Take responsibility for a cleaner world

Deserts have great significance despite the perception of them being barren land covered with sand dunes. They play a vital role in providing balance to the natural cycle of life. Most deserts are also the habitat of many plants and animals that have adapted to the harsh environment.

One of the major threats to the desert environment is its destruction through the unmindful acts of humans due to the lack of awareness, and in some cases, lack of civilised behaviour. It is, hence, important to educate visitors. Education and execution requires true commitment, inspiring leadership and believing in the cause.

The latest ‘Clean the Desert' campaign was launched via Twitter by Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It has received responses in the hundreds. It is apparent that many take the preservation of the environment seriously. The focus has been made clear; conserve the environment and save the ecosystem. The objectives of the campaign were to ensure environmental sustainability, promote awareness, restore wildlife habitat, engage the community and increase their level of pride in the environment.

The campaign focused on collecting waste that was scattered across the desert. Litter can be prevented and controlled through education and adequate awareness; by identifying its cause, organising clean-ups and discarding waste properly. It is all a reflection of oneself. If you don't like littering in your home then don't create litter in the homes of others.

The process of clean-up can be harrowing and chaotic, but the results of this guided process are truly rewarding. I have personally witnessed that becoming part of the ‘Clean the Desert' campaign was actually an empowerment for each individual involved.

The engagement of many people of different backgrounds, varying ages and diverse cultures, was a testament to how united the UAE is. Such campaigns provide exposure to the youth on the critical acts of being respectful to the environment and also inspire civic engagement.

Volunteers who participated in the campaign proved that they are catal-ysts for positive improvement. Volunteering improves the quality of life in a community. Watching volunteers from organisations like Takatof and Seeds of Change come together was overwhelming. It ignited passion and love for the country.

Zayed's vision

The commitment to the environment has always been a priority for the UAE leadership. Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE's founding father, believed in the importance of protecting the environment by creating infrastructure that supported sustainable development.

He said: "We cherish our environment because it is an integral part of our country, our history and our heritage. On land and in the sea, our forefathers lived and survived in this environment. They were able to do so only because they recognised the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they needed to live, and to preserve it for succeeding generations. "With God's will, we shall continue to work and protect our environment and our wildlife, as did our forefathers before us. It is a duty, and, if we fail, our children, rightly, will reproach us for squandering an essential part of their inheritance, and of our heritage."

We should all be inspired by Shaikh Zayed's timeless words. We should all be involved in playing our small roles because the truth of the matter is, life on earth is important and valuable. We have an obligation to follow thoughtful ways of living and of respecting our environment which will result in a natural balance in the world.

The time to act is now. Even after the desert clean-up campaign concludes, the involvement doesn't end. We must ensure that everything in our surroundings is kept clean, including our public community areas such as playgrounds, gardens, parks and beaches. The lessons learnt and experiences gained should be put in action and should aid in preserving the environment.

The responsibility for the environment is a collection of acts by individuals who care. We are all citizens for improvement and positive change. We have the responsibility of keeping the environment clean for ourselves and for generations to come.

A small alteration in people's behaviour can avert the negative impacts. Start today and respect the earth.

Shaikha Al Maskari is an Emirati writer from Abu Dhabi. You can follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/uaeyah