Devastating floods in Pakistan and the UAE in recent months demonstrated the urgent need to take action on the "global issue" of climate change, a leading Emirati environmental campaigner said.
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan, chief executive and founder of the Alliances for Global Sustainability and co-founder of Aurora50, called for further innovation and investment to pave the way for a more sustainable future for all.
Speaking at the Countdown to Cop27 event, being held at Jumeirah at Saadiyat Island Resort, she welcomed a shift in attitudes on green issues but said there was more still to be done.
Experts say global warming is likely to have played a role in the floods in Pakistan last month that left vast areas of the country under water and led to about 1,500 deaths.
In July, we experienced flash floods in my country that we have never seen before
Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan
In the UAE Seven people died and more than 800 were rescued and thousands more placed in temporary accommodation in Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah after a summer deluge led to widespread flooding in July.
“Climate change is a global issue. My region, the Middle East, is four times more affected than the global average," said Sheikha Shamma, who is the granddaughter of the late president, Sheikh Khalifa.
"This summer we have seen devastating floods in Pakistan and in my country.
"In July, we experienced flash floods in my country that we have never seen before.”
Sheikha Shamma is at the forefront of UAE efforts to protect the planet.
She recently received the Young Leaders in the Field of Climate Change award from Trends Research & Advisory, continuing the sustainability legacy started by her grandfather.
She received the award while participating in the Trends–Atlantic Council's second annual conference, under the theme of Sustainable Security of the Middle East: Climate Change Challenges and Prospects, in Washington.
The award marked the culmination of a successful visit to the US that included Sheikha Shamma meeting several senior figures to discuss climate change.
Sheikha Shamma said she was focused on helping to shape policies to accelerate the UAE's transition to clean energy, working with the private and public sectors to achieve these goals.
A welcome shift in attitudes
She said she was encouraged by a change of mindset in the UAE from businesses and members of the public.
“Not too long ago, we had a ban on plastic waste. Now I see people with their reusable bags. And so, there is a shift happening. Organisations are changing as well. I think people are becoming a lot more aware of the impact as an individual on the planet.”
She said the UAE was leading the way on sustainability.
“It is the first country [in the region] to ratify the Paris Climate Change Agreement. It is the first country to set a [target of] net zero by 2050.”
She called for the introduction of an independent body in the region to hold producers accountable for surplus waste.
“So, who is going to technically take responsibility, and who is going to pay for the extra financial costs of the waste produced?"
She said placing “extra financial cost on the producers and making them responsible for products they are creating” is critical.
She said there is momentum for further research and development for eco-friendly projects.
“At the moment, it's not enough but I do think it's an opportunity.”
She said the circular economy ― which has a heavy focus on promoting recycling ― could be worth $130 billion by 2030 if the transition happens.
"So, my hope is that we invest in innovation, we invest in research, and we look at solutions from a national level," she said.
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 Travel Diaries of Albert Einstein The Far East, Palestine, and Spain, 1922 – 1923
Editor Ze’ev Rosenkranz
Princeton
Persuasion
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French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
TRAP
Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue
Director: M Night Shyamalan
Rating: 3/5
Glossary of a stock market revolution
Reddit
A discussion website
Redditor
The users of Reddit
Robinhood
A smartphone app for buying and selling shares
Short seller
Selling a stock today in the belief its price will fall in the future
Short squeeze
Traders forced to buy a stock they are shorting
Naked short
An illegal practice
Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 290hp
Torque: 340Nm
Price: Dh155,800
On sale: now
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Grubtech
Founders: Mohamed Al Fayed and Mohammed Hammedi
Launched: October 2019
Employees: 50
Financing stage: Seed round (raised $2 million)
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
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Dubai Creek Open in numbers
- The Dubai Creek Open is the 10th tournament on this year's Mena Tour
- It is the first of five events before the season-concluding Mena Tour Championship
- This week's field comprises 120 players, 21 of which are amateurs
- 15 previous Mena Tour winners are competing at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club
Company%C2%A0profile
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Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
TWISTERS
Director: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos
Rating: 2.5/5
MWTC
Tickets start from Dh100 for adults and are now on sale at www.ticketmaster.ae and Virgin Megastores across the UAE. Three-day and travel packages are also available at 20 per cent discount.
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MO
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