Thursday, Apr 23, 2009
Gulf News
Dubai: Seventy indigenous trees were plantedon Wednesdayas part of some initiatives to mark Earth Day.
Companies across the UAE encouraged their employees to do something 'green' such as beach clean-ups or organising corporate visits to a desalination plant to educate staff on the importance of preserving water.
Emirates Environmental Group led tree planting missions across the UAE while EEG Chairperson Habiba Al Marashi spoke at three separate events in Abu Dhabi on the importance of environmental protection in achieving sustainability.
Alongside students and teachers from various schools, a total of 70 indigenous trees were planted through the support and participation of Union Properties and Accor's Ibis Hotel Al Barsha. Accor launched their Earth Guest programme and volunteered to plant trees at Fujairah Men's college.
Philippe Montaubin, General Manager of Ibis Al Barsha said, "As a newly-opened hotel, we are marking our first Earth Guest Day by planting trees in Fujairah in support of the 'Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign' of the United Nations Environment Programme."
Accor staff also participated in a tour of Dubal's desalination plant to bring home the message of water conservation.
The plant produces around five per cent of Dubai's water needs. In 1979 when the aluminium smelter began operations, it provided 40 per cent of the city's water needs before the population boomed.
Nationwide, Accor activities also included beach clean-ups in Abu Dhabi, blood donations and tree planting in Mussafah. The Mercure Grand in Al Ain Jebel Hafeet shut down the water fountain in the hotel and minimised the garden irrigation. A clean-up exercise was also held at Al Mamzar beach by Sofitel City Centre staff as part of the group's global participation in Earth Day.
Union Properties joined the Million Tree Campaign as Platinum Partners will donate trees to 10 schools all over UAE. Dubai Silicon Oasis senior staff and employees also planted trees in its premises yesterday.
Go-Green.ae, an initiative launched by Cyber Gear, is promoting awareness through an online campaign to promote individual action towards sustainable consumption.
A community guide on '10 Practical Ways to Go Green' can be downloaded from the website where tips like reducing plastic bottle waste and promotion of locally produced food are highlighted.
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
