The impact of renewable energy and non-renewable energy to create a sustainable environment in the UAE
There is no doubt that the synergy between the environment and energy is more pronounced than it has ever been before. There exist a multiplicity of complex linkages between climatic conditions and the use of energy within the environment. Over dependence of fossil fuels and the global fuel crisis coupled with the growing global population sums up the critical challenges suffered in the energy sector (Berinstein, 2001). Human activities also play a critical role in influencing environmental sustainability. These factors put a strain on energy resources. Many scientific studies have shown that energy use has a direct impact on the atmosphere and climatic conditions (Manoranjan, 2012). Energy impacts can be seen from increased carbon concentration, greenhouse effects, and global warming.
The current energy situation and the increased emissions of carbon dioxide are some of the mostly hot contested topics in serious discussions across the United Arabs Emirates. The first factor entails the growing trend in energy demand that has been evidenced over the past decade. The second factor involves the increase of carbon dioxide emissions, which falls within the range of 34% and 36% between 2000 and 2010. On the other hand, the discovery of oil in Dubai in 1966 and Abu Dhabi in 1958 did lead to the transformation of the UAE economy, but also led to the increased energy consumption.
Purpose of this Research
Despite various research studies having been undertaken regarding the effects of energy on the environment, the research studies have failed to limit their scope in the examination of the impacts of non-renewable and renewable energy on environmental sustainability, particularly within the UAE. This research study intends to examine the impacts of renewable and non-renewable energy in creating a sustainable environment in the United Arabs Emirates.
Research Questions
The rapid economic expansion of the UAE has made the UAE an industrialized economy characterized increased consumption of energy, expansive use of technologies, large architectural projects, and rapid population increase. This means that the expenditure of electricity and fossil fuels increases within the UAE coupled with the increase in adverse effects related to the use of energy. A research of the nature being proposed in this study needs the identification of specific research questions to guide the researcher in narrowing down of the subject under study and to limit the research study to a limited scope. For this reason, this research paper aims to answer the following questions;
What are the main types of energy uses in the UAE?
Does the transformation of the UAE economy bring adverse effects to the environment? If yes, in what ways?
What is the interaction between architectural projects and global warming across the UAE?
What is the rate of Carbon Dioxide emissions?
Could the above factors affect the overall environmental sustainability of the UAE?
Research Objectives
Being an established nation in terms of architectural buildings and landmarks, this research paper aims to establish the interaction between architectural projects and global warming across the United Arabs Emirates
The high consumption rate of energy in the UAE means that the nation emits large volumes of Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere. This research paper will estimate the level of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere.
This research study will estimate the environmental sustainability in the United Arabs Emirates
Literature Review
Examining early history of the environment and the biotic nature of the environment shows that the world is facing a major energy dilemma. Radhi (u.d) argues that for many years, the human race has evolved and transformed, and this development has led to an entirely new understanding of energy output and utilization. The increased human population has generated the need of discovering new sources of energy to fulfill the increased energy needs and demands. Exploration of energy resources has caused many catastrophes to the environment. The understanding that these catastrophes are caused by energy production has led to researches been conducted on the impacts of energy use on the environment (Manoranjan, 2012).
The concept of environmental sustainability is perhaps among the most oblique factors that has formed a subject in many debates and as well, generating different interpretations from environmentalists. While environmental sustainability places significant importance on the maintenance of natural resources, the consumption of energy resources puts different implications on the environment (Manoranjan, 2012).
Over 80% of the UAE is classified as desserts, and energy generation forms the main economic activity in the region. The country exports oil and consumes large volumes of non-renewable sources of energy in pursuit of its economic developments. This is evident in combustion of fossil fuels, land-use change, and industrial processes. Such activities have heightened the release of greenhouse gases (GHG) in the atmosphere (Radhi u.d). This will eventually lead to an increase in temperatures with the UAE. Architectural projects and increased populations in the UAE coupled with the use of technologies have led to increased expenditures on energy. Equally, the low costs of energy lead to high per capita energy consumption. Buildings, both in residential and commercial sectors, consume large volumes of energy (Radhi u.d).
Speaking of UAE buildings and other architectural projects, the increased emission of carbon dioxide occurs from architectural activities. The concept of energy consumption in buildings and their contribution in increasing the level of carbon dioxide occurs due to the interaction of several factors (Radhi u.d). This includes but not limited to building designs and the types of materials used, and the behavior of occupants.
Methodology
This section of the research study details the research methods and methodologies that will be used in the realization of objectives identified in this case. It describes the design, the research method, and the appropriateness of the methodologies selected for this study.
Mixed Research methods
This research proposal will adopt a mixed methodology to enable the inclusion of diverse research methods and research paradigms. For this reason, information will be collected from both quantitative and qualitative sources (Rana, and Chad, 2006). The suitability of this method revolves its ability to cover a broad nature of concepts, assist in the capitalization of different research approaches, and offsetting the weaknesses with each single approach (Charles, and Tashakkori, 2003). The researcher will also provide comprehensive answers to the research questions identified in the paper
Research approaches
The research study will employ both qualitative and quantitative research approaches because they will assist the refinement process of the topic under study and as well, in narrowing down the topic being studied. Quantitative study will utilize the deductive process to generate from general premises and observations (Rana, and Chad, 2006). Similarly, qualitative research will used alongside the induction process from generalized conclusions from specific instances. The qualitative research process will entail the analysis of aims and objectives identified in this study.
Sample and Population
This research will depend on data obtained from secondary sources and will rely on data published from different cases studies regarding the use of energy across the UAE.
Data Collection
Data for this study will be gathered from published sources. A multi-layer approach will be used to enable the use of different data collection methods. In turn, it will strengthen the quality and reliability of information that will be collected from such sources. Additionally, the combination of more than one data collection technique will increase the credibility of this research. The validity and quality of the research data will be enhanced through the triangulation approach.
Desirability and appropriateness
The appropriateness of the methodology specified in this proposal was suitable because it suits the process of undertaking research on the impacts of renewable and non-renewable energy in creating a sustainable environment in the UAE. The methodology will not only lead to the identification of quality information but also it will aid the examination of the topic under research from different paradigms. The use of missed researches will also assist in the capitalization of the advantages of different research approaches and as well as limiting the weaknesses of individual research approaches.
Ethical Considerations
The research study will seek consent from all relevant authorities to avoid causing unnecessary issues.
Reference List
Berinstein, P. (2001). Alternative Energy Facts, Statistics, and Issues Westport, CT:
Oryx Press
Charles, T., and Tashakkori, A., (2003), Handbook of Mixed Methods in Social and
Behavioral
Research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publishers
Manoranjan M, (2012),"New renewable energy sources, green energy development and
climate change: Implications to Pacific Island countries", Management of
Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 23 (3): 264 - 274
Rana S., and Chad P., (2006). "Research design and data analysis in realism
research,” European Journal of Marketing, 40 (11/12), pp.1194 – 1209
Radhi, H. On the Effect of Global Warming and the UAE Built Environment. Faculty of
Engineering, UAE.
