Dubai to Create World's First Refrigerated Beach

December 15th, 2008 by Andrew Williams

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Most of the time here at Cleantechnica, we report on important technical advances and breakthroughs that help mankind to reduce its harmful impact on the environment. Once in a while though, a tech story emerges that highlights how willfully unconcerned some people are with the green issues that worry the rest of us.

The latest news from Dubai falls squarely into the latter category. It seems that planners in the Arab state have stumbled on the great idea of creating a fully refrigerated beach so that tourists don’t burn their feet. From late next year, guests at the exclusive Palazzo Versace hotel will enjoy private access to the beach, situated next to the main building.

The beach, to be created by British company Hyder Consulting, will feature a computer-controlled system of coolant-filled pipes under the sand that will help keep temperatures comfortable. According to Soheil Abedian, president of the company that owns the Palazzo Versace, “This is the kind of luxury top people want.”

However, environmentalists have been quick to point out the shortcomings of the ludicrous scheme. Commenting on the move, Rachel Noble of Tourism Concern said, “Dubai is like a bubble world where the things that are worrying the rest of the world, like climate change, are simply ignored so people can continue destructive lifestyles.” The question is though, are the ‘top people’ that have flown half way around the globe to sip mojitos at the resort next year likely to care?

Image Credit – The Consumerist via flickr.com on a Creative Commons license









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