ShareBy Faten Omar
KUWAIT: The issue of rising temperatures has garnered significant attention due to growing concern over climate change. Rising global temperatures have led to more frequent and intense heatwaves, impacting ecosystems, human health and daily life. Jenan Bahzad, Director of Programs and Activities and Member of the Board of Directors of Kuwait Environment Protection Society, told Kuwait Times climate change in the world has begun to be obvious and cannot be hidden or denied.
Truth about the rise in temperatures, intensity of storms, increase in droughts, rise in acidity of oceans and other events have raced around the world in the past few years. “Scientists have repeatedly warned about the rise in global temperatures, and all recent research and studies have supported the damage and consequences of climate change on the world. Kuwait has to be aware of its impact,” she said. “The upcoming impacts will be very costly, but the window of opportunity is still open to take the necessary measures to limit these effects.
It is now necessary to rectify the situation and pay attention to developing strategic plans at a high level for changes in energy systems and changes in transportation, which has a significant impact on the emission of greenhouse gases,” she added. Bahzad indicated the main reason for the greater intensity of heat is the design of residential cities in and around Kuwait. “This includes the engineering design of the region, including population pressure and traffic congestion. The design of the city is made of untreated concrete and dark colors in asphalt roads and sidewalks, which are not suitable for the environment of the region.
These can be replaced by natural sandy rocks that are suitable for their light colors and lack of heat absorption,” she explained. “In addition, the city lacks green spaces and sustainable agriculture. This is one of the most important solutions to reduce the feeling of heat in the city crowded with cars and their emissions of gases and heat from engines, as they provide shade and increase air humidity. If we look at residential areas, we find they also produce heat because of air-conditioners, which increase the heat perceived in the area.
In Kuwait, people use open spaces as car parking spots and neglect home and roof cultivations,” she added. Bahzad said all solutions are within reach and are simple and low cost, returning to nature and engineering design for the city to suit the dry environment. This will contribute to reducing heat and redirecting winds to pass without hindrance from interlocking buildings of inappropriate heights. She affirmed the government must be aware of the rise in temperatures and work on reducing energy consumption wasted due to operating unnecessary lights and devices at home, emphasizing environmental behavior at work and spreading a culture of reducing energy and water wastage.
“Today, the environment has become a social responsibility on the part of the government, individuals and society, because we are all partners in protecting it, especially since environmental laws and international agreements are nothing but a deterrent to the dangers that surround humans and a means to reduce human violations of the environment,” she pointed out. Bahzad said future planning must include scenarios for the potential effects of climate change, such as rising sea levels or decreasing levels of freshwater, in addition to the unprecedented rise in temperatures and the subsequent possible effects such as drought, crop failure and the spread of wildfires.
