Björn Kjerfve
The UAE has become a front-runner in the environmental arena on an international level, grabbing headlines for its ambitious environmental projects and for being selected as the headquarters for the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena).
Experts worldwide are testifying to the efforts here in this domain. During the 6th Green Economy Annual Conference in May, views were expressed on how the UAE is well on its way to possessing a true green economy in the near future. The director of the Cambridge Centre for Climate Change Mitigation Research, Professor Douglas Crawford-Brown, testified to this fact, stating that the Emirates has “unprecedented resources to … probably move past Germany in terms of developing a green economy”.
There is no denying the great strides made in terms of environmental initiatives, despite the world’s scepticism. When the UAE began to undertake large-scale environmental initiatives, it might have seemed so paradoxical that a major oil producer would make such progress in the “green world”, but the critics have been proven wrong.
However, despite the progress made, we have still got more to go. What does the UAE need to do to become a global “green” leader?
As with any sector, innovation and research are key. We need to come up with creative methods to make the transition to a fully green, sustainable economy in a manner that is efficient, cost effective and realistic. The UAE’s academic sector has already made a number of important strides towards this goal.
One notable example is the work being done by Sharjah’s Gulf Ecosystem Research Centre, established in 2012 as a joint initiative between the American University of Sharjah (AUS) and Bee’ah, the Sharjah Environment Company. With a grant of Dh30 million to be provided over five years, the centre conducts research on Arabian Gulf ecosystems and offers advice on long-term solutions to ecological problems. A key focus area of its work is the influence of natural and man-made interactions on the environment.
Another important project is the IAEA Technical Cooperation Project, which investigates properties of natural environments, such as dust in the air and extremely high water salinities, to understand their interaction with anthropogenic emissions; and how that forms interactions with fine and ultrafine particulate size materials, some toxic. The IAEA Technical Cooperation Department partnered with AUS in organising a workshop to look into evaluating and mapping air pollutants using nuclear analytical techniques this year. AUS is also working with Sharjah Electricity & Water Authority in researching energy, water, desalination, and recycling.
A lot of work has been done so far, but there is more to go, to enable the UAE to reach its ambitious sustainability goals. The UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda has set goals to improve the quality of air, preserving water resources, increase the contribution of clean energy and implement green growth, and we all have to contribute to make this aim a reality on ground.
Funding remains a challenge for many institutions. We all know that money makes the world go round, and the environmental arena is no different than other sectors in that regard. It is great to see the nation’s leadership encouraging “green thinking” and to witness the creative ideas the private and academic sectors are coming up with, but without increasing funding many ideas will remain in the concept stage.
The UAE has already taken active steps to tackle this, through collaborating with the banking sector to come up with attractive offers that encourage green investments. The country is expecting to see its debut green sukuk bonds issuance this year.
Energy, sustainability and new sources of power – these are all themes that are on the global agenda, as the world faces growing challenges with fluctuating oil prices and growing concerns about finite water and energy resources worldwide.
Dubai has identified sustainability as a key theme of its upcoming Expo 2020, recognising the undeniable truth that all economies have to factor in “green” strategies to survive in the coming years.
If the UAE continues to apply the strategy it has at hand, and the world of academia focuses more of its research efforts on this area, the Emirates will soon become a true leader in the green revolution that the world is witnessing.
Björn Kjerfve is the chancellor of the American University of Sharjah
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Previous men's records
- 2:01:39: Eliud Kipchoge (KEN) on 16/9/19 in Berlin
- 2:02:57: Dennis Kimetto (KEN) on 28/09/2014 in Berlin
- 2:03:23: Wilson Kipsang (KEN) on 29/09/2013 in Berlin
- 2:03:38: Patrick Makau (KEN) on 25/09/2011 in Berlin
- 2:03:59: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 28/09/2008 in Berlin
- 2:04:26: Haile Gebreselassie (ETH) on 30/09/2007 in Berlin
- 2:04:55: Paul Tergat (KEN) on 28/09/2003 in Berlin
- 2:05:38: Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 14/04/2002 in London
- 2:05:42: Khalid Khannouchi (USA) 24/10/1999 in Chicago
- 2:06:05: Ronaldo da Costa (BRA) 20/09/1998 in Berlin
Specs%3A%202024%20McLaren%20Artura%20Spider
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%20and%20electric%20motor%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20power%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20700hp%20at%207%2C500rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EMax%20torque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20720Nm%20at%202%2C250rpm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Eight-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E0-100km%2Fh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.0sec%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETop%20speed%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E330kph%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh1.14%20million%20(%24311%2C000)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
Teachers' pay - what you need to know
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Why does a queen bee feast only on royal jelly?
Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
Bee venom is used by bees to protect themselves. Has anti-inflammatory properties, sometimes used to relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and muscle pain
Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
Singham Again
Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
Match info:
Portugal 1
Ronaldo (4')
Morocco 0
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
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