Saudi Arabia has been generally involved in environmental and climatic action. The Kingdom escalated its efforts in the fight against desertification and sandstorms. Desertification and intensifying sandstorms pose challenges in an area naturally inclined to dryness and with immense deserts, and it has huge economic, environmental, and public health consequences.
This will be the most menacing threat to the Saudi ecosystem, desertification-a process that changes fertile land into a desert through climate change, overgrazing, and cutting down of forests. Saudi Arabia responds by launching several projects under the SGI. This includes the goal of general rehabilitation of degraded lands, more spreading of the cover of green spaces, and fewer carbon emissions.
Among some of the ambitious plans includes the plan of planting 10 billion trees within the next several decades all over the country which add on the tree coverage hence, better quality of soils while it reduces desert covering of the fertile soil in this country. The overall initiatives under 50 billion to plant the whole region Middle East it will be among the most prominent initiative ever about protecting the environment.
Ending the sandstorm.
In Saudi Arabia, the commonality of sandstorms relates to desertification and climate change. Transportation is very easy to disrupt, infrastructure gets destroyed, and health problems related to extreme illnesses like respiratory disorders arise. With regard to the causes and trends of sandstorms, Saudi Arabia is funding the research into its causes and trends. This includes satellite surveillance, which applies predictive technologies to advance the early warning system.
Besides that, stabilizing measures are also provided to stabilize dunes of sand in those areas where loose sandy regions have prevailed more than the average amount. Growth of local shrub and grass covers along with fencing the region would reduce the potentiality of more strong sandstorms.
Technology and Agricultural innovations
Struggling against desertification also promotes innovation in water and agricultural management. The country lacks fresh water; therefore, the country uses highly technological methods of irrigation so as not to waste water in farming. Agricultural farming activities are preserved with the help of drip irrigation and recycled wastewater so that it does not affect the environment adversely.
To this end, the government promotes research on drought-resistant crops and sustainable farming. These are viewed as ways to reconcile food production with the conservation of natural resources, which will eventually lead to sustainability in the long run.
Regional and Global Cooperation
Saudi Arabia engages regional and international organizations in partnership in anti-desertification initiatives and combating desertification impacts. It is also a signatory to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, apart from participating in all other international processes aimed at rehabilitating degraded areas, along with resilience in climate changes processes.The Saudi Green Initiative has further brought cooperation between neighboring countries on the cross-border problems of environmentalism, such as the sandstorm outside the Kingdom of origin. Cooperation is, therefore, anchored on the premise of mutual responsibility and action toward regional ecological issues.
Economic and Social Benefits In equal measure, the environmental dimension imperatively requires combative efforts toward desertification as development is opportune. Multiple afforestation initiatives and land regeneration activities will elevate employment in agroforestry, agriculture, and environment survey activities to many thousands in the new green economy. This will also reduce the intensity and frequency of sandstorms, consequently reducing healthcare cost and improving quality of living by its residents, therefore a country easier to live in and good for investment and tourism.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite all these efforts, Saudi Arabia still has difficulty implementing its environmental objectives. Desertification is immense, and climatic conditions are extremely challenging; hence afforestation and restoration work is quite challenging and resource-intensive. Also, quick economic growth along with environmental sustainability requires cautious planning and execution. However, Saudi Arabia’s commitment to desertification and sandstorms has strategic intent behind the way it approaches environmental issues and positions itself as a leader in regional climate action. Continuing efforts and international cooperation will pave the way for the Kingdom toward a greener, more resilient future for its people and the region.
Source: Compiled from official reports and announcements regarding Saudi Arabia’s environmental initiatives, including the Saudi Green Initiative.