Quote:
Originally Posted by rubecube
Interesting. I had also read in the past that in some of these island countries, rising sea levels are contaminating their fresh water aquifers, which was also a major cause of migration. Not sure how that fits in with this study but it's another consideration.
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Sure, but another factor would be increased demand from population growth drawing down the aquifers to a level where salt water more easily contaminates them. The small islands are growing slowing but that still means Tuvalu's population today is about 50% higher than it was 40 years ago. And the Maldives has seen both a massive population and development boom from its growing tourism industry.