Reconnecting with nature in UAE

Every year since 1972, on June 5, World Environment Day (WED) is organised around a theme that focuses attention on a particularly pressing environmental concern.

The theme for 2017 is “connecting people to nature”. This is the right occasion, therefore, for humans to fix their broken connection with nature.

On environmental occasions like WED, man gets a chance for positive environmental action that can raise awareness of the importance of respecting and protecting the environment and natural resources.

Albert Einstein said, “The environment is everything that isn’t me.” In fact, you, me, the rest of the humankind and all other species on Earth comprise the environment. Humankind is an integral part of the environment: We affect the environment and ecosystems and, in turn, get affected by them.

If humankind damages, pollutes, spoils, or overexploits natural resources — or in simple words, leads an unsustainable lifestyle — the result is pollution, global warming, and extreme climatic events, diseases, food shortage... etc.

If we look back in history, it is clear that great civilisations dealt with the environment in a sustainable way. They adapted to and accepted the ecosystems and lived simply in harmony with nature.

Thus, this year’s WED theme invites us all to think about how we are part of nature and how intimately we depend on it.

The ties that bind

In fact, human health and the health of the planet are inextricably linked. If we harm the environment, we are harming ourselves.

By taking care of Mother Earth and its natural assets, we help fight climate change, achieve the Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) agreed upon in 2015, and preserve our natural wealth for the benefit of this and future generations.

Natural systems support our prosperity and well-being. For example, the world’s oceans, forests and soils act as vast stores for greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane; farmers and fisherfolk harness nature on land and under water to provide us with food; scientists develop medicines using genetic material drawn from the millions of species that make up Earth’s astounding biological diversity.

Billions of people around the globe spend every working day in fields, cities and factories connected to nature and appreciate their full dependence on natural resources such as water supplies, energy, air and soil.

Despite modern technology, high-speed tele-communications and transportation and other conveniences, it seems that man has lost his connection with nature. WED 2017 provides a real chance to get back on the right track and get reconnected with nature, appreciate its beauty and its importance.

Greater emphasis can be given to activities that range from raising environmental awareness to encouraging action for recycling, sustainable development and consumption, fighting global warming, cleaning up pollution and other issues.

The United Arab Emirates has witnessed unprecedented development on all levels in recent years that has led to an accelerated process of change in all aspects of life. A city like Dubai is now a world hub for global trade, business, industry and tourism, which today attracts more than 200 nationalities to work and live in.

Yet, one must also argue that this attractiveness would not have remained if the quality of life in relation to various aspects, including the environment, had not been held up at least to some degree.

Exploring the natural wonders

So, one must seize the occasion of WED and take a break from the stunning skyline, modern shopping malls and hotels in UAE and explore the natural wonders of the country such as beautiful beaches, stunning mountains, charming deserts, spectacular valleys, rich wildlife and outdoor camping. In fact, the UAE has a very rich and diverse flora and fauna and each of the seven emirates has its own unique natural areas. In addition, The UAE’s seas are also home to a diversity of fish, invertebrates and marine mammals.

For instance, the Wathba Wetland Reserve or the Flamingo City is one of the few undisturbed wildlife areas in the country and is also very remarkable and known for being home to hundreds of flamingos, which one can watch from a designated watch tower. Also, one can enjoy a red day out in the desert at the ‘Big Red’, a pretty popular spot just outside of Dubai on Hatta Road.

The connection with nature has a very positive impact on our mental, physical, and spiritual health. Hopefully one can enjoy and protect nature all year round and not just on WED.

Dr Mohamed Abdel Raouf is an independent environment researcher.