File photo of Executive Director of AYCMQ and environmental advocate Neeshad Shafi
Doha, Qatar: The first-of-its-kind study on public perceptions of climate change in Qatar can be a yardstick to enhance the government’s climate change and environmental policies and showcase the level of understanding of the subject by Qatari citizens and residents.
The study, which is being carried out by the Arab Youth Climate Movement Qatar (AYCMQ), aims to understand the pulse of the community and gauge their response regarding climate change.
In an interview with The Peninsula, Executive Director of AYCMQ and environmental advocate Neeshad Shafi said the survey will enable the organization to compare and showcase where “we are in terms of understanding climate change.”
“The community’s voice is critical in what policy the government take at the local or international level,” Shafi said.
“So I think this sort of study and putting up these results in public shows that the communities in Qatar, including Qataris and residents, are pro-climate people. They want the country to take all the actions to reduce the impacts of climate change and build resilience and adaptation so that we live a better life here. So the results we will be publishing would be a positive step for the government to be proactive in what they are doing in terms of climate action,” he added.
Shafi stressed that AYCMQ aims to round up the survey findings before COP28, which is scheduled in the UAE from November 30 to December 12, 2023. He added that out of the interviews carried out so far, most respondents have favoured more actions towards climate change, while a participant stated he doesn’t believe in climate change.
“Some people living in Qatar still don’t believe climate change will impact them. So we cannot just close our eyes and think everybody believes in climate change.
“Obviously, the government is doing their own to support the international community in terms of commitments to reducing emissions. However, from the public point of view, as a civil society organization, we want people to understand what they can do to reduce the impact of climate change on the environment,” Shafi stressed.
Last month, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres said that “short of a mini-Ice Age” in coming days, July 2023 would likely “shatter records across the board.” According to Guerres, the need for global action on emissions, climate adaptation, and climate finance has never been more urgent. In his warning, he stressed that “the era of global warming has ended” and “the era of global boiling has arrived.” The Middle East last month was also hit by soaring temperatures.
The region is already known for recording some of the highest temperatures in the world, with several countries breaking records.
Citing the UN chief’s statement, Shafi noted that people need to believe what’s happening around us.
“Every time people say they cannot do anything about climate change. But that sort of discussion within the community is what we need. The significant part is building the momentum of that conversation. We must make this a part of our everyday conversations and support and do what we can.”
