Over 100 satellite images show environmental change over time in the Arab region

Abu Dhabi: The pace of environmental change in the Arab region seems to be more rapid than in the rest of the world due to the pace of economic and social development, according to the UNEP atlas for the Arab region, released yesterday. The United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, and the Abu Dhabi Global Environmental Data Initiative, AGEDI, supported by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), released "The Arab Region: Atlas of Our Changing Environment". The atlas examines the environmental changes that have taken place at more than 80 locations across the Arab region, using a combination of on-the-ground photographs, current and historical satellite images, with narrative based on extensive scientific evidence. Before and after studies in the atlas clearly demonstrate the pace of development in the region, offering compelling examples of wide-ranging environmental change, including land use change, urban growth, degradation of marine and coastal areas, altered hydrology and shrinking water bodies, loss of habitats and impacts of climate change. The Atlas images serve to highlight the distinctive environmental circumstances and challenges faced in the Arab region, from limited freshwater resources, rapid urbanisation, depletion of natural resources, and the vulnerability of many Arab settlements to environmental risks and natural disasters. The Atlas brings to light stories of environmental change through images showing evidence of changes taking place in the land, water and atmosphere, and covering trans-boundary issues like river basins, trans-boundary conservation areas and pollutants. It also illustrates how humans have positively or negatively altered their surroundings and continue to make observable and measurable changes to the Arab region and its environment. Although the challenges depicted are striking, the atlas examines the opportunities that these challenges present, as well as some of the innovative responses that are being implemented in the region. The atlas also shines a light on the unique environmental issues faced by each country, and tracks the individual progress each is making towards achieving the goal of Ensuring Environmental Sustainability, as part of the United Nation's Millennium Development Goals. Aimed at environmental policy-makers, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, academics, teachers and the public, the atlas will bring local-level changes to the attention of global audiences and support improved decision-making and policy formulation for a more sustainable future. The atlas is the latest addition to a series of atlases coordinated by UNEP that began in 2005 with the launch of a global atlas, "One Planet, Many People." This new atlas is an important addition to the growing suite of UNEP atlases that not only aim to fascinate and intrigue readers, but also aim to contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of environmental change in the Arab region. – Emirates News Agency, WAM