Hi Paula,
it seems we share similar sins , airconditioning and SUV. Most people justify their driving of SUV's by increased security needs due to reckless driving. It is a circular argument though, given the recklessness could be tackled first (but isn't really). The real reason people don't care about big cars' impact on environment lies probably more closely in the fact that fuel is very cheap in Dubai and status symbols are very important
I have another sin which is that most food is imported. Even if it comes from the 'region', say Egypt or Lebanon, it is still a far way off from being 'local'.
I had never realised that being an expat actually has a significant negative environmental impact ! It provides me with an even bigger incentive to settle down somewhere, a longing we have had for a long time.