Dr Zubari: Human industrial activities in the West have led to global warming
Dr Al-Jenaid: We may lose 11% of the landmass, and reclamation protects the coasts
The participants in the Session focused on the scientific aspect of the climate change phenomenon and its expected effects on the Kingdom of Bahrain and how to deal with it and mitigate its effects. They also spoke about the commitments of the Kingdom of Bahrain within the global efforts to reduce gas emissions and achieve zero carbon neutrality.
Firstly, Dr Waleed Zubari identified the phenomenon of climate change, indicating that scientific studies have proven beyond doubt the fact that the Earth is going through an accelerated warming period due to human industrial activities since the beginning of the industrial revolution in the West in the middle of the nineteenth century, which relied heavily on coal fuel, which led to a rise in carbon dioxide concentration from 280 parts per million before the industrial revolution to about 420 parts per million currently, and this led to the phenomenon of global warming, with the temperature rising rapidly by about one degree and sea level by about 20 cm due to the melting of snow in the world. He pointed out that although the Kingdom of Bahrain’s contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is low and insignificant compared to total global emissions, it is considered one of the countries that is most affected by this phenomenon as it is a small island developing country with limited area and natural and water resources and is characterised by the low level of its lands above sea level, and it must adapt to this phenomenon.
He pointed out that the Kingdom of Bahrain has, since 2000, studied the effects of climate change on many sectors, including the water resources sector, and methods of adapting to it in its periodic national reports submitted within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). These efforts culminated in the national strategy for the water sector in the Kingdom prepared by the Water Resources Council, headed by His Excellency Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, and approved by the Honourable Council of Ministers on 1 February, 2021, and incorporated climate change adaptation options into its strategic objectives.
Dr Sabah Al-Jenaid revealed the possibility of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s coasts being affected by the phenomenon of climate change. She pointed out that the latest studies conducted by the Arabian Gulf University for the Supreme Council for the Environment showed the possibility of the Kingdom of Bahrain losing about 11% of its coastal lands due to rising sea levels, especially in the southern regions. The Kingdom of Bahrain has taken positive decisions to address this by raising the level of reclamation to protect its coasts. She also touched on the topic of Zero Carbon Neutrality, and the options available to achieve it under the circumstances of the Kingdom of Bahrain, and that the Kingdom has taken many pioneering initiatives and serious steps in the field of carbon capture through green environmental solutions, including initiatives to intensify the planting of cochineal trees and increase the green space through afforestation campaigns, represented by planting 140 thousand trees and 110 thousand seedlings of cochineal trees. She pointed to the role of scientific research in determining the types of trees and the amounts of carbon absorption to help decision makers choose trees suitable for the Kingdom of Bahrain. She also pointed out the necessity of research and investigation into natural resources and other technologies, such as energy efficiency, renewable energies, reducing energy consumption rates, carbon capture techniques, and others, which can contribute as carbon sinks in addition to afforestation efforts.
Dr Waleed during the Session
Dr Sabah Al-Jenaid
Zubari and Al-Jenaid Session
Part of presence at the Zubari and Al-Jenaid Session
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