“We don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children,” goes the oft-heard quote. And it speaks volumes when the next generation is already greatly concerned about the state of the planet they will be inheriting.
According to a September 2021 study led by the University of Bath in England, which canvassed the views of 10,000 young people, more than 50 per cent are “extremely anxious about climate change”. The survey polled youths from Australia, Brazil, Finland, France, India, Nigeria, Portugal, the Philippines, the US and the UK, but the findings hold true closer to home as well.
In June, a study for Cartoon Network revealed climate change is a key concern for children across Europe, Middle East and Africa. The study analysed the views and behaviours of those between 6 and 12 years in 13 countries, including the UAE, and found 91 per cent were concerned, with worry, fear and sadness being their most common feelings.
But it is not all doom and gloom, as some youngsters have taken it upon themselves to ramp up the battle against global warming. The study said 83 per cent reported they wanted to do more to help fight climate change, with 66 per cent looking for opportunities to get involved.
We speak to three enterprising young people who prove age truly is just a number when it comes to caring for the planet.
Sagarika Sriram
She may be only 16, but Sagarika Sriram has already received global attention for her environmental initiatives. Her involvement began when she was 10 and started hearing about the damage caused by plastic to the environment.
“We started seeing videos of whales washing up with plastic in their bellies or turtles choking on straws," Sagarika tells The National. "At that time, I had just finished a Johns Hopkins course on web design and as a project had to create a website on anything I wanted. I decided to created k4bworld.com – Kids for a Better World."
The course ended soon after but the website, and the passion behind it, stuck. “I realised I wanted it to be bigger," Sagarika says. "I wanted to get others my age involved too,”
She started clean-up drives, going door to door around her community, collecting recyclable waste and getting people to sign up for her website where she regularly posts about planting seeds and trees, recycling and other initiatives. It was not long before she gained recognition, including from the UN Environment Programme, which called her “an inspiration to all young girls in her country and West Asia”.
In the UAE, Sagarika has worked with Emirates Environmental Group, which she says gave her all the information she needed.
She has also worked with Day for Dubai, an initiative that invites people to spend one day of the year helping those in need.
“The UAE has been incredibly supportive. People have helped to expand my project and my website to make it what it is now.”
The platform draws about 99,000 annual visitors. Even during the pandemic, Sagarika ensured her website was active, running Trash to Treasure, an online project to teach younger children how to recycle products around the house.
She says there’s still a long way to go. “At the end of the day, we are the future generation. In 30 to 40 years, this planet will belong to us, and we are not privileged enough to be in a situation where we can just let things be.
“It’s our job to protect it.”
Small tips that can be effective: "Home gardening," says Sagarika. "Plant a couple of seeds. Not only do you get fresh produce, but you also eliminate the time and effort spent going to the supermarket, and therefore reduce your carbon footprint."
Kehkashan Basu
At 21, Kehkashan Basu has done more for the planet than many will be able to in a lifetime. Basu, who was born and raised in Dubai, launched the Green Hope Foundation when she was 12, and has expanded it to 25 chapters over the past nine years, including when she was a student in Canada.
It all started when she was just 7 and saw an image of a dead bird with a stomach full of plastic.
“At the time, environmentalist Robert Swan was having a lecture series in Dubai, which I attended. And he said something that just stuck. It was: ‘The greatest threat to our plant is the belief that someone else will save it’,” she recalls.
A seed was planted, quite literally. When she turned 8 that year, Basu celebrated by planting a tree. She then started working on the ground level in the UAE, mostly by spreading awareness around the community by visiting local restaurants and asking them if they could reduce their plastic use and collecting anything that could be recycled. She also spoke to beauty salons about reducing water waste and using organic products.
Her initiatives led to her being elected by the UN Environmental Programme’s global co-ordinator for children and youths when she was 12. It also gave her the courage to launch Green Hope in 2012, which raises environmental awareness among youngsters.
Basu says one of the reasons behind the launch was to ensure children and young people “have the education about our world’s greatest challenges so that they can take action to mitigate them”.
“I’ve always said that age has nothing to do with capability. Youngsters are often dismissed and told that they need to grow up to learn about the environment, and that's not true. If you instil an interest in sustainable development from a young age, just like you do for science or maths, youngsters can grow up with that knowledge and then expand on that.”
This is what Basu did. Over the years, Green Hope Foundation has been part of several environmental initiatives. In the UAE, it has worked with Dubai's education regulator, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, and the emirate's municipality on tree-planting projects at Dubai Festival City, and for mangrove conservation.
Basu says that over the years, the mindset towards children taking an interest in the environment has changed greatly. “From my personal experience, I saw that shift happening much earlier in the UAE than globally ... that’s what kept me motivated,” she says.
Basu was back in the UAE for Expo 2020 Dubai’s Climate and Biodiversity Week this month, and delivered a talk on climate justice and "how people can expand their spirit of influence through ground-level actions”.
She says she was thrilled by the global fair. “It’s just a wonderful way of bringing everyone together, to start a dialogue that turns into action.”
Small tips that can be effective: "Educate yourself, your family, your community, and see what changes you can bring about at home," says Basu.
Assem Badreddine and Robert Andonian
Assem Badreddine, 18, and Robert Andonian, 17, no longer go to the same school, but one of the things the childhood friends still have in common is a passion for the environment. So, when they noticed small issues around their community – be it pollution or speeding – they wanted to find ways to solve them.
That is what led to the launch last year of Brighter 11, which they describe as an organisation with the core objective of making the Dubai community a better place. One of their first initiatives was a beach clean-up. The two started looking for students who would be willing to pitch in and were amazed by the result.
“We could only have about 30 students per clean-up and there was such high demand that we couldn’t accommodate everyone texting us. We had to organise more clean-ups in the coming weeks,” says Assem.
Between December 2020 and January 2021, the two organised six clean-ups. They have also launched other initiatives, such as marathons, that have funded food for workers at labour camps.
They hope to have more beach-cleaning sessions this winter, and even organise scuba diving clean-ups in the future.
“I’ve always wanted to do something to help others, the environment,” Assem says. While he applauds initiatives launched in schools to get youngsters more involved with environmental programmes, he says a shift in mindset is still needed worldwide.
“I’m an ardent believer of the fact that we are the last generation to be able to save the world, and [many in] our generation do not acknowledge this," he says.
"Many have objectives like becoming doctors or bankers, but the environment is not really their concern. I feel like we need to put in more effort to incentivise people to battle environmental issues.”
How can people do their part? “To begin with, people need to start caring more,” Robert says. “It should come from within. That’s how it works. Because no matter what anyone says, if you don’t truly want to do it, then it won’t happen.”
Small tips that can be effective: "Use technology to your advantage. If you’re on social media, follow profiles such as Greta Thunberg’s, CNN Climate and Green Harvard as they have good tips and information."
Suggested picnic spots
Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
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Greatest Royal Rumble results
John Cena pinned Triple H in a singles match
Cedric Alexander retained the WWE Cruiserweight title against Kalisto
Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt win the Raw Tag Team titles against Cesaro and Sheamus
Jeff Hardy retained the United States title against Jinder Mahal
Bludgeon Brothers retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos
Seth Rollins retains the Intercontinental title against The Miz, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe
AJ Styles remains WWE World Heavyweight champion after he and Shinsuke Nakamura are both counted out
The Undertaker beats Rusev in a casket match
Brock Lesnar retains the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns in a steel cage match
Braun Strowman won the 50-man Royal Rumble by eliminating Big Cass last
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
Infobox
Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman
The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August
Results
UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets
Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets
Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets
Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs
Monday fixtures
UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain
Getting%20there%20and%20where%20to%20stay
%3Cp%3EEtihad%20Airways%20operates%20seasonal%20flights%20from%20Abu%20Dhabi%20to%20Nice%20C%C3%B4te%20d'Azur%20Airport.%20Services%20depart%20the%20UAE%20on%20Wednesdays%20and%20Sundays%20with%20outbound%20flights%20stopping%20briefly%20in%20Rome%2C%20return%20flights%20are%20non-stop.%20Fares%20start%20from%20Dh3%2C315%2C%20flights%20operate%20until%20September%2018%2C%202022.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20Radisson%20Blu%20Hotel%20Nice%20offers%20a%20western%20location%20right%20on%20Promenade%20des%20Anglais%20with%20rooms%20overlooking%20the%20Bay%20of%20Angels.%20Stays%20are%20priced%20from%20%E2%82%AC101%20(%24114)%2C%20including%20taxes.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Profile Idealz
Company: Idealz
Founded: January 2018
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Size: (employees): 22
Investors: Co-founders and Venture Partners (9 per cent)
Honeymoonish
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SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201.5-litre%204-cylinder%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20101hp%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20135Nm%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3A%20Six-speed%20auto%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh79%2C900%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.
Ibrahim's play list
Completed an electrical diploma at the Adnoc Technical Institute
Works as a public relations officer with Adnoc
Apart from the piano, he plays the accordion, oud and guitar
His favourite composer is Johann Sebastian Bach
Also enjoys listening to Mozart
Likes all genres of music including Arabic music and jazz
Enjoys rock groups Scorpions and Metallica
Other musicians he likes are Syrian-American pianist Malek Jandali and Lebanese oud player Rabih Abou Khalil
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Ferdous, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-3 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,400m
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6pm: UAE Arabian Derby Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 2,200m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Emirates Championship Group 1 (PA) Dh1,000,000 2,200m
Winner: Somoud, Patrick Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Group 3 (TB) Dh380,000 2,200m
Winner: GM Hopkins, Patrick Cosgrave, Jaber Ramadhan
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Conditions (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Al Bairaq, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Cologne v Hoffenheim (11.30pm)
Saturday
Hertha Berlin v RB Leipzig (6.30pm)
Schalke v Fortuna Dusseldof (6.30pm)
Mainz v Union Berlin (6.30pm)
Paderborn v Augsburg (6.30pm)
Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund (9.30pm)
Sunday
Borussia Monchengladbach v Werder Bremen (4.30pm)
Wolfsburg v Bayer Leverkusen (6.30pm)
SC Freiburg v Eintracht Frankfurt (9on)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now