REVIVING CLEAN AIR IN SAUDI ARABIA

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has seen rapid progress in the last decade in all economic sectors. This progress has led to development in the construction, telecommunication, retail and housing sectors as well as other areas.

The Presidency of Meteorology and Environment have outlined that economic progress has had its consequences on the country in terms of higher rates of air pollution, particularly in the major cities.

The sources of air pollution in Saudi Arabia stem from its geographic nature where deserts account for the largest area, leading to a high concentration of dust in the air. The country’s dry weather prevents significant precipitation and hence leaves air pollutants to remain in the cities and town. The particles blown by the wind coming from neighboring areas makes the air dusty but that dust is also accompanied by other types of pollutants.

The other major source of air pollution comes from the increase in automotive vehicles being utilized in the country. Emissions from cars, trucks and other types of vehicles are one of the major contributors of air pollution in Saudi Arabia. Almost two thirds of carbon monoxide and 50% of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides that pollute the air are attributed to fuel combustion. This steady increase of pollutants has a direct relationship to the socio-economic progress of the nation and its neighboring areas. As more and more businesses operate in Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries, more and more people move into major cities in the Middle East.

The sad thing about it is that many people are not as bothered about air pollution the way they should be. With economic growth and making money becoming the priority, the environment always has to take the backseat. This means that people have learned how to live in a polluted place without getting irritated by it. This is now an established fact of life, not only for adults but for children as well.

Source: Presidency of Meteorology and Environment (PME) – Saudi Arabia
http://www.pme.gov.sa/en/en_airpollution.asp