المملكة: Specialists for “Al-Youm”: 85 specific initiatives that lead green change and rehabilitate degraded lands

On June 5, the world celebrates “World Environment Day,” an international occasion that is gaining exceptional and ambitious importance in the Kingdom, at a time when the pace and major environmental projects are accelerating to keep pace with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the global sustainable development goals.

This occasion comes to shed light on the historical leaps witnessed by the local environment through the pioneering strategic initiatives launched by the wise leadership – may God support it – foremost of which is the “The modern environmental strategies of the Kingdom represent a unique global model in confronting climate change and reducing carbon emissions, stressing that environmental work in the Kingdom has moved from a theoretical educational framework to the stage of comprehensive field application, through a package of smart solutions and modern technologies to combat desertification, expand vegetation, and govern natural resources, ensuring the building of a vibrant society and a knowledge-based and sustainable economy that preserves environmental integrity for future generations.

They explained in their interview with “Al-Youm” on the occasion of World Environment Day, that The launch of more than 85 qualitative initiatives demonstrates the seriousness of the national commitment to raising the quality of life and protecting biodiversity, through the expansion of natural reserves that have become a lifeline for endangered species and provides them with safe environments supported by smart tracking systems.

They stressed that bridging the gap between awareness and behavior requires transforming sustainability into a spontaneous daily practice that begins with a personal decision to rationalize consumption and reduce waste, in parallel with adopting a circular carbon economy methodology that transforms Climate challenges to promising investment and production opportunities for the nation.

An engineering vision for sustainability

The person interested in clean energy and sustainability, Engineer Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al-Sanaie, stressed, on the occasion of World Environment Day, the importance of this international occasion, based on his academic background in energy and environmental engineering and his continuous keeping pace with the goals of our ambitious Vision 2030, explaining that the Saudi Green Initiative represents a qualitative shift in the face of desertification; The million afforestation projects not only increase vegetation cover, but also rehabilitate our lands and place the Kingdom at the forefront of countries achieving global sustainability and combating climate change.

Al-Sanaa stated that natural reserves are the lifeblood of biodiversity, as they provide a safe environment for the resettlement of endangered species, such as the Arabian oryx, and ensure the restoration of the natural environmental balance.
He pointed out that the circular carbon economy embodies the smart solution to climate challenges, as instead of wasting emissions, carbon is recycled and used as a productive element that reduces pollution and protects our ecosystems.
He stressed that awareness as a daily action will not turn into Behavior except through education and linking the environment with training and work. Let us build a generation that sees sustainability as a spontaneous practice and not just an annual slogan, directing its message: “The environment is not a legacy that we inherited from our ancestors, but rather a trust that we preserve for our children. Its protection begins with a conscious personal decision in the details of our day… Let us all be part of the green change.”

85 initiatives for the long term

The researcher in biology, Dr. Shorouk Al-Basiouni, explained that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has launched more than 85 initiatives to achieve the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and make a change. Positive in the long term. These initiatives range from afforestation efforts to increasing vegetation cover and protecting biodiversity.
Through these initiatives, the Kingdom seeks to build a more sustainable future for all, and achieve global goals by promoting sustainable agriculture, combating desertification, preserving natural resources, and reducing climate change.
She stressed that natural reserves and modern environmental projects play a pivotal role in protecting biological diversity by preserving natural habitats and protecting rare and endangered species. They also contribute to the resettlement of fungal organisms in their appropriate environments and increasing their numbers, and these efforts help maintain balance. The environment, the sustainability of natural resources, and the promotion of biodiversity for future generations.

Al-Basiouni indicated that the circular carbon economy methodology depends on reducing carbon dioxide emissions, reusing it, recycling it, or removing it from the environment, where it can be utilized by transforming it into new products such as building materials, fertilizers, or industrial fuel.
Recycling also contributes to reducing the consumption of natural resources and energy and reducing the amount of waste and polluting emissions, which helps reduce pollution, protect ecosystems, preserve biodiversity, and achieve environmental sustainability.
She pointed out that transforming environmental awareness from mere slogans and annual events into sustainable daily behavior among members of society and emerging generations is achieved through rationalizing the consumption of resources, reducing waste, maintaining the cleanliness of public places, planting trees, and participating in environmental initiatives.
She concluded that the individual is the most influential element in protecting the environment and creating positive change in it; By rationalizing resource consumption, reducing the use of electricity and water, recycling, and supporting sustainable environmental projects and initiatives, every individual can contribute to preserving the environment and reducing pollution, stressing that simple daily practices make a big difference and contribute to achieving sustainability goals and the vision of the Kingdom, and building a more prosperous future for future generations. The environment in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led by the Green Saudi Initiative, represents a strategic step towards creating a comprehensive environmental transformation that is in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the global sustainable development goals.
These initiatives contribute to combating desertification by rehabilitating degraded lands and increasing vegetation cover through large-scale afforestation programs, in addition to reducing carbon emissions and enhancing the protection of biodiversity, which supports the sustainability of natural resources and improves the quality of life.
In this context, natural reserves and modern environmental projects play a pivotal role in protecting biodiversity and preserving endangered fungal organisms, as they provide safe environments for living organisms away from poaching and human encroachment. It is key in preserving natural habitats and ensuring the continuity and reproduction of various species within their original environments.

Al-Otaibi explained that these efforts support restoring environmental balance through the rehabilitation of degraded habitats through afforestation, land reclamation and combating desertification, in addition to implementing breeding and resettlement programs for endangered species and releasing them into their natural habitats, noting that these efforts benefit from modern technologies, such as satellite tracking systems and drones, to monitor life. natural resources and enhancing the efficiency of protection programs, as well as spreading environmental awareness and encouraging community participation in preserving natural resources.
She added that in light of accelerating climate change, adopting the concepts of the circular economy of carbon and recycling emerges as one of the most important solutions in support of sustainable development and reducing negative environmental impacts; This approach depends on the optimal use of resources and the reduction of waste and emissions, by converting them into resources of economic and environmental value, which contributes to reducing pollution levels, reducing the carbon footprint, protecting ecosystems and biodiversity, in addition to supporting global efforts aimed at confronting climate change.

Al-Otaibi stressed that consolidating environmental awareness and transforming it from mere slogans and annual events into sustainable daily behavior requires moving from the stage of theoretical awareness to continuous practical application in various aspects of life, and this is achieved by Through the integration of the roles of the family, school, media, governmental institutions, and society, such that responsible environmental behavior becomes part of societal culture and daily lifestyle.
She concluded her speech by pointing out that current environmental challenges, such as climate change, desertification, and loss of biodiversity, force everyone to move from the stage of awareness to the stage of action and initiative; Simple daily practices, such as rationalizing the consumption of resources, maintaining cleanliness, reducing waste, recycling, and responsible use of natural resources, are capable of creating a tangible positive impact if they become general behavior.
Instilling environmental values ​​in the hearts of children and youth represents a long-term investment in a more sustainable future, as they are essential partners in protecting the environment and preserving the gains of development for future generations.

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