By Hafsa Najdan
As we discussed in our preceding blog posts, petromodernity continues to be a major topic in International and local discourse relevant to the environmental activism field. Qatar’s attempts at eliminating this prevalent culture of petrodependency under the general framework of petromodernity is admirable however there are scholarly critiques to be made in terms of its success in achieving its objective. We are largely at the very impasse outlined within the secondary source, “After Oil” by Badia et al and it would be helpful if we briefly reinstate the foundations for this impasse that is largely extensive throughout all petrodependent nations globally.
The impasse largely refers to the “sense of disempowerment among individuals and communities that is created through lives that are pressured economically and marginalized” (Badia et al, p.31), alluding to the common feeling of helplessness and general loss of control to larger cooperations and factors that dictate the very progression of our lives. This impasse is brought forth across various stages in our lives as citizens of a society that is inherently geared towards petromodernity and petrodependency. From seemingly insignificant moments of the siphoning of our life forces to fossil fuels to larger epiphanies of the impending consequences of our draining of fossil fuels to sustain lavish lifestyles, we are often overwhelmed and paralyzed by the sudden loss of autonomy. This then creates the perfect foundation for further enabling this culture of petromodernity, however unintended it may be.
As one of the first countries to ratify the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Qatar has actively established pathways to reform by prioritizing increased sustainability, among which green transport is a separate and highly emphasized section within. The Doha Metro is the primary mode of achieving the overarching goal of increased sustainability and elimination of petromodernity within Qatar. However, it is largely debatable as to the extent of its success. Even now, the rates of air and land pollution from the constant influx of cars are relatively high while the usage of the metro is alarmingly low. It is this current rate that the disparity between implementation of action and the idealistic promises of elimination of petromodernity that we will attempt to draw attention to.
The Doha metro is undeniably an extremely appealing mode of transportation with it’s state of the art technology and infrastructure that has received many awards in Qatari society and international forums. However, one must critically consider as to the reason why there is such a low rate of usage of the Doha Metro. It is here that I will once again bring attention to the societal paralysis we are in subjugation of, along with the archaic ignorance and arrogance of the human society that has largely become accustomed to luxury. Though this is not a vapid criticism of the Qatari society, it does have it’s share of criticism from a student of the environmental humanities. That being said, perhaps the most pressing humanitarian issue of this Qatar Rail project is the fact that like all other institutions, this Doha metro has been built on the labor of immigrant workers. It is no common concern that much of construction and infrastructure projects are largely conducted with the labor of migrant workers under horrific, underrepresent conditions- leading to many deaths and injuries that are not given due representation in the media. With this knowledge, it is hard to find credibility in the news that the Doha Metro has recieved outstanding awards for its sustainable construction. It is imperative that in all sustainaiblity efforts made by Qatar, including that of eliminating petromodernity be done with awareness and integrity towards both the human and natural enviornment.
Moving past the conditions of construction, much is to be said about the very project of Doha Metro. With its bedazzling, opulent interiors and sophisticated innovation, it is indeed very unique to the world of public transportation. When placed in comparison to the modes of public transportation present in other parts of the globe, Qatar Rail has truly outdone itself in its project of the Doha Metro. Indeed, it is a luxuriously comfortable mode of transportation that promises lower energy usage, lower rates of public environmental pollution and overall support of environmental sustainability and progress. However, there are several factors that I believe largely, impedes its success rates for achieving the broad objective of eliminating petromodernity. Its distinction and subsequent separation of passengers according to their class status is inherently a testament to the prevalent elitist and class-conscious society in Qatar. There is no reason why certain class groups should singularly have access to obstentatious displays of extravagance for a commute that is approximately 30 minutes, maximum. Though the subdivisions (wherein lone men are not permitted within the family sections of the metro, as only women and families are allowed) are useful in upholding safety regulations, particularly for the female population, this particular segregation of classes within the metro are needleslly extravagant at best, and displays of elitist sentimentalites at worst. The Doha Metro is largely a project under the Doha Rail that states its goal of forming a link between the society and sustainability, however it is severely ironic that implementations of class distinctions within the Metro are largely the cause of prevailing socio-ecomic and cultural perspectives and mindsets that hinder effort to move towards a unified approach to sustainability.
Another subsequent reason for the low rates of usage of the Doha Metro is not one that stems from socio-economic or cultural perceptions but rather, it is largely individual and communal notions of the ease and convenience we are accustomed to in our daily lives and are unwilling to separate from. From the individual bemoaning of the hardships of taking the metro on the days that the government has allocated as “No Car Day” that rapidly transform into the collective sentiment of “What a hassle! What good is this initiative going to do anyway?”- it is extremely easy to draw a line between the idealized theorization of environmental sustainability to the concrete implementation and accomodation of environmental sustainability. Though Doha Metro certainly has its own faults, the primary issue constitutes the public perception of the field of environmental sustainability. It is this perception that has impeded its success in the elimination of petromodernity in the current timeperiod- as there is much opportunity for reform to make its presence known until 2030. This reform starts with the active acknowledgement of the importance in achieving the goal of eliminating petromodernity and the subsequent proactive implementation of conscious engagement and action. Equally important is the overcoming of the impasse (i.e the paralysis) that comes with the acute realization of responsibility and loss of human autonomy, in regards to the hegemonic domination of petroculture.
Within the research process of this project, there can be found an immediate gap in the scholarly texts available in regards to the elimination of petromodernity. Perhaps this can be attributed to the hub and bustle surrounding the upcoming global event of the Fifa World Cup being stationed here in Qatar, but it ultimately is no means of justifying the wide gap to be found concerning Qatar’s attempts to eliminate petromodernity. Though the Doha Metro is an admirable initiative, information in connection to the goal of eliminating petromodernity is spare and notably vague. In addition, this academic underrepresentation is not just limitied to the region of Qatar but internationally as there’s not much mention of other countries trying to eliminate petromodernity. Once again, this can be attributed to the constant influx of “more concerning” news however, this may also be a poor attempt of enabling the continuation of the adoption of petromodernity, through inoculation. It is with this sentiment in mind that I further emphasize the utmost importance of raising awareness to the requirement of eliminating petromodernity within global and national society, for the sake of comfortable futures.
