The Maledives may more likely be submerged if the Poles heat up by 1.7C, for a time frame of 50 years. The ice in the poles doesn't all melt immediately.
I'll respond here since your comments are both dead.
1. Your quote from 1989 doesn't mention the Maldives being under water by now. Did you post the wrong quote/link?
2. What makes Campbell Macpherson an expert? He doesn't appear to have scientific credentials. Are these the kinds of experts you've been listening to?
> Campbell Macpherson: international business advisor, change expert, keynote speaker and author of 'The Change Catalyst: secrets to successful and sustainable change' (Wiley 2017) - the 2018 Business Book of the Year.
