Warning on 'gap' in climate research

DUBAI // The Government needs more scientific research to better prepare for the pending impact of climate change, a Dubai-based expert warned yesterday. Preliminary studies show the Middle East could be among the worst hit by weather fluctuations, particularly in terms of water scarcity and rising sea levels, said Tanzeed Alam, the climate change and sustainability manager for Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS) and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).

"Most of the UAE's development is on the coast," said Mr Alam. "What would a future world look like? There is a gap in evidence in this area. There is no local data generated." Mr Alam, speaking at a panel organised as part of the Mission Green Earth: Stand Up and Take Action 2008 campaign, said the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) was expected to publish a study on the impact of climate change soon.

"Without looking at long-term records it is impossible to judge the impact of climate change on the country," he said. "What we do know is the Middle East will experience increasing temperatures. What that means in terms of the humanitarian health impact, in terms of health care costs, and with rising sea levels, what that means for the UAE's coastal developments during the next 20 years, is very important."

The UAE has one of the highest per capita commercial energy consumption rates in the world, reports the EAD, although improvements in technology and a transition to using more natural gas in power plants cut carbon dioxide emissions from 32.6 tonnes per person in 1990 to 25.1 tonnes in 2002. In 2006, the WWF Living Planet Report found that the UAE had the world's largest ecological footprint; using 11.9 global hectares per person. Considering the world average is 1.8 global hectares per person, the report suggests that if every person in the world lived as people in the UAE do, seven planets would be needed to absorb their waste.

The UAE has since started developing a range of sustainability programmes, including Abu Dhabi's Masdar Initiative - the world's first carbon-neutral, car-free city. The Government has also applied the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system to all new buildings in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Mr Asam, with EWS and WWF, has been working with the Government and each emirate to gather information for the next Living Planet Report, due in several years.

In the meantime, he called on individuals to reconsider their lifestyles. "There is plenty people can do," he said, "from cutting back on the amount of electricity they use, to reducing air conditioning, changing to low-energy bulbs, buying more energy-efficient vehicles." The Government also needs to encourage businesses to change their ways, he added. So far more than 122,000 people in the UAE have pledged to participate in the Stand Up and Take Action campaign from Friday to Sunday. They will be planting trees and posing for photos in an attempt to get in the Guinness World Records for the most people supporting the Millennium Development Goal for a sustainable environment.

The International Association for Human Values and Art of Living, which are organising the event, confirmed that the Dubai Municipality, the parks and recreations department of Abu Dhabi Municipality, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority and Sharjah Airport Free Zone would also be involved. Visit www.missiongreenearth.ae for more information. [e-mail]