DUBAI: Human rights groups are raising concerns about the dangerously escalating air situation in the United Arab Emirates.
The small Gulf kingdom, pretending to be a global climate leader, is keeping the severe toxicity of air a secret.
Human Rights Watch report suggests that the fossil fuel production from vast oil resources contributes to dangerously high air pollution levels, putting thousands of people at risk.
UAE is keeping severe air pollution a secret
The highly toxic PM2.5 concentration in the capital of UAE is 13 times more than what has been prescribed by WHO annual air quality guideline value.
The Guardian reported that at least 1,872 people die from outdoor air pollution annually in the Emirates. Most of the victims, around 88%, are immigrants who have to spend more time outside inhaling the toxic air, Human Rights Watch said.
No one to object
People can’t really express their grievances about the worsening air quality as UAE has strict security apparatus.
Richard Pearshouse, HRW’s environment director, said that “the obliteration of civil society by UAE’s government means that no one can publicly express concerns, let alone criticize the government’s failure to prevent this harm.”
People who criticize the Emirati kingdom are subjected to ill-treatment, harassment, surveillance, arrest and detentions, according to the HRW report.
Climate savior or hypocrite?
The United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan recently announced a gigantic $30 billion climate fund, but experts believe it is a hoax.
The governments of UAE, the US, Norway and the UK are expanding their oil exploration operations with no regard to the climate agreements, The Guardian reported.
According to the Climate Action Tracker, UAE is planning to increase the production and consumption of fossil fuels substantially by 2030, “a move inconsistent with pathways required to limit warming to below 1.5°”.
