Global warming and its implications
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Introduction
Environmental security is a need in today’s fast-paced world because environmental events have been affecting or threatening the lives of the individuals and communities within a nation. Environmental issues cross boundaries or state borders. Hence the need for environmental security arises. Securing the environment means preventing any military damage, responding to the environmental conflict and considering the capacities of communities or individuals to manage conflict and risks. In this paper, the research shall be conducted on the implications of global warming. The effects of this environmental crisis are far-fetched. Therefore, the issue shall be discussed here. Following that, previous research conducted on global warming and its implications would be highlighted as well. The level of response in the UAE and the international community shall be highlighted as well. Following that, the existing gaps would be highlighted, and lastly, a few recommendations would be made to resolve the issue.
Issue being addressed
The gradual heating of the surface of the earth mainly due to human activity such as the burning of fossil fuel, which in turn, results into CO2 release, greenhouse gases and methane in the atmosphere is referred as global warming. As per the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), scientists have clearly stated that a link between global warming and human activity exists (Komuscu, 2017). Hence, human action is the ultimate cause behind the gradual increase in earth’s temperature. At present, the global average temperature has amplified by 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit (The National, 2020). The data has been presented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Again, as per the data of NASA and NOAA, 2016 has been the hottest recorded year. The overall temperature of the earth’s surface was around 1.78 degrees Fahrenheit. It is the highest in the 21st century. Again, global warming resulted in extreme events. Countries across the globe have been witnessing hottest summers as well as coldest winters. Again, it has resulted in the polar jet stream. It implies that the equatorial air (warm) and North Pole air (cold) migrated to the south. This, in turn, brought cold air from the Arctic. It resulted in some states experiencing extreme cold weather while some regions have been experiencing cold-to-normal weather. It has become a general trend due to global warming.
In the UAE, global warming has been threatening the sustainability of human beings, organisations and government. Active steps should be taken to reduce the CO2 emissions and energy consumption. Buildings can be regarded as the largest contributor to CO2 emissions. Simultaneously, buildings are also the largest energy consumers. As soon as the temperature increases, there is a sudden rise in electricity consumption. As per research, UAE warms by 5.9˚ C (U.ae, 2020). Energy consumption increases by 5.4%. As a result, around 7.6 million metric tonnes of CO2 increase as well.
Relationship between selected environmental problem and security
The 21st century is witnessing a transformation due to climate change. It has become a global threat and has a direct impact on the security and peace of our civilisation. Global warming and the resultant climate change have adversely affected the vulnerable communities across the globe. It has also stretched the capacity of government institutions and society as a whole (Salim Al Owais, 2020). Global warming can be regarded as a multiplier of threat, and it leads to economic inequality as well as social conflict, migration at a large scale and excessive competition to gain access to the resources. People are usually dependant on natural resources, and global warming can severely affect their livelihoods. This, in turn, creates a sense of insecurity and fear among people. Rising levels of insecurity also influence the population of one region to migrate into other region (Gupta, 2019). Again, lack or scarcity of resources is another issue, and the people are likely to look for an alternative job or place. Furthermore, global warming has threatened the security of people because food prices have increased and turned volatile.
Higher prices of food items lead to increasing levels of conflict, civil unrest and violent protests. Furthermore, the unemployment levels have increased, and it further led to political instability. Global warming has created a fragile environment and gave rise to the creation of vulnerable communities. The social, political and economic impact of global warming has been felt. It has far-reaching consequences as issues related to food security and livelihood has emerged.
Existing research on the chosen issue
Existing research on global warming shows that it has threatened human settlements, as well as communities and the irresponsible activities of humans, has contributed to this. Mainly overconsumption and luxurious lifestyle of inhabitants has a direct impact on the environment. It is necessary to minimise the impact of human activity so that natural systems can be restored (Bernabeo et al., 2018). In these troubling times, policymakers or decision-makers should actively participate in the process.
Previous research has been conducted on the prevalent global warming issues and impact on UAE. Research on residential buildings of UAE has been conducted, and it has been found that in Al-Ain city, UAE, the temperature increases by 5.9 °C because the most residential buildings are air-conditioned (Ajaj et al., 2019). The CO2 emissions over the last decade have also increased, and the research further suggests that certain measures, including thermal mass and thermal insulation, are useful for reducing the level of global warming in the city.
The nation inhabits in an arid desert landscape, and despite that, it continued to flourish as one of the global business hubs as well as an economic powerhouse. The nation has attracted tourists, and it has continued to make rapid progress. However, the nation has also become susceptible to global warming and has faced the consequences of climate change. The weather patterns have become erratic (Alsharhan & Rizk, 2020). The nation has witnessed water scarcity as well as an increased level of salinity in the sea. The communities that previously survived near the coastal regions of UAE also faced damages due to increased heating of the earth’s surface. Hence, the government has proposed two methods to handle climate change. These are adaptation and mitigation. Mitigation implies the reduction of greenhouse gas to save the atmosphere from getting polluted. It also implies that the nation should consider introducing renewable resources in order to promote the circular economy (Houser & Libecap, 2017). It is vital to restore the overall health of the environment. Hence, researchers suggested designing and implementing sustainable methods so that economic development can be ensured.
In the private sector, initiatives have been taken to fuel the “clean energy” revolution. The government has launched EWTE or Emirates Waste-to-Energy organisation in collaboration with Masdar. The EWTE facility has been launched so that municipal waste of 300,000 tonnes could be diverted and almost 30MW energy would be produced. It would be done to power almost 28,000 homes by the end of 2021 (Taniguchi & Takefuji, 2019). The nation has recognised the importance of valuing environmental benefits as well as economic benefits of becoming a sustainable nation. Cities in UAE have a significant role in dealing with global warming. The cities have been taking approaches and initiatives that would ensure sustainable living. Notably, urban development in the UAE is the result of climate change.
The response of the state and the international community
In UAE, the issue of global warming has been handled to some extent by considering two major solutions. Firstly, useful measures have been taken to protect the minimal resources. Secondly, UAE has considered valid policies in order to substitute fossil fuels with energy-saving fuel. The protection of minimal resources has been ensured by enhancing the regulations related to building energy. After implementing the regulations, almost 50% CO2 emissions has reduced. Similarly, the second response can be seen as the establishment of a better economic sector (Haddow, Bullock & Haddow, 2017). The focus of the alternative economic sector is upon alternative energy (non-fossil fuel) and the usage of sustainable technologies such as power plant installation. These power plants use renewable resources.
Additionally, the state has focussed on building the Masdar city that consumes low energy and carbon-free environment. Hence, it would be correct to imply that UAE has managed to meet the goal of reducing global warming from the lives of common people and the economy as a whole. Climate change is the result of heating of earth’s surface and UAE has taken effective control measures to control emissions, reduce the wastage of natural gas along with increase in the efficiency of energy. For instance, the Masdar initiative has been launched and it focuses on commercialisation and development of technology. UAE has shown commitment towards sustainability by opening headquarters in the Masdar City of Abu Dhabi in June 2015.
Similarly, international community has engaged actively in response to the issues. The UN climate change summit has been held last year and UAE has participated to tackle the issue of global warming collectively. At the summit, a discussion has been conducted which is related to human health as well as economic benefits of handling the issue. Partnering with the UN has been advantageous for UAE. Discussions have been held on multilateral climate action as well as international cooperation. The political leaders at the global level have participated in the summit. Previously, UAE has taken steps to combat the implications of global warming. These are launching of awareness programs, switching to renewable technology and improving the education system of the nation. Another initiative has been taken in UAE. It is the World Future Energy Summit. The purpose was to bring together local as well as global leaders so that the issue can be tackled comprehensively.
Gaps in responses
Despite consistent efforts of the UAE government and the international community, it is challenging to tackle issues related to global warming because the urban population is dependent on fossil fuels for more than a decade. Hence, despite taking actions, it has resulted into global inaction. The initiatives of international community are often based on self-interest and there is a lack of collective action. From a rational viewpoint, it can be stated that a single country might not be able to reduce its greenhouse gases because other nations or economies are dependent on it. Hence, complete emission of energy resources might become an issue. Again, isolation can have disastrous effect for one single nation. In order to operate as a whole and ensure sustainability in the planet, it is necessary to use the resources. Moreover, the modest efforts of one nation might be disrupted if other economies associated with it fail to take actions collectively.
Recommendations
In order to tackle the issues arising from global warming, the following steps can be considered-
Public engagement- Global warming issues can be tackled by mitigating its impact. It would be effective to organise awareness campaigns so that individuals and communities can be motivated to take action and work towards conserving the natural resources. Similarly, environmental education could be effective. The educational system in UAE can be modified so that the upcoming generation understands the value of climate conservation (Zhukov & Gushcha, 2020).
Utilising technology- The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in UAE has already considered technology in order to cultivate agricultural products without soil. The need of the hour is to make the technology popular across the geographical regions. Technology would ensure the control of the domestic climate including ventilation, humidity and temperature.
Cleaning fossil fuels- Another effective way of handling global warming is to capture and store carbon so that its release into the atmosphere can be stopped. Capturing carbon from its point source and storing it in the underground safely can be a useful mechanism.
Conclusion
The research paper is based on an issue related to environmental politics and security. Here, the implications of global warming in the context of UAE have been explored. In the beginning of the report, the main issue has been addressed. Following that, the existing relationship between global warming and security has been identified as well. The level of response from local and international bodies has been explored and thereafter the gaps in the responses have been identified. Based on the gaps, few recommendations have been given so that the issue can be tackled comprehensively.
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