Present Day

We’re in the present day. This soundscape is probably very familiar to you. You’ve heard the environment around you change drastically, from the Stone Age, to early modern settlements, to massive growth in the last half century. But what will the future sound like?

The world is getting warmer. Globally, seas are rising. Anthropogenic climate change is already underway and further change is now inevitable. Inescapable. The summer heat is intensifying. The worst heat you’ve felt here will soon be normal life. Humidity will also increase, making heat waves more frequent and more fatal. Seas are rising. Over 85% of the UAE’s population lives in areas that will flood. Shortly we will experience severe water stress, and increased aridity and desertification will mean more food scarcity. More imports of more things. More pollution from transport of goods. More emissions. The cycle repeats.

Air pollution from construction and traffic is increasing. Intensifying heat will lead to more air conditioner use, which in turn increases greenhouse gas emissions. At this moment, if every human in the world led the lifestyle of the average UAE resident, we would need 5-7 Earths worth of resources to sustain humanity. How many Earths do we have?

Enduring and flourishing in a tough climate is not new for the UAE. But continuing business as usual, we may not be able to endure what the future brings. Listen, and hear what we’re in for.