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Dubai: The environmental damage inflicted by nations apparently costs the world $1.8 trillion (Dh6.61 trillion) each year. As we edge towards a global population of 7 billion the need to conserve what humanity is neglecting becomes paramount, otherwise our children will never forgive us for the legacy of a destroyed Earth. To quote American politician Robert F. Kennedy: "Few will have the greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation." Gulf News launched its "No to Plastic Bags" campaign earlier this year. It was our drop in the ocean of effort to help save the planet.
As a newspaper we are celebrating our 30th year. The three decades have seen us grow and evolve into the leading English daily in the region. This has been possible because the communities that we strive to serve have stood by us. From a fledgling tabloid to a national broadsheet journal of record, the people of the UAE have joined us in our journey with their words, enthusiasm, support and belief. It was time to return something to our readers ... it was time to build an enduring legacy, a bequest that would hopefully help create a better world. Sustained We decided to say no to plastic bags. The campaign was sustained and definitive - the first of its kind by any media in the country. We recognised the positive and encouraged others to follow suit. Stories and information were packaged each week to raise awareness and promote best practices. The response was overwhelming. Individuals and organisations that had already started some kind of initiative, were either long-time practitioners or eager to contribute, swamped us. The movement took on a life of its own and as it gathered momentum we realised that the need of the hour was for an effort on a bigger scale. Anybody who fails to embrace the unique opportunity to truly make a difference loses his or her right to have a say. Gulf News has decided to widen the scope of its effort and launch the campaign: Go Green. It will focus on creating awareness, disseminate best practices, launch clean-ups and recognise individual efforts. As Russian playwright Anton Chekov wrote in 1897, "Man has been endowed with reason, with the power to create, so that he can add to what he's been given. But up to now he hasn't been a creator, only a destroyer." Disappearing forests Our forests are disappearing, biodiversity is being lost, rivers are drying up, oceans have plastic islands, millions of aquatic mammals and seabirds are dying, animals are becoming extinct and the Earth is humbled with each passing day. We, too, as a commercial enterprise take responsibility for the damage inflicted on the environment through our practices be it with paper or plastic usage. We acknowledge that Gulf News needs to change, too. But, everybody does need to understand that there is no organisation, no industry, no commerce in the world that does not cause harm to Nature in one way or the other. Where there are people, there will be environmental impact. The difference is when we accept and do what we can, to the best of our abilities, to reduce the damage caused. It could be through better policies, processes, awareness campaigns, research grants and good practices. As a large media house, it is not an easy challenge for Gulf News to meet. The cost is immense and in some cases there is a clear lack of alternatives in the market. And therefore we call upon our readers to offer us their suggestions. But the responsibility does not just stop with organisations and the public; it needs the support and initiative of the government. The ruling body has to actively involve its ministries and departments to help enforce the need to conserve our environment. Legislation and policies have to be issued and implemented, which force retailers to restrict or stop the usage of plastic bags. Everybody has to be compelled to realise that there will be a price to pay for damage inflicted. The Environmental Agency Abu Dhabi was set up recently, which is a great step in the right direction but more is needed. This campaign will be tough but we promise to battle on to help save the Earth - with one green idea at a time. What plastic items do you use most often everyday? Will you be able to find another 'green' option? If yes, what will it be? Share your environmentally friendly ideas with us.
Your comments
I think both the private and public sector must pitch in ... Supermarkets can offer customers 0.2 per cent for reusing plastic bags, homes should use less air conditioning more plants should be kept in homes. And now, something nobody would like: duty/high registration fees to be imposed on heavy emission vehicles and 0 per cent duty on vehicles like the Toyota Hybrid
Sanjay
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 26, 2008, 10:16
The lessons learned in history showed us how harmful plastic and its fumes are, but why is there an alarm now, when it is too late in terms of global warming? Certainly it is clear neither the so-called super powers nor the EU has ever taken a step to freeze the dependence on plastic as a whole.
Asiff
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 15:45
I am really interested in this campaign and I think this is a great idea and I hope that people start to think more about this issue, because it is affecting the whole universe.
Faisal
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 15:08
Great story, but then Sunday's Gulf News edition came wrapped in cellophane. Cellophane is just as bad as plastic. At least with plastic bags you can reuse them, but what does one do with a cellophane newspaper cover?
Essam
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 15:02
This great movement towards greenery will be effective if there are clear and comprehensive waste management and recycling mechanisms. So we need the government's support to help us to be the effective beginners. Normally you may not find any garbage separation systems in districts, so people get frustrated.
Ali
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 13:59
This is an impressive article with thought-provoking news. And I second the opinion put in by Mr. Ivan, why not let the public get free jute bags, as very few would opt to turn green by paying for it. In a time when one works hardcore to save a penny, a 'green life with a bill' would be hurting and hard to follow.
Tina
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 12:54
When food comes directly in contact with plastic it is not safe to take, so we should shift to paper bags or cloth bags. Make the earth green with plants, not with green plastic bottles and bags.
Menu
Chandigarh,India
Posted: May 25, 2008, 11:38
Segregation of garbage is long due in the UAE. All the garbage dumpsters we see on the roadside should be in five sections: 1.Paper 2.Glass 3.Metal 4.Organic 5.Plastic, like many other developed countries. This should be followed by recycling or exporting to the countries where recycling can take place. In this manner, individuals will contribute.
Kausar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 11:25
Decent article, but as the continuous question goes (which no one seems to be answering): What do we do with the existing plastic bags that we have with us?
Hanoz
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 10:01
Almost everything today is packaged in plastic and I think we need to turn the clock back to search for greener alternatives. How about milk and fruit juices dispensed in recyclable glass bottles? Or how about returning plastic bags to supermarkets for reuse? Or distributing jute bags to the public for free!
Ivan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 09:30
We applaud your effort towards building up awareness and expanding your campaign. Clearly, there has to be a shift in mindsets, in habits and in attitudes. Small things can make a huge difference. Start with packaging. Why do we want fruits and veges pre-packed for us in plastic trays? Why do we want our laundry delivered to us in sheets of plastic? Why do we get our takeaway food in plastic cups/boxes/bowls? How can each of us make a difference? Let us all join hands and make this campaign a huge success. UAE has shown in many ways that it can lead the way. Let us all do it!
Madhu
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 08:19
Even if it is too late, I am happy to see that people are getting awareness about this issue. As such a small country, the average plastic usage in the UAE is horribly high. There should be lots of awareness programmes to be organised at government level to make people aware about the harm plastic can cause. The number of plastic disposable glasses coming out of restaurants each day itself is enough to know the people's ignorance of the issue. If you just think for a while, you can give hundreds of examples like this. I hope other media also follows the right steps taken by Gulf News in this regard.
Soy
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 08:03
We can't avoid plastics in our life at all times. Research should be done to develop environmentally friendly plastic, that can decompose easily. Every government sector should think of what we take from nature.
Haja
Dubai,UAE
Posted: May 25, 2008, 07:28
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