UAE Energy and Water Challenges

This assignment analyzes the energy and water challenges faced by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), particularly in Abu Dhabi. It highlights the growing population's influence on energy demand, the significant reliance on fossil fuels, and the environmental consequences of desalination. The document proposes solutions such as promoting renewable energy sources and implementing energy-efficient practices to address these issues.

Running head: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ASSIGNMENT 1
Environmental Science Assignment
Name
Institution

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE ASSIGNMENT 2
Environmental Science Assignment
Introduction
According to the recent international statistics, the world has seen a considerable
population growth rate of 1.12% in 2017 (World Bank, 2017). Particularly, in the United Arab
Emirates, the population has been increasing steadily over the last two decades. Highest in the
rank is Dubai which has recently observed an average growth rate of 5% to 7.5 %: one fastest
growth rates in the world. Factors such as per capita income, social, or the age pyramid can
affect the demographic change. As such, many demographic researchers in UAE believe that
immigration mainly accelerates the population growth imbalance. Oil exploration saw a rapid
change in the population growth rate pattern. It fostered economic development thereby
encouraging more births. However, population growth has raised environmental concerns that
need to be addressed.
Effects of the growing population
Air pollution
Air pollution refers to the emission of harmful substances that reduce the air quality to
the atmosphere either directly or indirectly. Increased population has seen increased demand for
natural resources such as petroleum and natural gas which come from fossil fuels. UAE being
one of the largest producers of oil and natural gas in the world, fossil fuels emission to the
atmosphere is inevitable. When fossil fuels are burnt, they emit toxic substances and greenhouse
gases. Additionally, increased human activities such as power plants construction increase the
effluents to the air. Agricultural-based industries emit ammonia which one of the most hazardous

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gases. Also, manufacturing industries release carbon monoxide, organic compounds, chemicals,
hydrocarbons and other chemicals that reduce the quality of air.
Air pollution can cause harm to human beings as well as other living organisms. For
instance, it causes respiratory and heart problems. Moreover, it causes global warming. Global
warming refers to the rise in temperatures of the earth. Consequently, melting of polar ice which
increases sea levels, and flooding of the coastal plains. Also, global warming causes climate
change that subsequently leads to encroachment of desert-like conditions.
Furthermore, when harmful gases like nitrogen oxide and sulfur are exposed to the
atmosphere, moisture may combine with these pollutants resulting to acid rains. Thus, causing
damage to the human skin, plants, and animals. Besides, air pollution leads to the depletion of
the ozone layer. The ozone layer is responsible for protecting human beings from damaging UV
rays. The presence of hydrochlorofluorocarbons makes the protective ozone layer thin, and the
harmful rays can cause skin cancer.
Water pollution
Water pollution refers to the emission of harmful substances to water making it unsafe for
human consumption as well as other living organisms’’ consumption. Secondly, the major
environmental issue affecting UAE’s large population in towns is the unavailability of fresh
water for consumption. Wastewater pollution in UAE is caused by fuel combustion and of
petroleum products, transport activities and industrial activities. According to International
Energy Agency, “UAE’s per-capita waste generation is one of the highest in the world” (2015).
Subsequently, the biodiversity and the ecosystem are affected negatively. As such, the
government has taken initiatives to mitigate such issues and protect the environment.

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Manufacturing and its impact on human, environment, and energy
The current dramatic population growth has seen a subsequent increase in
industrialization in UAE. Especially the manufacturing industry. To a significant degree, this has
revolutionized and fostered economic development. However, most of these sectors utilize fuels
which burn to cause detrimental effects to the environment. For instance, increased
industrialization leads to over-exploitation of natural resources, land degradation, overreliance
water pollution, global warming and air pollution. Notably, these effects have been discussed in
details in other sections.
Land degradation and desertification.
Besides water and air pollution, UAE also faces the problem of over-exploitation of
natural resources. Population increase affects social order patterns as well as the typical
consumption systems making drought and desertification more severe and unbearable. Similarly,
increasing pressure on the available natural resources, urban encroachment along with the high
utilization of fertilizers and pesticides contribute to soil deterioration. As a result, the UAE
alongside other peninsula countries have come up with strategies to combat desertification and
land degradation.
Overfishing
On the other hand, the increased population has led to overfishing. Notably, marine
species such as fish have primarily dropped not only due to climatic change but also
demographic growth. UAE has been over-relying on fish as the chief source of food making the
citizens seek alternative sources of food.
Invasive species

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The large population has led to increased commercial activities even engagement in illicit
trade which threatens UAE’s biodiversity. As a result, plants with the ability to withstand the
high temperatures and high levels of salinity have been employed in the country to be applied in
landscaping in large cities, cultivation of new forests whereas other species have been claimed as
personal belongings.
Foreign species have been noted in result to unfavorable consequences on wildlife and
the environment. Notably, there exist many migratory wild animals such as sea turtles, bird of
prey, dugongs, and sharks. Such species are exposed to imminent hazards that often threaten
their existence.
Huge energy cost of Desalination
Abu Dhabi, a city in UAE which is recognized as one of the world’s superpowers
regarding oil production, holds 94% and 90% of the country’s oil reserves and natural gas
respectively (Caboun, 2017). However, the recent economic development that was accompanied
by increase in energy demand threatens the oil reserves.
The rise in energy demand and consumption has been attributed to the demographic
pressures as well as the significant economic development. Additionally, significant subsidies
offered in the energy market encourages over-consumption.
Similarly, with the limited availability of fresh water for consumption, UAE government
employs desalination of the salty sea water. A process that requires the huge investment of
electricity or steam to treat the water. According to Caboun (2017), UAE possesses the third
most abundant water desalination plant in the United States and Saudi Arabia. As a result,
desalination costs are expected to increase by 5% annually due to the population growth.

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However, some desalination plants are combined with power plants to improve energy
consumption efficiency. Desalination plants produce emissions making Dubai one of the largest
“carbon footprints in the world.” Such facilities also generate heated sludge which pollutes water
once it is pumped into the sea.
A possible future oil and energy crisis
Despite the fact that UAE holds one of the largest oil reserves in the world, it may fail to
meet the annual increase in electricity demand of about 7% (Caboun, 2017). Further, Caboun
(2017) argues that natural gas demand and consumption has surpassed the production rate and
the gap is expected to widen. Whereas there might be the availability of “enough resources to
meet future demand for oil” (International Energy Agency, 2015). UAE and other Middle East
countries continue to face energy crisis due to over-dependence on natural gas for generation of
electricity
Discussion and Suggestion
The numerous adverse effects of the growing population that have even led to the missing
connection between people and energy need to be addressed. The first step to combating such
problems is to identify the root their cause. As such a number, the government has to formulate
and implement measures that could eliminate over-dependence on fossil fuels as the primary
source of energy. For instance, spearheading projects that encourage the use of alternative
sources (renewable sources) of energy such as solar energy, wind energy, geothermal and
biomass.
As a result, emissions from the burning of fossil fuels would considerably decrease
thereby reducing air pollution, global warming, and water pollution. Additionally, energy

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efficient mechanisms can be employed in manufacturing industries for conserving the available
energy reserves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is evident that population increase is inevitable and it will continue to
pose significant dangers in the utilization of the available resources as well as environmental
effects. However, if the suggested measures are implemented, then population growth would be
of great benefit regarding nation building rather than posing challenges.
References
Caboun. (2017). Averting Crisis: Managing Energy Use in Abu Dhabi. Retrieved from
http://www.carboun.com/energy/averting-crisis-managing-energy-use-in-abu-dhabi/
Government.ae. (2017, March). Environmental challenges - The Official Portal of the UAE
Government. Retrieved from
https://government.ae/en/information-and-services/environment-and-energy/
environmental-challenges-in-the-uae
International Energy Agency. (2015). OMR - OMR Public. Retrieved from
https://www.iea.org/oilmarketreport/omrpublic/
World Bank. (2017). Population growth (annual %) | Data. Retrieved from
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.GROW