Environment Agency and WWF launch COP28 Youth Climate and Nature series
ABU DHABI: As part of World Environment Day celebrations, Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence Affairs and Vice Chairman of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Chairman of Emirates Nature-WWF inaugurated the launch of COP28 Youth Climate and Nature Series, developed by EAD, in collaboration with Emirates Nature-WWF to expand the active community of volunteers and citizen scientists in the UAE throughout the Year of Sustainability and COP28. The youth and community engagement strategy aims to ensure a legacy beyond COP28 in which members of the wider community are aware of, and involved in, large-scale conservation programmes on the ground.
The climate and nature series were introduced alongside the launch of a unique Connect with Nature activation, the ‘Escape Climate Change – Mangrove Edition’ Escape Room, in the presence of Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, EAD’s Secretary General, Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF and Ahmed Baharoon, EAD’s Executive Director
Environmental Information, Science and Outreach Management Sector as well as students from government and private schools in Abu Dhabi.
The escape room highlights the imperative action of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and showcases how the UAE is undertaking essential projects to build climate resilience and engaging youth and the wider community to partake in and lead initiatives on the ground.
This activation at Al Mamoura is sponsored by Abu Dhabi National Insurance Company (ADNIC), one of the leading regional multi-line insurance providers for corporates and individuals.
An Innovative Experience for the Community
‘Escape Climate Change – Mangrove Edition’ presents an opportunity to physically experience the science behind climate adaptation, offering the whole community a chance to understand the complexity of climate resilience and action in a simple, interactive manner.
Set in a virtual mangrove forest during adverse weather conditions, participants will embark on a meaningful adventure to escape the impacts of climate change and safeguard our natural heritage, by relying on the restorative powers of mangroves.
The activation aims to nudge community members to take action for nature. Following the escape room experience, participants can sign up to volunteer for nature-based activities and become citizen scientists to tackle real, impactful, conservation work happening on the ground in the UAE via the Sahim and Leaders of Change movements.
Therefore, after enjoying the Escape Room, youth can volunteer to be part of Sahim which is an initiative launched by EAD and Emirates Nature-WWF. Sahim aims to harness the power of community participation and drive a new era of citizen-science via a portfolio of volunteering opportunities in Abu Dhabi. Citizen scientists will gather useful data about local species and habitats that contributes to conservation research and decision-making.
Members of the public can also sign up for Emirates Nature-WWF’s Leaders of Change – an annual membership programme that mobilises UAE society to maximise their impact and create change on the ground through trainings, ideation sessions and exciting volunteering excursions across the nation. Volunteers can track their impact through the programme’s pioneering digital platform.
Nationwide Tour in the Year of Sustainability