1 00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:08,269 The idea of Atlantis, a lost culture, 2 00:00:08,270 --> 00:00:11,689 has fascinated many for generations, 3 00:00:11,690 --> 00:00:15,039 what wisdom was there and only there, 4 00:00:15,040 --> 00:00:18,029 the places we go are at the tipping point, 5 00:00:18,030 --> 00:00:22,509 their existence threatened in a very real way. 6 00:00:22,510 --> 00:00:25,809 We'll explore areas fighting a ticking clock joined 7 00:00:25,810 --> 00:00:27,969 by young and passionate locals who 8 00:00:27,970 --> 00:00:31,389 won't back down from the challenges to their homeland. 9 00:00:31,390 --> 00:00:33,579 Let's celebrate what's unique, what 10 00:00:33,580 --> 00:00:36,945 we should cherish and protect before the whole thing could 11 00:00:36,946 --> 00:00:38,175 be washed away. 12 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:01,159 Welcome to the Maldives, a group of 1,200 islands 13 00:01:01,160 --> 00:01:03,839 and 300,000 residents in the Indian Ocean. 14 00:01:03,840 --> 00:01:05,909 It's an Islamic republic where tourists flock 15 00:01:05,910 --> 00:01:09,929 from all cultures for sun, relaxation, world class 16 00:01:09,930 --> 00:01:11,849 diving and surf. 17 00:01:11,850 --> 00:01:15,269 This turquoise blue ocean is the country's greatest friend, 18 00:01:15,270 --> 00:01:17,220 but it could also be its greatest threat. 19 00:01:20,030 --> 00:01:22,939 We're standing on what is the lowest lying 20 00:01:22,940 --> 00:01:26,449 nation on the planet, which means one perfect wave 21 00:01:26,450 --> 00:01:28,189 or rise in sea level of just three feet 22 00:01:28,190 --> 00:01:30,699 makes this nation uninhabitable. 23 00:01:30,700 --> 00:01:32,359 Meaning there's a high probability 24 00:01:32,360 --> 00:01:37,369 that the Maldives can soon become modern Atlantis. 25 00:01:37,370 --> 00:01:40,640 I'm Josh Burstein, and we're here to get a last glimpse. 26 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:46,739 To get to know a place like the Maldives, 27 00:01:46,740 --> 00:01:48,809 it's good to have a man on the inside, 28 00:01:48,810 --> 00:01:50,789 and I knew just the guy. 29 00:01:50,790 --> 00:01:51,750 Meet Kevin. 30 00:01:51,751 --> 00:01:53,979 He hails from Mali, the capital city, 31 00:01:53,980 --> 00:01:56,669 where he seems to be friends with all his neighbors. 32 00:01:56,670 --> 00:01:58,609 More on that later. 33 00:01:58,610 --> 00:02:00,459 Kevin agreed to take me under his wing, 34 00:02:00,460 --> 00:02:02,629 and on this trip, leaning on someone like him 35 00:02:02,630 --> 00:02:04,589 makes all the difference. 36 00:02:04,590 --> 00:02:07,309 I started to pick up local tricks of the trade. 37 00:02:07,310 --> 00:02:08,609 What do you do with your hands? 38 00:02:08,610 --> 00:02:09,479 We just... 39 00:02:09,479 --> 00:02:09,979 Hug it? 40 00:02:09,979 --> 00:02:10,660 Hug it. 41 00:02:10,660 --> 00:02:11,225 All right. 42 00:02:11,226 --> 00:02:12,600 But the legs should be like this. 43 00:02:18,640 --> 00:02:20,369 One more, one more. 44 00:02:20,370 --> 00:02:21,399 I got it. 45 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:23,049 I have no idea how to get down. 46 00:02:23,050 --> 00:02:25,749 I was in good hands with Kevin, but before our journey 47 00:02:25,750 --> 00:02:28,239 could go any further I needed to see the way 48 00:02:28,240 --> 00:02:30,064 most foreigners experienced the Maldives. 49 00:02:37,870 --> 00:02:39,629 The rest of the world knows this nation 50 00:02:39,630 --> 00:02:43,199 as a haven, resort life with picturesque postcard views 51 00:02:43,200 --> 00:02:44,649 true to form. 52 00:02:44,650 --> 00:02:46,949 I had to check out what these tourists are getting 53 00:02:46,950 --> 00:02:48,969 to know what they're missing. 54 00:02:48,970 --> 00:02:52,229 It was a hard choice, but somebody had to do it. 55 00:02:52,230 --> 00:02:54,569 When you plan your paradise honeymoon 56 00:02:54,570 --> 00:02:56,729 you think of those huts that just levitate right 57 00:02:56,730 --> 00:02:59,039 above the tranquil water. 58 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:01,499 This one came with a glass bottom tub. 59 00:03:01,500 --> 00:03:05,279 Tourism is thriving as it may be a last shot for Western elite 60 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:07,739 to enjoy all these amenities. 61 00:03:07,740 --> 00:03:13,169 Amenities like eating with the fish under the sea. 62 00:03:13,170 --> 00:03:14,010 Not a bad view. 63 00:03:16,610 --> 00:03:18,659 Cuisine says a lot about a culture. 64 00:03:18,660 --> 00:03:20,569 And upstairs in the main kitchen, 65 00:03:20,570 --> 00:03:23,879 Ishaaq is an award winning chef and considered something 66 00:03:23,880 --> 00:03:26,219 of an ambassador to the Maldivian palate. 67 00:03:26,220 --> 00:03:28,199 We sat down to swap recipes. 68 00:03:28,200 --> 00:03:32,249 Maldivian cuisine is strong flavor dish, 69 00:03:32,250 --> 00:03:35,789 which has all kinds of curry spices, cinnamon, cardamom, 70 00:03:35,790 --> 00:03:37,779 coriander. 71 00:03:37,780 --> 00:03:39,239 We're in the thick of it. 72 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:41,609 Maldivians tend to like spicy foods. 73 00:03:41,610 --> 00:03:43,439 Everybody likes spicy food. 74 00:03:43,440 --> 00:03:46,439 The chef gave me a quick crash course on Maldivian spices 75 00:03:46,440 --> 00:03:48,299 and prepared a few of his favorite dishes 76 00:03:48,300 --> 00:03:49,230 for me to sample. 77 00:03:49,231 --> 00:03:51,749 I have Maldivian traditional Garudiya, 78 00:03:51,750 --> 00:03:55,869 which is fish boiled with water, adding of raanbaa and curry 79 00:03:55,870 --> 00:03:56,370 leaves. 80 00:03:56,371 --> 00:03:59,579 I'm going to add cardamom with pods because then it 81 00:03:59,580 --> 00:04:00,829 gets the flavor. 82 00:04:00,830 --> 00:04:04,089 So this is nice coconut flavored Maldivian soup. 83 00:04:04,090 --> 00:04:07,559 We call that Kiru Garudhiya. 84 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:08,599 Yeah, yummy. 85 00:04:08,600 --> 00:04:10,619 They got a good thing going here. 86 00:04:10,620 --> 00:04:13,539 I settled in and enjoyed a full bowl of Chef Ishaaq's 87 00:04:13,540 --> 00:04:14,854 Kiru Garudhiya. 88 00:04:14,855 --> 00:04:16,229 It was hard to tell what to enjoy 89 00:04:16,230 --> 00:04:18,990 more, the food or that horizon. 90 00:04:23,060 --> 00:04:26,179 In the evening hours, resorts go all out with beach parties 91 00:04:26,180 --> 00:04:28,609 so guests can let loose. 92 00:04:28,610 --> 00:04:31,199 The Maldives is a Muslim country, 93 00:04:31,200 --> 00:04:34,459 which means no booze, no bacon, no porn, 94 00:04:34,460 --> 00:04:36,889 but nightlife accommodations at resorts 95 00:04:36,890 --> 00:04:40,459 make plenty of exceptions for travelers. 96 00:04:40,460 --> 00:04:42,649 There are worse fates than this. 97 00:04:42,650 --> 00:04:46,729 Each day I discovered a new form of luxury and pampering. 98 00:04:46,730 --> 00:04:49,609 I had sat in pretty much every hanging comfy device known 99 00:04:49,610 --> 00:04:52,589 to man, but it was getting old. 100 00:04:52,590 --> 00:04:54,619 There's a moral hangover to just sitting still 101 00:04:54,620 --> 00:04:57,079 and watching the tide come in. 102 00:04:57,080 --> 00:05:01,489 I need something new, I needed a friend. 103 00:05:01,490 --> 00:05:05,419 Fortunately I had Kevin, someone that knew his way around, 104 00:05:05,420 --> 00:05:07,069 someone that I could trust. 105 00:05:07,070 --> 00:05:08,689 The way I like to travel doesn't need 106 00:05:08,690 --> 00:05:11,479 exclusivity or much itinerary. 107 00:05:11,480 --> 00:05:16,849 I'd rather spend my days the way residents actually live. 108 00:05:16,850 --> 00:05:20,909 This is something we have after every meal, all the Maldivians. 109 00:05:20,910 --> 00:05:24,459 This is Areca nuts, this is betel leafs. 110 00:05:24,460 --> 00:05:25,649 Can I make one for you? 111 00:05:25,650 --> 00:05:26,320 Yeah. 112 00:05:26,321 --> 00:05:29,019 So you're making me a leaf taco. 113 00:05:29,020 --> 00:05:31,509 It's better to learn through hands on experience 114 00:05:31,510 --> 00:05:34,199 even if there's some trial and error. 115 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:34,790 Good? 116 00:05:34,790 --> 00:05:35,450 No. 117 00:05:35,451 --> 00:05:38,799 How's the betel leaf taste? 118 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:41,179 True to form, does the intended effect. 119 00:05:41,180 --> 00:05:44,921 It's like I get an easy feeling, high feel. 120 00:05:44,922 --> 00:05:46,629 I think I know what you're talking about. 121 00:05:46,630 --> 00:05:49,839 Like I just had four cigarettes at once or something. 122 00:05:49,840 --> 00:05:50,949 You want some more? 123 00:05:50,950 --> 00:05:51,640 No, we're good. 124 00:05:51,641 --> 00:05:53,679 I think that was the right amount. 125 00:05:53,680 --> 00:05:56,619 So some customs I wasn't the biggest fan of, 126 00:05:56,620 --> 00:05:58,779 but what was most important is that the more time 127 00:05:58,780 --> 00:06:01,539 I spent with Kevin the more traditions I would learn 128 00:06:01,540 --> 00:06:03,279 and people I would meet. 129 00:06:03,280 --> 00:06:08,019 Kevin kind of knows everyone, which was paramount for where 130 00:06:08,020 --> 00:06:12,519 we were going next, one of the most densely populated cities 131 00:06:12,520 --> 00:06:18,459 in the world, Malé. 132 00:06:18,460 --> 00:06:21,339 Every place has its own unique speed 133 00:06:21,340 --> 00:06:24,519 and you must adapt quickly to thrive. 134 00:06:24,520 --> 00:06:27,129 Almost half of the population here packed the capital city 135 00:06:27,130 --> 00:06:30,639 of Malé for access to trade and a sense of security from 136 00:06:30,640 --> 00:06:32,409 the elements. 137 00:06:32,410 --> 00:06:35,729 Everything in this metropolis is constantly changing. 138 00:06:35,730 --> 00:06:38,869 There's reverence for the old, a sense of history, 139 00:06:38,870 --> 00:06:42,859 but the attitude of Malé is in perpetual motion. 140 00:06:42,860 --> 00:06:44,469 There's a bustling fish market where 141 00:06:44,470 --> 00:06:46,659 daily catches with the freshest tuna 142 00:06:46,660 --> 00:06:51,069 feed both the locals and the resorts, and traffic on water 143 00:06:51,070 --> 00:06:53,299 rivals that on land. 144 00:06:53,300 --> 00:06:56,719 In the heart of Malé, Kevin runs a women's boutique. 145 00:06:56,720 --> 00:07:00,109 We swing by as I'm getting my bearings in the neighborhood. 146 00:07:00,110 --> 00:07:02,499 He started the business basically from nothing, 147 00:07:02,500 --> 00:07:04,539 one of the few successful entrepreneurs 148 00:07:04,540 --> 00:07:07,359 in a country that is mainly motivated by the hospitality 149 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:08,170 industry. 150 00:07:08,171 --> 00:07:13,509 After my studies I came back to Malé and it was difficult 151 00:07:13,510 --> 00:07:17,529 for me to get a job so I thought I wouldn't work for somebody, 152 00:07:17,530 --> 00:07:19,659 I'll start up my own business. 153 00:07:19,660 --> 00:07:24,549 I got a loan and today I'm here just smiling, happy. 154 00:07:24,550 --> 00:07:26,529 It's clear that Kevin's ability to make friends 155 00:07:26,530 --> 00:07:29,079 anywhere and everywhere has been a good part 156 00:07:29,080 --> 00:07:30,879 of the success of his business. 157 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:34,399 So we know you already as the mayor of Malé. 158 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:38,559 Could you just speak to being this friendly tour de force? 159 00:07:38,560 --> 00:07:42,479 If someone, like, introduced me or if I meet somebody 160 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:44,599 I just keep the friendship, always. 161 00:07:44,600 --> 00:07:45,929 I just go and say hello. 162 00:07:45,930 --> 00:07:47,119 Always I do that. 163 00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:50,729 So do most people in Malé just have their own little bachelor 164 00:07:50,730 --> 00:07:52,289 pad, or how's that work out? 165 00:07:52,290 --> 00:07:53,449 Bachelor? 166 00:07:53,450 --> 00:07:54,430 No, no. 167 00:07:54,431 --> 00:07:57,779 Most of the people live with their families. 168 00:07:57,780 --> 00:08:01,749 I'm still living with my parents because I just 169 00:08:01,750 --> 00:08:03,649 don't want to leave them. 170 00:08:03,650 --> 00:08:07,089 They gave me the love and care and everything. 171 00:08:07,090 --> 00:08:09,849 Maybe when I get married I might have to go, 172 00:08:09,850 --> 00:08:12,459 but I just want to be with them. 173 00:08:12,460 --> 00:08:14,769 Suddenly I felt like I had to call my mom. 174 00:08:14,770 --> 00:08:16,779 My parents are really cool parents. 175 00:08:16,780 --> 00:08:17,889 My mom was a runner. 176 00:08:17,890 --> 00:08:19,506 She was a great athlete. 177 00:08:19,507 --> 00:08:20,589 How far is it around Malé? 178 00:08:20,590 --> 00:08:21,240 5k. 179 00:08:21,240 --> 00:08:21,830 5k? 180 00:08:21,830 --> 00:08:22,750 But you run marathons. 181 00:08:22,751 --> 00:08:24,082 So how many laps do you got to... 182 00:08:24,083 --> 00:08:25,509 It's 8 and 1/2. 183 00:08:25,510 --> 00:08:27,759 Go for a run with me? 184 00:08:27,760 --> 00:08:30,259 Not going to run the marathon with you, but I'll take a lap. 185 00:08:30,260 --> 00:08:32,069 Just a 5k. 186 00:08:32,070 --> 00:08:34,889 Let's do it. 187 00:08:34,890 --> 00:08:37,139 There seem to be two worlds in the Maldives, 188 00:08:37,140 --> 00:08:40,619 one for resort patrons and one for residents. 189 00:08:40,620 --> 00:08:43,739 I could have easily spent my entire trip like most visitors 190 00:08:43,740 --> 00:08:47,589 without seeing any local culture or meeting any new people. 191 00:08:47,590 --> 00:08:50,279 Kevin provided me a genuine look at the Maldives. 192 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:52,179 But I was still a novice to this world 193 00:08:52,180 --> 00:08:54,869 and had no idea how deep things were going to get 194 00:08:54,870 --> 00:08:57,009 or the heroes I would meet. 195 00:08:57,010 --> 00:08:59,399 The rest of my journey would start tomorrow 196 00:08:59,400 --> 00:09:00,450 with a man named Funko. 197 00:09:05,990 --> 00:09:07,629 The next day I synced up with Funko, 198 00:09:07,630 --> 00:09:10,579 a photographer that takes high fashion stills and produces 199 00:09:10,580 --> 00:09:12,379 street art around Malé. 200 00:09:12,380 --> 00:09:13,954 He's a hard man to track down, kind 201 00:09:13,955 --> 00:09:17,179 of the Banksy of the Maldives. Funko's unique vantage 202 00:09:17,180 --> 00:09:19,399 point on local culture and style has 203 00:09:19,400 --> 00:09:21,500 led him to collaborate with a new partner. 204 00:09:24,650 --> 00:09:27,469 I created this little person Mika. 205 00:09:27,470 --> 00:09:30,529 Mika is sort of like a goodwill ambassador. 206 00:09:30,530 --> 00:09:33,409 He's able to make a little statement very boldly, 207 00:09:33,410 --> 00:09:34,759 and people would listen to it. 208 00:09:34,760 --> 00:09:37,639 Why do you think they listened to a cobbled together toy? 209 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:40,279 If I went out there with a placard and say, 210 00:09:40,280 --> 00:09:43,269 hey, don't throw garbage, they'll be like, hey, boo, 211 00:09:43,270 --> 00:09:44,260 get out of here. 212 00:09:44,261 --> 00:09:46,519 But when I take Mika out he doesn't 213 00:09:46,520 --> 00:09:50,089 look threatening or intimidating or serious, you know? 214 00:09:50,090 --> 00:09:51,109 He's a cute little fellow ...And he doesn't blink 215 00:09:51,110 --> 00:09:52,775 ...with goofy eyes and they're like yeah, 216 00:09:52,776 --> 00:09:54,709 okay, we like you, Mika. 217 00:09:54,710 --> 00:09:57,229 Mika may be a cute doll, but he has made waves 218 00:09:57,230 --> 00:09:59,539 as a stark reminder of current issues, 219 00:09:59,540 --> 00:10:02,029 and thousands are tuning into his adventures. 220 00:10:02,030 --> 00:10:03,209 He even found a girl. 221 00:10:03,210 --> 00:10:06,069 So that's him on a bike with his girl. 222 00:10:06,070 --> 00:10:06,750 She's cute. 223 00:10:06,751 --> 00:10:08,049 Yeah, she's cute. 224 00:10:08,050 --> 00:10:10,359 That was during the political uprising. 225 00:10:10,360 --> 00:10:13,009 So he's waiting for the commissioner of police. 226 00:10:13,010 --> 00:10:15,109 He was the first person to protest that day. 227 00:10:15,110 --> 00:10:16,979 A lot of Maldivians are protesting. 228 00:10:16,980 --> 00:10:18,619 And he was the first person. 229 00:10:18,620 --> 00:10:22,039 While Mika has developed a huge underground following in Malé, 230 00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:24,709 he's not quite as popular with the authorities. 231 00:10:24,710 --> 00:10:28,279 And because of that, Funko tends to keep a low profile. 232 00:10:28,280 --> 00:10:30,679 A little guy like this isn't so intimidating, 233 00:10:30,680 --> 00:10:32,485 but they may not be the biggest fan of you. 234 00:10:32,486 --> 00:10:34,609 How has that affected the way you live around here? 235 00:10:34,610 --> 00:10:38,609 For me more than politics, it's about the environment here. 236 00:10:38,610 --> 00:10:40,669 And why I'm in hiding is because if I 237 00:10:40,670 --> 00:10:43,529 touch upon the controversial issues and stuff, 238 00:10:43,530 --> 00:10:47,349 there are people out there who would just want to harm me. 239 00:10:47,350 --> 00:10:48,769 It sounds like he speaks for you. 240 00:10:48,770 --> 00:10:51,859 He speaks for me and the people that really 241 00:10:51,860 --> 00:10:53,689 does care about the ocean. 242 00:10:53,690 --> 00:10:54,829 I really love the ocean. 243 00:10:54,830 --> 00:10:56,629 I tell these people out here, if you 244 00:10:56,630 --> 00:10:59,009 go underwater it's a different world out there. 245 00:10:59,010 --> 00:11:00,119 It's beautiful. 246 00:11:00,120 --> 00:11:02,989 I've never been diving, but I think I got to here. 247 00:11:02,990 --> 00:11:03,970 You got to. 248 00:11:03,971 --> 00:11:06,769 Funko had a mission for me, a quest of sorts. 249 00:11:06,770 --> 00:11:09,499 Later in the trip he'd take me on a dive to investigate 250 00:11:09,500 --> 00:11:11,919 an unseen and undocumented danger, 251 00:11:11,920 --> 00:11:13,879 a crack in Malé's coral reef. 252 00:11:13,880 --> 00:11:16,579 But in the meantime, Funko suggested a few other places 253 00:11:16,580 --> 00:11:17,939 to investigate. 254 00:11:17,940 --> 00:11:20,179 So you should definitely visit Soneva Fushi. 255 00:11:20,180 --> 00:11:22,519 Waste management is top class there. 256 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:24,829 It's an example to the whole of Maldives. 257 00:11:24,830 --> 00:11:27,299 They even have this little swimming camp for students 258 00:11:27,300 --> 00:11:28,006 out there. 259 00:11:28,007 --> 00:11:30,379 We are surrounded by the ocean and there are still people 260 00:11:30,380 --> 00:11:31,859 who don't know how to swim. 261 00:11:31,860 --> 00:11:34,699 I don't think anyone has gone there and highlighted that. 262 00:11:34,700 --> 00:11:38,179 I decided to take Funko's advice and visit Soneva Fushi, an 263 00:11:38,180 --> 00:11:39,679 Eco-resort in the north. 264 00:11:39,680 --> 00:11:42,960 But before leaving Malé, Kevin introduced me to one more local 265 00:11:42,961 --> 00:11:43,460 artist. 266 00:12:04,450 --> 00:12:09,424 Thank you for participating in the first tiny swingset concert 267 00:12:09,425 --> 00:12:11,139 series. 268 00:12:11,140 --> 00:12:12,409 Thank you for having me. 269 00:12:12,410 --> 00:12:15,129 Can you describe the dynamic of being a musician in Malé? 270 00:12:15,130 --> 00:12:19,049 A lot of the motivating artists today, they're based in Malé, 271 00:12:19,050 --> 00:12:20,789 though very few girls. 272 00:12:20,790 --> 00:12:22,459 Everyone's very friendly. 273 00:12:22,460 --> 00:12:25,779 We actually have a chance to get together and jam a lot. 274 00:12:25,780 --> 00:12:27,459 So if I have something that I want 275 00:12:27,460 --> 00:12:29,859 them to hear I can just go play to them 276 00:12:29,860 --> 00:12:32,019 and they'll be like "yeah, that's really good." 277 00:12:32,020 --> 00:12:34,329 Everyone's just feeding off the other one, you know? 278 00:12:40,882 --> 00:12:42,589 That music really chilled me out. 279 00:12:42,590 --> 00:12:44,749 I'm curious what it means in Maldivian. 280 00:12:44,750 --> 00:12:49,459 It starts out as, saying 281 00:12:49,460 --> 00:12:51,409 like, look at how beautiful this is. 282 00:12:51,410 --> 00:12:53,881 When you hear this song you get goosebumps. 283 00:12:53,882 --> 00:12:56,089 I think it's the best part about Maldives, the ocean, 284 00:12:56,090 --> 00:12:57,499 you get all these colors. 285 00:12:57,500 --> 00:13:01,009 You can get a deep blue color and then a light blue 286 00:13:01,010 --> 00:13:02,869 and then so beautiful. 287 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:12,959 As I sailed up to Soneva Fushi, Anya's lyrics resonated deeply. 288 00:13:12,960 --> 00:13:16,769 The bathtub warm water had the most uncanny hues. 289 00:13:16,770 --> 00:13:18,069 I had to take a dip. 290 00:13:18,070 --> 00:13:21,899 But first I need to know how Soneva Fushi could go green 291 00:13:21,900 --> 00:13:24,066 and still live the good life. 292 00:13:24,067 --> 00:13:25,649 Our intentions and our philosophy allows 293 00:13:25,650 --> 00:13:30,129 us to really make sustainability and luxury partners. 294 00:13:30,130 --> 00:13:33,419 We need to give people the luxury of the sports car, 295 00:13:33,420 --> 00:13:35,309 but in a much more Eco-friendly way. 296 00:13:35,310 --> 00:13:37,019 If things don't change, the Maldives 297 00:13:37,020 --> 00:13:39,389 may well find itself underwater. 298 00:13:39,390 --> 00:13:40,679 Businesses have to solve it. 299 00:13:40,680 --> 00:13:42,449 Governments create the context, but it's 300 00:13:42,450 --> 00:13:44,679 businesses who caused the problem in the first place 301 00:13:44,680 --> 00:13:46,169 and we have to change the world. 302 00:13:46,170 --> 00:13:49,079 We need to give consumers sustainable options 303 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:50,759 without compromises. 304 00:13:50,760 --> 00:13:53,669 And it didn't take long to find out that Soneva 305 00:13:53,670 --> 00:13:54,759 wasn't compromising. 306 00:13:54,760 --> 00:13:57,159 Yeah, okay, this is nice. 307 00:13:57,160 --> 00:14:00,389 We got the swimming pool, but we can just walk right 308 00:14:00,390 --> 00:14:02,595 into the Corona commercial. 309 00:14:02,596 --> 00:14:03,720 Well, we got to get inside. 310 00:14:07,190 --> 00:14:10,529 That's the espresso machine, into the bathroom. 311 00:14:10,530 --> 00:14:12,299 Welcome, please. 312 00:14:12,300 --> 00:14:13,140 This is insane. 313 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:22,329 This is where great novels are written. 314 00:14:22,330 --> 00:14:25,339 I've never been to an Eco resort before, but it's pretty cool. 315 00:14:25,340 --> 00:14:28,719 And Soneva's doing it right for the environment and soul. 316 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:31,239 Let's see how they provide all this. 317 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:34,559 I hopped on a bike to get a full tour with Gordon Jackson, Waste 318 00:14:34,560 --> 00:14:36,889 to Wealth Manager at Soneva Fushi. 319 00:14:36,890 --> 00:14:38,559 So we're going to go to Eco-Centro. 320 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:41,429 So looking at how we can responsibly manage our waste. 321 00:14:41,430 --> 00:14:42,819 That goal that we have is to show 322 00:14:42,820 --> 00:14:45,159 that there's a link between environmental sustainability 323 00:14:45,160 --> 00:14:47,174 and financial good sense. 324 00:14:47,175 --> 00:14:47,800 So here we are. 325 00:14:47,801 --> 00:14:48,849 This is Eco Centro. 326 00:14:48,850 --> 00:14:49,899 Fantastic. 327 00:14:49,900 --> 00:14:52,329 We receive somewhere between 50 and 100 of these boxes 328 00:14:52,330 --> 00:14:52,960 every week. 329 00:14:52,961 --> 00:14:54,279 We got a number of ideas how to use them. 330 00:14:54,280 --> 00:14:56,109 What we do at the moment is we collect up 331 00:14:56,110 --> 00:14:57,359 the individual panels. 332 00:14:57,360 --> 00:14:59,079 We use them as insulation on new villas. 333 00:14:59,080 --> 00:15:02,439 We are looking to invest in a machine that will shred this up 334 00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:05,271 into a powder that could then be mixed in with a concrete mix. 335 00:15:05,272 --> 00:15:07,479 There is no shortage of this material in the country. 336 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:08,940 There's a lot of building going on. 337 00:15:08,941 --> 00:15:11,439 These are the kind of things we're trying to pioneer and see 338 00:15:11,440 --> 00:15:12,196 what works. 339 00:15:12,197 --> 00:15:14,069 These actually have come from another resort. 340 00:15:14,070 --> 00:15:15,523 You're welcoming the waste. 341 00:15:15,524 --> 00:15:18,189 If it's the right kind of waste, if it's what we're looking for. 342 00:15:18,190 --> 00:15:20,619 We'll be bringing a glass artist to come and make 343 00:15:20,620 --> 00:15:23,619 utensils for the kitchen, art pieces, and other things. 344 00:15:23,620 --> 00:15:25,119 So you're taking on leftover glass 345 00:15:25,120 --> 00:15:27,109 from all the other islands and then you 346 00:15:27,110 --> 00:15:29,749 make Chihuly sort of art work out of it. 347 00:15:29,750 --> 00:15:31,059 It's pretty wild. 348 00:15:31,060 --> 00:15:32,889 Behind us, this is our composting area. 349 00:15:32,890 --> 00:15:34,149 Each pile represents a week. 350 00:15:34,150 --> 00:15:36,189 What was a mixture of woodchips and food waste 351 00:15:36,190 --> 00:15:38,229 is now good dirt. 352 00:15:38,230 --> 00:15:38,980 Exactly. 353 00:15:38,981 --> 00:15:42,639 When I hear "Eco" and "sustainable" I think a lot of people 354 00:15:42,640 --> 00:15:44,889 immediately have this stigma of roughing it, 355 00:15:44,890 --> 00:15:48,999 or that this is just something very crunchy and hippie 356 00:15:49,000 --> 00:15:51,309 and you would not be able to enjoy 357 00:15:51,310 --> 00:15:53,019 the same level of comfort. 358 00:15:53,020 --> 00:15:54,129 You have to compromise. 359 00:15:54,130 --> 00:15:56,059 As part of the Waste to Wealth concept, 360 00:15:56,060 --> 00:15:57,519 it's important not just because we 361 00:15:57,520 --> 00:15:59,143 want to be environmentally responsible, 362 00:15:59,144 --> 00:16:01,609 but we want to show that it makes financial sense as well. 363 00:16:01,610 --> 00:16:04,279 We are now turning the waste to our department, which 364 00:16:04,280 --> 00:16:06,339 increases Eco Centro in the gardens 365 00:16:06,340 --> 00:16:08,329 into a profit center instead of a cost. 366 00:16:08,330 --> 00:16:10,959 And by showing this to local schoolchildren 367 00:16:10,960 --> 00:16:13,420 or local counselors of our neighboring islands 368 00:16:13,421 --> 00:16:14,919 we have an opportunity to share that 369 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:17,349 with folks that can develop them further elsewhere. 370 00:16:17,350 --> 00:16:20,409 Perhaps most important about Soneva's conscious capitalism 371 00:16:20,410 --> 00:16:22,929 is that they don't feel proprietary and encourage 372 00:16:22,930 --> 00:16:24,205 others to copy their tactics. 373 00:16:27,070 --> 00:16:29,379 There is more to learn here, but the swim class Funko 374 00:16:29,380 --> 00:16:31,509 told me about had just made port. 375 00:16:31,510 --> 00:16:35,219 So I dropped in to meet Ish, one of the lead instructors. 376 00:16:35,220 --> 00:16:38,829 Ish is passionate about working with Maldivian youth. 377 00:16:38,830 --> 00:16:41,289 The irony is not lost on her that in a country that 378 00:16:41,290 --> 00:16:44,199 is literally sinking, most of the children 379 00:16:44,200 --> 00:16:46,129 don't know how to swim. 380 00:16:46,130 --> 00:16:47,619 I got a chance to sit down with her 381 00:16:47,620 --> 00:16:50,199 and hear about how the ocean connects to the Maldivian 382 00:16:50,200 --> 00:16:51,759 identity. 383 00:16:51,760 --> 00:16:54,069 My mom tried to keep me away from the ocean 384 00:16:54,070 --> 00:16:56,229 so much when I was younger. 385 00:16:56,230 --> 00:16:59,559 But I remember this one day I couldn't swim then, 386 00:16:59,560 --> 00:17:02,829 but I had a life jacket on and I went under 387 00:17:02,830 --> 00:17:05,269 and I saw the octopuses and the corals 388 00:17:05,270 --> 00:17:07,959 and I just knew I had to learn. 389 00:17:07,960 --> 00:17:09,939 And so that's how my journey started. 390 00:17:09,940 --> 00:17:12,868 Why is it important to teach these local children 391 00:17:12,869 --> 00:17:13,929 this skill? 392 00:17:13,930 --> 00:17:15,969 Not only is it a survival technique, 393 00:17:15,970 --> 00:17:19,529 but once they actually get to be in the water, 394 00:17:19,530 --> 00:17:21,209 once they're comfortable in the water, 395 00:17:21,210 --> 00:17:23,858 once they're not scared of the water, once they see what's 396 00:17:23,859 --> 00:17:26,618 underneath, all the beauty, then they 397 00:17:26,619 --> 00:17:28,259 kind of want to protect it. 398 00:17:28,260 --> 00:17:30,219 And we're hoping to now share that spirit, 399 00:17:30,220 --> 00:17:32,169 make them ocean stewards. 400 00:17:32,170 --> 00:17:35,649 Why is it important that we protect these oceans here? 401 00:17:35,650 --> 00:17:37,999 Because we wouldn't be here without it. 402 00:17:38,000 --> 00:17:41,839 If they're giving back to us, we should be giving back to them. 403 00:17:41,840 --> 00:17:44,259 And I want the generations that come 404 00:17:44,260 --> 00:17:48,729 after us to realize this was known as paradise for a reason. 405 00:17:48,730 --> 00:17:54,099 Can you talk about how the water and the people of the Maldives 406 00:17:54,100 --> 00:17:55,996 have a relationship? 407 00:17:55,997 --> 00:17:57,579 I remember a friend of mine telling me 408 00:17:57,580 --> 00:17:59,199 about how her grandmother actually 409 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:02,809 walked across these islands to get to her grandpa. 410 00:18:02,810 --> 00:18:08,329 So star-crossed lovers, we swam across the sea for each other. 411 00:18:08,330 --> 00:18:11,839 I take much pride for being born in such a wonderful place, 412 00:18:11,840 --> 00:18:16,459 but the truth is we're living in such a delicate environment. 413 00:18:16,460 --> 00:18:18,919 Our biggest threat will be the ocean. 414 00:19:18,301 --> 00:19:21,889 The ocean was enchanting. 415 00:19:21,890 --> 00:19:23,929 I could forget how the future hinges 416 00:19:23,930 --> 00:19:29,239 on such a contrasting force, a threat so beautiful, 417 00:19:29,240 --> 00:19:31,714 a relentless power that could not be tamed. 418 00:19:56,020 --> 00:19:58,249 I could have stayed at Soneva Fushi longer, 419 00:19:58,250 --> 00:20:00,899 but it was about time I met up with Kevin again. 420 00:20:00,900 --> 00:20:02,699 We had a lot to catch up on. 421 00:20:02,700 --> 00:20:05,369 I shared with him my experience with Ish and Gordon. 422 00:20:05,370 --> 00:20:07,619 He clued me into the latest with his business 423 00:20:07,620 --> 00:20:10,159 and some adventures he had in store for us. 424 00:20:10,160 --> 00:20:12,209 We were heading north to the more remote islands 425 00:20:12,210 --> 00:20:17,949 in the Maldives, and at sunset we were going night fishing. 426 00:20:17,950 --> 00:20:20,949 Our boat captain was a grizzled veteran of the open waters 427 00:20:20,950 --> 00:20:23,709 and spent most of his life as a fisherman, who struck me 428 00:20:23,710 --> 00:20:25,629 as a no bullshit tough guy. 429 00:20:25,630 --> 00:20:28,059 Tonight would be my first time fishing, 430 00:20:28,060 --> 00:20:29,529 but we hit it off quickly. 431 00:20:29,530 --> 00:20:32,259 And before long I was steering the boat. 432 00:20:32,260 --> 00:20:34,649 Fishing is one of the most fundamental skills 433 00:20:34,650 --> 00:20:36,309 in the Maldives. 434 00:20:36,310 --> 00:20:38,879 Give any local a milk jug and some fishing reel 435 00:20:38,880 --> 00:20:41,649 and they'll have you a catch in no time. 436 00:20:41,650 --> 00:20:45,709 It's deeply embedded in the national identity and economy. 437 00:20:45,710 --> 00:20:47,259 It's also a great chance to drink 438 00:20:47,260 --> 00:20:49,109 in the beauty of the open water. 439 00:20:54,900 --> 00:20:58,829 Our captain gave us a quick crash course. 440 00:20:58,830 --> 00:21:00,149 There it is. 441 00:21:00,150 --> 00:21:02,539 And you just let it keep going until it hits the bottom. 442 00:21:02,540 --> 00:21:03,789 I shouldn't have shaved today. 443 00:21:03,790 --> 00:21:08,148 I should have got small goatee, an eyepatch. 444 00:21:08,149 --> 00:21:09,689 No one on the boat was surprised when 445 00:21:09,690 --> 00:21:13,319 he reeled in that first fish, but as nightfall set in Kevin 446 00:21:13,320 --> 00:21:14,763 and I were catching up. 447 00:21:14,764 --> 00:21:15,264 Yay. 448 00:21:20,302 --> 00:21:21,659 Good. 449 00:21:21,660 --> 00:21:22,770 All right, take her. 450 00:21:26,020 --> 00:21:27,619 I like it. 451 00:21:27,620 --> 00:21:30,709 I had held my own, catching jackfish and snapper, 452 00:21:30,710 --> 00:21:32,419 and it felt like a milestone to partake 453 00:21:32,420 --> 00:21:36,319 in a truly authentic Maldivian fishing expedition. 454 00:21:36,320 --> 00:21:37,909 But the night was young. 455 00:21:37,910 --> 00:21:42,079 No outing like this is complete without a beachside barbecue. 456 00:21:42,080 --> 00:21:44,779 Our catch of the day was rubbed in curry spices 457 00:21:44,780 --> 00:21:47,809 and cooked over coconut shells, giving it that distinctly 458 00:21:47,810 --> 00:21:49,519 Maldivian flavor. 459 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:52,879 And of course the Boduberu was about to begin. 460 00:21:52,880 --> 00:21:54,559 What's Boduberu? 461 00:21:54,560 --> 00:21:55,250 Let's find out. 462 00:24:34,930 --> 00:24:41,219 Yeah, that was cool. 463 00:24:54,810 --> 00:24:56,939 We continued to bounce from island to island. 464 00:24:56,940 --> 00:25:00,259 And of course as long as I stuck with Kevin, I made fast friends. 465 00:25:08,300 --> 00:25:11,299 There was an undeniable charm to the smaller, more 466 00:25:11,300 --> 00:25:13,519 remote communities in the north. 467 00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:16,199 Each island seemed to be its own little world. 468 00:25:16,200 --> 00:25:18,799 The people were welcoming and the pace of life 469 00:25:18,800 --> 00:25:22,349 was slower, much slower. 470 00:25:22,350 --> 00:25:24,759 Family is the most precious thing 471 00:25:24,760 --> 00:25:27,629 and most activities are centered around it. 472 00:25:27,630 --> 00:25:29,429 Many locals specialize in a craft 473 00:25:29,430 --> 00:25:32,529 that been passed down from one generation to the next. 474 00:25:32,530 --> 00:25:35,699 Whether it's fishing, weaving or wood carving, 475 00:25:35,700 --> 00:25:37,980 traditions are the fabric of life on these islands. 476 00:27:20,170 --> 00:27:24,009 These remote places most locals will not even make it to. 477 00:27:24,010 --> 00:27:27,549 This whole leg of the trek was captivating, surreal, 478 00:27:27,550 --> 00:27:30,209 but it was time to get back to Malé. 479 00:27:30,210 --> 00:27:34,029 Funko had contacted us and was ready to take us on that dive. 480 00:27:34,030 --> 00:27:35,849 I had to get back. 481 00:27:35,850 --> 00:27:37,559 But what we had seen in the north, 482 00:27:37,560 --> 00:27:41,389 this lifestyle, hadn't changed in a long time 483 00:27:41,390 --> 00:27:45,499 and wasn't planning on changing for anyone or anything. 484 00:27:45,500 --> 00:27:48,709 If this is in fact modern Atlantis, 485 00:27:48,710 --> 00:27:50,749 time will tell what Maldivian traditions 486 00:27:50,750 --> 00:27:52,849 can be retained if forced to migrate 487 00:27:52,850 --> 00:27:56,069 to another part of the world. 488 00:27:56,070 --> 00:27:58,639 The next morning, we set out for Malé. 489 00:27:58,640 --> 00:28:01,669 Kevin's open water road trip felt like endless summer, 490 00:28:01,670 --> 00:28:04,049 and he had one last surprise detour. 491 00:28:04,050 --> 00:28:07,429 We were making a pit stop at an uninhabited island. 492 00:28:07,430 --> 00:28:10,639 The water was as vibrant as it was back at Soneva Fushi 493 00:28:10,640 --> 00:28:12,679 and there wasn't another soul in sight. 494 00:28:12,680 --> 00:28:15,439 Before long you're crab hunting on the beach. 495 00:28:15,440 --> 00:28:18,136 Arm deep in crabs right here. 496 00:28:18,137 --> 00:28:19,969 Are you worried about getting your hand bit? 497 00:28:19,970 --> 00:28:20,953 I don't care. 498 00:28:20,954 --> 00:28:24,579 Ow! 499 00:28:24,580 --> 00:28:25,839 Huge, huge. 500 00:28:25,840 --> 00:28:26,786 Wow. 501 00:28:28,700 --> 00:28:30,339 That won't bite. 502 00:28:30,340 --> 00:28:33,149 Oh, God. 503 00:28:33,150 --> 00:28:34,439 Whoa. 504 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:37,648 It happened very much like the crustacean itself. 505 00:28:37,649 --> 00:28:38,440 We'll let him back. 506 00:28:45,100 --> 00:28:47,799 But just when I thought we had found an oasis, 507 00:28:47,800 --> 00:28:49,231 something wasn't quite right. 508 00:28:52,340 --> 00:28:54,369 This is the most pristine beach I've ever seen. 509 00:28:54,370 --> 00:28:58,029 We're playing with crabs and then everywhere 510 00:28:58,030 --> 00:29:05,259 is trash, bottles cans, diapers, yummo. Bottled water, 511 00:29:05,260 --> 00:29:06,919 plastic cups. 512 00:29:06,920 --> 00:29:09,603 It was a jarring end to our private getaway. 513 00:29:09,604 --> 00:29:11,769 It got me wondering, what happens to all the garbage 514 00:29:11,770 --> 00:29:15,789 in a country that only imports from the outside world? 515 00:29:15,790 --> 00:29:18,309 Kevin explained that all the trash in the Maldives 516 00:29:18,310 --> 00:29:21,538 goes to a place creatively nicknamed Trash Island. 517 00:29:21,539 --> 00:29:23,079 It didn't sound like one of the spots 518 00:29:23,080 --> 00:29:24,879 they put on the postcards. 519 00:29:24,880 --> 00:29:26,289 I asked if we could go there. 520 00:29:26,290 --> 00:29:28,009 He thought Ish might be of help. 521 00:29:28,010 --> 00:29:31,569 So it was onwards to Malé to reunite with our friends 522 00:29:31,570 --> 00:29:33,549 and climb a flaming mountain of trash. 523 00:29:41,990 --> 00:29:44,999 Back in Malé we picked up Ish, the swim instructor from Soneva 524 00:29:45,000 --> 00:29:46,219 Fushi. 525 00:29:46,220 --> 00:29:49,459 Trash Island was off limits, but Ish arranged safe passage 526 00:29:49,460 --> 00:29:52,649 with the help of the only folks who recycle in the nation. 527 00:29:52,650 --> 00:29:55,789 I feel like we're on one on those nice safari tours, 528 00:29:55,790 --> 00:29:57,799 but instead of rhinos or elephants, 529 00:29:57,800 --> 00:30:00,560 we got mounds of flaming trash. 530 00:30:03,940 --> 00:30:07,029 Somehow by choice we transported ourselves 531 00:30:07,030 --> 00:30:10,119 from some of the most gorgeous islands on earth 532 00:30:10,120 --> 00:30:12,259 to a scene out of Apocalypse Now. 533 00:30:12,260 --> 00:30:13,495 So dystopian. 534 00:30:13,496 --> 00:30:14,619 Yeah, this is a hell scape. 535 00:30:14,620 --> 00:30:17,549 This is what Mad Max wishes it could be. 536 00:30:17,550 --> 00:30:19,659 Do you remember the Brave Little Toaster? 537 00:30:19,660 --> 00:30:20,999 It's kind of like that here. 538 00:30:21,000 --> 00:30:24,279 I am the blanket, you are the toaster. 539 00:30:24,280 --> 00:30:27,358 This island now has the highest peak in the Maldives. 540 00:30:27,359 --> 00:30:28,899 Probably not where you want to set up 541 00:30:28,900 --> 00:30:31,069 camp when sea levels rise. 542 00:30:31,070 --> 00:30:33,069 But we decided to climb to the top 543 00:30:33,070 --> 00:30:34,877 and set off in that direction. 544 00:30:40,610 --> 00:30:43,239 Fun. 545 00:30:43,240 --> 00:30:44,220 Ew. 546 00:30:44,220 --> 00:30:45,220 Wet, yucky. 547 00:30:45,220 --> 00:30:45,820 No. 548 00:30:45,821 --> 00:30:47,380 No more, no more fun. 549 00:30:50,470 --> 00:30:52,059 You're scared off easily. 550 00:30:52,060 --> 00:30:53,859 Scared off? 551 00:30:53,860 --> 00:30:56,969 Just trash juice, I just don't like trash juice. 552 00:30:56,970 --> 00:31:00,549 Oh, I mean, it's a nice fixer upper. 553 00:31:00,550 --> 00:31:02,168 Lot of space. 554 00:31:02,169 --> 00:31:03,209 You want to get up there? 555 00:31:03,210 --> 00:31:05,279 This is one of those places where you can just 556 00:31:05,280 --> 00:31:06,899 get lost exploring. 557 00:31:06,900 --> 00:31:10,319 And then of course you choke to death on all the fumes. 558 00:31:10,320 --> 00:31:13,619 On that note we decided we could go antiquing another day. 559 00:31:13,620 --> 00:31:16,550 Yeah, this is the End of Days right here. 560 00:31:21,357 --> 00:31:23,564 You're a brave soul for joining us on this adventure, 561 00:31:23,565 --> 00:31:24,231 let me tell you. 562 00:31:24,232 --> 00:31:26,269 Oh, this is nothing for me. 563 00:31:26,270 --> 00:31:29,379 This is the kind of adventures I like to have. 564 00:31:29,380 --> 00:31:32,159 Oh, look, flames, beautiful. 565 00:31:32,160 --> 00:31:35,169 Let's try not to step on anything that burns. 566 00:31:35,170 --> 00:31:36,669 Yeah, don't breathe too hard. 567 00:31:36,670 --> 00:31:38,259 Don't step too hard. 568 00:31:38,260 --> 00:31:42,839 I'm surprised my sandals have made it this far. 569 00:31:42,840 --> 00:31:45,339 We were picking up trash on one of these uninhabited islands 570 00:31:45,340 --> 00:31:48,273 and it was some people would say feudal. 571 00:31:48,274 --> 00:31:49,689 No one's going to see us doing it. 572 00:31:49,690 --> 00:31:52,064 We picked up a couple of bags, put it near the trash can. 573 00:31:52,065 --> 00:31:53,819 But who knows where that's even going. 574 00:31:53,820 --> 00:31:57,249 I actually have a story about that. 575 00:31:57,250 --> 00:32:01,339 This one time a man was walking along the beach, 576 00:32:01,340 --> 00:32:04,459 there was a lot of starfish's that had washed onto the shore 577 00:32:04,460 --> 00:32:08,029 and he was just picking up one and throwing it into the sea. 578 00:32:08,030 --> 00:32:11,811 And somebody sees him doing it comes and asks him, 579 00:32:11,812 --> 00:32:13,269 why do you think you're doing that? 580 00:32:13,270 --> 00:32:14,935 Even if you spend the whole day doing it 581 00:32:14,936 --> 00:32:17,469 you're not going to be able to save all the starfish. 582 00:32:17,470 --> 00:32:20,049 So he picks up a starfish, throws it into the sea 583 00:32:20,050 --> 00:32:22,719 and goes, "it mattered to that one.: 584 00:32:22,720 --> 00:32:26,799 And that's my belief with cleaning trash. 585 00:32:26,800 --> 00:32:28,299 Ish is not the kind of person who's 586 00:32:28,300 --> 00:32:30,309 afraid to get her hands dirty. 587 00:32:30,310 --> 00:32:32,319 And she works closely with Secure Bag, 588 00:32:32,320 --> 00:32:35,139 the same organization that helps Soneva Fushi turn 589 00:32:35,140 --> 00:32:36,879 their waste into wealth. 590 00:32:36,880 --> 00:32:37,840 That's one week? 591 00:32:37,841 --> 00:32:40,079 30 tons for the. 592 00:32:40,080 --> 00:32:41,949 They compact it elsewhere, bring it here, 593 00:32:41,950 --> 00:32:43,899 and this is ready for export. 594 00:32:43,900 --> 00:32:46,729 Secure Bag is finding ways to repurpose and profit 595 00:32:46,730 --> 00:32:47,988 from other people's crap. 596 00:32:50,920 --> 00:32:53,449 It may be a drop in the bucket, but it's certainly 597 00:32:53,450 --> 00:32:55,019 better than burning the bucket. 598 00:32:55,020 --> 00:32:58,209 I think we had over 900 boxes of this. 599 00:32:58,210 --> 00:32:58,800 At Soneva? 600 00:32:58,800 --> 00:32:59,505 At Soneva. 601 00:32:59,506 --> 00:33:01,549 Secure Bag help take it all the way. 602 00:33:01,550 --> 00:33:05,479 All this junk can actually be a business. 603 00:33:05,480 --> 00:33:08,929 Secure Bag can identify that why not evangelize sort of field 604 00:33:08,930 --> 00:33:12,529 teams where people can do this in their neighborhood 605 00:33:12,530 --> 00:33:15,529 and work directly with them, make a small bit of profit 606 00:33:15,530 --> 00:33:17,789 so that they can continue what they're doing. 607 00:33:17,790 --> 00:33:20,159 It's just a strategy where everyone benefits. 608 00:33:20,160 --> 00:33:23,329 Ish is just doing just that, organizing trash pickups in her 609 00:33:23,330 --> 00:33:24,290 community in Malé. 610 00:33:24,291 --> 00:33:27,089 Even got approached by a bunch of scuba divers. 611 00:33:27,090 --> 00:33:29,479 I would like to help by cleaning in the city. 612 00:33:29,480 --> 00:33:31,009 Do you think that those divers might 613 00:33:31,010 --> 00:33:34,879 want to meet with us when me and Funko were thinking 614 00:33:34,880 --> 00:33:36,119 about checking out that reef? 615 00:33:36,120 --> 00:33:37,040 Yeah, I think so. 616 00:33:37,041 --> 00:33:41,149 Funko just sent us an email asking me to set that up. 617 00:33:41,150 --> 00:33:43,039 Good man. 618 00:33:43,040 --> 00:33:45,139 What Ish she had showed me at Trash Island, 619 00:33:45,140 --> 00:33:48,489 is that every little thing you do does matter, 620 00:33:48,490 --> 00:33:51,919 and what drives people like Ish and Funko to make a difference 621 00:33:51,920 --> 00:33:55,639 and inspire people is their love of the ocean and all the beauty 622 00:33:55,640 --> 00:33:57,969 that makes up the Maldives. 623 00:33:57,970 --> 00:34:00,309 Even if it is inevitable that the sea levels will 624 00:34:00,310 --> 00:34:02,929 rise above the Maldives in our lifetime, 625 00:34:02,930 --> 00:34:05,349 Ish and Funko will dedicate themselves 626 00:34:05,350 --> 00:34:09,689 to do whatever they can to stop that from happening. 627 00:34:09,690 --> 00:34:11,908 Funko has been working to call attention to a crack 628 00:34:11,909 --> 00:34:13,559 in the reef near Malé. 629 00:34:13,560 --> 00:34:15,448 He's been talking with local scuba divers 630 00:34:15,449 --> 00:34:18,299 to find the exact location of this damaged reef. 631 00:34:18,300 --> 00:34:19,270 What does this mean? 632 00:34:19,271 --> 00:34:21,019 What does a crack in the reef mean? 633 00:34:21,020 --> 00:34:23,838 The risk of collapse. 634 00:34:23,839 --> 00:34:25,129 With the landslide under water. 635 00:34:25,130 --> 00:34:26,249 And the landslide. 636 00:34:26,250 --> 00:34:28,399 And the reef is what protects Malé from... 637 00:34:28,400 --> 00:34:29,150 All the islands. 638 00:34:29,151 --> 00:34:30,448 All the islands. 639 00:34:30,449 --> 00:34:32,619 A healthy coral reef provides a key layer 640 00:34:32,620 --> 00:34:34,709 of protection against rising sea levels 641 00:34:34,710 --> 00:34:36,739 and can dramatically reduce land erosion. 642 00:34:39,659 --> 00:34:41,789 Zaheena is a local journalist who 643 00:34:41,790 --> 00:34:44,488 also wanted to document this erosion in the reef. 644 00:34:44,489 --> 00:34:47,218 Zaheena has a lot more experience scuba diving 645 00:34:47,219 --> 00:34:49,519 and doesn't seem to shy from a good story. 646 00:34:49,520 --> 00:34:52,888 A real mensch named Funko talked about this crack in the reef 647 00:34:52,889 --> 00:34:54,089 right here in Malé. 648 00:34:54,090 --> 00:34:55,499 What's the significance? 649 00:34:55,500 --> 00:34:58,769 More and more we're seeing harbors being dredged. 650 00:34:58,770 --> 00:35:01,769 We see a lot of development that doesn't really 651 00:35:01,770 --> 00:35:04,949 think about what impact it could have on the reefs. 652 00:35:04,950 --> 00:35:09,216 Who knows, like Malé could be cracking from its weight 653 00:35:09,217 --> 00:35:11,549 beneath us and we don't know because we don't keep track 654 00:35:11,550 --> 00:35:13,529 of these things. 655 00:35:13,530 --> 00:35:16,709 Our mission was clear, the crack threatened the entire city 656 00:35:16,710 --> 00:35:17,610 of Malé. 657 00:35:17,611 --> 00:35:20,699 It was time to assemble the Maldivian Avengers. 658 00:35:20,700 --> 00:35:23,279 So we have a whole convoy joining us. 659 00:35:23,280 --> 00:35:25,298 We got the guys who discovered the crack. 660 00:35:25,299 --> 00:35:26,339 We'll be the ones diving. 661 00:35:26,340 --> 00:35:26,940 Is Ish coming? 662 00:35:26,940 --> 00:35:27,620 Ish is coming. 663 00:35:27,620 --> 00:35:28,620 She's not going to dive. 664 00:35:28,621 --> 00:35:30,389 She's going to hang with Funko up top. 665 00:35:30,390 --> 00:35:33,929 He's never been there before and it's not exactly 666 00:35:33,930 --> 00:35:35,039 easy to the untrained eye. 667 00:35:35,040 --> 00:35:38,189 So we're actually going to get to use that Open ROV. 668 00:35:38,190 --> 00:35:40,579 Apparently it's not exactly easy to identify the cracks 669 00:35:40,580 --> 00:35:42,779 so we're going to need some trial and error. 670 00:35:42,780 --> 00:35:44,819 And it's got lots of currents in the area. 671 00:35:44,820 --> 00:35:46,429 Also a lot of traffic. 672 00:35:46,430 --> 00:35:47,699 A lot of traffic? 673 00:35:47,700 --> 00:35:49,879 So boat traffic, currents, don't know where 674 00:35:49,880 --> 00:35:51,129 this thing is, low visibility. 675 00:35:51,130 --> 00:35:52,349 It's a nice adventure. 676 00:35:52,350 --> 00:35:54,929 Nice adventure. 677 00:35:54,930 --> 00:35:57,339 Our quest was shaping up to be something special. 678 00:35:57,340 --> 00:35:59,589 And I was going to get to do it with all the friends 679 00:35:59,590 --> 00:36:02,919 I had met along my way. 680 00:36:02,920 --> 00:36:05,579 I think people are going to see some really raw footage. 681 00:36:05,580 --> 00:36:07,059 I'm really excited for it. 682 00:36:07,060 --> 00:36:10,459 So first of all, we start with the big overhang, 683 00:36:10,460 --> 00:36:12,874 and then after that, straight away we 684 00:36:12,875 --> 00:36:14,289 will go to the broken area. 685 00:36:14,290 --> 00:36:16,719 We got ourselves a robot that will help 686 00:36:16,720 --> 00:36:19,119 us find this crack under water. 687 00:36:19,120 --> 00:36:22,659 And you guys are the ones who are going to be manning it. 688 00:36:42,140 --> 00:36:45,431 We're getting some footage. 689 00:36:45,432 --> 00:36:46,348 Yeah, she's there. 690 00:36:46,349 --> 00:36:48,149 Yep, she's there. 691 00:36:48,150 --> 00:36:50,949 Zaheena's there. 692 00:36:50,950 --> 00:36:54,039 Once we equalized we swam towards the damaged reef 693 00:36:54,040 --> 00:36:57,039 and immediately realized that things were off. 694 00:36:57,040 --> 00:36:59,529 Compared to normal healthy coral reef 695 00:36:59,530 --> 00:37:02,439 the terrain was drab and lifeless. 696 00:37:02,440 --> 00:37:04,599 Our guide pointed out areas that showed 697 00:37:04,600 --> 00:37:06,879 signs of landslide debris and did what he 698 00:37:06,880 --> 00:37:09,009 could to warn us to stay alert. 699 00:37:09,010 --> 00:37:11,589 This reef snapped in two and others could 700 00:37:11,590 --> 00:37:12,910 break off and threaten us. 701 00:37:18,020 --> 00:37:21,269 We pressed on to the reef nearest to the city, 702 00:37:21,270 --> 00:37:24,684 and as we did the current picked up considerably. 703 00:37:24,685 --> 00:37:26,153 Trying to get some good footage. 704 00:37:26,154 --> 00:37:27,070 The current's really... 705 00:37:33,220 --> 00:37:36,099 The visibility is challenging, but right now what 706 00:37:36,100 --> 00:37:38,259 you're looking at is a significant crack 707 00:37:38,260 --> 00:37:40,479 in Malé's reef. 708 00:37:40,480 --> 00:37:44,679 The crack, the area is completely dead actually. 709 00:37:44,680 --> 00:37:45,550 The reef is dead. 710 00:37:48,370 --> 00:37:50,019 Just as I tried to direct the camera 711 00:37:50,020 --> 00:37:52,239 to get a closer inspection of the crack, 712 00:37:52,240 --> 00:37:55,719 the current whipped up into a frenzy and Zaheena 713 00:37:55,720 --> 00:37:56,909 was nowhere to be found. 714 00:38:05,070 --> 00:38:08,014 It went well, actually, except I lost my buoyancy 715 00:38:08,015 --> 00:38:10,129 and just shot up. 716 00:38:10,130 --> 00:38:11,459 That was not fun. 717 00:38:11,460 --> 00:38:13,599 So the Malé reef is just really damaged. 718 00:38:13,600 --> 00:38:19,160 There's not a lot of coral cover at all, very little fish. 719 00:38:19,161 --> 00:38:22,579 The crack is about this big and then you kind of go down 720 00:38:22,580 --> 00:38:23,879 and it becomes bigger. 721 00:38:23,880 --> 00:38:26,949 I think it's brilliant that we were able to take 722 00:38:26,950 --> 00:38:28,309 some footage of the reef crack. 723 00:38:28,310 --> 00:38:30,560 I don't think anyone has brought this to light yet. 724 00:38:36,570 --> 00:38:39,219 Yeah, we saw the crack. 725 00:38:39,220 --> 00:38:41,779 It was deep. 726 00:38:41,780 --> 00:38:44,230 That current though, no joke. 727 00:38:48,150 --> 00:38:51,329 Killer currents and missing persons, the dive 728 00:38:51,330 --> 00:38:53,939 had truly been an adventure. 729 00:38:53,940 --> 00:38:57,749 The feeling on the boat was a friendship and deep pride 730 00:38:57,750 --> 00:38:59,939 that our mission documented something core 731 00:38:59,940 --> 00:39:01,769 to the island's safety. 732 00:39:01,770 --> 00:39:04,619 It was a fitting bookend to my trip. 733 00:39:04,620 --> 00:39:07,919 I dined under water, met an inanimate activist 734 00:39:07,920 --> 00:39:12,789 making bold statements, listened to the sounds of the Maldives, 735 00:39:12,790 --> 00:39:16,199 learned sustainability could be good on the wallet, swam 736 00:39:16,200 --> 00:39:19,259 with the turtles, and witnessed first hand a way 737 00:39:19,260 --> 00:39:23,349 of life unique to anything I had seen before, 738 00:39:23,350 --> 00:39:27,460 and most importantly, we fostered lifelong friendships. 739 00:39:31,870 --> 00:39:33,789 But I still had one very important person 740 00:39:33,790 --> 00:39:38,379 to talk to, former president Mohamed Nasheed, steward and UN 741 00:39:38,380 --> 00:39:40,809 representative of all island nations, 742 00:39:40,810 --> 00:39:44,659 heralded by Time Magazine as a leader and visionary, 743 00:39:44,660 --> 00:39:46,589 the Mandela of the Maldives. 744 00:39:46,590 --> 00:39:48,029 The science is sorted. 745 00:39:48,030 --> 00:39:48,950 It's proper. 746 00:39:48,951 --> 00:39:54,659 The sea level will rise, there's no doubt about that at all. 747 00:39:54,660 --> 00:39:58,659 The sea levels will probably rise over us, 748 00:39:58,660 --> 00:40:03,539 but we will find adaptation measures as a society, 749 00:40:03,540 --> 00:40:06,209 as a culture, as a community. 750 00:40:06,210 --> 00:40:08,379 What still will be lost? 751 00:40:08,380 --> 00:40:10,529 What are some of those uniquely Maldivian things 752 00:40:10,530 --> 00:40:11,238 that you cherish? 753 00:40:11,239 --> 00:40:14,189 My grandmother told me, President, you 754 00:40:14,190 --> 00:40:16,799 can look at the people, but they are 755 00:40:16,800 --> 00:40:19,809 the sounds and the butterflies and the colors go. 756 00:40:19,810 --> 00:40:24,029 All of these islands aren't for the inhabitants unique islands. 757 00:40:24,030 --> 00:40:27,429 There's nothing like it for them. 758 00:40:27,430 --> 00:40:30,879 We have more than two billion, the world's population living 759 00:40:30,880 --> 00:40:32,699 on coastal areas. 760 00:40:32,700 --> 00:40:35,679 We are not just simply talking about the Maldives. 761 00:40:35,680 --> 00:40:38,319 Manhattan is as low as the Maldives. 762 00:40:38,320 --> 00:40:41,679 And so for the people in Malé or Manhattan or Miami, 763 00:40:41,680 --> 00:40:43,269 what can people do? 764 00:40:43,270 --> 00:40:47,549 This would become the mainstream political discourse. 765 00:40:47,550 --> 00:40:49,539 And it's happening very rapidly. 766 00:40:49,540 --> 00:40:53,799 But the people have a big responsibility 767 00:40:53,800 --> 00:40:56,139 in promoting this idea. 768 00:40:56,140 --> 00:41:01,489 Humanity, we've never had the odds on our sides, 769 00:41:01,490 --> 00:41:05,059 and certainly in my life I've never had the odds on my side. 770 00:41:05,060 --> 00:41:09,799 I get a death threat every day from Islamic extremists because 771 00:41:09,800 --> 00:41:12,289 of my advocacy on environment. 772 00:41:12,290 --> 00:41:16,009 But there is hope and we must not give up hope 773 00:41:16,010 --> 00:41:18,209 and we must move forward. 774 00:41:18,210 --> 00:41:20,449 We will probably stay now because we are all 775 00:41:20,450 --> 00:41:24,929 human that's teared to the brink and then pull back. 776 00:41:24,930 --> 00:41:29,809 We will stay to the brink, and of course 777 00:41:29,810 --> 00:41:34,909 that has the sad side effect of losing so much that you 778 00:41:34,910 --> 00:41:35,650 could have saved. 779 00:41:49,230 --> 00:41:51,329 I hope you agree what's unique about this nation 780 00:41:51,330 --> 00:41:53,879 and culture is worth protecting. 781 00:41:53,880 --> 00:41:57,659 Their challenge is not unique, the whole world faces it. 782 00:41:57,660 --> 00:41:59,909 They just have a front row seat. 783 00:41:59,910 --> 00:42:03,839 It's called climate change and it's happening right now. 784 00:42:03,840 --> 00:42:08,039 It's compounding, demoralizing, faceless, systemic, 785 00:42:08,040 --> 00:42:10,259 catastrophic, a life changing problem 786 00:42:10,260 --> 00:42:14,429 that is not only not going away, it's picking up steam. 787 00:42:14,430 --> 00:42:18,599 We can adapt and innovate and foster a global environment 788 00:42:18,600 --> 00:42:21,509 that is ready to take on this test of our generation. 789 00:42:21,510 --> 00:42:23,729 Join us and learn about actions you 790 00:42:23,730 --> 00:42:26,569 can take to protect the Maldives at home 791 00:42:26,570 --> 00:42:28,609 and change the story. Because we know 792 00:42:28,610 --> 00:42:30,663 what the cost is of inaction: 793 00:42:30,664 --> 00:42:33,969 It's self-fulfilling prophecy. 794 00:42:33,970 --> 00:42:35,629 This is why we came here to give you 795 00:42:35,630 --> 00:42:38,899 a first glimpse of the Maldives, because we're damn sure we 796 00:42:38,900 --> 00:42:41,419 don't want it to be our last. 797 00:42:41,420 --> 00:42:43,519 Thanks for watching.