US President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at kick-starting commercial deep-sea mining has sparked debate in environmental circles on what is the most appropriate next step. He is keen to search for metals used in renewable energy, batteries and computer microchips such as copper, cobalt, manganese and nickel. The mining could take place at depths of thousands of metres. The area most […]
A growing atmospheric phenomenon is complicating Europe’s path towards climate and energy security targets, scientists have warned. Mineral dust carried on the wind from the Sahara could hamper Europe’s reliance on solar energy, the European Geosciences Union General Assembly (EGU25) heard. In their presentation at EGU25, Dr Gyorgy Varga and collaborators from Hungarian and European institutions said dust-laden skies disrupt […]
With its endless sunshine and sizzling temperatures, the UAE is the perfect place at which to kickback and enjoy an afternoon by the pool. But a new study suggests that the desire to take a dip consumes significant amounts of water, with more than a billion litres probably evaporating each year from the country’s pools. While the […]
Scientists in Abu Dhabi say stricter air quality controls, transitioning to renewable energy and monitoring vehicle emissions are behind a reduction in the levels of air pollution in parts of the Middle East. A study from Khalifa University (KU) in Abu Dhabi, using Nasa satellites, looking between 2003 and 2023, showed significant reductions after pollution levels increased during the first decade […]
Dust and sand storms have been sweeping the UAE in recent weeks, providing a challenge for weather and environment agencies that are working to forecast and prepare for their effects. On Thursday, the National Centre of Meteorology issued a fresh alert that winds reaching 45kph were blowing dust and sand, reducing visibility. Similar notifications have […]
Up to 250,000 deaths from poor air quality could be prevented annually in central and western Europe by 2050 if greenhouse gas emissions are drastically reduced, say researchers. A study by atmospheric scientists at the University of Leeds has revealed that the number of deaths could be significantly reduced, but only if there is a […]
EPFL atmospheric and climate scientists show that biological particles may induce rain events that could contribute to flooding and snowstorms, owing to their ability to precipitate ice formation in clouds. They call for an update of meteorological and climate models. Clouds form upon existing particles in the atmosphere and extreme weather events like flooding and […]
Vital to dugongs, sea turtles, fish nurseries and carbon storage, seagrass meadows are among the ocean’s most critical – and at the same time most overlooked – ecosystems. Yet, they are disappearing at alarming rates around the world. Scientists from across the region gathered in Abu Dhabi for the first Arabian Seagrass Workshop last week, […]
Developing countries including most Middle East states have yet to use a new $300 billion climate fund to draw up plans to go green – blaming global turmoil and choosing to “wait for others” to go first, The National has been told. Armed with the $300 billion pledge, countries had a February deadline to reveal how they would help tackle global warming. […]
The UAE has entered an unusually intense, early heatwave, with temperatures already climbing past 44°C in recent days – a sweltering sign of what experts warn will be a hotter, longer summer. Dr Ahmed Habib at the National Centre of Meteorology told The National that the country is currently gripped by a thermal low pressure system, […]
