Located in the Persian Gulf, the kingdom of Bahrain extends over three islands in the gulf, covers 253 sq. mi. (665 sq. km.), and has a population of 698,585 (2005 est.), with a population density of 2,556 people per sq. mi. (987 per sq. km.). About one percent of the land is arable, with 6 percent used for pasture. The largest agricultural products are fruits and vegetables. The soil has been heavily affected by salinity and the country has suffered from extensive soil erosion.
As with the other Gulf States, Bahrain has a wealthy population, largely dependent on the petroleum industry, a high Gross Domestic Product per capita, and heavy use of automobiles and air conditioning. With all of the electricity in Bahrain generated from using fossil fuels, gaseous fuels in particular, it had a per capita emission of carbon dioxide of 23.8 metric tons in 1990, rising 60 percent by 1998, and then continuing to rise gradually to 31 metric tons by 2003. This means that Bahrain has the fourth largest per capita emission level of carbon dioxide, with only Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait having higher per capita levels. In addition, Bahrain has significant carbon monoxide emissions.
The effects of climate change and global warming are reflected in even higher temperatures in Bahrain. A recent study has shown that these temperatures reflect an 11-year cycle owing to the effect of sun-spots, although some variations are explained by the high level of carbon dioxide emissions in the region, as well as the extensive use of cooling gases for air-conditioning in Bahrain and its neighbors. Because of the country’s small size, Bahrain has managed to maintain a good bus system to alleviate street congestion and link the towns and main residential areas.
Bahrain’s government took part in the Vienna Convention of 1900, and also the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change signed in Rio de Janeiro in May 1992. Bahrain accepted the Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change on January 31, 2006. It took effect on May 1, 2006.
