In the UAE, our consumption of them has grown dramatically over the years - as dramatically as the UAE itself. While our growth and development is something we can all be proud of, we should also be aware that this massive growth - in population, infrastructure and construction - has consequences. In our extremely hot climate, we need a lot of energy to power our air conditioning units, refrigerators, lightbulbs, TVs, washing machines, computers etc. And as our hot dry climate and desert land does not lend itself easily to agriculture, we have to import the vast majority of our food, which brings another energy cost. What's more, much of our water is desalinated, which also consumes vast amounts of energy.

The UAE has almost the highest rate of energy consumption per person in the world. If we continue at the current rate, the demand for energy will simply exceed the supply. There just won't be enough to go round. Shortages, even blackouts, will occur.

At the same time, our consumption of energy adds to the worldwide problem of global warming. As most of our energy comes from burning fossil fuels, the more we consume and convert into energy, the more carbon dioxide (CO₂) we emit. Rising CO₂ levels lead to more heat being trapped in our atmosphere and thus contribute directly to rising temperatures. The temperature has already risen far enough to have a number of drastic impacts. And it can only get worse if it's left unchanged. Clearly, we need to do something to prevent this.

The Problem: whose is it?

It's everyone's. While the government is doing its part, we all have an important role to play because every single one of us, in one way or another, consumes energy. The Problem: how does it affect the UAE in particular? Just try to imagine what we would do here without energy. At home, no air conditioning, no fridge, no phone, no internet, no TV. Outside, no lifts, no escalators, no computers, no automatic doors, no ATMs, no traffic lights. In the daytime, no relief from the sun. At night, no light in the dark.

The impacts of global warming will affect the UAE. Scientists predict that sea levels will rise, which will affect our coastal cities, natural habitats (such as corals and mangroves). Temperatures will also rise and this will bring more extreme storms, flooding and droughts. As if it wasn't hot enough here already? Freshwater will also become scarcer and many of our unique wildlife in the desert, wadis and the sea could disappear.

But by taking action now, we can make a difference. We all have to work together to reduce our consumption of energy. Before it's too late.

The Problem: what can we do?

We're working extremely hard with businesses to help them find ways to curb their consumption, hammering home the message that energy conservation is a necessity. But we can't just pass the problem on to the businessmen and forget about it ourselves. We've put together a positive, practical programme, which enables everyone in the UAE to start reducing their energy use, with immediate effect and without any changes to your lifestyle. We can all take part in it. Better still, by lowering our household energy bills, it's a programme that will even save us money.