Inside the Cop28 pollution pods aiming to clear the air on dangers of smog


Ali Al Shouk
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Visitors at Cop28 can learn more about the world's air quality crisis, inside pods designed to mimic the dirty air in major cities around the globe.

The pollution pods are a series of domes created by British artist Michael Pinsky.

Their carefully crafted environments allow visitors to safely feel, taste and smell air pollution levels from Beijing, London and New Delhi.

The Clean Air Fund and Breathe Cities are supporting the project at Cop28.

Regina Zhyldyzbekova from Clean Air Fund said the pods simulate specific levels and types of air pollution, allowing people to experience environments that are the norm for a large part of the world's population.

“The interconnected domes represent three cities. People go inside to experience the different levels of air pollution,” Ms Zhyldyzbekova told The National.

"Some people would refuse to go to New Delhi or Beijing because it is very polluted and it is not possible to stay there even for five minutes."

Clean Air Fund's Regina Zhyldyzbekova comes out of one of the pollution pods at Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National
Clean Air Fund's Regina Zhyldyzbekova comes out of one of the pollution pods at Expo City Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Screens in the pods display data about the pollution level in the three cities.

A carefully prepared mixture mimics the relative presence of the particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide and other emissions polluting these cities, she added.

Ms Zhyldyzbekova, said the experience will educate people about air pollution and make them think of the residents in such cities.

“A lot of people stay in polluted cities and they get used to that air environment. The pods remind people about the problem and how we need to do something about it,” she said.

A fourth pod showcases solutions to clean up the air we breathe and simulates what the air quality of the future might look like using technologies to reduce pollution.

Angela Yokley, an environment student at Washington University, said the experience made her know about pollution levels outside the US.

“The New Delhi pod was clearer than Beijing, but not as clear as London pod and it was very hot. The Beijing pod was very stuffy and seemed like a greenhouse,” Ms Yokley told The National.

“Beijing was like zero visibility and I was imagining the smoke around me. You can barely see even people behind me. Compare to any city I have been to in the US, it has been very different.

“It is devastating to think that is what my home could be like. It is sad and no future should look like that."

It is estimated that over seven million people die prematurely every year as a result of air pollution, more than twice as many as from malaria, tuberculosis and Aids combined.

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

The schedule

December 5 - 23: Shooting competition, Al Dhafra Shooting Club

December 9 - 24: Handicrafts competition, from 4pm until 10pm, Heritage Souq

December 11 - 20: Dates competition, from 4pm

December 12 - 20: Sour milk competition

December 13: Falcon beauty competition

December 14 and 20: Saluki races

December 15: Arabian horse races, from 4pm

December 16 - 19: Falconry competition

December 18: Camel milk competition, from 7.30 - 9.30 am

December 20 and 21: Sheep beauty competition, from 10am

December 22: The best herd of 30 camels

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups

Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.

Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.

Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.

Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.

Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.

Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.

Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.

Director: Laxman Utekar

Cast: Vicky Kaushal, Akshaye Khanna, Diana Penty, Vineet Kumar Singh, Rashmika Mandanna

Rating: 1/5

THE BIO

Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.

Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.

She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.

She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.

Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring  the natural world.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

WEST ASIA RUGBY 2017/18 SEASON ROLL OF HONOUR

Western Clubs Champions League
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Bahrain

Dubai Rugby Sevens
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Jebel Ali Dragons

West Asia Premiership
Winners: Jebel Ali Dragons
Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

UAE Premiership Cup
Winners: Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Runners up: Dubai Exiles

UAE Premiership
Winners: Dubai Exiles
Runners up: Abu Dhabi Harlequins

RESULT

Huddersfield Town 1 Manchester City 2
Huddersfield: Otamendi (45' 1 og), van La Parra (red card 90' 6)
Man City: Agüero (47' pen), Sterling (84')

Man of the match: Christopher Schindler (Huddersfield Town)

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The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

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What's in the deal?

Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024

India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.

India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.

Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments

India expects 99% of exports to benefit from zero duty, raising opportunities for textiles, marine products, footwear and jewellery

Updated: December 10, 2023, 8:09 AM`