Residents of the United Arab Emirates, with their monster 4x4s, chilled swimming pools and irrigated desert golf courses, are among the world’s most prolific energy consumers. Their carbon footprint is the world’s largest, per capita.
Until recently, this was mostly an internal matter. The UAE is one of the largest producers of energy and its wasteful use was revealed only in embarrassing statistics from environmental groups. But the UAE’s energy consumption has grown so huge, so fast, that it can no longer supply its own needs. This year, it asked America to help it develop nuclear power. Suddenly, the lush lifestyles of Abu Dhabi and Dubai are no longer an internal matter.
It is up to the US Congress to approve President Barack Obama’s offer to sell nuclear technology. Congress has misgivings about the deal – mainly that American technology could make its way to nearby Iran. But there is little chance that Congress will block the measure, which is due to go into effect in October.
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