Sunday, Mar 17, 2013
Muscat: World-renowned environmentalist Robert Swan has praised Oman’s efforts in preserving the environment, Omani environmentalist Yahya Al Salmani, told Gulf News by e-mail from Antarctica, where he has gone with 80 young people from 28 nations to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Expedition to Antarctica.
The long-time employee of Oman’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs said that he had an opportunity to meet the British polar explorer and hand over a book - Conservation Area in Oman - issued by the Ministry.
“I also presented him with electronic publications that define the elements of biodiversity in Oman,” Al Salmani said, adding that Swan appreciated Oman’s efforts in preservation of its environment from various types of pollution. However, the Briton stressed that the process of preserving the environment was a collective responsibility of the public as well as private sector.
He said that the expedition gave him an opportunity to set foot for the first time on the surface of the coldest place on earth. “I enjoyed watching the Aurora Borealis, known as the Southern Lights,” he said.
Al Salmani also said that the whole expedition was an unique educational programme that elevated the level of environmental awareness for all the participants.
The Expedition to Antarctica was launched by Swan in 1993. The explorer has devoted his life to preserving Antarctica by promoting recycling, renewable energy and sustainable development in order to combat climate change.
“The mission for International Antarctic Expedition 2041 (IAE) is to create ambassadors for education, the environment and sustainability across the globe,” said the Omani environmentalist.
“We were taught to protect Antarctica and the rest of our planet and create change on the personal level, the community level, the corporate level and beyond on our return to our respective home countries,” he added.
He added that 2041’s mission was to build on Swan’s dedication by informing, engaging and inspiring the next generation of leaders to take responsibility, to be sustainable, and to know that now is the time for action in policy development, business generation and future technologies.
“For me”, he pointed out, “the two-week trip to Antarctica is a commitment for life.”
He adds that the programme of this expedition was designed as “educational tourism”.
“The participants were provided with an essential knowledge about many environmental issues such as global warming, solar energy , the utmost importance of using the mechanics of practising clean energy, and the extreme need to reduce the risk of hazardous and non-hazardous waste in order to achieve the concept of sustainable development,” he said.
He thanked the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, Ray International, Oman Fisheries Company and Oman Portuguese Cement Products Company, for their support for the expedition.
Besides Al Salmani, Buthaina Al Mahruqi, Bader Al Lawati and Ameer Abdul Hussain also took part in the two-week expedition to Antarctica.
By Sunil K. Vaidya Bureau Chief
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
