The Middle East, one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to the effects of global warming, is at a tipping point in the fight against climate change, with its soaring temperatures, increasing water scarcity and the threat of rising sea levels.
According to the World Economic Forum, the Mena region has been heating up at twice the global average for the past four decades, and is projected to be 4°C warmer by the middle of this century. This surge in temperatures is exacerbating water stress in an already arid region, threatening food security and intensifying extreme weather events. The economic implications are equally dire, with the World Bank estimating that climate change could reduce gross domestic product in some Mena countries by up to 14 per cent by 2050.
These stark realities underscore the need for immediate and comprehensive climate action. The transition to renewable energy, implementation of water conservation strategies and development of climate-resilient infrastructure are not just environmental imperatives but economic and social necessities.
In this scenario, artificial intelligence can be a tool capable of accelerating and scaling climate solutions across the Middle East. While this technology may not be a magic wand, it is already proving highly effective in the rapid scaling of solutions. Let us look more closely at some of these prospective solutions.
AI can analyse vast amounts of climate data to predict extreme weather events and monitor changes in climate patterns – helping in early warning systems and disaster preparedness. AI algorithms are already improving the efficiency of energy systems by predicting energy demand and optimising the use of renewable energy sources to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
This transformative technology is helping farmers enhance irrigation, predict crop yields, and manage pests more effectively. This leads to advanced sustainable farming practices and limiting the environmental impact of agriculture. AI, combined with satellite imagery, can monitor deforestation and land-use changes in real time. This can improve conservation efforts and enable carbon storage tracking in forests. AI is also accelerating the discovery of new materials that can be used in renewable energy technologies, such as more efficient solar panels and batteries.
Through optimising waste collection routes and recycling processes, it helps reduce the carbon footprint of waste management systems. AI can process and analyse large datasets from climate research, helping scientists understand complex climate systems and develop more accurate climate models.
As the leading environmental regulatory and policymaking body in the emirate, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) manages 26 AI-led programmes, and endeavours to drive AI-enabled climate action in Abu Dhabi, the wider UAE and beyond.
In August, we linked up with the environmental technology company Dendra Systems to launch an AI-based assessment programme to take stock of Abu Dhabi’s natural terrestrial habitats. This is considered the largest field research project ever implemented in the region. The accuracy of the data gathered will enable informed decision making and improve our abilities to cope with new challenges.
Likewise, EAD recently initiated a first-in-region sea cages aquaculture project in Abu Dhabi off Delma Island that uses AI monitoring and data collection tools to conduct scientific studies and develop environmental protocols on culturing local fish species. EAD’s AI-based early warning systems that can predict environmental disasters long before they occur – by analysing weather patterns, historical data and satellite imagery – continue to save lives and greatly improve emergency response times.
AI is already emerging as a force multiplier in catalysing climate action. However, not everyone is optimistic about its game-changing effect in this space considering how hugely energy-intensive it is. Some argue that the technology will do more harm than good.
So, how can we get beyond this impasse and ensure that AI remains a benevolent force that will heal the planet? With record heat waves and floods around the world, it is already critical to use AI to save planet Earth, the high cost of energy required for AI notwithstanding.
According to the think tank Chatham House, cement accounts for about eight per cent of carbon emissions. In a single moderate-capacity cement plant that produces a million tonnes of cement, a minute AI-assisted process and quality control lead to the reduction of about 7,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year.
AI applications could also help design more energy-efficient buildings, improve power storage and optimise renewable energy deployment by feeding solar and wind power into the electricity grid as needed. By 2030, the technology could help cut green house gas emissions by four per cent, according to a PwC study for Microsoft.
The opportunity then outweighs the risk. And turning to renewable energy as a probable solution to offset the energy-intensive nature of AI could be a viable prospect to ensure a sustainable future for all.
The time to act is now. With AI as our ally, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and its partners have the tools and the capability to meet the climate challenge head on. Our future depends upon the choices we make today. Choosing wisdom, innovation and collective action can set us on course to a sustainable tomorrow.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
THE BIG THREE
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
19 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 5 (2011, 14, 15, 18, 19)
French Open: 2 (2016, 21)
US Open: 3 (2011, 15, 18)
Australian Open: 9 (2008, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
Prize money: $150m
ROGER FEDERER
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 8 (2003, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 12, 17)
French Open: 1 (2009)
US Open: 5 (2004, 05, 06, 07, 08)
Australian Open: 6 (2004, 06, 07, 10, 17, 18)
Prize money: $130m
RAFAEL NADAL
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 10)
French Open: 13 (2005, 06, 07, 08, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20)
US Open: 4 (2010, 13, 17, 19)
Australian Open: 1 (2009)
Prize money: $125m
Stage results
1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 4:39:05
2. Michael Matthews (AUS) Team BikeExchange 0:00:08
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma same time
4. Jack Haig (AUS) Bahrain Victorious s.t
5. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe s.t
6. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates s.t
7. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ s.t
8. Sergio Higuita Garcia (COL) EF Education-Nippo s.t
9. Bauke Mollema (NED) Trek-Segafredo s.t
10. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers s.t
Company%20Profile
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UAE squad
Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.
UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
The specs
Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric
Transmission: n/a
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 659Nm
Price estimate: Dh200,000
On sale: Q3 2022
Ads on social media can 'normalise' drugs
A UK report on youth social media habits commissioned by advocacy group Volteface found a quarter of young people were exposed to illegal drug dealers on social media.
The poll of 2,006 people aged 16-24 assessed their exposure to drug dealers online in a nationally representative survey.
Of those admitting to seeing drugs for sale online, 56 per cent saw them advertised on Snapchat, 55 per cent on Instagram and 47 per cent on Facebook.
Cannabis was the drug most pushed by online dealers, with 63 per cent of survey respondents claiming to have seen adverts on social media for the drug, followed by cocaine (26 per cent) and MDMA/ecstasy, with 24 per cent of people.
All the Money in the World
Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Charlie Plummer, Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer
Four stars
LEADERBOARD
%3Cp%3E-19%20T%20Fleetwood%20(Eng)%3B%20-18%20R%20McIlroy%20(NI)%2C%20T%20Lawrence%20(SA)%3B%20-16%20J%20Smith%3B%20-15%20F%20Molinari%20(Ita)%3B%20-14%20Z%20Lombard%20(SA)%2C%20S%20Crocker%20(US)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESelected%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E-11%20A%20Meronk%20(Pol)%3B%20-10%20E%20Ferguson%20(Sco)%3B%20-8%20R%20Fox%20(NZ)%20-7%20L%20Donald%20(Eng)%3B%20-5%20T%20McKibbin%20(NI)%2C%20N%20Hoejgaard%20(Den)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Squad
Ali Kasheif, Salim Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Ali Mabkhout, Omar Abdulrahman, Mohammed Al Attas, Abdullah Ramadan, Zayed Al Ameri (Al Jazira), Mohammed Al Shamsi, Hamdan Al Kamali, Mohammed Barghash, Khalil Al Hammadi (Al Wahda), Khalid Essa, Mohammed Shaker, Ahmed Barman, Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain), Al Hassan Saleh, Majid Suroor (Sharjah) Walid Abbas, Ahmed Khalil (Shabab Al Ahli), Tariq Ahmed, Jasim Yaqoub (Al Nasr), Ali Saleh, Ali Salmeen (Al Wasl), Hassan Al Muharami (Baniyas)
The Breadwinner
Director: Nora Twomey
Starring: Saara Chaudry, Soma Chhaya, Laara Sadiq
Three stars
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
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Company%20profile
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
The years Ramadan fell in May
The five pillars of Islam
Thank You for Banking with Us
Director: Laila Abbas
Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum
Rating: 4/5
Rooney's club record
At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17
At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253
ANDROID%20VERSION%20NAMES%2C%20IN%20ORDER
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Recent winners
2002 Giselle Khoury (Colombia)
2004 Nathalie Nasralla (France)
2005 Catherine Abboud (Oceania)
2007 Grace Bijjani (Mexico)
2008 Carina El-Keddissi (Brazil)
2009 Sara Mansour (Brazil)
2010 Daniella Rahme (Australia)
2011 Maria Farah (Canada)
2012 Cynthia Moukarzel (Kuwait)
2013 Layla Yarak (Australia)
2014 Lia Saad (UAE)
2015 Cynthia Farah (Australia)
2016 Yosmely Massaad (Venezuela)
2017 Dima Safi (Ivory Coast)
2018 Rachel Younan (Australia)
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20S24%20ULTRA
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