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Good morning from The National on April 26, 2024.
Here is your digest of what is making the headlines in the Emirates.
The rainstorms that struck the UAE and Oman last week were between 10 and 40 per cent more intense due to climate change, a major research body has said.
The World Weather Attribution research initiative found greenhouse gas emissions caused the storms to be far more destructive than they would have been in the pre-industrial era.
The El Nino climate pattern and global warming meant the storms were particularly destructive.
Twenty people died in Oman and four were killed in the UAE when the storms battered the Gulf nations.
Dubai and Sharjah were struck by four waves of storms, leaving large parts of the cities badly flooded.
“If it had not been an El Nino year, it would have not have rained in this way,” said Friederike Otto, a senior lecturer in climate science at Imperial College London and a WWA researcher.
"But at the same time, if it had not been for climate change it would not have rained as heavily as it did."
Read Daniel Bardsley's full report here
Chris Maxwell
Deputy News Editor
Sheikh Hamdan opens Dubai Reef project
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, enjoyed a deep dive into the emirate's waters on Thursday to mark the opening of a coral reef conservation mega project being hailed as the world's biggest.
Sheikh Hamdan inaugurated Dubai Reef, which aims to increase sea life eight-fold, improve the sustainability of fishermen’s livelihoods and attract eco-tourism.
The major marine scheme will set out to cut carbon emissions and increase marine biodiversity.
The reefs have an estimated capacity to capture more than seven million tonnes of carbon annually.
Sheikh Hamdan said it will serve as a "blueprint for global environmental projects" and underlined Dubai's commitment to championing sustainability.
Read more here
Seagliders to complete Abu Dhabi to Dubai trips in 25 minutes
Seagliders that travel at high speeds over water will be built in the UAE after an agreement was signed between the US maritime transport company Regent and Abu Dhabi Investment Office on Thursday.
Boston start-up Regent has also signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi's Department of Transport to integrate its electric-powered seaglider into the existing UAE transport network, with a focus on high-impact routes, such as offshore services to Delma Island and Sir Bani Yas Island.
Regent is in the development stages of its passenger craft, Viceroy, which travels at up to 290kph within a wingspan of the water's surface, cutting travel times between coastal cities by more than half.
The company, which has demonstrated its float, foil and fly technology in testing on a quarter-scale model, is now building a full-scale 20-metre wingspan model capable of carrying 12 passengers and two crew to test its use before going into full production next year at its base in Rhode Island.
Read Neil Halligan's story here
COMING UP
- Abu Dhabi International Book Fair: Adnec – April 29 to May 5
- World Art Dubai, Zabeel Hall, Dubai World Trade Centre – May 2-5
FACT OF THE DAY
Abu Dhabi has signed an initial agreement with the California-based Joby Aviation to bring air taxis to the skies, in a move that could cut travel times from the capital to Dubai to 30 minutes. Read more on the plans here
THE WRAP
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