local mentality – is so urbanised, it will take some effort to entice UAE
nationals or expatriates to work in the agricultural sector to lessen the
nation’s dependency on imported goods.
EnvironmEntal aWarEnESS
In terms of going green at the micro level, much work needs to be done.
Water and energy wastage are major issues. At 550L per day, the UAE
has the highest per capita rate of water consumption in the world, and
rainfall is infrequent. According to Dr Rashid bin Fahad, the UAE Min-
ister of the Environment, the country relies on desalination for 98% of
its drinking-water needs, an expensive and energy-intensive process,
but necessary to convert seawater into water clean enough to drink.
It’s estimated that a third of the cars on Dubai’s roads are gas-
guzzling sports utility vehicles (SUVs). But petrol is very cheap and
many expatriates like to have a big car for reassurance on Dubai’s vola-
tile roads. Many drivers, of course, require 4WD vehicles for their off-
road leisure pursuits.
Masdar City
Meanwhile, in Abu Dhabi, the most ambitious environmental project
in the region is taking shape, and is scheduled for completion in 2016.
When completed, Masdar City will be the world’s first carbon-neutral,
zero-waste community, powered entirely by renewable energy. The
firm of British star architect Norman Foster has provided the blue-
print for what will essentially be a living laboratory for around 50,000
people. For more information on this fascinating project, check www
.masdar.ae.
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