Every living creature’s survival depends on it. And humans need it for almost everything – from the food we eat to our fuel, clothes and medicine. Very few countries have freshwater supplies that are so scarce and fragile as the UAE’s. We have no permanent rivers or natural lakes. Instead, we rely heavily on rainwater falling in the Hajar Mountains – creating year-round water in the wadis and underwater gorges.

Thirty years ago, all of our freshwater requirements were satisfied by natural sources. Today, most of our water is being provided by desalination.

This is partly due to a rapid rise in demand from urbanisation and population growth. But there has also been a drop in supply – climate change, low rainfall, high evaporation, over-exploitation of groundwater for agriculture, and the maintenance of artificial gardens, parks and forests are all taking their toll.

Several dam building and desalination programmes have been implemented to combat the looming water shortages. Unfortunately these solutions pose their own threats to the environment. Dams have severe effects on wildlife areas, creating droughts and upsetting the balance of nature. Desalination is also environmentally treacherous – affecting marine life and contributing to climate change.

It’s a situation no one can take lightly if we want to maintain our lifestyles and protect the abundance of wildlife living around our freshwater sources.

So Emirates Nature-WWF is partnering with government, business and communities to deliver achievable solutions. By establishing integrated protected area networks, we’re working towards a sustainable future for the UAE’s people and nature.