ABU DHABI // The Minister of Environment and Water warned yesterday that climate change is one of the major challenges facing mankind. He said action must be taken to counter the problem. By the end of the century, 20 to 30 per cent of plant and animal species will have become extinct and sea levels will have risen by between 28 and 58 per cent, covering islands and coastal regions, Dr Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad said in a speech ahead of Regional Environment Day today.
The minister said the challenge of fighting climate change should be met by reducing gas emissions, WAM, the government news agency, reported. This could be achieved through the adoption of new technology, particularly in the industrial sector, and with the use of renewable and clean energies, he said. People would need to adjust their behaviour to help as well, he added. The UAE is participating in Regional Environment Day with a number of activities.
To battle climate change, the Government of Abu Dhabi has set a target of obtaining seven per cent of energy from renewable sources. It has also announced that some power plants would eliminate their carbon emissions through carbon capture and storage, further increasing the proportion of carbon-free energy. mchung@thenational.ae