As the environmental movement in the Middle East blossoms, women are being encouraged to take a more active role in environmental protection
We have already profiled the lovely ladies at Naqa’a, an environmental group based in Saudi as well as the Eco-Chicks of Abu Dhabi who are making strides in introducing the climate agenda to the wider population. Now, the launch of a ‘Sustainable Lifestyles’ campaign will give more than 720 women in Abu Dhabi the opportunity to learn about the environment and how they can take positive action to protect the planet.
Tackling UAE’s Large Carbon Footprint
Over the next six months, monthly workshops will be held in various community centres across Abu Dhabi with the aim of raising awareness of environmental issues amongst women. The organisers hope that by engaging with women on issues such as waste and the importance of preservation, that eco attitudes will trickle down the wider community and encourage Emirati families to be more green. In 2006, Emirate beat the US as the country with the highest carbon footprint per capita and Dubai is similarly burdened with a high carbon footprint.
The ‘Sustainable Lifestyles’ project has been organised in partnership with the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi, the Family Development Foundation and the Emirate Wildlife Society-World Wide Fund for Nature. The first phase of the initiative was launched in early 2010 and attracted 215 women to three workshops held in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and the Western Region. Ayesha Al Hameeri of the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi told the Gulf Today that the project was launched due to a belief in the “leadership role women can assume in protecting the environment.”
Lessons on Water Conservation & Waste Reduction
The two main aims of the initiative are the need to conserve resources such as energy and water as well as decreasing the output of waste- and plastic bags in particular. On average, the UAE uses around 2 billion plastic bags a year and the Ministry of Environment and Water has been working hard to reduce their use as part of its plans to ban non-biodegradable plastic bags by 2012. Workshops will focus on practical ways to reduce water consumption through water saving devices, highlight the negative impacts of plastic bags and recommend eco practices for the home, mosque, school and office. By mid-2011, the organisers hope to have reached out to 720 women from Abu Dhabi.
:: Image via Environment Agency- Abu Dhabi
For more on Eco-women in the Middle East see:
Interview With Naqa’a: Saudi Women Fighting For The Environment
Help The Abu Dhabi Eco-Chicks Map Out A Green Abu Dhabi
Vegetarian Woman Hits The Streets of Jordan Wearing Lettuce
Author: Arwa Aburawa
Arwa is a Muslim freelance writer who is interested in everything climate change related and how Islam can inspire more people to care for their planet and take active steps to save it while we can. She is endlessly suspicious of all politicians and their ceaseless meetings, especially as they make normal people believe that they are not part of the solution when they are the ONLY solution. Her Indian auntie is her model eco-warrier, and when Arwa is not busy helping out in the neighborhood alleyway garden, swap shopping or attempting fusion vegetarian dishes- with mixed success, she’d like to add- she can be found sipping on foraged nettle tea.
Anything to raise the status of women in this region!