Climate change is a borderless phenomenon, yet political boundaries often shape global and regional responses. The Lakshadweep Islands, the Maldives, and the Chagos Islands to the south, together form a vast submarine mountain range, sharing interconnected climatic, ecological, and oceanographic dynamics. These three island groups, while politically distinct, are part of a single geological and ecological system in the western Indian Ocean facing the effects of anthropogenic warming, such as rising sea surface temperatures (SST), monsoon disruptions, and coral reef degradation.

Introduction

Human influence on the Earth’s climate has become increasingly evident since the mid-20th century, primarily due to rising greenhouse gas emissions. Oceans have absorbed over 90% of the excess heat generated by global warming, significantly impacting marine ecosystems and small island states (IPCC 2013, 2021). The Indian Ocean, especially its tropical zone, is warming faster than other tropical oceans (Lee et al. 2015), creating a hotspot of climatic change.

Located in the western Indian Ocean, the Lakshadweep-Maldives-Chagos archipelago forms a contiguous chain of atolls atop the Chagos-Laccadive Ridge (McGowan et al. 2008). These island groups—Lakshadweep (India), the Maldives, and Chagos (now under Mauritian administration)—exist within the same marine and atmospheric system. Yet, they are often studied and governed in isolation due to political boundaries. We explore why such fragmentation could potentially be harmful in the face of climate change.

Geographical and Political Context

The archipelago spans from the northern Lakshadweep Islands, through the central Maldives, to the southern Chagos Islands. Lakshadweep consists of 36 small islands governed as a union territory of India. The Maldives includes about 1,192 islands and operates as an independent republic. Chagos comprises 50 islands and has been the subject of a territorial dispute, recently seeing a shift in control from the United Kingdom to Mauritius (Lawal 2024).

Despite these divisions, the islands share a common geologic origin and are subject to similar climate impacts. Their placement along the same submarine ridge underscores their ecological and physical interconnectedness. Ocean currents, SSTs, and atmospheric circulations do not observe political boundaries. Hence, a rise in sea level or coral bleaching in one region is likely indicative of broader systemic issues.

Physical Drivers of Climate Change in the Region

Rising Sea Surface Temperatures (SSTs): The Indian Ocean has warmed by approximately 0.1°C per decade since the 1950s (Dhame et al. 2020). The western Indian Ocean, including the Lakshadweep-Maldives-Chagos zone, has seen the highest regional warming among tropical oceans. From 1901 to 2012, summer SSTs in this area rose by 1.28°C (Roxy et al. 2014). Such increases directly affect coral health and indirectly impact precipitation patterns and storm intensities.

Atmospheric Circulation and Monsoonal Shifts: Warming SSTs contribute to altered atmospheric circulation patterns, including disruptions in the Hadley and Walker cells. These changes weaken the Indian monsoon, shift its onset and retreat, and increase variability in rainfall (IPCC 2021). Such effects are felt uniformly across the archipelago, affecting agriculture, freshwater availability, and ecosystem stability.

Coral Bleaching and Ecosystem Degradation: Coral reefs across the archipelago are vital for biodiversity, coastal protection, and fisheries. However, rising SSTs induce mass bleaching events, reducing reef resilience and carbon sequestration capacity (Nair et al. 2023). These ecological stresses further feed into the climate system by diminishing the ocean’s capacity to absorb carbon.

Feedback Loops and Systemic Vulnerability: Climate change impacts in this region are characterized by feedback loops. For example, increased SST leads to coral bleaching, which diminishes reef integrity and results in coastal erosion. Eroded coastlines are more vulnerable to storm surges, leading to population displacement and economic losses. Such feedback makes isolated responses ineffective, as ecological degradation in one zone can propagate to others.

Moreover, loss of coral ecosystems undermines their role as carbon sinks, potentially exacerbating global warming and reinforcing the very trends that threaten the region. These cyclical vulnerabilities underscore the need for comprehensive, cross-boundary action.

Political Fragmentation vs. Ecological Unity: Governance in the region remains fragmented. India governs Lakshadweep with policies often distinct from those of the Maldives or Mauritius. Chagos, in particular, has suffered from neglect due to its disputed status. This lack of coordinated policy response hinders effective climate adaptation. Transboundary issues like migratory fish stocks, ocean acidification, and reef conservation cannot be managed effectively under siloed national frameworks.

Conclusion

The Lakshadweep-Maldives-Chagos archipelago represents a critical case study for climate adaptation in ecologically unified but politically fragmented regions. As sea levels rise, monsoons shift, and reefs bleach, it is imperative to respond not through isolated national strategies but through collaborative, region-wide action. Climate change does not respect borders. Our climate response shouldn’t either.

References

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