Save Animals Children's Painting Competition launched to create awareness about global warming

The objective behind this hugely popular annual painting competition is to generate awareness about pressing environmental issues in order to step up efforts to combat global warming. Said Ms Laila Ahmed Al Thawadi, Ministry of Education, 'Awareness and education are definitely the first step in getting people to realise how alarming the whole situation is. A report released by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, made up of hundreds of the world's leading climate experts, warns the global climate is rising faster than we feared (could increase by 8º F by the end of the century) destroying nearly 20 to 30 % of plant and animal species which in turn could disrupt the fragile ecosystems to a breaking point.

'However, the worst consequences can be averted. But that can only happen if we act globally. If we fail there is no going back. The biggest challenge is to get people to wake up and realize this urgency. And this is the whole objective behind this annual nationwide campaign.'

Save Animals Children's Painting Competition is targeted at all school children between the age of 6 and 13 years in the UAE and brings together leading companies under one umbrella to show their concern and responsibility towards the environment.

Said Michel Noblet, Managing Director, Coral International Hotels, Resorts & Spas, 'At Coral International we take environmental concerns seriously and are committed to protecting the environment. Through this annual contest we have been successful in drawing the attention of society and businesses towards the many issues that threaten the environment. Global warming is definitely a planetary emergency.

'Hundreds of millions of people could be harmed by coastal flooding, dwindling water supplies and shifting water patterns within a few decades. The changes could also drive many species towards extinction, particularly those with rapidly shrinking habitats, such as polar bears and penguins. Hence, this year we have chosen Save Animals as the theme for our painting competition. We all know, everything in the natural world is connected. Disturbance in one part automatically stresses the entire ecosystem. It's time we took proper steps to control the damage.'

The Save Animals competition is being held in conjunction with Just a Drop (the only global travel and tourism industry charity dedicated to providing clean water to children). The Grand Prize for the contest is a 3-day trip to Africa for the winner and two adults. In addition, there are over 100 exciting prizes sponsored by Toy World. There is also a very special prize by Philips. The support sponsors for the competition are Reef Real Estate, Manafa, McDonald's, Virgin Megastores, United Arab Bank, Coca-Cola, Giordano Junior and Diamondlease Car Rental. The media partners are Khaleej Times, Channel 4 Radio, City 7 and Young Times.

Stressed Mamdouh Khairallah, Regional Manager, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, AGMC, BMW importer, 'This is the second year running that AGMC has sponsored the Coral International Children's Painting Competition, a demonstration of our commitment to developing our children's awareness for preserving the environment and saving animals. We want to support the future generation's pledge to help protect and save endangered species and create a better future for generations to come.

Furthermore, BMW Group is committed to clean energy through the continuous development of hydrogen technology. As the sole importer for BMW Group products in Dubai, Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, AGMC is fully dedicated to BMW Group's Energy Strategy.'

Said Rashid Al Leem, Director General, Hamriyah Free Zone Authority, 'The Save Animals Children's Painting Competition marks a watershed in the efforts to stir the public's consciousness about Global Warming. The risk of serious irreversible consequences within the next few years is too great to warrant complacency. All of us should be making personal choice to reduce unnecessary consumption of fossil fuels in order to help save the earth before it's too late.'

Added Marwan J. Al Sarkal, Chief Executive Officer, Qanat Al Qasba Development Authority, 'The earth is chocking. A crisis of this magnitude clearly calls for action. Safety of animals is critical to the future of our environment. Government and industry together have to take the lead by finding ways to cut carbon emissions. We feel proud to be part of this wonderful initiative and hope it would be instrumental in elevating public awareness about Global Warming.'

Showing equal enthusiasm said Katta Prasad, Marketing Director - Diaspora, Middle East, Pakistan and Afghanistan, 'Human activity is no doubt altering the environment faster than we can possibly predict the consequences. Loss of vegetation has robbed many animals of breeding and feeding grounds. The impact of this is being felt in many ways. If we stay on business-as-usual path for another decade, it will yield warming of 6 to 9 F by the end of the century. The cost of this will dwarf any costs associated with learning to use energy more sensibly. We will lose animals and plants. We could push the polar species and alpine species off the planet. As enlightened individuals it becomes our responsibility to reduce our carbon footprints. We invite all of you to join us in the fight against global warming.'

As the earth warms up, more and more companies are moving towards environment friendly practices and involved in projects related to such issues. Philips is one company taking big steps in that direction.

D.P. Smedema, General Manager Philips Lighting Middle East commented, 'We are delighted to support Save Animals project. Sustainability is how we do business. We have long been integrating economic prosperity, environmental quality and social equity with a clear view of sustainable value creation. We seek sustainable innovations to improve people's lives in all markets and thereby contributing to development. Philips Eco Vision program calls for the development of environmentally superior, best products in class 'Green Flagship Products'. Philips ranks top in energy saving reporting, and we are also recognized for our EcoVision and EcoDesign programs with measurable targets and the concrete information we provide on our Green Flagship products.

'In July 2007 Philips launched a consumer campaign showing that solutions in energy management are simple, actionable and achievable by every individual in this world. Through the website www.asimpleswitch.com Philips calls on people around the world to switch to energy efficient products such as CFL lighting. The asimpleswitch.com campaign was kick-started by our sponsorship of the global Live Earth concerts on 7 July 2007.'

Save Animals Children's Painting Competition will run from September 6 to October 16, 2007.

Over a 100,000 entry forms will be distributed in all participating schools in the UAE from September 6 onwards. The last date of receiving back entries is October 16, 2007. Out of these entries will be selected, the winners by a panel of judges headed by the Ministry of Education. The Grand Award Ceremony for the winners will be held on November 15 at the Qanat Al Qasba.