We live on a blue planet, with oceans and seas covering more than 70 per cent of the Earth’s surface. Oceans feed us, regulate our climate, and generate most of the oxygen we breathe. Oceans are facing threats as a result of human activity. Every year, an estimated 8 million tons of plastic waste end up in the world’s oceans. The forefathers of Abu Dhabi owed their living to the waters of the Arabian Gulf and it continues to teem with life. One of the world’s largest and densest colonies of dugongs live here, as do many seabird colonies. Several hundred thousand migrating shorebirds visit each year. Abu Dhabi also hosts approximately 110 km2 of mangroves. But these waters and the plant and animal species within them now face immense threats, on several fronts due to plastic pollution.

Firstly, one of the biggest environmental challenge right now is Climate change and its effects. The Earth's Climate is constantly changing. Human activities including air pollution and water pollution have introduced a new area of climate change, global warming. The current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is very likely due to our activities. Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi are fully committed to mitigate air pollution by improving data collection and information on carbon dioxide emissions and raising awareness. 

Secondly, the amount of waste output from UAE is very high and most of these wastes may be recycled. UAE government is taking various steps to recycle and is introducing zero waste to landfill strategy at Abu Dhabi. Masdar, Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company is working on waste to energy project which will help Abu Dhabi in being sustainable and divert wastes from landfills. It had launched the first electric/eco bus in Abu Dhabi so as to reduce the air pollution.  

Tadweer (The Centre of Waste Management - Abu Dhabi) had provided colored bins at selected places to segregate 12 different types of wastes including glass, plastic, metal, electrical devices, paper, cartons and bulky waste so that they can be recycled and reused. This initiative allows us to participate in the segregation of recyclable wastes. 

These government entities are changing the existing practices into green and sustainable solutions using technology. Such innovations and technologies will assist and support the development of environment friendly infrastructure in UAE and address all the environmental challenges.  

Environment Agency has announced a new policy to ban single-use plastics. Abu Dhabi will be joining more than 127 countries around the world that have already taken measures to ban or limit the use of disposable plastic materials. EAD’s policy is aligned with international standards in order to make Abu Dhabi a pioneer in reducing the use of avoidable single use materials by 2021. Through these policies and initiatives, the production of single-use plastics will be considerably reduced and after a point of time it will be zero plastics in our environment.

I had started my own campaign, PEPC Campaign (Papers, E-wastes, Plastics and Cans) to inform the importance of recycling and to put an end to single-use plastics. As an environmentalist and green activist, I strongly believe that we can change our existing practices into green and sustainable solutions using technology. I am collecting papers, electronic wastes, plastics and cans for recycling. As Drop It Youth Ambassador I am raising awareness about single-use plastic pollution and encouraging individuals and organizations to reduce their carbon footprints through simple everyday choices.