SynergY celebrates UAE National Environment Week

February 2, 2013

Digging, Planting, Learning during UAE National Environment Week 2013

SynergY celebrates UAE National Environment Week 2013 by planting trees at TADWEER

COE UAE Chapter Leader Simran Vedvyas has started a group of young students from various institutions around the UAE called SynergY: Socially Yearning Network for Environment, Reach-out, Growth Youth. The purpose of SynergY is to support various environmental challenges.

On February 4 the UAE marks its National Environment Day under the patronage of its president HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Each year this day highlights and galvanizes public action and awareness about one of the key environmental issues in the UAE. National Environment Day supports the spirit of individual and collective initiatives and encourages responsibility among all segments of the society on environmental issues.

Dubai is a leading city that is committed to raise UAE environmental quality standards by generating initiatives and best practices across the region. Towards this direction, Tadweer is the first company in the region to serve as a pioneer in environmental leadership and waste management solution applications by producing alternative fuel and green products .

SynergY, Tadweer, the Echo of the Environment and Dubai Municipality together celebrated the UAE National Environment Day 2013. The youth of SynergY made the best use of their day-off from school by planting trees and taking a tour of the Tadweer facility. The youth received insight into waste management and pledged to contribute by advocating that everyone adopt an Eco-lifestyle. Touring the factory, the youngsters got an opportunity to see the process of solid waste sorting and recycling. They learned about the sorting process and end products.

Simran reaffirmed the pledge by saying – ‘We youth are the next Champions. The Challenge today is to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. Each one of us has a responsibility to live peacefully without jeopardizing the natural resources. We need to act now by convening, converging and collaborating’. Simran is a student of The Millennium School Dubai, UAE. Simran is well known in the community today for her contribution to environment, and health initiatives.

She has twice been the winner of Sheikh Hamdan Award and Sharjah Award for Educational Excellence in 2012 and 2009-2008. Simran has also brought pride to the nation as UAE’s youngest Olympic Torch Bearer, carrying the London Olympic Torch in 2012. Simran has shouldered much of the responsibility for this noble cause, which will inspire and motivate many students to gain a more sustainable society.

Aishwarya Shetty, a student from Our Own English High School, Sharjah, said that ‘Planting and caring for seedling trees helps young people to learn about the natural world and the value of trees in it.’

Ananya Jain, who studies at Dubai International Academy, promised to take back the days’ learning to use in her project work and share it with her friends.

Zaid Haddadin, who studies at the Repton School, Dubai and aspires to be a Software Engineer, felt content planting the tree and understanding the importance of reducing waste.

Present during the event was Mr. Haitham Shaqwara, General Manager from Tadweer, who motivated the group by emphasizing ‘the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling of waste. We are also thankful to Eng. Abdul Majeed Saifaie, Director- Waste Management Department, for his kind support and guidance for this global environment & waste management cause’.

This event is a testimony that Tadweer's mission goes beyond commercial purposes. It aims at creating and establishing a quality environment through educational partnerships and leadership, increasing waste reduction, recycling and resource conservation. Such innovative participation will certainly put UAE on the path of zero waste generation, will turn solid waste from a burden to a resource, and will contribute in reducing its carbon foot print.

Reported and Submitted by: Simran Vedvyas 
Founder and Youth Ambassador
 www.about.me/simranvedvyas.com

If you are interested to join this network, write to synergyouth@outlook.com