Dubai
The menace of air pollution has taken a heavy toll on the world, as reported by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The air we breathe is not pure. Respiratory diseases, heart attacks and deaths are on the rise, as stated in a report published by WHO in May, and the situation is getting worse every day. There are many causes, but we need to focus on measures to alleviate this peril.
Considering the above, my group and I decided to spread awareness by performing actions that will combat air pollution in the long run. On September 30, we organised the ‘Recycle–Thon ’16’ in Sharjah’s Samnan area, where we managed to collect 3,056kg of paper, 251kg of plastic and 36kg of aluminum cans. This effort on just one day has managed to save approximately one hundred trees. Around 900kg of recycled paper can save 17 trees, as stated by a study published by the US-based University of Southern Indiana.
Recycling saves the landfills, saves trees and saves industrial effort to produce more. Over 40 members of my group ‘Serve the Earth’ contributed to this event, which was supported by Bee’ah, Sharjah’s environmental organisation.
We also raised awareness among the members and volunteers by hosting a quiz and a drawing competition. Children need to understand the importance of the quality of the air we breathe. Pupils made beautiful drawings to indicate the causes of air pollution and their remedies.
Mythri Muralikannan, 11-year-old Dubai resident, remarked that adding filters to the chimneys would reduce harmful emissions from factories.
Nupur Khatri, 12-year-old Dubai resident, said that using vehicles over short distances was the main cause of air pollution. While Albira Khan, a Grade 11 student, suggested the use of electric cars.
These remarks depict the awareness and dedication of the youth of tomorrow towards caring for the environment. Global governments, including the UAE, is making efforts to ensure that we may be able to breathe fresh air. If an effort by 40 children can save 100 trees, imagine how much can be achieved by our collective efforts.
People should be encouraged to walk more, ride bicycles, use public transport or car pool. We have planned to conduct another event to collect e-waste in Sharjah soon. Please come forward and help us fight air pollution.
The air we breathe in the UAE is much safer than many other nations around the world, according to a Gulf News report published in September. But, remember, past performance is no guarantee of future results, therefore we must focus on extenuation of air pollution in our day to day lives.
— The reader is a student based in Dubai.
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