Global warming is wreaking havoc around the globe. The mercury is shooting up in many places and scientists are warning that this is going to get worse over the years if we don’t take affirmative actions.
There are many roadblocks to take positive steps at a global level as many countries are still not convinced about the impact of climate change. At the same time many are taking ownership and taking steps to bring down the adverse effects of global warming.
Qatar has also taken many positive steps over time such as setting minimum energy standard for appliances imported into the country, developing sustainable townships and running regular campaigns by state utilities to remind people about the importance of saving water and electricity.
Saving energy is not the only solution to fight global warming, it is one of the many things we can do. Even keeping your environment sustainable in small ways will help. Using less plastic, for one, is a good way to start.
Many institutions and organisations in Qatar are working tirelessly with relevant stakeholders to reduce the use of plastic in our day-to-day life. Till now, everyone was concentrating on the ‘reuse’ and ‘recycle’ from the slogan “refuse, reuse and recycle”. Time has come to ‘refuse’ and ‘reduce’ plastic use.
One alarming effect of global warming is the increase in ambient temperature in many places all over the world. This summer saw Europe sizzling at record temperatures. Alaska hit hottest month ever this year. The increase in number of vehicles plying the roads, more people using air-conditioning and the lack of green cover contribute to the rise in temperature along with climate change.
The cities bear the maximum brunt as all these factors contribute to creating an ‘urban heat island’, which pushes the surrounding temperature inside cities more than the atmospheric temperature. One of the main causes for this is the black heat-absorbing asphalt, which is traditionally used to pave the streets.
Ashghal has taken a futuristic step by paving two small streets using a special blue material as a pilot project to see if it can being down the road temperature and thus the surrounding temperature.
This has a lot of potential, if proved successful, as paving the busy streets in this material will not only make the street more bearable during summer, but also indirectly increase life of automobiles.
Hopefully this cool-looking surface will be a cool idea to keep Qatar streets cooler.
