Monday, 12 December, 2011, is the date to mark on your calendar for ‘Clean Up UAE’.
Let people know at school and in your workplace as the annual day is usually supported well by schools, Colleges, private businesses and government departments.
Today, 18 September 2011, the Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), launched its 10th edition of the 'Clean Up UAE' campaign which, in 2002, was initiated in four emirates—Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and Abu Dhabi.
Since that time all emirates have got on board with this big campaign and last year more than 100 tons of waste were collected from the country. This is a staggering amount but what must galvanize our concern and activity is that the UAE’s waste per capita is among the highest in the world.
At the 2011 launch, Engineer Mohammed Saif Afkham, Director of the Fujairah Municipality said:
“Through its participation for the eighth year in the ‘Clean Up UAE’ campaign, the Municipality is building on its social role that is strengthened through constant communication and interaction with the community at large in environmental events such as this. He stressed that environmental preservation is everyone’s responsibility, and must be treated as a priority.”
One Day, All Year
The ‘Clean Up UAE’ campaign could be seen as a token gesture toward environmental preservation so that people clean up on this special day and live wastefully for the next 364 days.
The intent of the EEG is that the impact of the year will have a flow on effect in the lives of ordinary residents and in the waste management practices of businesses and schools.
There are other formal and informal initiatives throughout the year and one of the impressive acts of leadership was the clean up of the Mirbah Harbour (pictured) by the Fujairah Crown Prince, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi.
In June 2011 the Crown Prince coordinated an effort with 45 divers (himself included) and pulled hundreds of kilograms of rubbish from the sea.
About this initiative of the Fujairah Crown Prince, Mohammed Saif Al Afkham said to The National:
“Whenever he goes diving he gathers his friends around him to clean and dive. For him, it’s not only an awareness campaign, it’s a habit that wherever you are, you should keep your surroundings clean.”
“He wants to do a schedule in each port to go with the fishermen and clean the shore and underwater. He’s very young and an active person and I like that he himself goes to clean.”
2011 Target
The hope of the ‘Clean Up UAE’ organizing committee is that this year, 25,000 volunteers will participate in this campaign on 12 December 2011.
Stay Posted
The Clean Up UAE Facebook Page will report further details as they are formulated.
Further
Emirates Environmental Group Launches 10th Edition ‘Clean Up UAE’, AMEInfo, 18 September 2011.
Geoff Pound
More Fujairah news, resources, information and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.
Images: ‘Clean Up UAE’ logo; His Highness, Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi sponsored the clean up event in June 2011 of the Mirbah harbour (photo courtesy of WAM and The National).
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