What will you learn?
1. What were the direct effects of the severe storms in Dubai?
2. What is cloud seeding and why does it cause controversy?
3. How could cloud seeding have influenced the intensity of rainfall during the recent storms in Dubai?
4. What urban challenges does Dubai face due to its rapid development?
5. What adaptation strategies could help Dubai cope with future extreme weather events?
Controversies Around Cloud Seeding - Technology and Ecosystem
Cloud seeding is a technology that has been stirring strong emotions for years. Although it is used in the Emirates as a means to increase precipitation in a dry climate, there are concerns that it could also contribute to an uncontrollable increase in rainfall intensity. During the recent storms, media and experts began to speculate whether the heavy rainfall that contributed to the floods could be a result of these measures. The experts are divided, but most agree that cloud seeding could have only slightly increased the amounts of rainfall that would have occurred due to natural weather conditions anyway.
Urban Challenges and Climate Change - Dubai's Future
Dubai faces many challenges stemming from both its rapid urban development and changing climate. The lack of adequate drainage systems and the small amount of green spaces make the city particularly vulnerable to the effects of extreme rainfall. Moreover, global warming could lead to more frequent and intense weather events. In response to these challenges, authorities in Dubai are considering new adaptive strategies, including the development of a "spongy" infrastructure that could better handle excess water.
The catastrophic floods in Dubai are a warning for other metropolises that might face similar problems in the future. Faced with the challenges of climate change and urban issues, cities worldwide must rethink their environmental management and spatial planning strategies to better prepare for unpredictable weather events.
Source: Wired
