Green event for a lesson on climate change

Dubai: A four-day environmental workshop engaged more than 600 students to think differently about climate change and come up with solutions, as part of the Emirates Environment Group’s 10th edition of Student Workshops.

The theme of the workshop was ‘Time to Act: Youth and Climate Change’ and provided students aged 10 to 22 years old first hand information on the initiatives that can be taken to achieve a low-carbon world.

“The event will arm students with extensive knowledge, problem solving capabilities and thinking outside the box. They will leave the workshop energised with relevant environmental knowledge that will influence their daily lives and maybe even their career decisions,” said Habiba Al Marashi, chairperson of the Emirates Environment Group (EEG).

The workshop is supported by the British Council for the third year running, which had more than 600 students from 118 educational institutions involved making it one of the largest environment education drives in the UAE.

“These workshops do not only represent a new and dynamic learning space, outside of the traditional classroom, they present real and urgent challenges that need a fresh and youthful outlook,” said Al Marashi.

Dr. Howard Reed, Director of Dubai Women’s College said, “The earth is in desperate need of a more environmentally aware population and in order for this to happen schools and colleges need to make sure that every young person gets a better environmental education.”

Adam Cade, Director of Susted, an educational consultancy that motivates the youth to lead more environmentally sustainable lifestyles and assistant Rob Bowden, both experts in their field travelled from the UK to participate.

“Various dimensions of learning need to be supported by a ‘green’ education for the upcoming generations, which makes sense not only for their future but for the future of the planet too,” said Cade.