Kuwait recorded the world’s highest temperature on Friday, with the Mataraba weather station registering a scorching 49°C. Amid these extremely high summer temperatures, pigeons were seen taking cover under the shade of trees along the seafront of Kuwait City. Meteorologist Fahad Al Otaibi highlighted afforestation as the fastest and most effective solution to reduce temperatures and combat desertification in Kuwait’s desert climate.
He pointed out that planting trees along residential streets and sidewalks could reduce temperatures by 3 to 8 degrees Celsius and significantly limit dust levels, which mostly originates from the north and southwest. “The growing vegetation cover is critical to addressing the increasingly harsh summer conditions,” Al Otaibi said.
Combating desertification through trees
He emphasized that green spaces not only mitigate extreme heat but also bring economic benefits by reducing the costs associated with clearing sand from sandstorms. Al Otaibi urged for prioritizing afforestation in new residential areas to combat desertification and sand encroachment. He cited China’s successful experience in transforming cities into green zones as a model for Kuwait, suggesting that with cooperation among government agencies, similar environmental and economic gains could be achieved.
In response to the record temperature, the Kuwaiti Ministry of Islamic Affairs advised mosques to conserve electricity by limiting the time between the call to prayer and the start of prayers to no more than 10 minutes. This measure comes as a reaction to the increased electrical loads across the country, according to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). As extreme temperatures become more common, implementing strategies like afforestation will be crucial in ensuring the long-term livability and environmental stability of regions prone to harsh summer conditions.
Image Credits: Photo by Yousuf Maimoon on Unsplash
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