"Clean Up UAE" - 12. Dez. 2009

[lennox]

Wann? - 12. Dezember 2009

Teilnahme unter: 04 2448622

Bilder aus 2008:
http://www.eeg-uae.org/

http://www.7days.ae/storydetails.php?id=...leaning-up our act


Cleaning-up our act

Environmentalists have sent out a rallying cry to eco-warriors nat-ionwide in the hope of gathering an army of 25,000 to join the fight aga-inst rubbish and Clean Up the UAE.

Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) is hoping this year’s drive to tackle litter, reduce waste and boost recycling will be a record-breaking event bringing together more communities, businesses and government departments together than every before.

EEG chairman Habiba Al Marashi said: “Last year our target was 20,000 volunteers and we had 23,000. This time it is 25,000 but the sky is the limit.”

The day of action, on December 12, will see teams of helpers don gloves, grab bin bags and pick up rubbish in dozens of the UAE’s most polluted areas.

Every emirate is taking part and will chose the areas to be tackle which will include parks, beaches, industrial areas, labour camps, wadis and desert.

But the event is about more than litter picking. It also focuses on recycling and waste reduction although its priority is to instill a sense of environmental respons-ibility in the next generation.

Reem Al Faisal, of Ras Al Khaimah Free Zone, said: “We must do every-thing we can to reduce the burden on the environment but Clean Up UAE is also a way to educate child-ren on how to look after the envir-onment and keep it clean for the future. We have had lots of young children taking part, it was very touching to see them all helping.”

This year’s event will coincide with the international Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen which will see world leaders gather to thrash out action plans on how to fight environmental disasters threatening the planet.

Al Marashi told 7DAYS: “Many of the negative effects of climate change and environmental degradation are happening, or are about to happen much, much sooner than expected. We in the Middle East will not be spared of such catastrophic consequences.”

Fly tipping, street litter and even the illegal dumping of industrial waste are not uncommon in the UAE and environmentalists believe apathy coupled with a lack of awareness is to blame for the problem.

Al Marashi said: “It is apathy that is the reason in some parts of the community. There needs to be a respect for the country and the environment around us. That is why raising awareness about proper ways to dispose of waste and why it is important to recycle is a big part of this campaign.”

Schools, universities and commun-ity groups have been backing Clean Up UAE since it was launched in 2002 but this year has seen a dearth of support from the private sector leaving the campaign without a single corporate sponsor.

Government departments in each emirate are planning to cover the costs but EEG says it is disappointed with the involvement of businesses.

“We have no sponsorship this year, period,” Al Marashi said.

“Usually we get sponsorship from the three main emirates; Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi and spread this across the other emirates.

The sponsors are not on board this time. We keep hearing that it’s because of the economic crisis but we hope the companies come forward and step up to their environmental responsibility.”

Details of the clean-up sites’ locations are set to be confirmed in the coming weeks, however in the meantime, campaign co-ordinators are being sought to help plan the format thee clean-up operation for December 12.

Al Marashi said: “We need many volunteers and people can start helping now by contacting us and registering to take part.
“There is a lot of work to do before the event and we need people to help promote it, distribute posters and leaflets and attend a volun-teers group. Everyone can help make a difference.”

To take part go to http://www.eeg-uae.org or call 04 2448622.

[eventdubai]

denen ist leider nicht mehr zu helfen. solange nicht alle emiraties zwangsverpflichtet werden mitzumachen, werde ich mich nicht einaml mehr buecken. staenig schmeissen die alles ueberall hin, dauernd fliegen tueten aus den autos und die stadien sehen nach dem fussbal aus wie schlachtfelder. WIESO SOLL ICH DENEN DEN MUELL HINTERHERRAEUMEN??? um mal wieder zu beweisen, das es immer wieder jemanden gibt, der den scheiss aufhebt??? Bestimmt nicht!

[lennox]