Today's Edition
Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)
As climate change and environmental degradation become increasingly urgent issues, innovative approaches to education are crucial. The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is addressing this need through its pioneering podcast, “Naturally Educated”.
In an interview with Aletihad, Acting Director of the Environmental Awareness Department, Environmental Information, Science, and Outreach Management at EAD, Rasha Ali Al Madfai, highlighted the podcast’s impact and plans looking ahead.
A Fresh Approach to Environmental LearningWith over 9,000 listeners to date, the Naturally Educated podcast is part of EAD’s broader initiative to engage younger generations in environmental stewardship, according to Al Madfai.
She noted that recent research has found that young people today are moving away from traditional media and are instead seeking knowledge from social and digital media, including podcasts.
“We launched this podcast in our pursuit to reach our target audience and drive action towards protecting the environment. The podcast not only targets youth and increases their environmental knowledge, but also aims to inspire young people to be more vocal about climate-related topics and to raise awareness among their peers”.
What sets the podcast apart from traditional educational methods is its use of dynamic content and expert insights to foster creative and critical thinking, Al Madfai added. By featuring exclusive interviews with environmental experts, the podcast provides listeners with actionable knowledge and encourages them to actively participate in conservation efforts.
Engaging the Youth: Content Tailored for ImpactThe Naturally Educated podcast targets young individuals eager to learn about environmental issues.
“At EAD, we are committed to spread awareness and knowledge on important topics related to climate change and the environment. As such, we dedicate adequate resources to identify the best ways to reach our target audience,” said Al Madfai.
“We are also continuously conducting research and monitoring young people’s interests through various events and workshops to identify the topics they are most passionate about when it comes to protecting the environment. Gathering this information helps inform our content for each episode.”
Key topics covered include conservation focusing mostly on terrestrial and marine biodiversity, food waste management, circular economy, climate change, and youth perspectives on various topics such as reclaiming biodiversity and environmental education.
Notable Episodes and Evolving ContentAmong the podcast’s standout episodes is the debut featuring Humaid Abdulla Kanji, Section head - Environmental Economics in the Integrated Environment Policy & Planning (IEPP) Sector at the Agency, according to Al Madfai.
She noted that his discussion on climate change and its evolving impact since the COVID-19 pandemic was particularly gripping. Additionally, the recent “Youth Voices” series has been well-received, giving voice to the perspectives of young environmental advocates.
Since its launch, the Naturally Educated podcast has continuously evolved to remain relevant and engaging for its ever-changing young audience, noted Al Madfai. “We strive to follow the latest interests and news and set examples that ensure our content resonates with our listeners”.
She pointed out that the podcast recently adopted a new approach by featuring voices from individuals within the same age range as the audience. This was especially highlighted during the 12th World Environment Education Congress earlier this year, which featured a dedicated studio space that hosted local and international young voices passionate about climate change and the environment in a series titled Youth Voices launched on World Environment Day.
Looking Ahead: Future Plans and InitiativesAn Abu Dhabi-led initiative was among those named as one of the First 10 World Restoration Flagships that represent ground-breaking efforts in restoring the natural world. Due to these efforts, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will hold its World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi next year, according to Al Madfai.
The event is expected to gather diverse leaders to collectively address the triple planetary crises of pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change threatening lives and livelihoods around the world. The Congress will also set the course towards achieving the goals set out in the Global Biodiversity Framework.
To reflect on these efforts and their significance, Al Madfai noted that the upcoming season for the Naturally Educated podcast will focus on ecosystem restoration with an aim to create a credible space where young generations can receive information on this topic. As the “Naturally Educated” continues to grow and adapt, it remains a crucial tool in bridging the gap between environmental knowledge and action among the youth.
