Earth Day is celebrated globally on April 22 as a reminder of our shared responsibility to protect the planet. This year marks the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, with the theme “Our Power, Our Planet.”
The focus is on the urgent need to accelerate the transition to renewable energy and triple global renewable electricity generation by 2030. Transitioning to clean energy is critical—not only for addressing climate change but also to ensure societal well-being, strengthen economies, and protect the environment, thus building a resilient, sustainable future.
At KAUST, we believe that raising awareness is key to driving this change. As part of this year’s lineup, our Earth Day program features both academic and community-focused activities that highlight the importance of clean and renewable energy in shaping a sustainable society and planet. Through panel discussions, workshops, and interactive events, we invite everyone to explore the innovative solutions being developed at KAUST, draw inspiration from our natural surroundings, and reflect on how we communicate science as a tool for hope and action. By tapping into that inspirational potential, we aim to empower our community to actively reflect on their environmental footprints and shape our path towards a more sustainable community.
Join thousands around the world as we harness our power to protect our planet!
Activities
Panel Discussion: Development of Geothermal Resources to Support Sustainable Climate Action in KSA
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Auditorium between Buildings 4 & 5
Light refreshments provided
Join us for a compelling Earth Day panel exploring the role of geothermal energy in advancing Saudi Arabia’s clean energy ambitions. As the Kingdom works toward a low-carbon and energy-efficient future, geothermal energy offers a promising—yet largely untapped—renewable resource that can support national goals for sustainability, energy security, and emissions reduction.
This session will examine geothermal’s potential to power efficient systems such as district cooling and desalination while also addressing the frameworks needed to scale adoption across the region. Experts from industry, academia, and government will share insights on the current state of geothermal development in Saudi Arabia, opportunities for integrating geothermal into sustainable infrastructure, and regulatory and business models needed to drive clean energy deployment.
Whether you’re a researcher or community member, this discussion will highlight how geothermal can contribute to a cleaner, more resilient energy landscape.
Community Engagement: Bright New World: In Conversation with Cindy Forde
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Community Hub, Discovery Square
Enjoy an inspiring Earth Day evening with environmental advocate, author, and educator Cindy Forde. She is the founder of Planetari, former CEO of the Cambridge Science Centre, and an Associate Fellow at Homerton College, University of Cambridge, where she focuses on sustainability education and science communication. Cindy is also the author of the acclaimed book Bright New World, which reimagines a future shaped by environmental justice, innovation, and systems change.
In conversation with Ana Costa, Chief Sustainability Officer at KAUST, Cindy will explore how we can turn today’s global challenges into tools for building a better world. Together, they’ll reflect on themes of hope, resilience, and the power of science storytelling to connect people with action.
The evening includes a short reading from Bright New World, followed by a special performance of Cindy’s poem If We Ran the Planet—a playful and thought-provoking piece inspired by Dr. Seuss, created to spark eco-literacy in both children and adults.
This is a wonderful family-friendly event, perfect for all ages—combining imagination, science, and storytelling to inspire change. Don’t miss the chance to attend and pick up a signed copy of Bright New World!
Research Poster Showcase: Your Research. Your Impact. Our Planet
Sunday, April 20, 2025
1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Building 9 Hallway
Light refreshments provided
Discover the innovative research done at KAUST to shape a more sustainable future. This special poster showcase brings together students, postdocs, and researchers from across the campus to present projects that tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
The showcase will feature diverse sustainability-driven research—from clean energy technologies and water conservation to food systems, biodiversity, waste management, and more. This is your chance to:
- Engage directly with the researchers behind KAUST’s cutting-edge work
- Explore new ideas and share your perspectives on real-world solutions
- Foster connections and inspire future collaborations across disciplines
- Support student-led innovation, including selected projects from The KAUST School (TKS) Whether you’re a faculty member, student, staff, or community member, be part of a vibrant exchange of knowledge and inspiration
Birding Workshop: Discover KAUST’s Feathered Biodiversity
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
6:00 a.m. – 7:00 a.m.
Meeting point: KAUST Pier
Register here
Celebrate Earth Day with us by joining a special birding workshop along KAUST’s mangrove shoreline. This hands-on session will introduce participants to the Merlin bird ID app and eBird, empowering you to become a citizen scientist by identifying local and migratory birds and recording your observations in a global database.
From sight to sound, you’ll learn techniques to spot and log the unique bird species that pass through or call KAUST home—contributing to biodiversity awareness and conservation science.
No prior experience is needed—just curiosity and a love for nature!
Binoculars are recommended; enthusiasm is required.
For questions, contact:
alexa.foster@kaust.edu.sa | marika.panagiotou@kaust.edu.sa
Students for Sustainability Workshop: Building a Better Planet
Monday, April 21, 2025
3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Building 4, Level 5, Room 5220
Join author and guest Cindy Forde for an interactive, future-focused workshop designed to inspire bold thinking and action for a thriving planet.
Delivered in three parts, the session invites students to explore the guiding principles of sustainability leadership, engage in future visioning, and co-create a roadmap for building a better world. From understanding planetary boundaries to imagining clean energy-powered cities and air-cleansing factories, participants will explore what’s possible when innovation, science, and values come together. In groups, you will collaboratively develop a roadmap for action- identifying immediate steps and existing tools that can help transform today’s most pressing challenges—such as energy, food, and transport—into sustainable solutions. Together, we will reflect on the mindset shifts and structural changes needed at every level—from individual to global—and map out tangible actions to help shape a more just, resilient, and regenerative future.
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to reflect, imagine, and lead.
Film Screening: Okja
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
7:00 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Discovery Square
Celebrate Earth Day with an outdoor screening of Okja, the critically acclaimed environmental action-adventure by director Bong Joon-ho. Follow the journey of a young girl and her genetically engineered companion as they take on a powerful corporation—raising questions about ethics, sustainability, and the environment. Enjoy a thought-provoking film under the stars and experience how storytelling can spark reflection and inspire change.