Open letter from Editor-in-Chief on Go Green campaign

Dubai: The environmental damage inflicted by nations apparently costs the world $1.8 trillion (Dh6.61 trillion) each year. As we edge towards a global population of 7 billion the need to conserve what humanity is neglecting becomes paramount, otherwise our children will never forgive us for the legacy of a destroyed Earth.

To quote American politician Robert F. Kennedy: "Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation."

Gulf News launched its "No to Plastic Bags" campaign earlier this year. It was our drop in the ocean of effort to help save the planet.

As a newspaper we are celebrating our 30th year. The three decades have seen us grow and evolve into the leading English daily in the region. This has been possible because the communities that we strive to serve have stood by us. From a fledgling tabloid to a national broadsheet journal of record, the people of the UAE have joined us in our journey with their words, enthusiasm, support and belief. It was time to return something to our readers ... it was time to build an enduring legacy, a bequest that would hopefully help create a better world.

Sustained

We decided to say no to plastic bags. The campaign was sustained and definitive - the first of its kind by any media in the country. We recognised the positive and encouraged others to follow suit. Stories and information were packaged each week to raise awareness and promote best practices.

The response was overwhelming. Individuals and organisations that had already started some kind of initiative, were either long-time practitioners or eager to contribute, swamped us.

The movement took on a life of its own and as it gathered momentum we realised that the need of the hour was for an effort on a bigger scale. Anybody who fails to embrace the unique opportunity to truly make a difference loses his or her right to have a say. Gulf News has decided to widen the scope of its effort and launch the campaign: Go Green.

It will focus on creating awareness, disseminate best practices, launch clean-ups and recognise individual efforts.

As Russian playwright Anton Chekov wrote in 1897, "Man has been endowed with reason, with the power to create, so that he can add to what he's been given. But up to now he hasn't been a creator, only a destroyer."

Disappearing forests

Our forests are disappearing, biodiversity is being lost, rivers are drying up, oceans have plastic islands, millions of aquatic mammals and seabirds are dying, animals are becoming extinct and the Earth is humbled with each passing day.

We, too, as a commercial enterprise take responsibility for the damage inflicted on the environment through our practices be it with paper or plastic usage. We acknowledge that Gulf News needs to change, too.

But, everybody does need to understand that there is no organisation, no industry, no commerce in the world that does not cause harm to Nature in one way or the other. Where there are people, there will be environmental impact.

The difference is when we accept and do what we can, to the best of our abilities, to reduce the damage caused. It could be through better policies, processes, awareness campaigns, research grants and good practices.

As a large media house, it is not an easy challenge for Gulf News to meet. The cost is immense and in some cases there is a clear lack of alternatives in the market. And therefore we call upon our readers to offer us their suggestions.

But the responsibility does not just stop with organisations and the public; it needs the support and initiative of the government. The ruling body has to actively involve its ministries and departments to help enforce the need to conserve our environment. Legislation and policies have to be issued and implemented, which force retailers to restrict or stop the usage of plastic bags. Everybody has to be compelled to realise that there will be a price to pay for damage inflicted.

The Environmental Agency Abu Dhabi was set up recently, which is a great step in the right direction but more is needed. This campaign will be tough but we promise to battle on to help save the Earth - with one green idea at a time.

What plastic items do you use most often everyday? Will you be able to find another 'green' option? If yes, what will it be? Share your environmentally friendly ideas with us.

I think both the private and public sector must pitch in ... Supermarkets can offer customers 0.2 per cent for reusing plastic bags, homes should use less air conditioning more plants should be kept in homes. And now, something nobody would like: duty/high registration fees to be imposed on heavy emission vehicles and 0 per cent duty on vehicles like the Toyota Hybrid
Sanjay
Sharjah,UAE

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