Level 3 Reading 7B

Ch.14 Reading 7B

CITY OF THE FUTURE? To appreciate the audacity of Dubai, you could start by going skiing. The ski resort, located inside one of the city's shopping malls, looks from the outside like a silver spaceship. You put on a thick coat, pull on your gloves—and then marvel at what strong air-conditioning can do. At the exit, you can buy a souvenir T-shirt. A cartoon thermometer in Celsius announces: "I went from +50 to minus 8!" Indoor skiing in the desert has become a symbol of Dubai's status as a wealthy, modern metropolis. Originally a small fishing village, Dubai's fortunes changed forever with the discovery of oil in the 1960s. Since then, it has evolved to become the largest city in the United Arab Emirates, with over three million residents, huge shopping malls, and a hundred high-rise towers. But the rapid growth has come at a price. To power its cars and air-conditioning, the city has produced large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) from fossil fuels. By 2006, Dubai had one of the largest ecological footprints in the world. But now it is making some big changes. To reduce its dependence on cars and lower its emissions, Dubai has invested in solar energy, green buildings, and a comprehensive public transportation system. Gleaming driverless trains now run beside the main roads. In addition, all new buildings must meet strict energy regulations. Smart lighting and cooling systems must switch off when no people are present in a room. New buildings must also use solar panels for water heating. "The leadership has recognized that the growth of the economy is not sustainable without taking action on emissions," says Tanzeed Alam, a climate and energy specialist. The most striking development can be found where the city's suburbs meet the desert. Unlike much of Dubai, the Sustainable City to the south feels more like a close-knit village community. About five hundred low-rise houses are distributed along attractive, tree-lined streets. They all face north, away from direct sunlight, and are close together to provide natural shade. Each building has reflective windows and wall paint, which reduce the heat absorbed from the sun. Rooftop solar panels and energy-saving lights contribute to the community's energy efficiency. As a result, residents of the Sustainable City now consume 50 percent less energy than people living in other parts of Dubai. A decade ago, the idea of a fully sustainable community was thought to be unrealistic. But times have changed, says Faris Saeed, one of the creators of the Sustainable City. So, too, have prices. The cost of living in the Sustainable City is similar to some of Dubai's other neighborhoods. "It's a myth that sustainable has to be more expensive," Saeed says. Dubai's leaders hope the Sustainable City will become a model for the future. By 2050, the government intends to obtain 75 percent of the city's energy from renewable sources—mainly solar. It also wants to have the smallest ecological footprint in the world. The plan is audacious. But if successful, even guilt-free skiing in the desert could become an environmentally sustainable reality.

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