Posted on January 26, 2008
Filed under: Blog Posts |
Writer and blogger Deonna Kelli Sayed has interviewed Sayed Aqa, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, especially for No More Plastic Bags. The 2007-2008 UN Human Development Report was on climate change.
……
Deonna Kelli Sayed: What are some of the main challenges to Bahrain’s environment?
Sayed Aqa: As a small island state, sea level rise as a result of climate change will be a major challenge for the development and economy of Bahrain. Therefore, coastal area management as well as fresh water scarcity are major issues. Per capita, Bahrain has one of the highest rates of carbon emissions in the world, mainly from the energy sector. Scientists have agreed that if we don’t address these issues within the next few years, our planet will face catastrophic disasters that will affect our survival, particularly in countries like Bahrain.
DKS: How high is the level of awareness among Bahrainis about environmental issues?
SA: As a result of global attention to environmental challenges, local awareness is increasing. However, this awareness has yet to translate into practical actions among the common people. As individuals, we can and should do more to protect our environment.
DKS: What can people do?
SA: I should mention that the Government, in partnership with UNDP, has developed a National Environment Strategy. But people can’t expect the government to solve all the problems. The Constitution of Bahrain has a specific article about protecting the environment, so every Bahraini has a constitutional responsibility to do so. As citizens, they can do simple things related to lifestyle change. For example, water and energy conservation by using less water in the shower, when washing cars, watering the garden, etc. Use energy efficient electronic devices. Switch off unnecessary lights; turn ACs two or three degrees higher in the summer. For example, a light bulb used about 6 hours per day pumps 50 kilograms of carbon into the atmosphere per year. Why leave a light on if you are not in the room?
DKS: What about plastic bags?
SA: Plastic bags are non-biodegradable. Therefore, their negative environmental impact is long lasting. Switching to cloth bags is something everyone can do without compromising much. This also is the most effective way of creating public awareness, as every one will get involved and people will have to make decisions on a daily basis NOT to use plastic bags. It is a constant reminder with a very positive contribution.
DKS: What is the Islamic perspective on environment conservation?
SA: From the Qu’ran and Prophetic traditions, there are many references. It is mentioned in Qu’ran not to exceed in spending as Allah (swt) does not love those spend in excess. There are also references not to harm nature, including trees and vegetation. Science now informs us that vegetation is one of the most effective ways to offset carbon emission as vegetation absorbs carbon dioxide. In short it is a duty of every Muslim and all human being to preserve the environment and the Ni’ama of Allah (swt). I believe humankind in general and Bahrainis in particular are wise enough not to put our future at serious risk.
Comments
This interview touches on a very important issue, which is that we cannot expect governments to solve all the problems surrounding the use of plastic bags and finding other environmentally friendly solutions.
Every person on this planet shares the responsibility of saving our planets for ourselves and our future generations.
A tiny effort from everyone can make a huge impact
[...] about plastic bags, and started a campaign in January. Writer and blogger Deonna Kelli Sayed interviewed Sayed Aqa, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bahrain, because the 2007-2008 UN Human [...]
In Abu Dhabi the winds carry the bags into the skies. Some days there are more bags in the air than birds. Excellent blog here…well done.
http://uaestudents.blogspot.com/
September 2008
Following several months of total silence regarding all the important environmental issues in Bahrain, the Environment Friends Society is once more in the news (GDN 22nd Aug 08) with the society’s president using children as a spring-board to get back in the media. I agree it is important that Bahrain provides well maintained beaches for public use, but I doubt that EFS gathering on a beach once a year with children holding up slogans and drawings will have any real impact.
Further more people have lost faith in the sincerity and effectiveness of the Environment Friends Society. Where were EFS when the fishermen demonstrated about their loss of livelihood through land reclamation? Where were they when the residents of Hidd demonstrated about the planned cement factories on their door step, or when the residents of Muharraq demonstrated about the unwanted shopping mall in their neighbourhood? The answer appears to be that they were no where to be seen and have done nothing.
It seems that the whole society grinds to a halt when their president goes off on her frequent trips abroad to attend this or that environmental conference. The question is how are all these trips funded? Does the money come out of the society’s funds or does the society solicit donations to pay for its presidents travel expenses? Perhaps the bonus of being the president of Bahrain’s non governmental environment society is that you get invited to all-expenses-paid-for conferences around the world, which would at least explain why, since its foundation 8 years ago, Ms Al Muhannadi has remained as the society’s one only president.
Her latest 3-month environmental trip abroad to the USA particularly reeked of hypocrisy. It was EFS that organized a protest at their premises about the visit of President George Bush to Bahrain in January 2008 and the highlight of the evening was Ms Al Muhannadi digging the knife into a cake with the picture of Bush’s face on it whilst denouncing the USA invasion of Iraq and the ensuing destruction and humanitarian tragedies. Then, a few months later Ms Al Muhannadi goes off to enjoy a three month visit to the USA, still under the administration of the same President George Bush. And now having returned to Bahrain to organize children’s beach protest she is promoting her next trip abroad to Chile where she will be Bahrain’s representative in a conference about Social Responsibility.
As the president of the Bahrain’s Environment Friends Society, it would be better if she examined her own social responsibilities to her country first before jetting off half way around the world, accumulating her own heavy carbon footprint, to lecture others about their responsibilities. EFS has gathered a reputation of creating a big noise in the local media about its projects and campaigns, but when the media interest has died down those projects and plans are abandoned. It is not surprising that the environment in Bahrain has been utterly ruined with such a lack of concern by those who create the biggest noise.
Very Disappointed Environmentalist
I have recently attended an event dedicated to climate change, but apart from climate change topic and few issues like switch off the fan , car and lights when not in use….and so on. The actual question of reducing the green house gas emission with a implantable plan was not been discussed. It might be true that the target audience might be different. The climate change initiative taken by General Directorate for Environment and Wildlife Protection in combating green house gas emission were not discussed. Climate change is on the top of agenda with high media attention, political discussions, and the corporate carbon footprint has become an important topic among senior managers.
In my opinion, UNEP and General Directorate for Protection of Environment and Wildlife should design a implementable draft (UNFCCC methodology already exit) Clean Development Mechanism for major GHG emitters in Bahrain. SO that they can get benefited monetarily as well as fulfill the commitment to Kyoto protocol. We understand GDEWP and other climate change committee member’s capacity building initiatives to execute the commitment of being signatory to Kyoto Protocol.
It is understood that, the General commission for the protection of marine resources, environment and wildlife had an initial communication in 2005 to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) stating the national circumstances, green house gas inventory initiative, GHGs mitigation initiatives and National Strategy on Climate Change. Within GCC, Abu Dhabi and Qatar have already taken initiative and started developing CDM projects.
For Information only, In Bahrain the initiative is already been taken by GPIC, ALBA, Pearl Industrial Chemicals Company, MTQ Corporation on GHGs emission reduction.