Abu Dhabi: Environment officials are pinning their hopes on empowering homemakers to protect the environment by making small lifestyle changes that go a long way.
A new campaign that begins in September hopes to create awareness among homemakers to adopt sustainable lifestyles within their families, and thus save water and energy.
The campaign is being organised by the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi in cooperation with the Family Development Foundation and the Emirates Wildlife Society-World Wide Fund for Nature.
"Women should play a more active role in environmental protection. They are the leaders at their homes and have the authority to make the rules for their family. Hence they play a strong role in achieving sustainable lifestyles", said Rasha Al Madfai, senior programme coordinator at the Environmental Education Department at Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi.
Reaching out
The campaign entitled ‘Sustainable Lifestyles' will make use of the 15 centres of the Family Development Foundation, spread across Abu Dhabi in order to reach out to women in different neighbourhoods.
Emirati and Arab households will be targeted in this campaign, which will kick off after Ramadan, Rasha said.
Rationalising the use of water and energy, decreasing the amount of waste generated at home (specifically the use of plastic bags) are just among a few of the issues, which will be highlighted.
Small changes in lifestyle will not set back the quality of your lifestyle but will help collectively save large amounts of water and energy, she said.
"Our ancestors knew the need to avoid wasting resources but nowadays many people do not care. This is what we hope to change with this campaign", she added.
