Marine experts hail UAE’s sustainable drives

Marine experts hail UAE’s sustainable drives

UAE - Experts across the UAE have highlighted the critical role that the UAE is playing in protecting the environment, especially its oceans, through various initiatives that focus on recycling plastics and diverting non-biodegradable materials.“Every day around eight million pieces of plastic make their way into our oceans,” said Natalie Banks, founder of Azraq, a volunteer-run not-for-profit marine conservation organisation. “In terms of how much waste is recyclable, globally this sits at nine per cent - meaning a whopping 91 per cent of our waste is not recyclable.”Azraq, which was founded in September 2017, has been on the front lines of ocean conservation in the UAE. The platform was actively involved in beach and ocean clean ups and mangrove tree planting over the past year, and hopes to continue the fight for cleaner oceans. Besides such campaigns, Azraq educates residents on protecting the specific organisms of the country. The organisation regularly disseminates information regarding the country's reef diversity and various species of marine life to help acknowledge and understand the nuanced lives present in the ecosystem.Banks hailed efforts to protect the environment, that have been accelerating across the country, and also highlighted the critical role that volunteers play. “It is