As environmental issues come to the forefront once more, we look at the problem of carbon footprints and reveal how ordinary citizens can lend a helping hand to the green cause.
Despite ongoing debate about the effect of greenhouse gas emissions on climate change, most people accept that we should all take part in helping the environment. Unfortunately, the rapid industrialisation that humanity has experienced over the last century has brought with it extensive consequences of waste and harmful behaviour. Nevertheless, a combination of awareness and proactive measures by individuals today can help to rectify the past generation’s mistakes and yield a greener Earth for the future.
When it comes to becoming greener, most people think of reducing their carbon footprint; lessening the amount of greenhouse gas emissions that their behaviours or purchases directly or indirectly cause. Abu Dhabi is slowly setting the wheels in motion for greener businesses and institutions; however it is the responsibility of each of us to adopt practices that lower our carbon footprints.
According to the Centre for Waste Management, our nation’s capital yields over 4.7 million metric tonnes of waste annually.
A significant amount. This number is only set to increase, particularly if people don’t start contributing to the solution.
The three Rs
The most important model that people can follow when considering their environmental impact is the three Rs; Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. These guidelines address how we should consider our actions before purchasing products and discarding waste. Reducing your waste output yields a high benefit, and it helps to think twice before throwing out items like glass jars and metal containers. To learn more visit the Center for Waste Management’s site at www.cwm.ae. For a list of recycling centres and what materials they take visit www.abudhabi.ae.
Skip the shipping
Buy local produce and products when you can. Shipping things from the far corners of the Earth uses up a lot of energy in the transportation process. The UAE has local farms and facilities that sell meat, poultry and produce. For more information on locally grown products, visit the Farmer’s Service Center website www.adfsc.ae. They also operate a store in the fruit and vegetable market in the Mina; where you can find a wealth of fresh items grown in Abu Dhabi and the UAE, minimising transportation.
Say no to using plastic bags
Plastic bags are an environmental nightmare. Most of them end up in the sea and, for example, turtles mistake them for jellyfish, eat them and subsequently suffer a slow and painful death. Even if they don’t end
up in the sea, plastic is a difficult material to get rid of and burning it in landfills releases toxic fumes that harm the planet. Invest in some canvas and durable shopping bags.
Go organic
Keeping in line with mother nature and rejecting quick chemical fixes, the farming of organic products doesn’t use any pesticides or treatments that harm the earth. The downside is that their products will often cost three times more than their industrial counterpart, however investing in a few organic items does help to reduce your carbon footprint, and they taste better, too.
For more tips on how you can become greener visit the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi’s website www.ead.ae.
The Westin introduces a waste solution
In an effort to become greener, the Westin Abu Dhabi Golf Resort & Spa has launched a monster of a machine that converts food waste into potent, organic fertiliser. The large machine is capable of reducing food waste down to a third of its weight. The hotel will then use the fertiliser for a herb garden that will grow chilis, onions, coriander, basil and soya, amongst others. This project was spearheaded by director of engineering Sebastian Weyer and is in line with Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ aim to reduce their energy and water consumption. In just ten hours this machine can turn 600kgs of waste into 175kg of fertiliser.
The Westin Abu Dhabi (02 616 9999).
Some Shocking electrical facts
We normally take electricity for granted at home and don’t think about the consequences of leaving items we are not using plugged in. Even if you switch the TV or microwave off, as long as it is still receiving electricity, it is wasting energy. Make sure to turn off any lights that you don’t need and switch off the power to any household items not in use. As a rule, if you see the little red light on an outlet not being used, switch it off. Additionally, replace your light bulbs at home with compact fluorescent bulbs.
Stock up on energy friendly appliances
When the time comes to buy items like washers or kitchen appliances, shop around for models that are energy efficient. These are usually highlighted by an eco tag; staff in stores will point you in the direction of brands that produce such models.
