The government of the Maldives has held its first underwater cabinet meeting to attract international attention to the dangers of global warming.



It's quite easy to understand why Maldivians are so concerned about this issue: Maldives, the heavenly archipelago of atolls and islets in the Indian Ocean, are so close to sea level that a water rise poses a serious threat for them.



Most of the Maldives lie less than three feet above sea and scientists have warned that the islands could become uninhabitable within 100 years (provided a rise of 7-24 inches).



Eleven of the 14 cabinet members attended the meeting, conducted with whiteboards and microphones 20 feet underwater, and all signed their wetsuits, to be auctioned off for the cause.