2 Guinness World Records In Climate Change Awareness Set By UAE-Based Students Ahead Of COP28

Students based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have set two Guinness World Records in change awareness ahead of the COP28 summit, which the country will host in Expo City Dubai from Nov. 30 to Dec. 12.

The world records were set for having the highest number of nationalities attending a climate awareness lesson and for hosting the largest climate change awareness lesson.

Behind these achievements were more than 1,100 Aldar Education students who are from UAE and 57 other countries. They worked in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, professional services organization EY and French climate education NGO Climate Fresk.

Speaking about the world records and their significance in the upcoming COP28, Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, minister of climate change and environment, said, "COP28 is set to be the most inclusive COP to date, and today we have made record-breaking history while ensuring so many of our youth have a better understanding of the challenges we all face," WAM reported.

"Our aspiration is to transform the UAE into one of the most climate-conscious nations on earth. To do that we need to ensure our youth not only understand the challenges and issues we collectively face, but how they can become more involved in our journey to climate neutrality," she said.

The minister pointed out that these students are not only affected by climate change — they also have the power to shape the future.

Sahar Cooper, chief executive officer of Aldar Education, shared that the leading education group takes immense pride in its students for their participation in creating a new world record in climate change awareness.

She also said education plays an important role in nurturing environmentally conscious citizens and empowering them to bring positive change in the world, adding that today's students are not just future leaders but also changemakers.

Anthony O'Sullivan, UAE managing partner at EY, shared the same sentiments, saying that the "advocacy of youth inclusion at COP28 UAE will set the stage for today's youth to be heard and take action to effect climate change policies as the global leaders of tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Cédric Ringenbach, founder of Climate Fresk, pointed out that climate change is a complex problem that everyone in this world and yet, it is "badly understood by the general population."

"Our ambition is to create a growing network of people who can pass on this quality climate education to reach a social tipping point that will help guide us to a low carbon world," Ringenbach said.