Sustainability talks as Expo 2020 nears

A model of the Expo 2020 project in Dubai. Sustainability will be followed throughout the construction of the expo site.

While the UAE government is moving towards sustainability and the use of renewable energy, a lot more needs to be done.
This was the message Expo 2020 team wanted to get across to Dubai community through art as they held a screening of Before the Flood, Leonardo DiCaprio's two-year journey against climate change.
The 95-minute documentary that explored fragile state of earth today and what must be done today to prevent catastrophic disruption of life, gathered a big crowd of residents at Serkal Avenue on Wednesday night.
Dr Hayat Shamsuddin, Senior Advisor of Culture at Expo 2020, said there isn't a more powerful tool than art to get the message of sustainability across and call for individual efforts. "Art moves us significantly because artists have the power to make us comprehend the power of the message they are trying communicate," she said during a panel discussion that followed the screening.
She said while initiatives can vary, it is all about engaging with the community and creating conversations, through which changes can be made. The team had earlier announced the Wasl Plaza for the World Expo 2020 site, which will be a unique space at the centre of the 4.38-square kilometre site.
As part of the sustainability theme, the team aims to extend the message to communities to help take action. Dr Federica Busa, Senior Advisor of Expo 2020 theme, said with more than 120 participating countries and an expected influx of visitors exceeding 30 million over a six-month period, the event will be a great opportunity to leave a message behind in cooperation with participating nations.
Sustainability will also be followed throughout the construction of the expo site. The team will be collecting rainwater and water from the country's humidity to help gardens grow at the site.  The team is also looking at how the building can be used after the event is over.
The challenges facing UAE
The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, formed last year as part of the new UAE cabinet formed in February, is currently working on developing a food diversification strategy and policy.
Dr Majid Al Qasimi, Director of Animal Health & Development at the ministry, said while UAE imports 95 per cent of its food, ensuring sustainability in the way food is grown is essential. "It might be difficult to feed ourselves here, but we should try to look at how we will use more sustainable practices across our agriculture," said Al Qasimi.
While the Gulf is expected to be hit the worst by climate change over the coming years, Al Qasimi said the focus of the ministry is on growing crops within the country more sustainably without overusing water. Al Qasimi added, "We are talking about the need for water reform. We have heavily subsidised water which is the scarcest resource and we are overusing our natural water for practices that in my opinion are poorly borrowed ideas for agriculture."
He noted that replicating Europe's practices do not necessarily apply for the area, adding that the new food diversification strategy will deal with actual issue of subsidies.
The strategy will address the revision of water reform, wastewater and usage for crops and food waste and food loss, said Al Qasimi.
He added that the country has the potential to add carbon plastic tax, but it starts with the people. "If supermarkets, for example saw that people do not want to use plastic, they will stop providing plastic."
Al Qasimi urged residents to help the government in taking the little steps that will bring an impact. "Think about how you eat, and don't overspend on food. Don't use plastic, recycle, and try to use public transport as much as we can," noted Al Qasimi.
"The hardest thing to do is to change nation's behaviour, so we need to enlighten them on what's coming."
Expo 2020 in numbers
> 4.38-square kilometres - World Expo 2020 site
> 200 - participating countries
> 25 million - expected number of visitors
> 6 months - duration of event
sherouk@khaleejtimes.com