Invest in our planet
The world’s stocks of natural assets are estimated to contribute more than US$125 trillion to the global economy every year. Smart companies are discovering it is no longer a choice to go green while growing long-term profits — sustainability is the true path to prosperity. We must act and embrace the benefits of a green economy.
Every year on April 22, Earth Day marks the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement, which began in 1970. Earth Day is a day to recognize the Earth’s measurable and unmeasurable value. As we deal with a triple planetary crisis – climate, biodiversity loss and pollution – we should all come together to find meaningful solutions.
At KAUST, we invest in our planet by enabling scientific education, fostering sustainability-driven discoveries, and investing in ecotechnological innovation and community awareness. Our world-leading research translates to action-oriented solutions and empowers our students to become sustainability champions for our planet. By investing in both the people and solutions, we contribute to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and a globally sustainable future.
Earth Day at KAUST
We are ready to celebrate Earth Day with many exciting activities open to the community.
Name a street at the Coral Probiotics Village (CPV) and win an underwater tour
Thursday, April 20 to Thursday, April 28
To celebrate Earth Day 2022, the Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), in partnership with Community Life, is launching an exciting contest open to all KAUST community members. Participants are encouraged to suggest a creative name for a new street at the Coral Probiotics Village (CPV) and a small text about why Earth Day is such a historical mark for the global environmental movement. The best street name and text will be selected by a jury, and the winner will be invited, along with their family*, to visit the CPV (snorkel or scuba) and watch the team put the new street name sign underwater to “inaugurate” the street. The next two top street name suggestions will also be awarded a chance to join the trip (+1 extra guest*). Submit a name by 11:59 p.m. April 28. *Dependent on maximum vessel capacity.
Open houses and tours
WDRC open house
Sunday, April 24 |10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Al JazRi Building (4), level 4, seaside
Come and learn more about the exciting research being undertaken at the Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC) and how it contributes to environmental sustainability, addressing the challenges of climate change, and providing sustainable solutions for desalinating seawater, wastewater treatments, and more. Come, learn, have fun in a quiz-trivia game, celebrate Earth Day, and win prizes! Registration is required.
Waste Transfer Station open house
Tuesday, April 26 and Wednesday, April 27 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Waste Transfer Station (Reuse Center, main entrance)
What happens to the waste we produce every day at KAUST? The Facilities Management (FM) Waste Management team is organizing a Waste Transfer Station Open House to give an opportunity for community members to learn about KAUST’s waste management and features a tour of the waste management facility, emphasizing the waste collection program, waste processing and storage, and display of the waste operation fleet. A question and answer session will follow. There will be two sessions/tours per day, with each tour lasting 45 minutes. Registration is required.
Tour to the water desalination, water treatment, and chilled water plants
Thursday, April 21 | 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Location: Bus pick up at Building 16 bus stop at 8:40 a.m. for drop off at KAUST – Central Service Area
Did you ever wonder how KAUST potable water is generated and recycled? Or how can we keep our buildings cool? The Facilities Management – Utilities Operation team will be hosting three different plant tour visits. During these visits, community members will learn about Reverse Osmosis Desalination, Wastewater Membranes Biofouling, and Center Chiller Cooling processes through a 10 min presentation followed by a 20-minute site tour for each of the plants. Visitors will become aware of all the efforts done to ensure all plants operate efficiently, in order to minimize KAUST’s carbon footprint while providing the community with potable water, and a cool working environment. A roundtrip bus will be provided. Registration is required.
KAUST Solar Center lab tour
Thursday, April 21 | 2:00 p.m.
Location: KAUST Solar Center, Building 5
KAUST Community members can view KAUST Solar Center’s state-of-the-art facilities and learn more about the center’s research capabilities, gaining an insight into the research being conducted to invest in a clean energy future. Registration is required.
Awareness and exhibits
ANPERC’s ‘donate and reuse’ campaign
Wednesday, April 20 and Thursday, April 21 | 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Building 5, Level 0 (Seaside) – ANPERC
ANPERC is committed to reducing waste while promoting the reuse concept within the KAUST community. Celebrate Earth Day 2022 with ANPERC as we collect clothes and toys in good condition to be donated to the KAUST’s Second Chance.
HR e-waste collection
Sunday, April 24 to Thursday, April 28 | 8:00 a.m. –5:00 p.m.
Location: Building 16, Level 2 – HR Helpdesk
Did you know that, when not properly disposed of, e-waste is devastating to the environment? Unsure what to do with your e-waste? HR is making it easier for you to dispose of your e-waste and any gently used items for donation! You can drop any equipment off at the FM Waste Management collection points that will be located at the HR Helpdesk.
*Note e-waste, or electronic waste, refers to any discarded products with a battery or plug.
‘Waste to Art’ exhibition
Sunday, April 24 and Monday, April 25 | 09:00 a.m. – 03:00 p.m.
Location: Campus Library – Sea View
Some of our daily waste items have the potential to become an art piece on a wall instead of ending in a trash bin if one is creative enough. The Facilities Management-Waste Management team is partnering with the Jeddah-based artist Meedo Creisat to showcase some of his waste to artwork. The ‘Waste to Art’ exhibition demonstrates that some of our daily trow away materials can be transformed into playful, meaningful, and thought-provoking objects. Come and explore a creative approach to resource circularity and recycling.
About the artist: Meedo Creisat focuses on projects that reflect his love for history and passion for environmental sustainability, having won several achievement awards including the Saudi Art and Culture award and the Saudi Environmental Society award. Creisat calls his work ‘Meedo Redo’ and the technique is incredibly fascinating, as textures and patterns are built up by layering plastic strips and smashed cans and patches on top of each other. Up close, the artworks have a highly abstract and often linear or striped look, but once you step back, the full portrait emerges.
UN SDGs awareness
Wednesday, April 20 to Wednesday, April 27 | 08:00 a.m. – 05:00 p.m.
Location: Building 16, Level 2
Want to learn more about the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? Watch some short awareness videos on the LED screen in Building 16, then stop by the HR UN SDG action area (look for the SDG wheel icon) to submit your ideas on how we can work toward sustainable solutions here at KAUST!
KAUST’s nature-based carbon offsets
Do you know what carbon offsets are? KAUST is a home to a thriving and vibrant mangrove forest that spans over 110 hectares that offers a unique contribution to a nature-based solution to the challenges of climate change. Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) in collaboration with WEP 2022 and Facilities Management (horticulture) team have recently undertaken a successful mangrove planting at KAUST Nature Conservation Area to raise awareness about the negative impact of carbon emissions related to travel. Learn more about how KAUST’s mangroves can help to offset our carbon footprint. : Read the article.
Adopt-a-plant
Wednesday, April 20
KAUST Research and Technology Park is celebrating Earth Day with an ‘Adopt-a-Plant’ campaign to encourage the KAUST community to bring more plants into their lives. Small plant pots will be distributed as gifts at locations around KAUST today, April 20, from 8:30 am until gone! Each recipient can then enter into a raffle sponsored by KAUST startups and KRTP tenants Natufia, Edama, and Red Sea Farms until April 24. So stop by and pick up your plant at the following locations: KRTP HQ, Tamimi Market and Tamimi Express, Innovation Cluster #3, Student Center Building 18, and the Administration Building 16 Lobby.
Energy consumption awareness
Friday, April 22
To drive awareness of energy consumption and for future energy efficiency actions in KAUST, the Facilities Management Team will test turning off internal and external lighting and street lights from selected campus and community areas at nighttime. By finding new ways to save energy, we are reducing KAUST’s carbon footprint. Join in and turn off any lights and electronics in your house!
Earth day mural and seed balls at TKS
Thursday, April 21
Location: Flag Pavilion, Gardens Secondary School; Kindergarten
The future generations are the ones with the highest stakes in the fight against Climate Change. To inspire themselves and their community, The KAUST School (TKS) students will write their pledges towards supporting our planet and showcase them in an Earth Day Mural. Some students will also work in teams to prepare fun Seed Balls in partnership with the Center for Desert Agriculture, which can be planted anywhere in the community.
Film screening
Thursday, April 21 |8:30 p.m.
Location: Discovery Square Cinema
Celebrate Earth Day by watching the film ‘Kiss the Ground,’ an inspiring and groundbreaking film that reveals the first viable solution to our climate crisis. Narrated by actor Woody Harrelson, the movie features some of the world’s leading scientists and activists. The result of almost ten years of research and 300 hours of footage skimmed down into 87 minutes. The film conveys an urgent, almost desperate call for action while suggesting a simple solution to save life on Earth. Together, we can act on climate change. Popcorn and soft drinks will be provided.
Virtual tours and quizzes
Earth Day History booth
Thursday, April 21 to Thursday, April 28 | 12:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Learn more about the history of Earth Day and the modern environmental movement by taking a virtual tour of our Earth Day History booth. Share the link with your friends and family and get together for an informative time without the associated carbon travel footprint! Take the Earth Day quiz and test your knowledge on the Earth Day movement, its objectives and how we can make Earth Day every day!
Electronic gadgets and the environment trivia challenge
Thursday, April 21 to Sunday, April 24
Did you know our digital lives have associated carbon footprints? Test your knowledge in KAUST IT’s trivia challenge on the environmental impact of digital technologies and devices we use every day. This is a fun quiz to raise awareness of our digital carbon footprint and ways to minimize it, both at work and outside. Three lucky winners will get surprise gifts from IT. The winners will be chosen based on points + early submission, so hurry up! You can check the quiz here.
Because a green future is a prosperous future.
#EarthDay – #InvestInOurPlanet #KAUSTSustainability #KAUSTResearch
This celebration is a collaboration between TKS, the Center for Desert Agriculture (CDA), the Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Facilities Management, IWA-KAUST Student Chapter, the Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC), Community Life, the Office of the VPR, Information Technology, Human Resources, KAUST Solar Center (KSC), Al-Naimi Petroleum Engineering Research Center (ANPERC), KAUST Innovation, Health, Safety & Environment, Security, GBC and the Office of Sustainability.
