One afternoon, my mother handed me the branches of a beautiful plant and said: “This is Yas. It is a local plant and it smells beautiful.”
It had been a busy week and I was thinking about how we, as a human race, are so caught up with our meetings, errands and obligations that we have lost touch with a core element of life – nature. That simple gesture by my mother allowed me a moment of reconnection.
It also made me realise how integrated nature truly is in our society, and in many ways, our identity. In fact, that Yas plant is etymologically linked to the very tribe that I belong to – Bani Yas. The Bani Yas tribe dates back many centuries, and its people were known to have been deeply connected to the desert environment in which they lived.
Many people in the UAE, both men and women, are named after animals, pearls, weather, or even geographical terrains. For example, my name, "Shamma", comes from the root word, "Shamam", which means the summit of a mountain. A more easily recognisable name might be "Saqr", which means falcon, or perhaps you know a "Dhiyab", the Arabic word wolf. "Ghaith" means rain, "Hessa" and "Dana" are both types of pearls; and "Alyazia" and "Maha", mean gazelle and oryx, respectively.
Similarly, the names given to creatures in our natural world were reflective of our relationship with them. Take the mighty dragonfly, for instance – this small but significant insect is known in the Emirati dialect as "bo bisheer", which loosely translates to "bearer of good news". This is no coincidence, as our ancestors would travel long distances across the desert seeking sources of water, and it was the dragonfly that would signify that an oasis was close.
On a more personal level, my great-grandmother, Sheikha Hessa bint Mohammed Al Nahyan, was so in tune with nature that she could predict from the direction of the wind, whether it would be followed by rain or a sandstorm. She built these skills over time by closely observing and listening to the language of weather cycles.
However, we have experienced a disconnect as a result of urbanisation and industrialisation. Now, as the effects of climate change become more evident through extreme flooding and uncontrollable forest fires, we are being confronted by the forces of nature, which we have neglected and yet, still offer us great insight on the state of the planet.
This week, the UAE announced that 2023 will officially be the "Year of Sustainability", reinforcing the national commitment to building a cleaner and greener future. As we prepare to host Cop28, the world’s largest climate conference in November, we have a prime opportunity to truly reconnect with our planet and reignite our relationship with the natural world.
As members of civil society, we have an equal responsibility to take action
On a government level, it is essential that alignment with the Net Zero Strategic Initiative by 2050 remains our North Star. The regulatory framework that we develop today, will have a positive impact for decades to come. Take, for example, the ambitions of the US as espoused in their Inflation Reduction Act, which remains the most significant climate legislation in the history of the country. This, alone, has provided over $369 billion for climate and clean energy programmes.
Corporate entities must start building an organisational approach that looks beyond generating enterprise value through business acquisition, but rather at the value each action can bring to the ecosystem. To date, the commercial mindset has only considered what our planet can do for us, such as the provision of raw materials to produce goods, without thinking about the repercussions of our actions on the environment. It is now time for us to ask what we can do for our planet.
As members of civil society, we have an equal responsibility to take action. This could be embedding sustainable practices into our daily routine, from eliminating single-use plastics in our homes to waste reduction and recycling. It may even be as simple as reducing your carbon footprint by switching to a plant-based diet, or cycling to work instead of taking your car. In fact, research has shown that behavioural changes can result in a reduction of up to 70 per cent in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
We must also consider how our actions as individuals can have a ripple effect across communities. One conversation can inspire a family, a school, an office, a neighbourhood, or even an entire city to take forward an initiative that will positively impact the collective. My hope is that, by speaking up and sharing our ideas, we can encourage others to do the same and, together, we can find ways to bring those ideas to life.
Most importantly, let us remember the experiences of our ancestors in taming the harsh desert environment in ways that not only allowed them to survive, but to thrive. Let us revisit the landscapes we call home and get to know the biodiversity that has been a life source for centuries. This could be the key to securing a sustainable future.
SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
Engine: 3.7-litre V6
Transmission: seven-speed automatic
Power: 363hp
Torque: 560Nm
Price: Dh184,500
Results
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200m
Winner: Barack Beach, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap Dh170,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Way Of Wisdom, Connor Beasley, Satish Seemar.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,900m
Winner: Woodditton, Connor Beasley, Ahmad bin Harmash.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Secret Trade, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.50pm: Handicap Dh185,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Mark Of Approval, Antonio Fresu, Mahmood Hussain.
9.25pm: Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Tradesman, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.
Company profile
Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
More on Quran memorisation:
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km
Price: from Dh285,000
On sale: from January 2022
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Disability on screen
Empire — neuromuscular disease myasthenia gravis; bipolar disorder; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Rosewood and Transparent — heart issues
24: Legacy — PTSD;
Superstore and NCIS: New Orleans — wheelchair-bound
Taken and This Is Us — cancer
Trial & Error — cognitive disorder prosopagnosia (facial blindness and dyslexia)
Grey’s Anatomy — prosthetic leg
Scorpion — obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety
Switched at Birth — deafness
One Mississippi, Wentworth and Transparent — double mastectomy
Dragons — double amputee
French business
France has organised a delegation of leading businesses to travel to Syria. The group was led by French shipping giant CMA CGM, which struck a 30-year contract in May with the Syrian government to develop and run Latakia port. Also present were water and waste management company Suez, defence multinational Thales, and Ellipse Group, which is currently looking into rehabilitating Syrian hospitals.
The Bio
Name: Lynn Davison
Profession: History teacher at Al Yasmina Academy, Abu Dhabi
Children: She has one son, Casey, 28
Hometown: Pontefract, West Yorkshire in the UK
Favourite book: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Favourite Author: CJ Sansom
Favourite holiday destination: Bali
Favourite food: A Sunday roast
The bio
Favourite vegetable: Broccoli
Favourite food: Seafood
Favourite thing to cook: Duck l'orange
Favourite book: Give and Take by Adam Grant, one of his professors at University of Pennsylvania
Favourite place to travel: Home in Kuwait.
Favourite place in the UAE: Al Qudra lakes
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
23-man shortlist for next six Hall of Fame inductees
Tony Adams, David Beckham, Dennis Bergkamp, Sol Campbell, Eric Cantona, Andrew Cole, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Les Ferdinand, Rio Ferdinand, Robbie Fowler, Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane, Frank Lampard, Matt Le Tissier, Michael Owen, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, John Terry, Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic, Patrick Viera, Ian Wright.
Bangladesh tour of Pakistan
January 24 – First T20, Lahore
January 25 – Second T20, Lahore
January 27 – Third T20, Lahore
February 7-11 – First Test, Rawalpindi
April 3 – One-off ODI, Karachi
April 5-9 – Second Test, Karachi
