Dubai's Museum of the Future, which opened in February, marks World Environment Day by encouraging sustainability

The UN's World Environment Day is marked annually on June 5, to highlight the importance of protecting the environment. 

As part of its program for the day, the Museum of the Future is raising awareness about routine changes to incorporate into people’s lives like wasting less water and using public transport. 

Majed Al Mansoori, deputy executive director at the museum, said, "We fully support World Environment Day and are taking our own steps to contribute to protecting the environment, such as using plastic-free packaging and reusable shopping bags, and providing water dispensers to reduce the use of plastic bottles," he said. 

"Preserving the environment and promoting sustainability is a priority for us, in line with the UAE’s leadership’s directives to promote sustainable development. 

"At the Museum of the Future, we deploy technology to help design the future and develop plans to respond to the current and future challenges facing the planet," he said. 

The Museum itself was designed with sustainability in mind and is solar powered for the most part. A smart irrigation system waters the garden, home to the 100-odd hardy species capable of coping with Dubai's harsh summer climate. 

The museum also hosts talks by members of the scientific community, as part of efforts to highlight environmental issues and promote debate on how to create a more sustainable future.