Dubai in Environmental Devastation By Natalie Behling

Environmental Issues: Overview Dubai highest carbon footprint in world (per person) causing major environmental issues Many unneeded facilities (air-conditioned mall, ski dome in desert) Dubai uses most natural resources in world (using non-stop) Didn’t agree Kyoto Protocol (even if did, doesn’t cover problems Dubai facing) Dubai giving tax + encouraging preservation (good plan, harder then looks) Many effects overall polluting Dubai (air, noise pollution, traffic) The typical traffic in Dubai A unnecessary thing built in Dubai

Environmental Issues: Overview Dubai is good role model for growing countries other then environment (good environment, even better reputation) Dubai not denying issues happening with environment, ashamed (hoping that won’t last forever) Proposing different options/adjustments to reduce various factors affecting environment Want to improve, being in desert (lots AC used) and extreme climate (natural carbon footprint) challenges need to face Reality is Dubai little amount pollution (lot for size country) Extreme climate not helping Dubai situation The cloud of polluted air over Dubai

Pollution Problems: Air Pollution Tourism and Population rise, more air pollution Using oil contributes to air pollution also (lots oil used in Dubai) Big problem in Dubai (mostly caused by cars and transportation) Chemicals found in air in Dubai prove came from car emissions (gas that it released from cars from the gasoline) Pollution from cars increased because of old cars on road (the older the car, more pollution it causes) Good start if can improve car situation (one of biggest contributors) One of Dubai’s oil plants, where they fish out tons of oil These cars once caused pollution in Dubai

Pollution Problems: Industry Growth Industry requires a lot of different chemicals/gases (polluting air) Problem, population runs on industry (bad if cut too much) Need to develop balancing act (citizens and environment) Industry growth is a part of air pollution These factories in Dubai are polluting the air

Exploring Solutions to Air Pollution Many options Dubai can consider (needs citizens help) Motto: “prevention is better then costly rehab” means better to prevent them to keep paying and paying to fix Forming groups in city (all ages) to help fix air issues Working hard to fix, but have keep same effort for long time More we know = more we can help Needs to change to The polluted air of Dubai The clean air Dubai can have

Pollution Problems: Water and Waste Issues Water, plants used to clean salt water (negative: plants send out nasty gases and pollution) Salt water, lots of it (not lots fresh water) From pollution, so much salt in already salted water, killing animals in H2O Only one sewage plant in Dubai (not adequate) Sewage plants not keeping up with city growth (waste plant always overfilled) Waste in Dubai that hasn’t been correctly disposed

Ways Water Issues are being Fixed A current water plant in Dubai Using old water feed less important things (lawn, desert forests) Keeping people very aware of issue (public awareness campaign) New building code new water and energy usage rules Using clean water more wisely (example, fountains aren’t pumping clean water) A current water plant in Dubai

Pollution Problems: Oil and Electricity Oil they have (lots), other countries use Big deal with oil, used for lots types energy Oil causes lots pollution to air (air given out, bad) Economy up, electricity up (still going up even though bad economy) Looking into energy other electricity Dubai oil field Dubai electricity lines, hopefully soon will be improved

Dubai’s Artificial Islands The two pairs of “Palm Islands” Dubai built fake island, different groups (fake islands, danger Persian Gulf) People worried about different components of environment, no real point in islands (water and marine life) “The World” and various “Palm-shaped” islands, took place sea reserve (needs to be other way around) Many people don’t see point of having two of the same type of island Danger: islands drive native species away, bringing in dangerous (ruining native habitat, reefs all around damaged) Nakheel (island designer group) understands damage, making changes (example, replacing reefs) “The World” islands The two pairs of “Palm Islands”

Dubai’s Artificial Islands Man-made project, problems with water and land Even while construction, already effecting H2O surrounding (dirty with materials used to make islands) Threat to many different factors throughout area Shipping dolphins to diving locations around island business (dolphins not used area) Need take water issue around islands more serious Business, can’t be biggest priority, need to worry about environment right now The construction of the islands that ruined the water and marine life These reefs are slowly getting destroyed from the fake islands

Not all Bad: Advantages Lots sun, solar energy good long term solution Nuclear energy will be used short term Near equator (good) lots sun Their government taking action (other countries helping) A palm tree getting drenched in Dubai’s huge amount of sunlight Solar panels that could be part of a solution to Dubai’s problems

Dubai Has The Commitment $ tourism, used for changing city green UAE green projects to help start = Madsar City and Green building code Alternate energy, big agreements and very into working with it H²O, big problem (stop using water for unnecessary things, storing extra water, bigger plant to make clean water) The logo for Dubai’s green building code The water in Dubai that they need to fix

Dubai Has The Commitment Have $ and brains to become green city (need help of different things though) Need technology and cooperation of other countries to succeed Very confident will become greener soon (hoping will learn from experience, so stay green Dubai good drive to become green Will become green, not faking Have hearts set, but need make money at same time This symbol shows Dubai is truly committed to becoming greener

IRENA is settling in Dubai IRENA (International Renewable Energy Association) settling in Dubai, UAE picked over two other cities Dubai picked because willing pay for expenses + offered more, also picked because developing country Other cities not totally eliminated: Bonn, Germany = innovation center, Vienna, Austria = communication center Dubai, UAE = underdog of bid Headquarters of IRENA in Madsar City, makes carbon + hold lots homes and energy efficient Worries about uses $ from Madsar City + and if needed The plans for Madsar City One of IRENA’s new logos

Bibliography Alderman, Liz. "Dubai Faces Environmental Problems After Growth." NY Times: Energy and Environment. 27 Oct. 2010. Web. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/28/business/energy-environment/28dubai.html>. Associated Press. "UAE Beats Americans' Environmental Harm." MSNBC.com. 15 Jan. 2007. Web. 17 Mar. 2011. <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16640176/ns/world_news-world_environment/>. Butler, Tina. "Dubai's Artificial Islands Have High Environmental Cost." Conservation and Environmental Science News. 23 Aug. 2005. Web. 17 Mar. 2011. <http://news.mongabay.com/2005/0823-tina_butler_dubai.html>. Joudet, Myriam. "Is Dubai's Future Green?" Time Out Dubai. 31 Aug. 2009. Web. <http://www.timeoutdubai.com/aroundtown/features/10438-is-dubais-future-green>. Picow, Maurice. "Dubai's Artificial Islands Are a Serious Environmental Hazard." This Is Diversity. 1 July 2009. Web. <http://thisisdiversity.com/articles/all/939/debate-are-dubais-artificial-islands-a-serious-environmental-hazard>.

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