.jpg?20230327')
THERE is still no serious global consensus to support environmental and climate issues, and influential world leaders have not made even the minimum concessions needed for it.
We, as individuals, have not given up any significant part of our needs in industries or other ways, to maintain the sustainability of the environment for us and future generations. All this proves that human greed and the interest of individuals and groups supersedes the interest of humanity.
Today, we live with violent climatic fluctuations, very high temperatures throughout the year, and even in winter; floods in some countries, and droughts in others, including European countries. But with the world’s interconnected crises, led by the Russian military operation in Ukraine, hyperinflation, the energy crisis, with renewed support for fossil fuel sources, and the food crisis, the climate change crisis is unfortunately not among our priorities.
To be sure, the great powers are the most responsible, especially since we know that China, the US, and the European Union are jointly responsible for more than half of global emissions.
I heard a lot of statements from the participants of the UN Climate Conference in Egypt, and I realised that everyone understands how serious the situation is, but very few are sincere in working to save the environment.
I came away with the impression that governments claim to be keen on the environment, but that they are depleting goods and resources to the greatest extent to achieve the greatest possible growth figures.
Our war must be for nature, not on nature. We should realise that nature’s wrath is catastrophic. Everyone knows what the problem is, it’s the carbon emissions that humans cause in the first place. Victory in our carbon war requires many battles, including the fundamental battle of reducing emissions and shifting towards clean and renewable sources of energy.
There is no doubt that humanity is fighting a battle for survival in the face of climate change, and there must be a serious agreement between developed, and emerging economies for the sake of the environment and the benefit of humanity. We need to completely abandon coal as the main source of energy and avoid its serious damage by urging international institutions to change their economic approach and provide financial resources for carbon neutrality.
In parallel, in the face of the expansion of industries needed to meet human consumer demands, there is an urgent need for innovation in addressing carbon emissions.
About five years ago, we started working with chemists who specialise in carbon processing, recycling it to become a useful material again instead of releasing it into the air, and we have achieved great success in this field. Through this, we are working to support Bahrain’s related efforts to invest directly in technologies that reduce emissions through decarbonisation initiatives to enhance energy efficiency and double renewable energy sources.
His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has affirmed that Bahrain continues to support all initiatives and endeavours to meet the challenges of climate change. He pointed out the importance of continuing to build on what has been achieved towards enhancing environmental security through the adoption of more initiatives, plans, and innovative solutions.
I am pleased with the success of the National Afforestation Plan aimed at doubling the number of trees in the kingdom; this year, more than 140,000 trees have been planted in Bahrain. In addition to the quadruple increase in mangroves, and renewable energy in the nation increased by 40 per cent last year.
After security in its general sense, economic security, and food security, we are hearing the term “Environmental Security”. It is an important aspect of security no less than other aspects. Natural disasters, floods or prolonged droughts lead to the destruction of societies and the devastation of States. Human beings displaced because of those disasters will not only lose food and shelter but also security.
There is no room for delay in addressing climate change issues. These issues that threaten the planet with natural disasters must be seriously and quickly addressed. We need to work hard to address the climate crisis and global warming.
I hope you are with me in this battle.
&uuid=(email))