The Hazards of Pollution in the United Arab Emirates - Case Study Example

Introduction: All the basic elements of life are dependent upon the purity and cleanliness of nature and surroundings. The nature is working through a beautiful balance of water, air, energy and land reservoirs. The natural resources and reservoirs recycle themselves and provide their best benefits to the human population through their conservation qualities. But with the development and introduction of technology, these very natural elements and their conservation was shot badly. The contamination of environment and natural elements through the introduction or induction of chemicals and other severe elements is regarded as the pollution. Similarly, induction of great levels of noise, smoke and chemicals into air aggravates the air pollution; the induction of chemicals and wastage into water contaminates water and so on and so forth. Likewise, the wastage of resources such as water, wood, energy reservoirs, natural resources of all kinds, results in aggravating of the environmental and pollution hazards. While the usage of these natural resources had its affects on nature and had some escalating effects on the increase of pollution, the issue came into glaring focus after the World War II, when the effects of the atomic bombs dropped by the United States were seen and felt with its most hideous after-effects. Events like the Great Smog of 1952, in London also drew attention of people to the scenario of the rising pollution. With the increasing effect of the pollution on climate and with the global warming effects rising and becoming reality, it is becoming very important to make constant efforts in this regard and curb the effects before they further shorten the life of planet Earth. The hazards of pollution are heavily affecting the developed countries and the densely populated areas. The United Arab Emirates, with its ever-increasing population, and a rapid investment that led to swift constructions, fast-changing lifestyles as well as the delving of governments into the land reservoirs has led to an aggravating environmental problem. The rapid digging of oil wells has also had its share in the problem and the traffic increase has also taken its toll on the already problematic situation. Abu Dhabi, being one of the more populated areas and holding more attraction for investment has had more problems in this area as well. The traffic and the increasing number of oil and gas refineries around the area have made it a heavily affected ones and it is all the more risky because most of the greenery and developed systems of water supply in the Emirates and especially in Abu Dhabi are artificially designed. It is the need of the hour to devise a comprehensive and an all-encompassing design that smartly and comprehensively deals with all kinds of pollution creating elements. The aim of the plan for the curbing of pollution should be to minimize the existing damaging elements as well as to diminish the making of it for times to come. From the different facets of pollution like the air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution and ecological pollution to the further effects of developments, every aspect should be considered and taken into account for the implications and sustainability of the plan. Also measures should be taken in such a plan to gauge its success and sustainability for all the sectors that it affects and influences. Different Facets of Pollution in Abu Dhabi: Being a part of the oil-rich zone of Emirates, Abu Dhabi is one of the areas where population has grown with a surprising swiftness and has affected the increase of pollution vastly. From the oil wells, to increasing traffic and the continuously rising number of factories, the consequences are evident in water, air and everyday living of the people in Abu Dhabi. One of the main causes of air and ground pollution in Abu Dhabi are oil fields and traffic pollution as well as the rising number of fields and farms that are now available for agricultural purposes. The effects of different chemicals that have now infiltrated the ground water and are now part of the underground water that is unfit for drinking. There were around 9,000 farms in 1996 and over the years the number has risen greatly so that now there are around 24,000 private farms in 2002. While the raise in farms has helped a number of families in Abu Dhabi, the fact remains that the soil is sandy and not as fertile. A greater quantity of fertilizers is used in these areas and that has given rise to the quantity of nitrate and chromium in the soil. Also while the first oil-well was discovered in 1958 in the Abu Dhabi, today the most resounding factor behind the growth of economy is the oil and gas sector. The wastage that is added to the water at a continuous rate is also a great cause of the adding pollution. On the other hand, the air pollution is greatly increased due to traffic and oil wells. “The health risks associated with air pollution depend on the type of substances present, their concentrations and the length of time for which people are exposed to them. There are documented relationships between exposure and health problems for the following substances: Lead: Lead can affect the nervous system, reproduction, the formation of haemoglobin in the body, and can cause cancer. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter: These substances result in a higher frequency of various types of respiratory complaints. Particulate matter can also cause cardiovascular disease. Sulphur dioxide (SO2): Exposure to SO2 can result in lung disease. Carbon monoxide (CO): CO reduces the capacity of the blood to transport oxygen and can cause headaches, nausea and problems for heart patients. Ground-level ozone (O3): Can cause effects such as reduced lung capacity, an increase in the number of cases of bronchitis and asthma, headaches, and irritation of the eyes and mucous membranes.” (EAD, 2007) Through the Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company (ADMA-OPCO), almost 6 wells are producing oil off shore and the production through these wells has also increased from 2004 onwards, now reached outstanding levels. However, these oil productions and wells have also caused threats to the survival of mangroves across United Arab Emirates and especially in the vicinity of Abu Dhabi. Through the research conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries it has been reported that “an ideal habitat for a variety of fish, shrimps and other marine animals” (2000) which is near the shores of Abu Dhabi and in general near the Emirates. The marine life in the area cannot survive even a little quantity of oil and the pollution in the adjoining areas will create problems for the mangrove. Therefore the kind of problems faced in Abu Dhabi need severe planning and management for controlling and curbing the same tendencies in the future as the very sources of pollution are linked with the sources of development and expansion. Environmental Management System: In Abu Dhabi, there are some environmental organizations that are already at work and are trying to curb the devastating effects of pollution and hazardous oil wells and other developmental structures. The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) is working in this regard and is making quite a progress; the collaborative work with the WWF is mentionable and their work, especially the plans for Masdar city are quite outstanding. ‘“Masdar is an example of the paradigm shift that is needed and the strategic vision of the Abu Dhabi government is a case study in global leadership. We hope that Masdar City will prove that sustainable living can be affordable and attractive in all aspects of human living — from businesses and manufacturing facilities to universities and private homes.” Dr. Sultan al Jaber, CEO of the Masdar Initiative, said, “Masdar City will question conventional patterns of urban development, and set new benchmarks for sustainability and environmentally friendly design — the students, faculty and businesses located in Masdar City will not only be able to witness innovation first-hand, but they will also participate in its development.”’ (WWF, January 14, 2008) Although the completion of the plan is around 2012, yet the initial success of the plan has already come for with the recognition that it is receiving worldwide. ‘“In June 2007, Masdar City received the first World Clean Energy Award from the Transatlantic21 Association in Basel, Switzerland. In September 2007, the city’s design was voted “Sustainable Region/ City of the Year”’ (Ibid) In addition to these, the EAD has also undertaken a plan to register and analyze all the wells that have been dug in Abu Dhabi initially and to check the water for contamination and usability. These and many other initiatives that have been taken by the EAD have given it a place of great importance in the sector that is working for the revival of natural elements in the environment. The structure of any System that is designed to promote environmental safeguards will have to be multi dimensional and taking into account all the different aspects and dimensions of the situation as well as the short term and long term objectives of it. The Environmental Management System that will work under the Civil Defence Authority of Abu Dhabi shall be under the complete control and command of the Authority and should be made strong enough legally to maintain the required levels of compliance in this regard. The foremost in this regard will be to make it a body to which the industries, oil companies as well as citizens are answerable. While it will be necessary to make the mandate of the implementation clear, it will also be a prerequisite to make the jurisdiction of the Authority clear for all intents and purposes. The System must initiate with a complete planning and should demarcate all the areas that are of utmost importance and critical in the face of the most recent developments. The international and recognized standards for maintaining air, ground, and noise and water contamination to a minimal should be studied and taken into account keeping in mind the peculiar case of Abu Dhabi. The Environment Management Plan will take into account the statistics of the annual wastage being thrown into the sea, that is released into air and which is creating pollution in other ways. The legal requirements that are to be met with by the oil companies and industries as well as by individuals will be studied under the plan. The curbing of the contamination can be done by taking in the steps in the right direction. While the water for drinking is supplied after desalination, likewise it should be arranged so that fresh water is also supplied to the mangroves that are on the verge of destruction near Abu Dhabi. The wells around Abu Dhabi, off shore and on land are a great source of the pollution in the area. They cannot be removed and neither the production of these wells can be reduced as they are a source of the development taking place in and around Abu Dhabi but they should be regulated according to the rules of international standing and their effects should be marginalized by the recycling of their wastage being compulsory. Recycling, that has not been considered on a large scale by any organization up till now, should be made a part of the Civil Defence Authority’s program. While laws can be enacted against the mixing of garbage, it is actually a widespread program of awareness that shall allow more and more people to be a part of the campaign for the reduction of pollution. Also the laws that are enacted in this regard should also take into account the individual practices that has left the pollution stats rising. Conclusion: While the plan for saving environment or the Environmental Management System should encompass all the development that is a consequence of oil-discovery and constructions and technological improvements in the area, the imbalance of the ecological system should also be considered deeply while figuring a plan for the curbing of pollution. Successful plans such as those conducted by the EDA should be taken as guiding principles and should be resounded in the EMS developed for execution by Civil Defence Authority. Bibliography: Air pollution, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi , (2007) Pollution of groundwater, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, < http://www.soe.ae/Abu_Themespage.aspx?m=49>, (2007) Gulf Oil Pollution Threatens Mangroves in UAE ABU DHABI, June 6, Xinhua News Agency, (June 6, 2000) Abu Dhabi unveil plans for sustainable city, WWF, Environmental News Network, Read More