Concern over rise in 'light and significant pollution'

According to a recent report by Environment Protection and Safety Section (EPSS) of Dubai Municipality's Environment Department on the air quality of Dubai, there has been a slight increase in the incidence of 'light pollution' and 'significant pollution' in the emirate. An increase in the vehicular traffic in Dubai coupled with an expansion of development projects has been cited as possible contributing factors for this trend by environmentalists.

Dr Eisa M. Abdullatif, an environmental adviser who has served on the board of the Zayed International Prize for Environment, said that the obvious factor for this rise has been the increase in traffic due to the ownership of multiple cars in a household. "There is more traffic on the roads of Dubai and due to the high standard of living many people own more than one car in a household. Also, people are still not using public transportation to its optimum here," he said.

"Another factor could be the development projects which are coming up. Due to the increasing number of construction projects requiring diesel to power their vehicles, there has been an increase in the pollution levels," he added.

According to the report, Dubai last year had some 222 days of clean air as against 227 in 2003.

Citing the step taken by the UAE in ratifying the United Nations backed Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change as 'excellent', Abdullatif said that this would considerably reduce the greenhouse gas emissions in line with specified levels. "The UAE is a pioneer in signing the Kyoto Protocol as many oil producing countries are under the impression that it may affect future oil output and revenues, which is untrue. This step in itself, shows the country's commitment to preserving the environment and keeping pollution levels in check," he said.

Abdullatif suggested that the key to keeping pollution levels in check was by devising sustainable means of transportation such as the rail project undertaken by the Dubai Municipality.

"The authorities should look into providing more sustainable means of transportation such as electrically operated buses and other transportation system which would reduce the emission of smoke. More regulation on part of the authorities such as issuing fines to erring drivers whose vehicles emit such gases and providing training to their employees about the negative effects of pollution would also help lessen this phenomenon," he said.