The future is in your hands, you know it

Dubai: You could make your distinctive Earth Day statement today by being more thoughtful about the way you light up your home or carry your groceries in an eco-friendly bag or opt to go to the neighbourhood shop.

There are any number of things residents could do to help the environment recover. Turning off the engine when the car is parked, buying products with less packaging, taking home fewer plastic bags from the supermarket, or being mindful of the efficiency of bulbs and faucets - everything makes a difference.

Minister of Environment and Water Mohammad Saeed Al Kindi inaugurates a forum at the Sofitel City Centre tonight in which a green outlook will take centre stage through the week.

Green lesson

Twenty public and private schools in Abu Dhabi will switch off electric power for one hour to pledge their commitment to tackling climate change.

"It may not be a solution to global warming but it shows... that action to reduce energy is possible," said Majid Al Mansouri, EAD secretary general. EAD is also organising SMS and radio awareness campaigns.

The Emirates Environment Group holds its annual school speaking competition this week with an accent on issues of the environment.

RAK initiative

The Ras Al Khaimah Environment Awareness Programme is asking people to pledge to switch off unnecessary light bulbs, air-conditioners and other machines as part of Earth Day.

Earth Day was created in 1970 to spark a revolution against environmental abuse.

I want to know more about Earth Day so that my family and I can observe that day, even it if benefits just a little to the environment. Little drops make an ocean. If an awareness programme is conducted then myself and many others will also be interested to know and observe.
Kabeer
Dubai,UAE

I can say I'm a nature person, and really concerned about global warming, as recent reports are really scary. I took the initiative at my work and started a kind of programme for all staff to save resources in the office including paper, use of printers and informed them of many tips.
Hassan
Abu Dhabi,UAE