Green-fingered children in Dubai could hold the key to a more sustainable future in the UAE as they get ready to bear the fruits of a successful organic farming programme.
The project, launched a few months back by The Arbor School, will mark World Environment Day on Friday, June 5.
It encourages children to consider the value of home-grown and locally sourced produce, rather than imported food.
Fruits and vegetables have been grown by pupils in a huge greenhouse on an eco-farm on the school grounds to teach the ecological processes involved in food production.
“The concept here is to go beyond a standard science lesson, allow the children to get their hands into the soil, really get back to nature and understand how their food is produced,” said Brett Girven, the school principal.
The concept here is to go beyond a standard science lesson and understand how food is produced
“It also allows us to connect with our community once we produce the food, placing it into our cafeteria, and then beyond that into composting.
“We want to ensure we are creating a perma-culture model, which is sustainable and doesn’t pump chemicals back into the system.”
The Arbor School, an ecological school in Al Furjan, launched the project in partnership with Emirates Bio Farm, the UAE’s largest private organic farm.
Farmers worked with school gardeners and ecologists to maximise food production in a purpose-built, energy-efficient, organic greenhouse alongside the school’s three larger biodomes.
The greenhouse is now home to the school’s first crop of organic fruit and vegetables, which have been planted by the children.
By December, more than half a ton of produce will be harvested and shared with the community with some expected to go on display at the school harvest fair.
Growing in the greenhouse are cucumbers, peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, aubergines, grapes and the list goes on.
While in the biodomes, a selection of herbs are growing alongside tropical fruits like pineapples, lemons and jackfruits.
“We aim to teach children to question their impact on the planet and to assume their responsibility as stewards of the future in a profoundly interconnected world,” said Mr Girven.
“Environmental justice means ensuring we have enough for all, forever.
“We hope other schools will be inspired by this idea and take on similar concepts. It’s incredibly exciting and rewarding.”
The theme for the United Nations-backed World Environment Day 2020 is biodiversity.
Elsewhere in Dubai, the day will be marked with an exhibition to show biodiversity in the emirate and methods to protect the environment during the coronavirus pandemic.
The municipality will host a virtual art tour that will celebrate regional biodiversity and the need to protect it.
The project will display 60 painting of wildlife, plants and examples of municipality operations to protect air, water and soil from pollution and erosion.
According to online analysts SEMrush, the UAE is becoming more tuned into the need for environmental protection.
Between May 2019 and April 2020, researchers said the word “recycling” registered a 51 per cent increase in web searches than the previous year.
Historical searches were examined dating back to 2015 and also showed a 85 per cent increase in the use of the words “plastic in the ocean”.
“This historical data shows that this is not a passing phase,” said Olga Andrienko, head of global marketing at SEMrush.
“It has become an increasing concern that can support marketing efforts to encourage sustainable practices.”
Ways to control drones
Countries have been coming up with ways to restrict and monitor the use of non-commercial drones to keep them from trespassing on controlled areas such as airports.
"Drones vary in size and some can be as big as a small city car - so imagine the impact of one hitting an airplane. It's a huge risk, especially when commercial airliners are not designed to make or take sudden evasive manoeuvres like drones can" says Saj Ahmed, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research.
New measures have now been taken to monitor drone activity, Geo-fencing technology is one.
It's a method designed to prevent drones from drifting into banned areas. The technology uses GPS location signals to stop its machines flying close to airports and other restricted zones.
The European commission has recently announced a blueprint to make drone use in low-level airspace safe, secure and environmentally friendly. This process is called “U-Space” – it covers altitudes of up to 150 metres. It is also noteworthy that that UK Civil Aviation Authority recommends drones to be flown at no higher than 400ft. “U-Space” technology will be governed by a system similar to air traffic control management, which will be automated using tools like geo-fencing.
The UAE has drawn serious measures to ensure users register their devices under strict new laws. Authorities have urged that users must obtain approval in advance before flying the drones, non registered drone use in Dubai will result in a fine of up to twenty thousand dirhams under a new resolution approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Mr Ahmad suggest that "Hefty fines running into hundreds of thousands of dollars need to compensate for the cost of airport disruption and flight diversions to lengthy jail spells, confiscation of travel rights and use of drones for a lengthy period" must be enforced in order to reduce airport intrusion.
Total eligible population
About 57.5 million people
51.1 million received a jab
6.4 million have not
Where are the unvaccinated?
England 11%
Scotland 9%
Wales 10%
Northern Ireland 14%
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List
James Mustich, Workman
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Price, base / as tested: Dh182,178
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Power: 350hp @ 7,400rpm
Torque: 374Nm @ 5,200rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 10.5L / 100km
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Goalkeepers: Ibrahim Alma, Mahmoud Al Youssef, Ahmad Madania.
Defenders: Ahmad Al Salih, Moayad Ajan, Jehad Al Baour, Omar Midani, Amro Jenyat, Hussein Jwayed, Nadim Sabagh, Abdul Malek Anezan.
Midfielders: Mahmoud Al Mawas, Mohammed Osman, Osama Omari, Tamer Haj Mohamad, Ahmad Ashkar, Youssef Kalfa, Zaher Midani, Khaled Al Mobayed, Fahd Youssef.
Forwards: Omar Khribin, Omar Al Somah, Mardik Mardikian.
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Temperature: -40°C
Weight of equipment: 45kg
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South Pole stats
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Altitude (metres above sea level): 3,300
Terrain: Flat ice
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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6.30pm: Meydan Sprint Group 2 US$175,000 1,000m
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8.15pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group 3 $200,000 2,000m
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8.50pm: Zabeel Mile Group 2 $250,000 1,600m
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9.25pm: Handicap $125,000 1,600m
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Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
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Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
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Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
