Abu Dhabi and Dubai Blog

Black smoke billowed hundreds of feet into the air after the Maltese tanker struck a “feeder vessel” – a ship that shuttles cargo containers from big ports to smaller ones – about five miles from the Jebel Ali Port.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5702939.ece

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The country’s once-pristine coast, which is dotted with six star hotels and exclusive resorts, has been transformed into a foul-smelling health hazard in recent weeks. The state of the beaches have become so bad that a stretch of the exclusive Jumeirah Beach – a magnet for Western tourists and home to a string of expensive hotels – has been closed.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/4380051/Dubais-polluted-beaches-closed-to-public.html

Here is an interesting piece from the Guardian on the recent announcement of Abu Dhabi’s ambitious goals for a greener emirate.

Abu Dhabi announced at a summit of world leaders on renewable energy yesterday that it would become the first petro-driven economy to make a significant commitment to renewables – and it is partly thanks to Prince Charles. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi, has decreed that 7% of power will come from green energy sources by 2020.

Thanks Prince Charles.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/blog/2009/jan/20/energy-oil-abudhabi

As part of its efforts to reduce pollution and create alternative sources of energy to meet growing demand, the city of Dubai has launched a major initiative to harness solar energy.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/008200810251631.htm

Down on the beach next to the Dubai Offshore Sailing Club and the fishing harbour there’s a stink: raw sewage is flowing into the sea close to prime tourist beaches.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7663883.stm