'How can one sleep doing nothing for next generation?'

It's a moral obligation for every individual to create a cleaner world, according to an Emirati writer, who spoke on the sidelines of The World Future Energy Summit, which ends today.

The World Future Energy Summit, which is being held as part of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in Abu Dhabi, saw almost 40,000 attendees, more than 80 ministers and representatives from 175 nations.

Thousands of participants joined hands to promote clean energy and sustainable living, including UAE leaders, presidents and prime ministers from across the globe, business developers, students, as well as popular personalities. One among them was Khalid Al Ameri, who spoke to Khaleej Times about why the event is a crucial step forward for the UAE.

The social commentator, who often holds workshops and inspirational talks across the country on life planning, highlighted that it should be one's own moral obligation to bring global and environmental issues to attention, thus helping ensure that future generations can live in a healthier and safe environment.
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"For me, any work that is being done to make sure that my children have access to the same opportunities and the same way of life I have - same access to health care, clean water, clean air, and essentially, to live a life of dignity. I back it 1,000 per cent."

For Al Ameri, actions need to speak louder than words, particularly when it comes to driving ideas forward to make the world a more sustainable place.

"That is why I take part in this event every year without question. They tell me where to be, I come and I do the work to the best of my ability."

"What is the alternative, to sit back and do nothing? And then what happens?" he asks.

"I can't sleep at night knowing I am not doing something to make it happen."

With over 52,000 followers on Facebook, 42,000 on Instagram and 39,000 on Twitter, Al Ameri makes use of his social media platforms to try to send out positive and educational messages, particularly for the youth.

He pointed out that no one is truly helpless when it comes to helping better the society, and therefore, by reaching out to the masses - whether online or in reality - on the critical environmental issues the world currently faces, one can certainly help make a difference - big or small.

"There is a clear line in this stuff, if you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."

"If you are not part of saving water, if you are not pushing people to educate themselves better on how to create a cleaner world, if you are not raising the points about being responsible with the way you treat the world, then you are part of the problem."

jasmine@khaleejtimes.com