Environmental projects have Middle East kingdoms aiming high

Couple of interesting environmental stories originating from the Middle East that I stumbled across in the Financial Times today:

Abu Dhabi is better know for over-the-top extravagance fueled by the fact it controls about 8 percent of the world's oil reserves. It's raising the bar for skyscraper construction and in building attractions that will draw tourists around the world. But the country's leaders -- like those of neighboring Dubai -- recognize that oil will run out sometime, which is why they're trying to become tourist or financial centers. It's also why Abu Dhabi is spending $22 billion on an "eco-city" for 50,000 people called Masdar that is, as FT says, "breathtakingly ambitious." The goal is for the city to have a zero-carbon emission footprint, which means they'll need to produce their own energy and recycle the waste. Some really interesting urban-planning strategies are planned, including limits on wide and long streets, which contribute to wind speed and heat. Based on the impressive speed and scope with which Abu Dhabi has reshaped itself over the last 10 years, I wouldn't dismiss this undertaking as pie-in-the-sky sci-fi stuff.

Qatar Airlines on Monday made the first-ever scheduled airline flight with paying passengers with a jet powered by natural gas. This is cool, and opens up options for new fuel streams and more environmentally friendly travel. The story, however,  includes debate about the degree of environmental benefit natural gas has over oil. I had thought natural gas had a clear edge. Even if it's a push, natural gas opens up new possibilities in R&D that over the long haul should improve air travel. It's always a good thing when an industry can wean itself from a sole source.
NOTE: FT is a paid site, but the story links should be good for a week