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UAE's Resilience: Navigating the Scorching Horizon of Climate Change
In the face of mounting concerns that soaring temperatures could render parts of the Gulf region uninhabitable by century's end, Mariam Almheiri, the UAE's Minister of Climate Change and Environment, assured that the country is well-prepared for the challenges posed by climate change. Almheiri highlighted the nation's extensive experience in adapting to harsh desert summers, where temperatures routinely reach a staggering 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit).
In an exclusive interview preceding the COP28 United Nations climate talks in Dubai, Almheiri emphasized that the UAE has been on a long journey of adaptation, enabling its residents to lead normal lives even in the midst of scorching temperatures. However, numerous studies indicate that the region's searing summers are set to intensify due to climate change, creating a hazardous combination of extreme heat and high humidity.
The perilous conditions are measured using the "wet bulb temperature," a parameter crucial for evaluating human survivability. The Gulf region has frequently recorded wet bulb temperatures above the critical threshold of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit), beyond which heat stress can become fatal within hours.
In response to these challenges, the UAE is proactively altering its urban planning and building designs to foster cooler living environments. Almheiri revealed plans for increased green spaces, including the ambitious goal of planting 100 million mangroves by 2030, serving as effective carbon sinks.
Despite the prevailing notion of an oil-dependent economy, Almheiri clarified that over 70 percent of the UAE's economy is non-oil-based. The country has already invested significantly in renewable energy infrastructure and is committed to achieving domestic carbon neutrality by 2050, excluding exported oil and gas. Initiatives include ramping up nuclear, solar, and wind energy, expanding metro and rail services, and promoting electric vehicles.
Addressing the omnipresent air-conditioning use, a major contributor to the country's substantial carbon footprint, the UAE is implementing changes in building regulations and urban planning. Almheiri also pointed to the importance of mindset change, urging a collective effort from the private sector, community members, academia, and youth to decarbonize sectors and adopt more sustainable practices.
The UAE's forward-thinking approach to combating climate change is exemplified by entities like Masdar, one of the world's largest renewable energy companies. As the nation strives for energy transition leadership, a key task remains changing attitudes towards energy and resources in a diverse and transient environment. Almheiri stressed the importance of involving various sectors and communities in the dialogue to ensure a sustainable and resilient future.
In concluding remarks, she highlighted the recently announced net-zero strategy, framing it as a pathway that aligns with climate goals while fostering growth. Almheiri emphasized the necessity of a mindset change in both business and personal spheres to effectively address the challenges posed by climate change.