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Enthusiastic young Bahraini environmentalists, fresh from a four-week summer programme in the UK, have returned with a greater determination to work towards a greener kingdom.
Full of ideas to help make a difference, the 'green scholars', namely Hala Alwan, Noor Ali Almakoozi, Afaf Abdulla Alsatrawi and Maryam Abdulla Baqer, from Bahrain Polytechnic, were the first group to have benefited from a tailor-made environmental awareness programme delivered at Northampton University, in collaboration with Bosworth College.
The undergraduate students pursuing courses in information and communications technology and business were awarded scholarships for their ecological understanding and leadership potential.
Along with lectures and an English course, their programme included visits to local businesses, farms and other environmentally-sustainable projects.
Noor, 19, said: "We learned about waste management, went on trips to see protected wildlife parks, insect and bee farms. We were very impressed with a visit to Upton on the south-western outskirts of Northampton in the East Midlands that has developed a drainage scheme to protect against flooding.
"Bahrain is still very much a beginner. It is way behind in many areas, even in simple things like recycling.
"In the UK, everyone, be it households, institutions or businesses, is responsible for recycling their trash in the best way possible. It is not that they have been recycling for years and we see many people who litter as well, but there are many, many others who are responsible. And, they have adopted lifestyle changes in only a few years."
While they regale at the extent of environmental awareness they witnessed at the four-week programme, the girls are sceptical about the task ahead for Bahrain's environmentalists.
They are particularly disappointed about the general attitude, even when they try to reach out to businesses or schools as representatives of a voluntary youth group.
Hala, 21, spoke of the resistance she faced when producing a documentary highlighting pollution in Bahrain, people littering in the public park and how Sanabis, which she is a resident of, is strewn with garbage. She said: "When I was making the documentary I was very disappointed about the level of awareness among people here and their uncaring attitude. People say they care for the environment but will go ahead and buy the smallest of things, even chewing gum, and ask for a plastic bag.
"We are just too busy blaming the government. We are littering and we don't care. We must stop littering, stop using plastic bags and start recycling.
"Many countries are very strict and give citizens the option to recycle or pay tax. People care about money and they will do the right thing rather than incur more expenditure. And, sometimes, I think that is what is necessary to make a difference."
Promising to be more than armchair environmentalists the youngsters have outlined a number of ways to create an impact in the kingdom.
Believing in the old adage 'practise what you preach' they are committed to making changes at home and hope to enrol their families in the cause. At the same time they want to demonstrate green practises to their fellow students, staff and management of the college.
Maryam, 20, said: "Convincing people to care for their environment is not easy. If there are two or three types of bins staring at you wherever you go it will make people think about what is different.
"It has to be easy. Good habits cannot be encouraged if you have to drive long distances to dispose of your rubbish.
"People also have to see the value of making these lifestyle changes. We need to encourage them and start environmental education at kindergarten level. Good habits can grow on you."
The long list of recommendations to make Bahrain greener includes suggestions for their own college, which include reducing the amount of paper used, cutting down on the number of lights, switching off computers when work is finished, setting up a compost heap on the premises and celebrating a monthly 'plants day'.
