Coming from the beautiful, nature pristine, Northwest, there was always a huge emphasis on environmental conservation and related issues. (Yes, the land of hippies, Granolas, and Burkinstocks). I remember at one point there was a huge recycling campaign going on in Seattle where city officials were threatening to fine people who were not actively recycling (Supposedly if they looked at your garbage and saw too many recyclable goods in the normal trash bin citations would be issued). Not recycling was such a social taboo; you'd hear the murmurs of disapproval if people saw you throwing your aluminum can in the same receptacle as your chip bag.
For Dubai I can't say the same (if a person is throwing away their trash into a garbage can and not straight onto the sidewalk, now that is an achievement). I remember moments where I would stare in awe as people would simply just discard their items like we were living in one big landfill (okay, no pun intended -- Dubai = Landfill . . . yes we have joked about it . . .).
I was reading the latest TimeOut Dubai which I have recently become addicted to searching out alternate activities during Ramadan, and I came across a very interesting article discussing the ecological footprint of Dubai: SHOCKING.
according to the Living Planet Report 2004, the UAE's human pressure (global footprint) . .is the highest in the world.' Specifically the global footprint is 9.9 global ha/person and the country's capacity to produce is 1.0 global ha/person -- do some math and you will see there is a missing 8.9 global ha/person to meet this footprint. We are eating way more resources than what are available -- not sustainable.
Reflecting back on my day I see more than enough activities that contribute to my footprint -- waking up in my air conditioned flat, taking my 15 minute hot shower, into my air conditioned car for my 40 minute solo drive to my air conditioned office, reading emails on my high energy consuming flat screen, off to dinner at an air conditioned yuppie hang out, back solo in my car, prep for bed for a good nights sleep in my air conditioned room.
Being environmentally conscious is a trend yet to catch on here, though I can honestly say attitudes are gradually changing. When you are out camping on a beach that 6 months before was free of large construction vehicles and abandoned BBQ trash, you can't help but notice your environment being impacted. And even if people are not actively becoming eco champions here in Dubai at the rapid pace that is required, soon enough mother nature will yield her influence to change their minds.
