Abstract: | Given the severe hot and dry climatic conditions over the UAE region for years, it is high time to rethink strategies for water management. According to the UAE National Center for Meteorology (NCM), the average rainfall in the UAE is 80 to 150 mm, which is too low to effectively control temperatures across the country. Therefore, ecosystem restoration, plantation drives, soil mulching, artificial lakes, drip irrigation systems, facade-designed buildings, and incorporating Artificial Intelligence are prerequisites for increasing the average rainfall across the country. In this regard, a short-term key consideration for an effective plantation drive includes establishing 500 to 1,000 trees per square kilometer, ensuring they are dense, large-shaded species, with a focus on Ghaf trees, which require less water and support sustainable urban development. The midterm technique of installing solar farms along the coastlines and creating artificial lakes will aid in reducing the temperature and moderating the climate of the UAE. Additionally, facade-designed buildings, green materials, sustainable manufacturing processes, and a focus on recycling—from raw materials to end products in all possible domains of life—could contribute positively to changing the landscape. Transitioning from non-renewable sources, such as crude oil and natural gas, to renewable resources, including wind and solar power, for electricity needs could significantly lower CO₂ emissions. This long-term approach of using wind- and solar-based renewable resources will be a game-changer with sustainable impacts for future generations. Finally, the use of moisture-retentive soil, drip technology for water management, and AI for monitoring soil moisture and evaporation rates are crucial for effective, long-term water resource management. However, the mechanism of trapping cold air without mountains is challenging but tall vertical windbreak wall could aid in redirecting airflow and trapping moisture in the specified area. |
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