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Emirates Nature-WWF calls on UAE residents to put the planet first

The conservation body launches WWF’s first global Leaders of Change mission

We all know we could do more when it comes to sustainability and the environment. The good news is that it will now be a lot easier to get involved and do our bit. 

Emirates Nature-WWF has launched the ‘Leaders of Change’ mission and is calling on UAE residents to get involved with environmental conservation in the emirates.

From Dhs35 per month, you can become a Leader for Change and get access to a digital platform packed full of ways individuals can make a real impact on the local environment.

Members of the new programme, a first for WWF globally, can join wildlife experts on all kinds of activities and excursions in the UAE such as wildlife tracking, hiking in the mountains, trekking through wadis, kayaking in the mangroves, tracking biodiversity, and getting hands-on with clean-ups and conservation projects.

The platform also hosts various training opportunities and events for those who want to do even more to help conserve the UAE’s natural environment.

Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, director general of Emirates Nature-WWF, said: “After two decades of efforts to protect the environment, we have many successes to celebrate, countless proud memories, and thousands of supporters to thank. However, there are still mighty challenges to overcome, and we believe that together, we can rise to those challenges. We are therefore calling on thousands of changemakers to join us and work towards a sustainable and prosperous tomorrow. This collaborative conservation in action approach is set to mobilise civil society, and contribute to the conservation blueprint of the UAE for the next 50 years”. 

She added that there would also be opportunities for changemakers young and old to discuss sustainability and environmental issues with government ministers.

Leaders of Change is launching today, also known as Giving Tuesday, a global movement that is all about caring through gifting and sharing whatever you have – from time and skills to money and services.

On a larger scale, it is aligned with the UAE’s aim to become carbon neutral by 2050 as part of the UAE NET ZERO mandate. 

Since its conception, Emirates Nature-WWF along with local government and its volunteers have reached some significant conservation milestones, including the mapping of biodiversity across hundreds of miles of the UAE coastline and an estimated reduction in CO2 emissions of 1,000,000 tonnes per year. 

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Upcoming events: 

Want to get involved? Here’s the December programme of events for Leaders of Change:

Mangroves Masterclass

When it comes to carbon absorption, mangroves are ultra-efficient, storing four times more than tropical forests so there’s all the more incentive to safeguard them. They are one of the best natural tools we have to protect our planet from climate change. As part of this online mangroves masterclass, participants can learn about conversing these endangered habitats within the UAE.
Free for members. Dec 8, 4:30pm-5:30pm. Online, Emiratesnaturewwf.ae/en (Whatsapp 0585323400). 

Kayak Conservation

The UAE possesses natural mangrove habitats which are home to a whole host of endangered species, such as turtles, seabirds, sharks and rays. The guided kayak tour will take you through the mangroves to learn about its ecosystem and collect and remove litter along the way. 
Free for members, Dhs224 for non-members. Dec 9, 3:00pm-06:00pm. Abu Dhabi, Emiratesnaturewwf.ae/en (Whatsapp 0585323400).

Lead the change on plastic

The usage of plastic is one of the biggest, most pressing environmental issues that we face today. We can all do more to reduce plastics in our day-to-day life. To help you along the way, join in on a self-led workshop to help you to lead the change on reducing plastics. The workshop will take you on a ten-week transformation to help you monitor and reduce your plastics. 
Free for members. Dec 12-19, midday. UAE-wide, Emiratesnaturewwf.ae/en (Whatsapp 0585323400). 

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