MoECC affirms keenness to spread environmental awareness among public

The ministry noted its close cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to raise awareness of the school community and provide it the knowledge of the role and importance of marine organisms in the natural environment

THE Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) has affirmed its continuous interest in raising environmental awareness among members of the society to maintain Qatar’s environment and protect its elements and components from all types of pollution.

The ministry noted its close cooperation with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education to raise the awareness of the school community and provide it the knowledge of the role and importance of marine organisms in the natural environment. It also noted the positive impact of the cooperation on students’ behaviour towards the environment and the education it imparts to them regarding factors and behaviour that harm Qatar’s environment and how to prevent and limit their spread among members of the society.

In a related context, the environmental laboratory of the Environmental Monitoring Department at MECC received a group of Al Shahaniya Preparatory/Secondary Independent School for Girl students to educate them on the importance of protecting the marine environment and its sustainability.

Head of the Environmental Laboratory Department Dr Marwa Al Ghanim said that the 28 students were introduced to the methods of conducting laboratory tests and the importance of maintaining the marine life in the Qatari environment, which is rich in many living organisms.

During their visit to the biological analysis laboratories, the students were introduced to many samples of marine organisms and methods of preserving biodiversity in the Qatari environment.

The students also visited the fine chemical analysis laboratories that monitor and measure the organic chemicals resulting from burning waste or petroleum derivatives and heavy metal concentration.

The Head of the Environmental Laboratory Department explained that the visit also included a tour of the laboratories for measuring physiochemical variables, which measure the quality of seawater, especially the levels of oxygen and significant nutrients for marine organisms.

In this regard, she pointed out that the State of Qatar is a marine state and has a large coast on the Arabian Gulf, which is why this visit comes within the framework of educating the young adults about methods and importance of protecting marine life, as well as the importance of microorganisms in the marine food chain.

This student visit came within the framework of the MOECC’s efforts to raise awareness among members of the community regarding the importance of maintaining marine life in the State of Qatar and educating the school community and young adults about the dangers that threaten marine organisms through field visits to the ministry’s labs, which are known for the accuracy of all their research. The ministry owns the latest advanced equipment and also its scientists and researchers carry out cutting edge research work in their fields.