Latest news with #Al-Oqab
Arab Times
14-07-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Kuwait launches 'Green Schools' guide to promote sustainability in schools
KUWAIT CITY, July 14: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) unveiled the comprehensive 'Green Schools' guide on Sunday, aiming to assist schools in adopting best environmental practices and enhancing awareness to support sustainable development. The announcement came at the conclusion of KEPS's 14th annual Green Schools educational awareness program. KEPS Chairperson Dr. Wijdan Al-Oqab highlighted that the guide offers a detailed framework for waste management, energy and water conservation, and the promotion of green spaces within school environments. Dr. Al-Oqab explained that the guide provides both technical and educational guidelines to establish school environmental clubs, encouraging active participation from students and teachers in sustainability initiatives. It also outlines mechanisms to measure environmental performance through clear criteria and periodic assessments. The annual program primarily targeted teachers from public and private schools, empowering them to spread environmental and health awareness within their institutions. Throughout the school year, workshops and lectures were conducted to foster values of environmental citizenship and public health among students. Stressing the importance of science and environmental consciousness in achieving sustainable development goals, Dr. Al-Oqab affirmed that the guide equips schools with practical tools to launch initiatives that promote a healthy, sustainable educational environment grounded in environmental values and scientific awareness. Jenan Bahzad, Secretary-General of KEPS and Director of Programs and Activities, noted that approximately 2,000 teachers and students from schools nationwide participated in this year's program. Topics included environmental analysis, sustainable resource management, and the implementation of Kuwait's Environmental Protection Law. Bahzad added that the program maintained continuous engagement through field visits and online workshops to ensure broad access and direct interaction with educators. She outlined the program's strategic objectives, which aim to strengthen schools as micro-communities capable of transmitting scientific and environmental knowledge to both students and the wider local community. The initiative also seeks to embed a culture of sustainability within schools as a foundation for lasting environmental stewardship. Looking ahead, Bahzad expressed hope that the Green Schools guide would serve as a catalyst for expanding KEPS's collaboration with the Ministry of Education and academic institutions. Plans include practical implementation in schools supported by training resources and interactive content. She praised this year's success in turning the partnership between government and civil society into measurable impact within Kuwaiti schools. The launch of the guide marks a significant step toward transforming environmental knowledge into daily practices and sustainable institutional education.
Arab Times
05-06-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Kuwait joins global effort to ‘beat plastic pollution' on World Environment Day
KUWAIT CITY, June 5: As the world observes World Environment Day today, the focus has sharply turned to plastic pollution—a growing environmental crisis demanding urgent global action. Celebrated annually on June 5 for over five decades, World Environment Day serves as the largest international platform for environmental awareness, mobilizing millions worldwide through events and initiatives aimed at conservation and sustainable development. This year's theme, 'Beat Plastic Pollution,' calls on governments, organizations, and individuals to implement systemic changes that reduce plastic waste and encourage environmentally friendly practices. The movement, spearheaded by the United Nations Environment Programme, emphasizes the need for a global shift in how societies produce, use, and dispose of plastic. Kuwait's Environment Public Authority (EPA) is actively participating in the global initiative with a nationwide media campaign in partnership with state institutions and international organizations. Acting Director General Nouf Behbehani told KUNA that the campaign aims to raise awareness about the dangers of plastic pollution while encouraging sustainable habits like recycling and the reduction of single-use plastics. 'Environmental conservation is central to Kuwait's sustainable development goals,' Behbehani stated. 'The EPA is focused on promoting positive behaviors among both individuals and institutions.' She urged the public to engage with the campaign, which emphasizes practical lifestyle changes such as using reusable materials and reducing plastic consumption to minimize environmental harm. The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) is also playing a key role in these efforts. Its Chairperson, Dr. Wejdan Al-Oqab, highlighted the society's advocacy for reducing plastic production and increasing recycling. She noted that KEPS engages in various national and international activities that address plastic waste, which poses serious risks to both ecosystems and human health. Al-Oqab warned of the long-term dangers of plastic pollution, including its infiltration into the food chain and its toxic effects on marine life. 'The urgency to act is real,' she stressed, adding that KEPS's "Green Schools" initiative educates young students about these dangers through lectures and workshops. The initiative underscores the importance of daily individual choices, such as using cloth or recycled bags instead of plastic, and sorting household waste to reduce landfill pressure. Al-Oqab also pointed out that Kuwait's environmental laws penalize environmentally harmful actions, but behavioral change among the public remains critical. Adding to the discussion, Dr. Mubarak Al-Hajeri, Chairman of the Kuwait Society for Earth Sciences, expressed hope that this year's observance would catalyze a transformation in environmental thinking. He emphasized that World Environment Day should be a springboard for serious, sustained efforts to promote environmental sustainability at both local and global levels. Al-Hajeri raised concerns about the growing amount of plastic waste polluting oceans and threatening marine life through ingestion and chemical contamination. He called for innovation in eco-friendly technologies and collective responsibility to mitigate the impact of plastic on climate and public health. As nations unite under the banner of World Environment Day 2025, Kuwait's commitment to tackling plastic pollution stands as part of a larger global mission to safeguard the planet's future.
