Today, oil stores of the world are dwindling and pollution caused by fossil fuel burning continues to present massive challenges for the earth and all the creatures on it. In the midst of this, the world is looking for alternative fuel sources that are both renewable and nonpolluting. Even rich, oil producing nations such as the UAE have owned the responsibility of making the shift to more sustainable energy sources.
5 June is World Environment Day; a time for governments and agencies around the world to take stock of the damage human activities cause to the ecology every single day. Government agencies, private companies, communities and individuals in the UAE are examining ways to enhance green cover, improve air quality and very importantly, to encourage the development of clean, green energy sources.
Toxic air in cities and even in suburban and rural areas has literally become a killer. According to one report, about 92% of human’s breathe polluted air; which not only has a negative impact on health and social wellbeing, but also on economies because of higher welfare costs.
The UAE energy plan sets certain targets for energy consumption by the year 2050. The target is to have 44% clean energy, 38% gas and 12% coal and 6% nuclear energy. The idea is to diversify energy sources and to try and embrace renewable sources along with clean coal, biofuels and nuclear energy.
With plentiful sunshine almost all the year round, solar energy would be a natural choice for sustainable energy sources for the UAE. The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the biggest in the world; a testament to the commitment of the rulers and agencies in the UAE towards clean, renewable energy sources.
The aim of increasing the proportion of renewable energy to 10% of the national requirement, or up to 25% of total power generation, also has an economic imperative. Reducing reliance on fossil fuels by 2030 could result in a direct yearly savings of up to USD 1.9 billion. When environmental benefits are factored in, the savings could be as high as USD 3.7 billion say some estimates.
Vehicular emission is one of the biggest reasons for air pollution in the world. Hence, zero-emission vehicles such as electric or low polluting hybrid vehicles are also being encouraged in the UAE. Tesla set up shop in Dubai not too long ago, and the Tesla Model 3 made its debut in UAE earlier this year at Tesla showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road.
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