How did Saudi Arabia succeed in reducing the climate impact of storm surges through adaptation programs?

Arab Weather - This year's Arab Meteorological Day will be launched on Sunday, September 15, 2024, under the slogan "Climate Impact and Adaptation Programs", at a time when Arab countries are facing many challenges due to the direct effects of climate change on all aspects of life.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has succeeded in confronting and reducing the impact of some phenomena resulting from climate change, such as dust storms, by implementing a set of integrated environmental policies and measures. The Saudi government has developed several strategies to deal with this phenomenon. Here are the most prominent methods adopted by the Kingdom:

1. Afforestation and green belt projects:

Saudi Arabia has begun developing afforestation and green belt projects, which aim to plant trees on a large scale to stabilize soil and reduce wind erosion. These initiatives include the “Green Saudi Arabia” project, which aims to plant millions of trees across the Kingdom, not only to improve air quality but also to reduce desertification and mitigate the impact of sandstorms.

2. Development of early warning systems:

The Kingdom has used the latest meteorological technologies to develop early warning systems that enable the relevant authorities and citizens to prepare for upcoming dust storms. This is done through advanced meteorological monitoring centers that collect and analyze data to predict dust storms and strong winds such as “Al-Bawarih.” These systems help minimize potential damage by giving sufficient time to prepare.

3. Improving infrastructure to combat dust:

Saudi Arabia has implemented modern infrastructure projects to combat dust, such as building protected road networks and airports equipped with modern systems to clean runways and secure traffic. The designs of buildings and facilities have also been improved to be more resistant to dust accumulation and reduce its penetration into the interior.

4. Investing in research and technology:

Saudi Arabia is working to support scientific research on weather and dust phenomena in cooperation with local and international universities. This research aims to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of sandstorms on health and the economy and to innovate sustainable solutions. It has also invested in modern technologies such as drones to monitor the density and spread of dust.

5. Public awareness:

Awareness campaigns have played an important role in reducing the impact of dust waves on citizens and residents in Saudi Arabia. Awareness campaigns are organized on how to deal with dust waves in terms of using masks, avoiding going out at critical times, and how to protect homes and cars.

6. Regulating construction and industrial activities:

In major cities, construction activities and industries that contribute to increased levels of dust in the air have been regulated. Current regulations require the implementation of measures to reduce dust generation such as the use of dust control systems during construction activities and the protection of exposed sites with soil.

7. Regional and international cooperation:

Saudi Arabia has partnered with neighboring countries to combat sandstorms, which often cross borders. It has also participated in regional and international initiatives to improve environmental resource management and combat desertification, helping to reduce the factors that increase the intensity of sand and dust storms.

Through these comprehensive measures, the Kingdom is now able to more effectively confront dust waves, contributing to improving air quality, protecting public health and boosting the economy.