Which is more important to your island country, the ousted President of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed, is asked in a Guardian interview today: democracy or climate change?

"Well, now I must say climate change. I've been thinking about this one, and we must have a planet before we have democracy. We must have a planet. We must have the Maldives."

He also tackles interviewer Decca Aitkenhead's question about the conflict between his fight to slow climate change and the Maldives' dependence on the very long-haul tourism that contributes to carbon emissions.

"Well, for our adaptation work (measures to adapt to rising sea levels) we need your holiday. Now, the minute you start flying, our adaptation costs rise higher. So it's a very difficult call. And as president you have to compromise on strict principles.

"But I would hope and I would argue that if the Maldives becomes carbon neutral, and if present trends in other more green fuel continue, I think we are almost on the threshold of finding some solution."

+ The documentary, The Island President, is showing in London this week at the Ritzy, Greenwich Picturehouse and Stratford. There will be a screening at the Frontline Club on 16 April.

+ Read OneWorld's review of the film

+ OneWorld's London Listing of global justice events

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