Qatar Sustainability Expo

 

This is a just a quick blog about the great Sustainability Expo that has been taking place throughout the 2 weeks of COP18 at the Doha Exhibition Centre. There are stalls and exhibits from a wide range of organisations, from the Loving Hut promoting the vegan way to Qatar Petroleum and reducing gas flares. There are interactive displays on solar technology including a solar car port which charges your car whilst it is parked; carbon capture technology including a mobile carbon capture device which would work with the car's engine; and local organic farming displays of all sorts of vegetables. There are also a range of interesting talks on all things climate change.
There are whole areas dedicated to certain countries such as Abu Dhabi which is showcasing its plans for a green city, how it plans to create green public transport and how its companies have been working with international companies to implement renewable technology across the world. There is also a massive, if slightly ostentatious in the view of this blogger, display by Saudi Arabia. It includes light weight vehicles, interactive displays on how future cities might look, renewable energy displays and more. These are also complimented by boards presenting the investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency by various Petroleum/Gas companies. Slightly ironic in my opinion, but a start nevertheless, I guess.

However, in stark opposition to this, and easily missed as you could not be blamed if your eyes strayed to the larger, "blinged out" displays, is my favourite exhibitor: Tuvalu. This exhibit is clever, amusing and educational, making some serious points in a fun and interesting way as the photo demonstrates.
Tuvalu is a Polynesian island nation located in the Pacific Ocean that, like the Maldives, faces complete extinction if carbon emissions are allowed to continue unchecked and strong and binding Climate Change legislation is not agreed on soon. At its highest, Tuvalu is only 4.6 metres above sea level and it is estimated that a sea level rise of 20–40 centimetres in the next 100 years could make Tuvalu uninhabitable. As a result of changing weather patterns Tuvalu is also susceptible to greater cyclones and drought.
However, instead of the usual climate change literature presented by many, the Tuvalu delegation is using clever art displays and their animal delegates to make a strong point. Tuvalu has 0% emissions and yet faces a 0% survival rate. They are not to blame for climate change and yet will be most affected by it. At the same time, their voice is almost unheard on the international stage, and despite their clever display, they remain largely unknown to the visitors of the Expo. A sad truth and an unfair one wouldn't you say?
As concerned citizens of the world, and activists from a part of the world that is difficult to ignore on the international stage, it is our responsibility to ensure that these stories are told and these voices heard. What will we do this COP18? How do we intend to bring change by the next COP?