LIVING WITH CLIMATE CHANGE
OPEC Fund Quarterly : What exactly does a GIS specialist do, and how does that relate to climate change? Qamar Al-Mimi: GIS helps us understand what is happening on the ground by combining different layers of information into maps and models. Climate change is one of the areas where these tools are especially valuable. By analyzing satellite imagery, environmental indicators and historical trends, we can identify places that are becoming more vulnerable to climate impacts and determine where mitigation and adaptation efforts should be targeted. Climate considerations are present in almost every project we work on. Whether we are focusing on biodiversity, land degradation, water scarcity or disaster risks, climate change is usually part of the picture. GIS allows us to understand trajectories and patterns over time, helping decision-makers determine where interventions are most needed and where nature-based solutions or other adaptation measures may have the greatest impact. OFQ : How is GIS being used to address climate risks in the region? QAM: One project I’m currently involved in focuses on dust storms in Saudi Arabia. The goal is to identify hotspots and understand where communities, infrastructure and economic activities are most exposed. To do this, we build a methodology that combines environmental and climate factors such as soil conditions, surface characteristics, wind patterns, precipitation and topography. Using platforms such as Google Earth Engine and tools from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, we process large volumes of ecological and meteorological data and combine them into a “dust-source susceptibility model.” The process is quite complex. We begin by collecting and preparing data, standardizing the variables and assigning weights to determine their
“The key is to combine sound science, local knowledge and practical implementation.”
For example, in the Riyadh region our preliminary analysis suggests that some of the highest-risk areas are located on the urban periphery rather than in the city center. This information can guide adaptation efforts, whether through infrastructure planning, land-use management or nature-based solutions. GIS does not provide the solution itself. Rather, it helps identify where solutions are needed most and where investments are likely to have the greatest impact. OFQ : Besides dust storms, what other climate-related challenges can GIS help address? QAM: Flooding is another concern. While working with the REACH humanitarian data initiative, I contributed to flood hazard assessments in Yemen, particularly in areas hosting internally displaced people. We analyzed rainfall patterns, drainage networks and terrain characteristics to understand how floodwaters might move across the landscape. The resulting maps showed which sites faced the highest levels of risk. In one case, our findings highlighted the locations most exposed to flooding and the communities most at risk, helping decision-makers prioritize action. In other locations, similar analyses support early warning systems or guide infrastructure investments. Again, GIS serves as a decision support tool. It helps identify where
Qamar Al-Mimi
relative importance. These layers are then overlaid to identify areas with the highest susceptibility to generating dust. The resulting maps can be used to prioritize interventions and support planning decisions. This work is developed in Saudi Arabia but intended to serve as a framework model for other countries across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. OFQ : How does a GIS model actually help decision-makers? QAM: You could see it as a risk index. The maps show where environmental conditions combine to create higher levels of exposure or vulnerability. Once these hotspots have been identified, governments, researchers and planners can focus their efforts more effectively.
24
Powered by FlippingBook