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Emirates Foundation launches first Arabic version of pioneering National Geographic ’Earth Pulse’ report |
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The Emirates Foundation for Philanthropy has launched the first Arabic version of the National Geographic "Earth Pulse" Report: a special collector’s edition of the world-famous magazine, which focuses on key environmental challenges facing mankind. The date is the UAE working day closest to "World Environment Day" 2010. The report, which has already been translated into more than twenty languages, takes an in-depth look at substantial environmental issues in three broad categories: the human condition, our relationship with nature, and our connected world. It highlights ecological challenges facing the planet, in addition to offering valuable information important to the Arab world. The announcement was made at the Emirates Foundation’s Headquarters in Al Maamoura to local and regional media, researchers and environmental experts. The Arabic Earth Pulse will be distributed in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Egypt, Syria, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon, and Tunisia, and there will copies for sale at bookshops in these countries. The complex translation task was handled by the Emirates Foundation in cooperation with a specialized team of environment experts sponsored by Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Company (GASCO). Initially, the Foundation will produce 15,000 copies of the report, with the aim of increasing environmental awareness amongst students and researchers concerned with environmental issues. Commenting on this initiative, Dr. Lamya Faisal Mohamed, Director of the Emirates Foundation’s Environment Programme, said: "The project aims to raise environmental public awareness among young Arabs, and to strengthen on-going efforts to address the environmental challenges faced by our planet. Conservation of natural resources is one of our programme’s vital priorities." She particularly expressed her gratitude to Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Company (GASCO) for funding the project and to the National Geographic Society in the United States for its extensive cooperation. On behalf of GASCO, Rashid Annoon, Vice President Human Capability, commented: "GASCO, in its role as a socially responsible corporation, is wholly committed to sustainable development across all areas of our business. "We sponsor, support and participate in a large number of social initiatives and projects in the area of energy conservation, environment enhancement, public awareness building, and education. Our support for the translation of Earth Pulse is an example of our efforts to help preserve our environment." National Geographic Society Board Chairman Gilbert M. Grosvenor writes in his foreword to the Arabic edition: "These pages highlight significant, even worrisome, symptoms. But we also see a planetary organism that is boundless in its beauty and still reasonably healthy. Our aim at National Geographic is to inspire you to care about our planet. We hope this Earth Pulse not only does that, but that it inspires you to join the quest to preserve our planet." The report includes an executive summary, colour photos, information, and statistics about world population, quality of life, food, water, ecosystems, nature conservation, climate, technology, globalization, and future environment policies as well as maps depicting various world regions. The Arabic Earth Pulse report is part of the Emirates Foundation’s wide-range environment initiatives. Through its Environment Programme, the Foundation provides grants for environment field training, PhD scholarships for Emirate students, environmental research studies, environment conferences and seminars, books and publications, and media programmes. The Foundation also provides support to nonprofit environment organizations as well as grants to projects in the fields of energy efficiency use, environment protection and natural resources. |
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