Why science alone won't save the planet

When confronted with the sheer enormity of climate change, it is understandable that many people simply cross their fingers and hope that science will come to the rescue by inventing a magic bullet that will resolve the crisis.

Indeed, the idea of a futuristic technical solution that will mitigate or reverse years of environmental damage from rapid industrialisation is a tantalising one. There is good reason for this – as global warming brings more extreme weather, from Australia to the UAE, the sense that we are running out of time is increasingly acute. In this context, humanity’s ingenuity seems a good place to search for answers.

This week The National reported that researchers at Heriot-Watt University in Scotland have created a porous material they say can capture carbon dioxide more quickly than planting trees. These molecules can, it is claimed, store greenhouse gases that would otherwise be trapped in the atmosphere for thousands of years, leading to global warming and exacerbating biodiversity loss.

This development – and others like it – are exciting, important and offer much-needed optimism in the climate fight. However, it is important not to focus excessively on overarching tech solutions to what is a complex and multifaceted problem driven by human activity. In fact, some climate experts warn an exaggeration in finding new technologies to save the planet could actually lead to complacency and prevarication. In 2020, the scientific journal Nature Climate Change published findings from Lancaster University researchers in the UK who claimed that “climate action has been delayed by technological promises” for 40 years.

It is important to work on all aspects of the climate crisis – including the political, diplomatic and economic. It is also unrealistic to expect that a tech solution to global warming will deliver change overnight. Scientific innovation is rarely a quick process and even with the momentum of urgency behind it, research and development into climate solutions is incremental; introducing such solutions internationally could take years. Even scientists say that although capturing and storing carbon could slow or reverse the level of fossil-fuel emissions in the atmosphere, more development is needed for the technology to be used at scale.

This is not to dismiss the impressive work taking place in labs and universities the world over, including in the Emirates. Computer modelling, AI tools and data-gathering techniques are all vital pieces of the puzzle when it comes to fighting climate change – but they should not distract governments, businesses and the public from their responsibilities to contain the climate crisis.

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Cutting-edge science should be supported, while countries must also live up to their climate commitments and maintain the momentum from summits such as Cop28, held last year in the UAE. The potential for backsliding is always there, and the recent cancellation of regional UN climate summits owing to a lack of funding reveals the kinds of complacency that can set in.

Solar, wind, wave, tidal and geothermal power, as well as advanced sustainable transport, carbon capture and reforestation, are all valuable technical contributions to help us change course on global warming. But as was highlighted in Cop28, the most inclusive Cop in the history of the global convening, they need to be accompanied by the kind of cultural, social and political responsibility that can produce credible behavioural and policy responses to our increasingly volatile climate.

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HWJN

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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme

Priority access to new homes from participating developers
Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
Flexible payment plans from developers
Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates

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The rules on fostering in the UAE

A foster couple or family must:

be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
not be younger than 25 years old
not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially

'Saand Ki Aankh'

Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

The Cairo Statement

1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations

2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred

3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC

4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.

5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.

6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security

DUBAI SEVENS 2018 DRAW

Gulf Men’s League
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, Dubai Hurricanes, Bahrain, Dubai Sports City Eagles
Pool B – Jebel Ali Dragons, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers

Gulf Men’s Open
Pool A – Bahrain Firbolgs, Arabian Knights, Yalla Rugby, Muscat
Pool B – Amman Citadel, APB Dubai Sharks, Jebel Ali Dragons 2, Saudi Rugby
Pool C – Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2, Roberts Construction, Dubai Exiles 2
Pool D – Dubai Tigers, UAE Shaheen, Sharjah Wanderers, Amman Citadel 2

Gulf U19 Boys
Pool A – Deira International School, Dubai Hurricanes, British School Al Khubairat, Jumeirah English Speaking School B
Pool B – Dubai English Speaking College 2, Jumeirah College, Dubai College A, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 2
Pool C – Bahrain Colts, Al Yasmina School, DESC, DC B
Pool D – Al Ain Amblers, Repton Royals, Dubai Exiles, Gems World Academy Dubai
Pool E – JESS A, Abu Dhabi Sharks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins 1, EC

Gulf Women
Pool A – Kuwait Scorpions, Black Ruggers, Dubai Sports City Eagles, Dubai Hurricanes 2
Pool B – Emirates Firebirds, Sharjah Wanderers, RAK Rides, Beirut Aconites
Pool C – Dubai Hurricanes, Emirates Firebirds 2, Abu Dhabi Saracens, Transforma Panthers
Pool D – AUC Wolves, Dubai Hawks, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Al Ain Amblers

Gulf U19 Girls
Pool A – Dubai Exiles, BSAK, DESC, Al Maha
Pool B – Arabian Knights, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Ain Amblers, Abu Dhabi Harlequins

How to apply for a drone permit

Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
Submit their request

What are the regulations?

Fly it within visual line of sight
Never over populated areas
Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
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Drones must weigh 5 kg or less

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

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Bharat

Director: Ali Abbas Zafar

Starring: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sunil Grover

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

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Gothia Cup 2025

4,872 matches

1,942 teams

116 pitches

76 nations

26 UAE teams

15 Lebanese teams

2 Kuwaiti teams

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).

Second leg

Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm

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Anxiety and work stress major factors

Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.

A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.

Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.

One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.

It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."

Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.

“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi.

“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."

Daniel Bardsley