Sapling Plantation event as part of Project Green print – an Emirates Environmental group initiative at Marriott Hotel, Al Jaddaf

Planting a sapling as part of Project Green print – an Emirates Environmental group initiative 

ARTICLE BY NITYASHRI SANKARAN, GRADE 8, DELHI PRIVATE SCHOOL, SHARJAH

It was a pleasure to participate in the tree plantation event by achieving my recycling target and qualifying for the tree planting activity under the ‘Project Green Print’ Initiative, which ran during the period December 2015 - March 2016.

“Project Green Print” conducted by the Emirates environmental group at the Mariott Hotel, Al Jaddaf on 16th April 2016 is a  part of a growing movement to ensure the expansion of the sustainable green patch in the UAE. The combined effort of the participants of this campaign has resulted in the collection of 73,653 kg of Paper and 4,222 kg of Aluminum Cans, which in turn resulted in the mitigation of 348.41 MT of carbon dioxide emissions and saved 335 m3 of landfill space. 

I was able to qualify to plant a sapling as I had recycled 2485 Kgs of paper during this event period with EEG. The event saw a gathering of students, parents and corporates of various nationalities and ages and 81 saplings were planted successfully. Saplings were planted, supported and watered and it would be heartening to see some grown plants and trees in the next few years in this area.

The EEG Chairperson Mam Habiba Al Marashi reiterated on the necessity of responsible consumption, reduction of waste and support recycling of resources and spreading greenery as much as we can.

For Eg. The environmental impact of manufacturing one ton of paper is remarkable and summarized as below:

Deforestation with loss of habitat for birds and animals
Cutting down 24 trees
Energy loss equates to about 10 months of a household consumption
Water loss equates to about 2 months of a household consumption
Co2 emission equates to about 6 months of a car exhaust emission
Therefore the first step is reduce consumption, next is recycle as much as you can. The well-being of humanity, the environment, and the functioning of the economy, ultimately depend upon the responsible management of the planet’s natural resources. Evidence is building that people are consuming far more natural resources than what the planet can sustainably provide.

Many of the Earth’s ecosystems are nearing critical tipping points of depletion or irreversible change, pushed by high population growth and economic development. By 2050, if current consumption and production patterns remain the same and with a rising population expected to reach 9.6 billion, we will need three planets to sustain our ways of living and consumption.

Living sustainably is about doing more and better with less. It is about knowing that rising rates of natural resource use and the environmental impacts that occur are not a necessary by-product of economic growth. Our green journey could range from segregating our waste, following 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) to reducing energy consumption, water conservation, healthy eating, organic farming, using hydroelectric, wind, solar renewable energy sources and innovative ideas to spread community awareness.

I am very happy on my attempt to promote a greener earth through EEG, and would motivate all my friends and fellow mates to practice recycling and conservation of greenery in daily life.

Sustainable consumption of resources is the key to protect our planet. Act Now and consume with care