On October 14, 1986, environment ministers and officials from Arab countries met in Tunisia with the aim of rallying together to save the environment. On this date, the participants of this meeting set in motion the creation of the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment or Camre.
Today, October 14 is celebrated as Arab Environment Day. But why does it matter?
As in other parts of the globe, Arab countries face numerous challenges related to the environment. These include water pollution and scarcity, air pollution, desertification, and land degradation.
But apart from these, new problems are emerging, ranging from the increase in the amount of electronic waste accumulating, to the impact of climate change on the rapidly increasing demand for energy, to the conservation of plants and animals in the UAE.
For leaders and policy-makers, Arab Environment Day is a perfect reminder of the need to work together to rally behind the common goal of saving the environment and finding new solutions for existing and emerging problems faced in this side of the globe.
For individuals, it is the perfect opportunity to do one’s part in helping resolve these issues.
You Are Not Alone
As more and more people see, hear about, and feel the impact of the changing environment, they are also becoming increasingly aware that solving the world's environmental issues is not a burden that only the world's leaders have to carry.
This is supported by Connect With Nature's recent poll (with research conducted by YouGov, and with 500 people participating) which revealed that 65 percent of the youth in the United Arab Emirates aged between 18 and 29 want to pitch in to save the environment and are ready to participate in events that help Mother Nature.
The survey also revealed that 70 percent of poll participants want to gain more information about how to help save the environment, while 72 percent of the respondents said that they wish that they could spend more time outdoors.
In line with the celebration of the Arab Environment Day, Connect with Nature has slated a few special initiatives and events. Chief of these is the launch of its app and website which boast a host of features as well as a calendar of nature-related activities.
The primary goal of the app is to create a platform for the youth, where they can actively participate in saving the environment in a fun and engaging way.
The app features self-guided challenges, information about the wildlife in different critical areas in the UAE, and access to numerous environment-related events. Among the upcoming activities lined up by Connect With Nature are Nature After Dark, Ride Back in Time, and Wild Workouts.
The app is now available for download at the App Store and Google Play.
Make Every Day Arab Environment Day
You do not have to wait for October 14 every year to contribute to saving the environment. Through even the smallest actions, you can participate in a big way.
Here are a few simple and easy but effective ways to become more eco-friendly:
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Don't waste food
Annually, millions of tons of food are wasted. Apart from being a big waste of resources and money, throwing away food contributes to the increase of CO2 levels emitted by landfills. As such, fill your plate only with what you can consume.
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Eat less meat
In order to cope with the demand for meat, people around the world are converting lands to support livestock. On top of that, this demand for meat comes at a steep price: an increase in greenhouse gases.
Of course, you do not need to completely abstain from eating meat altogether. Two or three days of going meat-free is a significant contribution.
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Go paperless
Whether it is for your assignments or your utility bills, if there is an option to go paperless, go for that option. If it is not possible, at least aim to recycle the paper you use.
Producing paper requires cutting a significant number of trees which, in turn, can alter the landscape of different environments. This can lead to numerous problems, including flooding.
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Ditch the plastic bag
Instead of using a plastic bag to carry your groceries, why not invest in a reusable canvas bag? For a relatively small investment, you can help save the environment. Plus, you can use your canvas bags for other purposes, like carrying your belongings.
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Switch to eco-friendly alternatives
LED light bulbs and the latest appliances have features that save both the environment and your spending. These devices require less power, which translates to both less energy demand and more savings for you over the long term.
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Buy second-hand
Need a new outfit, piece of furniture, or appliance? Why not consider visiting secondhand shops or online stores that offer pre-owned objects? On one hand, you are giving a new lease on life for items that would otherwise be thrown away. Second, you can end up saving more money.
Alternatively, you might want to consider borrowing an item instead of purchasing a new one, especially if you are only going to use it once.
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Be mindful of your consumption of water and electricity
Turn off the TV, lights, and other appliances when you are leaving a room. Use a cup when brushing your teeth. Turn off the shower when you are applying soap and shampoo while bathing. These small actions lead to less water and electricity waste.
You can do your part
You can make every day Arab Environment Day in your own little way. As small as these actions may be, these are significant and can go a long way, especially if more people try these tips.
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References:
https://www.goodenergy.co.uk/blog/2017/08/22/ultimate-guide-eco-friendly-living/
https://www.wheelsforwishes.org/news/live-a-more-eco-friendly-lifestyle/
https://gulfnews.com/opinion/op-eds/celebrating-our-common-future-1.2105317