Some 240 professional divers have banded together to call themselves “Sea Soldiers,” launching their community on the occasion of the “World Earth Day.”

 

The Saudi Environment Society (SES) and the National Program for Environmental Awareness and Sustainable Development organized the initiative under the slogan “My environment — green flag and green nation.”

 

Mohammad Zaneel, head of the SES, said Jeddah is the first Saudi and Arab city to speak to the world on World Earth Day by setting up “20 Model Environmental Tents.” He said this would help protect the environment and preserve nature for the coming generations.

 

He added that the public and private sectors as well as schools, universities, experts and those concerned with the environment, and the 240 divers, joined in the largest environmental event to be seen in Jeddah, cleaning the city’s coast on the Red Sea.

 

SES Deputy President Majeda Abu Raas emphasized that World Earth Day exists because globally more and more people are concerned with the environment. They seek a way to limit pollution and stop the natural destruction which threatens human existence.

 

Abu Raas said there must be designs and implementation of green buildings that are sustainable in Saudi Arabia. “These need to be pushed forward in an era when urbanization is expanding,” she added.

 

“We need to give more licenses for establishing green buildings as well as have green homes operating on energy that is based on rationalization, water reuse and materials used that are environment friendly."