Students show the path to a greener future for all

350,000 Dubai pupils helped save Dh46 million by adapting responsible lifestyle energy habits

When it comes to global warming, there often seems to be so little that we as individuals can achieve. Instead, governments and international treaties, non-governmental organisations and the environmental movement at large work on the issue on a broad scale, leaving little if anything for the rest of us to achieve. But from its earliest days, the mantra of the environmental movement has been to think global and act local. Now, given a ceremony in Wednesday in Dubai, that certainly seems to be the case, at least when it comes to the students who attend schools across the emirate.

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa), along with the Ministry of Education and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority, celebrated the environmental achievements of students from more than 450 schools for the 12th year with awards that promote the rational use of resources. The students were honoured for their efforts to adapt conscious and responsible lifestyles for electricity and water consumption to protect the environment and reduce Dubai’s carbon footprint.

And the facts back up the efforts of these students, schools and administrators, with Dewa estimating that savings of Dh46 million was achieved, 1.5 billion gallons of water was saved worth Dh168 million, 249 gigawatt hours of power and 132,702 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions were cut. More than 350,000 students took part in the programme and the savings were made by simple steps such as resetting the thermostats on air-conditioners and installing solar panels. But here’s the moot point: These were the efforts of students. Imagine the changes that can be brought about if we all consciously follow their examples. We all can truly make a difference.