With all eyes on COP 28, two of the UAE’s leading climate activists and strategists in the built environment, Farah Naz and Nahla Nabil have joined forces to spread awareness on the climate crisis.
Geared towards children between the ages of 8-12 years, Mission Zero: Solving the Climate Crisis was written by Naz and Nabil with the sole purpose of empowering and educating children on sustainable living and was launched at COP 28 in Dubai.
The book is the first of its kind in the region and is aligned with the United Nations global campaigns: Race to Zero and Race to Resilience that focuses on climate change. Naz and Nabil’s story, set in the UAE, follows the journey of Omar and Sara who explore solutions to tackle climate change. From harnessing renewable energy to conserving rainwater, cultivating food through new methods and preserving biodiversity, their journey is one of discovery as they look at groundbreaking technologies and solutions for sustainable living.
“It’s vital to instil a sense of responsibility and ownership in the young minds through storytelling to create a blueprint for future leaders, dreamers and innovators,” said Naz following the launch.
“By addressing climate change in a way that resonates with children, we hope to inspire a new generation of eco-conscious individuals who will contribute to building a sustainable future,” added Nabil.
The book has already garnered praise from fellow climate activists, including Jane Goodall, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace. “Mission Zero brings our biggest environmental and climate change challenges to a young audience in an engaging and creative way; from deforestation waste, and the greenhouse effect to the profound importance of biodiversity and conservation. They explore various sustainability approaches and also the science that has led to possible solutions,” she said.
Illustrated by Dhwani Ashar, a creative disruptor who challenged the norm of AI-generated illustration to create climate literacy for a younger audience, Mission Zero: Solving the Climate Crisis ensures that children understand the intricacies of how lifestyle and choices are all interlinked with the natural world, while also ensuring that they are equipped with solutions that can combat issues the world is facing.
Naz, an award-winning climate change strategist with 20 years of experience throughout the building sector in the USA, UK, Asia and the Middle East, is also the author of the UAE’s first book on net zero, the NetZero City Book. She leads the specialist services with a focus on sustainable cities, ESG and urban resilience for AECOM in the Middle East and Africa. While Nabil is one of the top advocates for sustainability in the region; navigating through sectors like aviation, railway, airport operations and construction, Nabil has spearheaded initiatives including the region’s first carbon-accredited project.
