AD celebrates ‘Tolerance with Nature’

To promote, integrate and encourage efforts in social responsibility and environmental conservation during 2019 – designated the ‘Year of Tolerance’ – in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) will celebrate the values of tolerance, coexistence and diversity under the theme ‘Tolerance with Nature’, exemplifying the role of the Ghaf tree as a historic and cultural symbol of stability and peace in the UAE’s desert environment.

EAD’s strategy for the Year of Tolerance incorporates many aspects of the nation’s diverse natural landscapes and biodiversity. This comes in an effort to implement a range of sustainable solutions to address pertinent local environmental challenges in collaboration with governmental and non-governmental entities, private companies and community groups. It also includes corrective actions that can be implemented voluntarily to modify negative behaviours affecting land and marine biodiversity. EAD’s plan for this year includes three key programmes that highlight the natural habitats of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Commenting on the occasion, Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Acting Secretary General of EAD, said, “The initiatives that the Agency will carry out under the theme of ‘Tolerance with Nature’ this year support the goals of the UAE Year of Tolerance campaign launched by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, to strengthen the UAE’s status as a global capital for tolerance.”

“Through our programmes, EAD seeks to raise awareness and instil a sense of respect and appreciation for our native flora and fauna among the wider public. By taking proactive measures to support existing efforts to reduce pollution and the consumption of materials harmful to the environment, and advocating for the adoption of a sustainable lifestyle, we hope to create a profound impact towards protecting and preserving our environment forfuture generations,” Her Excellency added.

By highlighting and examining increasing violations of the emirate’s environmental laws and regulations, EAD intends to carry out random inspections along Abu Dhabi’s coasts, beaches and waters to mitigate any harmful impacts of human activity on marine ecosystems. The Agency will also explore targeted campaigns geared to conserve the marine environment with the support of key local partners and relevant authorities.