Today's Edition
KHAWLA ALI (DUBAI)
Growing up in an environment where sustainability issues were deeply entrenched in daily life, Adhari Al Serkal found her calling in raising awareness about environmental issues and all factors that could negatively impact nature.
Al Serkal devoted her time and effort in creating digital content specialised in environment and sustainability, aiming to raise public awareness about sustainability issues, climate change, and its impact on the environment and the inhabitants of the planet.
She presents information in a simple and appealing way within seconds, through content that requires her many hours of reading, researching, fact-checking, and translating from reliable scientific sources, to draw the community’s attention towards the environment.
‘Zayed the Inspirer’ Al Serkal has a master’s degree in Engineering Management with honors from Abu Dhabi University and a bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering from the Higher Colleges of Technology. She is a member of the Arab Youth Climate Council for Climate Change and a graduate of the Pioneers programme in sustainability, environment, and renewable energy, affiliated with Masdar. She was selected among inspiring female leaders for the youth on the “Zayed the Inspirer” platform as a model of a serious, ambitious, and dedicated Emirati young woman dedicated to serving her country.
Grandmother’s InfluenceHer environment had an impact on her direction and interest in the environment.
“Naming the plants that my grandmother planted in our garden after us made us more attached and interested in the environment from a young age,” she recounted, adding that environmental issues became her interests, fuelling her passion to raise awareness and educate the community.
She uses digital platforms to easily deliver knowledge, as they are now in everyone’s hands.
“We live in a world where social media has become a fundamental part. It can be used to convey positive and educational messages, especially if they are related to a noble goal pursued by the state, which is sustainability,” Al Serkal said.
She feels it’s her duty to present her educational message and use this medium to raise community awareness of the importance of preserving the environment and sustainability.
‘Today For Tomorrow’Regarding the state’s efforts towards sustainability, Al Serkal pointed out that the Emirati society has an authentic heritage, the essence of which is coexisting with a sustainable environment, under the slogan “Today For Tomorrow”. Additionally, the UAE announced 2023 as the Year of Sustainability.
She believes that the state’s approach is ingrained in society across all demographics, along with economic and agricultural activities supporting the approach of preserving the environment and sustainability. This interest is not new; it is a continuation of the approach of the Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a keen environmentalist.
Cultural HeritageRegarding societal awareness of the environment, Al Serkal said that the local community possesses deep understanding and respect for the ecosystem, a legacy passed down from ancestors, who lived between the desert, mountains, and seas. Their close connection to nature instilled in them the importance of preserving it as their source of livelihood.
This is clearly reflected in the folk heritage, especially poetry, and all narratives and stories related to the environment.
She pointed out that she is passing this rich legacy to the new generation through social media channels, encouraging them to be more aware of their responsibility towards sustainability.
