It has been inferred by the Executive Director of  Environmental Information, Science and Outreach Management at the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) that nearly 149 schools in the capital city Abu Dhabi that have eco-clubs have cut their water consumption by 54 per cent in the last four years and have also reduced waste generation by 23 per cent within the same time span.

     The number of school students using school buses instead of private cars to travel to school has gone up by 19 per cent, minimizing carbon emissions created by private transport. These 'eco-clubs' took up 428 projects and initiatives as part of efforts to mitigate the carbon footprint as a whole, as reported at the Eco Club Summit organised by the EAD.

    More than 390 students and 130 teachers from 120 schools in Abu Dhabi emirate are taking part in the two-day event at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec). It aims to stand as a  platform for members of eco-clubs at the school level to engage, network, and share their experiences and best of green practices.

   Created under the theme ?E-Stemming Innovation for a Safe Future?, the summit accentuates the vital role of eco-clubs and committees in the EAD?s Sustainable Schools Initiative (SSI) in inter-relating science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts being taught at schools.Sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec), it focuses to empower schools, teachers and their students to make positive environmental changes within their school and classroom community.

In my belief, via such a summit, Abu Dhabi has successfully integrated sustainability principles in the school curriculum.

The attendees also watched a movie about the international environmental and humanitarian effort, ?Roots & Shoots?, which was put into effect in Abu Dhabi under a partnership agreement between EAD and the world-famous conservationist, anthropologist and UN messenger of peace Dr Jane Goodall.Inspite of extreme climatic conditions in UAE, it is noteworthy that students do a lot of outdoor activities for environmental preservation, Jane Goodall Institute, told Gulf News. 

The pupils also displayed eco-friendly projects they implemented to combat environmental issues at hand at the school and community level:)

SourceGulf News