This lecture was delivered by Dr. Essam Heggy, a Research Scientist in Earth and Planetary Sciences. Dr. Heggy discussed the role of climate change in shaping the history of Earth and other planets in the solar system, as well as the role of space exploration in enabling scientists to better understand the composition of water and deserts on Earth and other celestial bodies.
Dr. Heggy also outlined the unique case of the Qatar Peninsula, which was among the first regions to undergo major environmental and climatic changes. Early inhabitants of the peninsula were exceptional in that they may have been one of the few cultures that developed a scientific heritage associated with both desert and coastal changes, including groundwater and sea levels, dune movements, coral reef evolution, and shallow-water navigation. He noted that even today, Qatar is undergoing distinct environmental changes—both natural and man-made—that make it a valuable study case for understanding the evolution of arid environments.
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