Dubai’s costly water world

An aerial view of Bluewaters, an artificial island in Dubai. To maintain its growth, opulence and lavish use of water, Dubai employs energy-intensive desalination technologies, a reliance that is harming the Persian Gulf’s biodiversity, fisheries and coastal communities. — ©2023 The New York Times Company

FOR a desert city, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, appears like a water wonderland. Visitors can scuba dive in the world’s deepest pool or ski inside a mega-mall where penguins play in freshly made snow.

A fountain – billed as the world’s largest – sprays more than 80,000 litres of water into the air, synchronised to music from surrounding speakers.