Teaching environmental lessons to the next generation in UAE

Hundreds of youth and community members joined SynergY for Earth Hour with DEWA (Dubai Energy and Water Authority), held at Bay Avenue Park, overlooking the mighty Burj Khalifa at Downtown Dubai.

The event – under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council – was held in partnership with Dubai Supreme Council of Energy (DSCE) and Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS), which works in association with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and in cooperation with Dubai Properties Group. 

SynergY youth group, with its team of nearly 100 youngsters participated in the Earth Hour event and many children volunteered for days of planning and organising and setting up a beautiful booth to support and manage key interactive areas designed to bring people from all corners of the UAE together to conserve energy as part of the global initiative and encourage people to be more environmentally conscious.
 
As the founder of SynergY, I understand the situation and crisis that the world is facing today with increased energy demands and depleting energy resources. The solutions and action to deal with the predicament are not enough.

Some of us are convinced as we make resolutions towards a greener future but the results have to be more promising. This is why youth like me are determined to make a change by collaborating efforts to walk on the path towards sustainability. 

By participating in Earth Hour in Dubai, we supported the international efforts which aim to minimise carbon emissions, greenhouse gases and environmental pollution, providing sustainable solutions for global warming and climate change, as well as protecting the environment and preserving natural resources for generations to come.

Our very inspiring and interactive booth had games, photo and message opportunities for families, youth and children. We also promoted the need for environmental education and through the “Wall of Expression”, “Pledge Bubble”, ‘Poloroids to take away with Emoji props and “Selfie Stars”. 

Thousands of people visited the booth. The best moment of our eventful community service day was being able to take a group selfie on stage with Ms Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications, and Amal Koshak, Senior Manager of Marketing Communications at DEWA, after getting an ward from them. This makes it a hat-trick of receiving this recognition three years in a row.

Michelle Thomas, who managed activities, said: “I was truly overwhelmed with the turnout and the children played their hearts out, winning prizes while fishing the duck without spilling water – which promoted the message of saving water and the importance of water in our lives. People wrote so many messages on our “Wall of Expression” and took instant Polaroids, selfies and pictures with props at our booth.”

Aishwarya Shetty, a student from Our Own English High School, Sharjah, who has participatied in Earth Hour for five years, said: “Earth Hour is a family event now. It’s great to see so many families visit our booth that saw a rise from a few hundred to many thousands this year. We are thankful to DEWA for awarding us recognition on stage, allowing several student to experience laying down candles, lighting them with VIPs and above all inviting us as sponsors each passing year. It means a lot when the entire community moves towards sustainability.” 
 
SynergY Youth Group has once again passionately conveyed the message of how much events like Earth Hour mean to today’s young generation.
 
Earth Hour is one of the world’s biggest environmental campaigns. Introduced in 2007 in Sydney, with 2.2 million people switching off their lights and other non-essential electronics, Earth Hour 2015 was the ninth year of the campaign.
 
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