EEG celebrates Earth Day 2009 across the country

It is held annually on April 22, participated in and celebrated by millions of people and organizations worldwide.

The movement gained strength over the years with numerous activities and programs highlighting the state of the global environment.

Emirates Environmental Group celebrates Earth Day by conducting several activities as part of the worldwide Earth Day Celebration. On April 22, EEG joined different groups and organizations in celebrating Earth Day through awareness, raising activities and tree planting events.

EEG Chairperson Habiba Al Marashi gave a presentation at three separate events in Abu Dhabi organized by the Abu Dhabi Judicial Department, Zayed University and the Petroleum Institute respectively. Mrs. Al Marashi's presentation focused on the importance of environmental protection in achieving sustainability.

She focused on the work being done by EEG and thousands of participants across the country on how to reduce our collective footrpint. She highlighted the need to reduce waste, conserve resources and recycle efficiently in order to contribute in addressing the challenge.

Her presentation touched on a variety of audience, proving that environmental protection is everybody's concern. The audience responded positively by expressing their resolve to be involved more in environmental activities in their respective offices and institutions
EEG likewise joined forces with partner organizations in conducting tree planting activities simultaneously in Fujairah Men's College, Fujairah; Al Raya School, Al Wasl, Dubai; and Al Saada School, Hor Al Anz, Dubai, under its Million Tree Project.

Alongside students and teachers from the respective schools, a total of 70 indigenous trees were planted through the support and participation of Union Properties and Ibis Hotel Al Barsha in commemoration of Earth Day 2009.

The Million Tree Campaign is an offshoot of United Nations Environment Programme's global tree planting campaign launched in Nairobi. EEG as an accredited organization to UNEP undertook the responsibility of pledging and planting One Million Trees in UAE, in the year 2007, in support of the program. Till date, EEG has pledged and planted 1,624,326 indigenous trees in UAE.

EEG Executive Committee members, Ms. Sarah Baker, Ms. Hana Al Suwaidi and Mr. Ali Ibrahim represented EEG at the tree planting ceremonies. In a joint message, they said,

"One of the goals of EEG's Million Tree Campaign is to tackle urban pollution by reducing the carbon emissions emanating from our day to day life. Our campaign will aid in creating a better environment for our children and students of the school and instilling in them the patriotic spirit and the love for the environment. I thank the corporate organizations that have come forward for their initiative and support for the campaign which showcases their commitment and support for the environment."

Union Properties came aboard the Million Tree Campaign as Platinum Partners, as a part of their commitment to give back to the community they operate in. The company will be donating trees to 10 schools all over UAE.

Ibis Hotel Al Barsha a subsidiary of Accor launched their Earth Guest program and did their volunteering work with tree planting at Fujairah Men's college. Mr. Philippe Montaubin, General Manager of Ibis Al Barsha said, "As a newly-opened hotel, we are marking our first Earth Guest Day on the 22nd of April by planting trees in the emirate of Fujairah in support to the "Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign" of the United Nations Environment Programme, a project championed by Accor. Locally, we will strive to be an active partner of the Emirates Environmental Group for its initiatives and campaigns around the UAE".

Mrs. Al Marashi thanked all the people, schools and companies who participated and supported the events celebrating Earth day 2009. She said, "Everyday should be Earth day. We should care for the Earth all the time and it should be reflected in our way of life, systems and modes of production. The concept of sustainability is about preserving the Earth, our one and only home.

As part of EEG's commemoration of Earth Day, EEG shall be holding its Interschool Public Speaking Competition from April 27 to 28 to provide young people a platform to express their thoughts on 4 burning environmental topics. EEG will also conduct its community lecture on the 28th to raise awareness on desalination and the water challenge.