Renowned international expert to offer practical ideas and approaches related to the concept of 'water footprint'
The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), the UAE's leading environmental organisation, will hold its eighth community lecture on July 28, 2009 at the Emarat Atrium Building in Dubai, focusing on the Middle East region’s increasing demand for water and the new challenges posed about by its dwindling water resources. The lecture will feature internationally renowned water resources expert Eng. Sarfraz H. Dairkee, who will discuss the concept of "water footprint" and offer various practical ways and means for the region to address the urgent need for more water resources.
The eighth community EEG lecture aims to boost awareness and support efforts to improve the critical water supply level of the region, which according to recent international reports has been further strained by the Middle East’s fast economic growth, population boom and the changes in global climate. During the lecture, attendees will participate in discussions regarding the environmental impact of water production and other issues related to carbon footprint in the environment.
Habiba Al Marashi, Chairperson, EEG, said, “While the Middle East region has been gaining ground in economic development, it must also pay attention and give priority to issues related to diminishing water supplies. Through this month’s lecture, we are hoping to spread more awareness on proper conservation of water and how to take more concrete actions to address the region's water-related challenges.”
“Moreover, the monthly lectures are part of EEG's commitment to provide a suitable platform to discuss important environmental issues that affect the society. We need to be more environmentally aware and join in efforts to save our natural resources, preserving the earth for the future generations who will live in it,” added Al Marashi.
Dairkee, a founding board member of the Emirates Green Building Council and head of the Technical Committee, will also talk about the UAE’s growing water footprint and the impact it will have with its neighbour countries.
“Water footprint is a key indicator of the amount of water used directly and indirectly to produce the goods and services. There is an imbalance in the footprint and has become a pressing issue that we should look into and start resolving,” Dairkee said.
EEG’s ongoing monthly community lectures are free to the public and focus on pressing environmental issues and concerns. Through the lectures, people from different backgrounds, orientations and nationalities join with a common concern to help save the environment and preserve natural resources. The EEG is the first environmental NGO to be given the ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management system. The group operates in consonance with the UAE’s sustainable development plan.
