Global Warming Issue Facing Saudi Arabia - Case Study Example

Name Course Institution Date Global warming Issue Facing Saudi Arabia Introduction Saudi Arabia, one of the hottest and driest nation in the world located in between north latitudes 17 and 31 and east longitudes 37 and 56 (Hassan). It is estimated that the country experiences range from 80mm and 140mm of its water through precipitation. Indeed, Saudi Arabia is known for high temperatures during summer, clear skies and relatively low humidity in most of the time. Global warming and climate change in the world is increasingly becoming a threat to many parts of the world given the excess evaporation of water resources and decreasing run-off. In turn, the global warming is thereby affecting water resources and agriculture in most of the world. This essay aims at discussing the issue of agriculture and water resources about global warming in Saudi Arabia. In this context, the article will examine the impacts of variables such as temperature and precipitation leading to climate changes as a result of global warming experienced in the country. The gradual changes in temperatures have directly and indirectly impacted the ecosystem in Saudi Arabia leading to reduced non-migratory animals due to the extremes of the temperatures during the day and nights. The livelihood of the people leaving in the hot parts of the country is negatively affected as the sector of agriculture faces challenges due to the reduced water resources. In the bid to evaluate the changes in climate, meteorologists carried out studies on the environmental factors affecting the nation through the global warming. In these studies assessments provided ample insights about the changing temperatures that proved that most parts of the country are prone to surface warming and seasonal variability in most of the regions. Besides, the research showed that Saudi Arabia is likely to experience reduced likelihood of rain thus decreasing the water supplies in turn raising issue in the agricultural sector. Indeed, the interiors of the country witnesses prolonged dry spells thus exacerbating drought stress (Philander pp. 56-78). The combination of the increased temperatures and the reduction in the precipitation increases the evapotranspiration processes posing the multi-faceted threat to the country in general as well as the agriculture and water supplies which are interdependent. The effects of the global warming in the country extends to the wetlands which are the largest producers. Saudi Arabia is one of the most vulnerable parts of the world as the rise in temperatures along with the increased variability on factors causing global warming worsens the situation in the country. The changes have brought about the issue of agriculture and water supplies which are paramount to the survival of the habitats of the country. It is important to mention that the total land under cultivation in the country amount to 1% of the total area (Athar pp. 1979-2008). Consequently, the horticultural products from the country depend largely on irrigation which is negatively affected by changes in climate. From the current and projected possible changes in climate changes, the crops in Saudi Arabia are expected to suffer significant effects due to the variations in temperatures. In this context, the crops that do well in the tropical regions such as Saudi Arabia are subject to the variations in climate and therefore cannot withstand extreme temperature changes beyond the maximum tolerance limits. To achieve the rising demand for agricultural products in the country, farmers turned their attention to greenhouse farming. The issue is even more challenging as about 30% of the Saudi Arabia vegetables are grown in greenhouses. It is relevant to mention the danger posed by the use of greenhouses in agricultural production because of the emission of the greenhouse gasses such as carbon (iv) oxide leading to global warming(George,Pp.14-17). Notably, the deforestation status in the country coupled with impacts of the greenhouse gasses as well as the burning of fuel fossils endangers the country due to the projected increase in global warming in the country. From the reports conducted by meteorologists at different stations in the country comparing various isotherms, the global warming has detrimental impacts on livestock especially with little ability to cope with the changes in the temperatures. Speculations are made regarding the control of the animal's body temperatures demanding the intervention of scientists in determining the sustaining power of water by the animals and possibility to survive in this region and remedies to revert the impacts of global warming. Scarcity and shortage of water present a constant threat to life and development of a nation. Saudi Arabia has no perennial rivers and only have less surface water except a few reservoirs that are almost dry in most time of the year due to prolonged dry spells. Considering that the run-off in the country is of low rates, the climate changes have far-reaching effects on water retention and supplies in this dry country. In fact, the climate change and temperature rise do affect not only the agricultural sector in Saudi Arabia but also the livestock concerning production, morbidity, and mortality (B.Joseps, Shobrak and Thomas Pp. 121–130). The study of spatial and temporal trends reveals different parameters essential in determining the climate changes and also the uncertainties related to the changes. Most of the parts in the country follows the climate of deserts considering that the flash rainwater floods in the valleys but it is of less use due to the high rate of evaporation and infiltration rates due to mostly sandy soils. In this context, it is worth mentioning that the climate changes assessment requires reliable information about the average values and fluctuations in the past and the present to anticipate the future trends. It is clear from the direction of the climate changes that Saudi Arabia has shown discernable signs in climatic variations. Though the data provided by experts from meteorological stations and researchers may lack enough spatial and temporal evidence to draw a final projection in future climatic changes in the country measures to control environmental degradation are essential (George Pp. 13-21). In this context, the Saudi decision-makers are obliged to consider the rising population and the current insights and light shed on the issue to formulate a policy that would ensure mitigation measures to prevent environmental problems that may arise in time of significant global warming. In this context, the country requires more climate-proof infrastructure, good drainage systems, and networks as well as water harvesting mechanisms. However, the long lasting remedies to the climatic changes in Saudi Arabia depends on the proper will of the other nations to adopt strategies to reduce the impacts of global warming in the coming decades. In this sense, countries are supposed to embrace the new technologies that can assist in reversing the effects of the changing climate (OECD Pp. 40-52). The initiative entails collaboration in investment in individual nations and worldwide to address the issue of global warming. The monitoring of the indicators of changing climate hints to the authority the need to create awareness to the general public in Saudi Arabia on methods of water preservation. Use of alternative ways that reduces the emission of carbon dioxide, avoiding deforestation, recycling of the renewable resources and construction of water storage reservoirs is relevant in reducing desiccations. Conclusion Saudi Arabia is one of the driest subtropical countries in the world and already suffering from the increasingly changing climatic situations. The climate changes in the state raise the alarm on the issue of agriculture and water supplies in particular. The rapidly increasing population has triggered the use of greenhouse production thus exacerbating the global warming effects in the country. Climatic and non-climatic indicators of changing the climate in the land pinpoint the need for immediate actions. In fact, the worsening condition does not need to wait for scientific interventions to formulate conclusions regarding the climate changes. Implementing policy ensures prevention of effects of the changes in Saudi Arabia. The policy purposes to provide platform and guidelines to a timely response to the projected climate changes to ensure conservation of water and controlled and managed agriculture. The ignorance of the climatic factors and climate changes are likely to lead to more devastating problems on the issue of farming and water availability in Saudi Arabia in the foreseeable future. Work Cited Athar, H. "Trends in observed extreme climate indices in Saudi Arabia during 1979-2008." International Journal of Climatology Vol.34.No. 5 (2013): 1561-1574. B.Joseps, Williams, et al. "Climate change and animals in Saudi Arabia." Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences Vol.19.No. 2 (2012): Pp. 121–130. George, Philander S. Encyclopedia of Global Warming & Climate Change. California: SAGE Publications, 2012. Hassan, Ishtiaq et al. "Global warming and temperature changes for Saudi Arabia." Journal of Biodiversity and Environmental Sciences Vol. 8.No. 1 (2016): pp.179-191. OECD. Climate Change, Water and Agriculture: Towards Resilient Systems. Paris: OECD Publishing, 2014. Philander, S G. Encyclopedia of Global Warming & Climate Change. California: SAGE Publications, 2012. Read More