Grand Designs Should Look to the Future

Governments can spend today’s wealth on today’s luxuries or invest to ensure the comforts of tomorrow. The United Arab Emirates, rich with oil wealth, continues to invest in novel construction, including a sail-shaped hotel, an underwater hotel and a ski resort – all with the help of foreign designers and architects. But with fast-paced economic growth and per-capita carbon dioxide emissions second only to those of the US, the luxury developments represent waste and pose a challenge to long-term sustainability, explains Chandran Nair for the Financial Times. He contends that the occasional eco-friendly project is at best an “exercise in public relations.” The development is destroying habitat and the fishing industry of the region – and offers little in the way of dependable livelihoods for the future. With its vast funds, the UAE and other wealthy countries could stop the giddy shopping spree and instead grasp a limited opportunity to demonstrate leadership on the environment and sustainability. – YaleGlobal