KAUST Through the Lens of TKS Students

Over the past few weeks, Grade 8 students at The KAUST School have been diving into the world of journalism. They’ve explored different styles of writing and even set up their own media agencies to report on stories happening all around the KAUST community. From school sports and campus gardeners to cutting-edge science, coral restoration, and local start-ups — their coverage has been wide-ranging and full of energy.

Through interviews and hands-on research, these young journalists have shown real curiosity, creativity, and professionalism. As part of a fun competition, eight top articles have been chosen by TKS to appear in The LENS over the next month as part of the ‘KAUST through the lens of TKS students’. As a note, these articles reflect the students’ creative work as part of a school project and have been selected based on their creative writing skills. We hope you’ll enjoy reading their work and help us celebrate what they’ve accomplished!

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KAUST: A Beacon of Hope Against the Battle of Climate Change 

– By Joumana Elbaz, Grade 8, The KAUST School

Climate change isn’t just another problem we can deal with later; it’s an unstoppable crisis unfolding before our eyes. The evidence is undeniable. How can humans stand frozen as glaciers crumble, sea levels swallow coastlines, and species vanish into oblivion? And you know why this catastrophe is happening? A simple, devastating truth – us. We recklessly burn fossil fuels, mindlessly cut down forests, and poison our planet, unleashing greenhouse gases that capture heat, suffocating the Earth in an ever-tightening grip; that we struggle to loosen. We created this disaster – now, we must be the ones to stop it. King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) stands as a beacon of hope – an example the world must follow. KAUST is actively implementing sustainability initiatives to prevent environmental destruction, reduce carbon emissions, and promote resource efficiency. KAUST is more than just a research university -it’s a well-rounded organization that prioritizes a full approach to growth. From environmental sustainability to advancing health and wellness, leading innovations in energy and industry, and shaping the economies of the future, KAUST is committed to working for a better world across every area.  

Our one and only Earth is slipping through our fingers, dissolving into destruction with every passing second. Just to put it into perspective, a staggering 40 million metric tons of carbon emissions—an invisible poison—chokes our planet in only 365 days. Around 1 million species are at risk of extinction due to climate change and habitat destruction, not by their own doing, but by ours. Imagine being sentenced to death for a crime you never committed. Individually, people must be taking action, however, universities and cities must do so as well. If a university, KAUST, of just 8,000 citizens can push for change, what excuse do the rest of the world’s cities have? 

In the tragic war against climate change, innovation is the key to success, and KAUST is leading the army with its remarkable Cryogenic Carbon Capture (CCC) technology. This groundbreaking innovation is tackling the world’s biggest rival: carbon dioxide emissions. Instead of allowing CO2 to seep into our precious world, CCC grants the powerful ability to capture it directly at the source and seamlessly be added to existing power plants. This may be a mouthful to take in, but bear with me—trust me, it’s interesting, even for an 8th grader! Unlike common methods, CCC cools exhaust gases, causing CO2 and other pollutants to solidify while allowing non-harmful gases to remain in their natural state. The cooled CO2 is then converted into a liquid for various industrial uses, while the clean gases are safely released back into the atmosphere. CCC can capture 90% of carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and industrial facilities! This technology isn’t a step in the right direction – it’s a leap. If KAUST can drive such a significant change, imagine the global impact if more cities and nations embraced similar technologies.  

CCC is a fully developed innovation, but KAUST doesn’t just stop there; they keep pushing the boundaries of the impossible and are finding revolutionary alternatives to fossil fuels; Ammonia, a magical chemical compound. Humans have been dependent on hydrocarbon combustion as the main way of power generation; however, this has led to an overwhelming amount of carbon emissions. That is where Ammonia -which KAUST is diving into, shines like a ray of hope. Dr. Ayman Elbaz, a Combustion Scientist here at KAUST, states, “Ammonia is a promising alternative carbon free fuel – unlike traditional fuels, Ammonia does not release CO2 when burned, making it a cleaner option.”  It’s like a potion for the poison suffocating our beloved, only planet. This is because it has high volumetric energy density, is easily stored, and has an existing transportation network. Can you believe it! KAUST could transform the world despite being an oil-dependent country. Our skilled scientists continue to experiment and look into the impossible with the promise of making our world a better place. Here at KAUST, there’s still hope. 

Unlike KAUST, Houston, a major oil hub, still heavily relies on fossil fuels and lacks scale sustainability initiatives, making it a stark contrast to KAUST’s renewable energy innovation. While some may claim that Saudi Arabia’s oil dependency is an undeniable reality, this argument immediately pales in comparison to the nation’s unwavering dedication to the 2030 Vision, where sustainability and the use of solar energy over fossil fuels will reshape its future. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia, a nation built in the heart of a scorching desert, has long faced the challenge of developing a strong agricultural base, and is just recently beginning to expand in tourism. For decades, oil has been the key stone of its economy- but now the environmental effects have become impossible to ignore. Hence, Saudi Arabia is now turning toward innovation as a crucial new resource, one that can lead to a more sustainable and adaptive future. 

Some claim KAUST is all talk, hiding behind its sleek labs and cutting-edge, ‘fancy’ technology. Come on now, are they blind to reality? While others hesitate, KAUST does the unimaginable by pushing forward, one breakthrough after another. CCC is fully developed and working, yet they continue by experimenting with Ammonia. It’s not just talk; it’s tangible progress. A small community, yet their impact echoes louder than entire nations. What more proof do you need? These breakthroughs emerge from a relatively small yet powerful community. But you know what, you don’t need all these fancy, high-tech tools to make a difference. Citizens can raise awareness through media, lead school-based sustainability initiatives, or engage in community projects. We must fight together – it’s the only way to win the battle. KAUST continuously pushes boundaries, and this is not the end of their journey. These technologies go beyond the borders of the community, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the 2060 carbon neutrality mandate. KAUST stands as a model and leader, guiding nations as we charge full force into the life-threatening battle against climate change; 195 countries versus one poison. Follow KAUST – our beacon of hope.