10 December 2017
The Environmental Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah confirmed the participation of 86 volunteers, from different sectors, from 14 government and social organizations, in addition to a number of housewives, in feminine monitoring for sustainable environment initiative.
This initiative was launched recently by EPDA to enable women to volunteer in environmental audits and to provide environmental measurement and awareness services for a “sustainable environment”.
Dr. Saif Al Ghais, Executive Director of the Environment Protection and Development Authority in Ras Al Khaimah: The initiative is part of the Authority's endeavor to strengthen the national agenda of the UAE Vision 2021 and the strategy of the Government of Ras Al Khaimah 2018-2030, and strengthen its institutional capacity. Considering that it is the first time that a government body has taken the initiative to invite women of all kinds, housewives, government employees, educational leaders, teachers, students and volunteers in associations, clubs, social centers and workers in the professions of help, people of concern and media. To females a chance in environmental control role on fish markets and restaurants, and provide air quality measurement service and check the quality of reservoir water in restaurants, houses, government and educational institutions, and control of coasts and beaches.
He explained that the initiative of "feminine mentoring for a sustainable environment" was launched in the field. Targeting in its first phase fish markets, supermarkets and houses in some areas of Ras Al Khaimah, and this phase received positive reactions from different sectors and opinion leaders. To the extent that a parent came to the EPDA’s building to thank the volunteers for the test at his house. Volunteers measured air quality, took samples from the reservoir water for analysis, and provided environmental advice.
Dr. Al Ghais strained that the volunteers participating in the initiative are ready to provide assistance to various segments of the community, through the «Estidama» application. Which is created by EPDA; to promote innovation and excellence in control methods and awareness, and the preparation of legislation based on specialized research programs, contribute to the protection of the environment and natural resources. The application includes an environmental footprint calculator, a calculator developed based on international best practices, enables the user to know the impact of his activity on the environment, after entering some data on water consumption, energy, the number of cars and the type of activity and the amount of waste. After extracting the result, the application directs environmental tips and provides a comparison between the user's environmental footprint and the global environmental footprint.