In the recent Netflix original documentary, A Life on Our Planet, Sir David Attenborough gives audiences a panoramic view of his relationship with Mother Earth over the past seven decades. He presents alarming facts about our ecological footprint and laments, that "the natural world is fading [and this] will lead to our destruction".
But the 94-year old British naturalist also has a message of hope, reminding us that Earth has its own regulatory system which, if we use well, can help us tackle environmental erosion and find sustainable solutions for our everyday needs.
“The living world is essentially solar powered,” he asserts, urging us to shift away from fossil fuels and look towards the sun.
For its part, the UAE, while a major oil producer, has made significant strides towards solar power.
The country is firmly on track to achieve its target of increasing the renewable share of its energy mix to 50 per cent by 2050. The percentage of clean energy in Dubai's mix alone has grown from zero to nearly 10 per cent in less than a decade, and the UAE's sizeable investments have lowered solar energy costs by 75 per cent in the past five years.
When the 2 gigawatt Al Dhafra solar project comes online in 2022, it will be the world's largest, and will eliminate 2.4 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to removing almost half a million cars from our roads. What's more, energy from Al Dhafra will be three times cheaper than the electricity tariff from a new natural gas-based plant.
With solar energy solutions well under way, the time is now right for the UAE to embark on a similar transition in a new sector: water.
Clean water is the only resource we cannot live without, and the UAE is one of the top 10 countries with "extremely high baseline water stress", according to the World Resources Institute. This stress will only become more acute as the climate continues to change.
Some non-urban and remote communities already struggle with access to safe drinking water and are reliant on supplies of bottled or trucked water – sources that offer near-term relief but fall far short in accessibility, resilience and sustainability.
There is no doubt we need innovative, climate-proof water solutions that can produce reliable drinking water close to the point of demand.
And just as we look to the sky to source our energy, the blue above us also holds the answer to our water needs.
There are an estimated 13 trillion litres of water hovering in the air in the form of atmospheric humidity, equivalent to 10 per cent of the world’s freshwater lakes. This humidity renews itself each day, making it a regenerative and sustainable source of water.
Today, we have technologies that use solar power to extract this water vapor from the air and convert it into clean, mineralised drinking water.
The adoption of this technology would give individuals, families and communities independent, renewable and regenerative sources of drinking water at a fraction of the cost of bottled water and without the plastic waste footprint. Solar water production also can be deployed to sustainably deliver pure water for irrigation in greenhouse farms while regulating humidity levels within those greenhouses to ensure optimal fruit and vegetable yields.
The UAE government has taken bold policy steps to shift towards renewable energy. Now, that same boldness is required to transition to renewable water sources, including air to water.
In the A Life on Our Planet documentary, Mr Attenborough concludes his witness statement by reminding us that for humanity to survive, we must learn to live in harmony with nature.
We have already started that journey by harnessing the powers of renewable energy. The next step is to tap into renewable water.
Vahid Fotuhi is the Mena vice president of business development at Source Global
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
Winner: Raghida, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,600m
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6pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-2 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,200m
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6.30pm: Liwa Oasis Group 2 (PA) Dh300,000 1,400m
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7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
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Produced by: Carnival Cinemas, Zee Studios
Directed by: Anubhav Sinha
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta, Zeeshan Ayyub
Our rating: 4/5
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Results:
Men's 100m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 15 sec; 2. Rheed McCracken (AUS) 15.40; 3. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 15.75. Men's 400m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 50.56; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 50.94; 3. Henry Manni (FIN) 52.24.
Points classification after Stage 4
1. Arnaud Demare (France / FDJ) 124
2. Marcel Kittel (Germany / Quick-Step) 81
3. Michael Matthews (Australia / Sunweb) 66
4. Andre Greipel (Germany / Lotto) 63
5. Alexander Kristoff (Norway / Katusha) 43
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
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- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
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This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
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Starring: Akshay Kumar, Radhika Madan, Paresh Rawal
Rating: 2/5
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
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Three and a half stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
