The establishment of the UAE Food Bank, announced this week, will address two important issues: food waste and hunger brought on by poverty. As The National reported yesterday, the food bank will work with authorities and charities to collect excess food from hotels, supermarkets, restaurants and farms, and feed people in need in this country and abroad.
This much-needed initiative is evidence of the Government’s commitment to the spirit of the newly-dubbed Year of Giving. Huge amounts of food end up as landfill every year. In Abu Dhabi, for example, between 35 and 50 per cent of the total waste generated is food – and the percentage is much higher during Ramadan. Some wastage cannot be avoided, but edible excess food can and should be recycled according to strict health and safety standards and given to the needy.
Tackling food waste will also address economic and environmental concerns. Economically, food loss represents a wasted investment. Reducing waste, by being careful in our purchases and distributing any excess food items to those in need, can save a lot money that can be used elsewhere. There are savings to be made in limiting the costs of rubbish collection and its transport to tips or incinerators.
On the environmental front, dumping food waste can have negative effects on ecosystems and water supplies. Some experts say that cutting food waste could be a significant factor in tackling climate change.
There are positive examples of organisations around the world that have succeeded in substantially reducing food waste. For instance, the Love Food Hate Waste programme in the United Kingdom aimed at consumers has managed to reduce food waste by about 21 per cent and saved about Dh7.7 million.
Less food wastage, and redirecting unused edible food to thoese who might otherwise go hungry, means more efficiency and greater social responsibility.
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
SPECS
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SPECS
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The BIO:
He became the first Emirati to climb Mount Everest in 2011, from the south section in Nepal
He ascended Mount Everest the next year from the more treacherous north Tibetan side
By 2015, he had completed the Explorers Grand Slam
Last year, he conquered K2, the world’s second-highest mountain located on the Pakistan-Chinese border
He carries dried camel meat, dried dates and a wheat mixture for the final summit push
His new goal is to climb 14 peaks that are more than 8,000 metres above sea level
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
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The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now