Latest news with #DianaFrancis
The National
02-05-2025
- Science
- The National
Air pollution levels falling across the region, Abu Dhabi study finds
Scientists in Abu Dhabi say stricter air quality controls, transitioning to renewable energy and monitoring vehicle emissions are behind a reduction in the levels of air pollution in parts of the Middle East. A study from Khalifa University (KU) in Abu Dhabi, using Nasa satellites, looking between 2003 and 2023, showed significant reductions after pollution levels increased during the first decade of the reporting period. The research looked at the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2), both generated by burning fossil fuels. One of the study's authors, Dr Diana Francis, assistant professor at KU and head of the university's environmental and geophysical sciences lab, said that in the UAE 'tighter air quality regulations and vehicle emission standards' from the mid-2010s have improved air quality. Other measures have also helped to lower pollution levels. 'Additionally, there has been increased investment in renewables and natural gas, reduced reliance on heavy fuel oil, lowering SO2 emissions, particularly in Iran, and the cleaner energy transitions still ongoing,' she said. The researchers reported a measurement area that included Qatar, Bahrain, and Dammam in Saudi Arabia recoded pollution levels increasing up to 2018, before they declined by 1.7 per cent per year. Dr Francis said until the mid-2010s, rapid development and increased vehicle use had raised NO2 levels, particularly in growing cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. 'To accompany the economic development, emissions from industry also increased, such as power plants, oil refineries and manufacturing in the region, which may have contributed heavily to both NO2 and SO2 emissions,' Dr Francis added. 'Additionally, before [the mid to late 2010s], emissions controls and monitoring systems were less strict or inconsistently enforced due to limited environmental regulations at the time.' However, from around the mid to late 2010s, the satellite data indicates significant declines in SO2 or NO2 in some places, including western Saudi Arabia, parts of Iran, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which underscored 'the importance of stringent air pollution controls'. In another measurement area that included Dubai, Abu Dhabi and parts of the Gulf of Oman, there was an average 3.9 per cent annual reduction in NO2 levels after 2015. SO2 levels here, though, continued to increase, albeit only by a modest 0.31 per cent annually. The study used data from Nasa's Aura satellite to analyse levels of NO2 and SO2, allowing, the researchers said, for a more comprehensive analysis of pollution levels than land-based recordings, as measuring stations are present only in some locations. The Aura satellite, which was launched in 2004 and orbits the world 14 times a day at an altitude of 705km, has an instrument that measures how much solar radiation is backscattered or reflected by components in the air. The International Council on Clean Transportation announced in 2023 that the introduction of EU regulation level vehicle emission standards in the UAE had significantly reduced the release of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from light-duty vehicles in the emirate. This finding was based on a project carried out in spring 2023 with the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi and other organisations. Last year, The National reported how countries in the Middle East had the world's highest levels of dangerous air pollution particles, which are causing millions of heart disease deaths globally each year, according to a study from the World Heart Foundation (WHF). While the UAE still trails EU nations in the implementation of vehicle emissions standards – the bloc applied a standard to new vehicles in 2006 – rules are being toughened. In a phased implementation from next January until July 2027, the EU's stricter Euro 6B vehicle emissions standard will be applied to light and heavy-duty vehicles imported into the UAE. Dr Francis said cutting levels of SO2 and NO2 was 'vital' because these pollutants irritate the lungs and worsen asthma and other respiratory conditions. 'These gases particularly affect vulnerable groups like children, the elderly and people with lung conditions,' she said. 'Long-term exposure can lead to chronic respiratory issues and reduced lung function. Therefore, controlling these pollutants improves air quality and protects public health.' Asher Minns, executive director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at the University of East Anglia in the UK, said to reduce levels of SO2 and NO2, it was necessary to stop burning fossil fuels, whether to generate electricity, refine oil or power vehicles. He said transition to renewable energy was likely to have had a relatively modest impact on the region's levels of pollution. 'Not extracting and burning fossils fuels means less NO2 and SO2,' he added. While there has been heavy investment in renewable power generation in the region, the study noted overall power demand was increasing in the Gulf by about 6 per cent annually.
TAG 91.1
16-04-2025
- Climate
- TAG 91.1
UAE weather alert issued as dusty conditions reduce visibility
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a yellow and orange dust alert across the UAE, with strong winds reducing visibility to below 3,000 metres in some parts of the country. The weather alert will be in place until noon on Wednesday, and residents have been urged to be extra cautious when stepping outdoors. They have also been advised to "lock all doors and windows to prevent dust from entering the buildings". #Alert #Dust_Alert #NCM #تنبيه #تنبيه_الغبار #المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد — المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@ncmuae) April 16, 2025 #غبار #المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد #Dust #NCM — المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@ncmuae) April 15, 2025 Speaking to Dubai Eye 103.8's The Agenda, Geophysics expert Dr Diana Francis from the Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, explained that the UAE is facing the impact of a larger sandstorm in the region. A sandstorm in Iraq on Wednesday forced airports to shut and left 1,800 people in hospital with respiratory problems. "The shift in seasons pointed out by scientists, regarding the climate change could be seen this year," Dr Francis added, explaining that we could see "early summer and late winter". Meanwhile, some schools in Dubai announced cancellation of outdoor activities on Wednesday due to the dusty weather conditions. In an advisory, Abu Dhabi Police urged drivers to be vigilant during the hazardous conditions, and follow changing speed limits displayed on electronic information boards. "For your safety and for the safety of others on the road, please do not be distracted by taking any videos or using your phone," the police cautioned in their social media post. #Urgent | #Warning #AbuDhabiPolice urges drivers to be cautious due to low visibility during high winds and dust .. And for your saftey and for the safety of others on the road, please do not be distracted by taking any videos or using your phone. — شرطة أبوظبي (@ADPoliceHQ) April 16, 2025 #urgent #fog #AbuDhabi_Police call on motorists to exerise caution due to reduced visibility during the fog. They are urged to follow changing speed limits displayed on electronic information boards. Drive Safely — شرطة أبوظبي (@ADPoliceHQ) April 16, 2025 The UAE has been facing dusty conditions since Tuesday. Sara Basart, Scientific Officer at the World Meteorological Organisation, explained how an early sand and dust storm warning system in Saudi Arabia will play a crucial role for the region.
Dubai Eye
16-04-2025
- Climate
- Dubai Eye
UAE weather alert issued as dusty conditions reduce visibility
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a yellow and orange dust alert across the UAE, with strong winds reducing visibility to below 3,000 metres in some parts of the country. The weather alert will be in place until noon on Wednesday, and residents have been urged to be extra cautious when stepping outdoors. They have also been advised to "lock all doors and windows to prevent dust from entering the buildings". #Alert #Dust_Alert #NCM #تنبيه #تنبيه_الغبار #المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد — المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@ncmuae) April 16, 2025 #غبار #المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد #Dust #NCM — المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@ncmuae) April 15, 2025 Speaking to Dubai Eye 103.8's The Agenda, Geophysics expert Dr Diana Francis from the Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi, explained that the UAE is facing the impact of a larger sandstorm in the region. A sandstorm in Iraq on Wednesday forced airports to shut and left 1,800 people in hospital with respiratory problems. "The shift in seasons pointed out by scientists, regarding the climate change could be seen this year," Dr Francis added, explaining that we could see "early summer and late winter". Meanwhile, some schools in Dubai announced cancellation of outdoor activities on Wednesday due to the dusty weather conditions. In an advisory, Abu Dhabi Police urged drivers to be vigilant during the hazardous conditions, and follow changing speed limits displayed on electronic information boards. "For your safety and for the safety of others on the road, please do not be distracted by taking any videos or using your phone," the police cautioned in their social media post. #Urgent | #Warning #AbuDhabiPolice urges drivers to be cautious due to low visibility during high winds and dust .. And for your saftey and for the safety of others on the road, please do not be distracted by taking any videos or using your phone. — شرطة أبوظبي (@ADPoliceHQ) April 16, 2025 #urgent | #fog #AbuDhabi_Police call on motorists to exerise caution due to reduced visibility during the fog. They are urged to follow changing speed limits displayed on electronic information boards. Drive Safely — شرطة أبوظبي (@ADPoliceHQ) April 16, 2025 The UAE has been facing dusty conditions since Tuesday. Sara Basart, Scientific Officer at the World Meteorological Organisation, explained how an early sand and dust storm warning system in Saudi Arabia will play a crucial role for the region.
