UAE Flooding: A Stark Reminder Of The Delicate Balance Between Human Intervention and Nature’s Response.

Ibrahim Ismail Elnafat 28 May 2024

On April 16, 2024, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) experienced unprecedented rainfall in Dubai, causing widespread flooding, lost of lives and infrastructural damage. The desert city received over 120 mm (4.72 inches) of rain in a single day, equivalent to its average annual rainfall.

This deluge overwhelmed drainage systems; flooding highways, homes, and shopping centres like Dubai Mall and Mall of the Emirates, with ankle-deep water in the Dubai Metro stations.

The flood also disrupted flights from the world's busiest airport, Dubai International Airport, for international travel. Schools were closed, cars are abandoned on waterlogged roads, and remote work has been extended for government employees. There were also instances of lightning occasionally touching the tip of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.

The UAE government described the downpours as an “exceptional” climate event, for over 75yrs. According to authorities, more rain is expected, emphasizing the need for better infrastructure planning and awareness of health risks associated with extreme weather events.

From the climate change's perspective, this is as a result of weather modifications, geoengineering and cloud seeding, which are by nature, anthropogenic.

We picked to fight with nature and now it's fighting back. Therefore, we've got to make peace. And everybody has to play their part.

The ethical implications of weather modification and geoengineering are complex in nature. While these practices aim to address climate change, they inadvertently impact ecosystems and human well-being.

As scientists explore interventions to alter atmospheric conditions and manipulate the Earth's climate system, questions arise about unintended consequences and risks to the environment and human health.

Raising awareness about these consequences is crucial for developing methods for mitigation of their potential harmful effects.

What is Weather Modification?

Weather modification involves intentional human intervention to alter atmospheric conditions, influencing precipitation patterns, cloud formation, and other weather phenomena.

What is Geoengineering?

Geoengineering refers to large-scale efforts to counteract climate change by directly manipulating the Earth's climate system.

What is Cloud Seeding?

Cloud seeding is a weather modification process used to generate or enhance more rainfall to combat droughts and reduce water scarcity in arid regions. This involves infusing clouds with silver iodide particles to stimulate condensation and precipitation.

Potential Consequences.

1. Global Dimming: this refers to a decrease in sunlight reaching the Earth's surface. Such practice involves spraying aerosols into the atmosphere to reflect sunlight into space for solar management and atmospheric cooling. These aerosols contain large quantities of aluminium, chosen for its reflective qualities. However, unintended consequences have emerged.

In a groundbreaking climate engineering documentary titled “The Dimming,” the lead researcher and executive producer, Dane Wigington, extensively explored how certain practices of geoengineering might contribute to a phenomenon known as global dimming.

2. Environmental Impact: Aluminium-laden aerosols have come down in precipitation, altering soil pH values significantly. Such a scenario was recorded in Northern California, where excessive aluminium from rain has led to soil degradation, affecting forests and insects. The heavy metal's presence in the environment raises concerns about human health. These aluminium-laden aerosols, when inhaled by humans, pose a great health consequences, potentially contributing to neurological degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Dementia, and ALS.

Are There Alternative Options? Such As Natural Climate Adaptation?

Although Nanotechnology-Enhanced Cloud Seeding aims to enhance precipitation, it has its own dark side. While the traditional cloud-seeding materials also have its limitations.

Scientists are now using nanotechnology to design and engineer more effective cloud-seeding materials to optimize water vapour condensation and maximize rainfall in arid and semi-arid regions.

The UAE Research Program for Rain Enhancement Science is actively involved in advancing cloud-seeding capabilities using nanotechnology. As Amina J Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General; highlighted with head of UN global communications, Melissa Fleming, in an interview at the 74th UN General Assembly on the Climate Action in 2019; “we picked to fight with nature and now its fighting back, and we got to make peace; and everybody has to play their part.”

Rather than directly modifying weather, we can focus on adapting to natural climate patterns, such as:

1. Water Harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater during wet seasons for use during dry periods, including improved water management techniques.

Efficient water management practices can mitigate the impact of water scarcity, particularly using technology to convert seawater into freshwater, as well as recycling wastewater for treatment and reusing for non-potable purposes.

2. Drought-Resistant Crops: Developing crop varieties that require less water. Adopting smart irrigation is also essential in implementing precision irrigation techniques to reduce water wastage.

3. Natural Ecosystem Restoration: Restoring wetlands, forests, and other natural ecosystems can enhance local water cycles and improve water availability. Planting trees to improve local climate and water availability on the process.

4. Geoengineering Research: Although still controversial, geoengineering is considered another option to explore large-scale interventions to counteract climate change, focusing on solar radiation management; reflecting sunlight away from Earth, including carbon capture and storage to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere.

5. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Building infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, is essential. Countries vulnerable to such extreme weather events need to properly design dams, reservoirs, and flood control systems that can help manage water resources effectively.

Conclusion

Artificial weather modifications have far-reaching consequences. As we continue to explore these interventions, we must weigh their benefits against potential harms, focusing on responsible practices and informed decision-making processes to safeguard our environment and well-being.

A combination of natural adaptation, improved water management, and responsible research into geoengineering can provide alternatives to direct weather modification. Balancing these approaches is crucial for sustainable water resource management and climate resilience.

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