Inspiring Heroes

Dana Alnaqbi from Ras Al Khaimah is a sixteen-year-old member of the Sustainability Champions Society with a passion for meaningful filmography. Dana is leading a youth movement through her platform Green Connections to create a more sustainable world. Her journey has its own challenges, but she remains steadfast, inspiring others along the way. Read on to discover what drives her commitment to sustainability!

At just sixteen years of age, Dana Alnaqbi is already making waves in sustainability. Growing up in Ras Al Khaimah, Dana spent winters with her grandparents, observing their care for the land—a foundational experience that instilled in her a deep respect for nature. This early influence has stayed with her, guiding her on a journey of sustainable action and community-building.

Dana’s commitment to sustainability took shape after moving to Abu Dhabi, where in high school she enrolled in a “Future Leaders” course. The course’s main objective was to develop a project that could inspire others toward a sustainable lifestyle. Dana noticed that while many people embraced sustainability as individuals, few had access to a supportive community that could foster shared goals and initiatives. 

Motivated by this insight, she founded Green Connections, a youth-led platform focused on bringing people together through sustainable events and competitions, complete with prizes for participants. Green Connections empowers children and young adults to take the lead on sustainability projects, creating a ripple effect of positive change.

Dana’s drive was further propelled by her experience at COP28, where her father took her to witness the passion and dedication of global sustainability leaders. Seeing their commitment inspired her to continue building Green Connections as a platform for community-led sustainability, believing that the efforts of individuals are stronger when shared. Soon, the platform will include an AI mascot named “Oushba” (meaning “branch” or “grass” in Arabic) to reflect the connections within the community and the growing role of AI in supporting sustainable action.

“Sustainability is a collective responsibility,” Dana explains. “We all share this Earth, so our actions affect everyone. We need to preserve it for future generations.” She encourages anyone interested in sustainability to “just start,” assuring them that every small effort matters and that age or experience shouldn’t hold anyone back from contributing to a better world.

With aspirations to use her filmmaking skills and love for storytelling to visualise and promote sustainable values, Dana is well on her way to creating impactful change. Her journey with Green Connections reflects her dedication to building a community that values and actively pursues a sustainable future. Through her lens, Dana hopes to bring sustainability to life, inspiring others to join her in safeguarding our planet.

Want to become a part of her Dana’s Green Connections community? Make sure to follow them on Instagram @gconnectios.ae