Maldives holds underwater cabinet meeting to highlight global warming threat

In a moment of sheer PR brilliance, the Maldives government held an underwater cabinet meeting to highlight the threat of global warming and rising ocean levels to this low lying nation.

President Mohamed Nasheed and his cabinet signed a document calling for global cuts in carbon emissions, and spent half an hour on the sea bed, communicating with white boards and hand signals. Only three cabinet members missed the stunt.

The Maldives sit an average of 2.1 metres (7ft) above sea level, and would be one of the first countries in the world to be wiped out if sea levels do rise. President Nasheed has started a fund to relocate the country should this happen. Will the Maldives be the first entire country to become global warming refugees?