Saudi Arabia is committed to going green, said a prominent professor at King Saud University (KSU) on the occasion of International Mother Earth Day (IMED), celebrated on April 22 every year.

The Kingdom has taken steps to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and enhance sustainability, said Mirza Baig, who works in agricultural extension and rural development at KSU.

The event was initiated by the United Nations to mobilize millions of people across the globe to create a sustainable environment.

Over one billion people in 190 countries take action for Earth Day on this day every year.

From San Francisco to San Juan, Beijing to Brussels, Moscow to Marrakesh, people plant trees and clean up their local streets in a bid to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the environment.

“More than half of the world’s populations lives in cities,” said Baig. “Urbanization has worsened the effects of climate change.”

“The Kingdom has already made plans to make green living more sustainable in highly populated cities,” he said. “Civil society must play a role in educating youth and families. Nothing is more powerful than collective action.”

“This day is a reflection of the interdependence that exists between people of the world and other living species,” he said.

“Saudi Arabia attaches great importance to its land area, which spans around 2.15 million sq. km, more than any country in the Arabian Peninsula,” said Baig. “The Kingdom began distributing free land and providing interest-free loans to citizens who can develop them and make use of these vast spaces, indicating their keenness on agricultural development.”

“The government has realized the gravity of the situation and has begun investing in research projects to reap higher efficiency from renewable energy sources,” he said.