lying countries; more than 80% of the Maldives’ land is less than one meter above sea levels, making it extremely vulnerable to climate change. At current global warming rates, 80% of the Maldives could be submerged by 2050. At the recent UN General Assembly, when discussing the threat of climate change, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said “There is no guarantee of survival for any one nation in a world where the Maldives cease to exist.” (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)