As we mark Saudi Environment Week 2025 under the theme “Our environment is a treasure,” I find myself reflecting not just on the beauty of the land and seascapes we are fortunate stewards of, but on the responsibility that comes with them.

Amphibious species, animals that live both on land and in water, occupy a unique and vital position in the world’s ecosystems. Their dual existence links the terrestrial and aquatic worlds, making them crucial connectors in the delicate balance of our planet’s biodiversity.

Floods, heat waves, wildfires and the recent global coral bleaching event are all stark reminders that climate change is not a distant threat but rather an immediate crisis that is reshaping our world. One symptom of this crisis is desertification.

Experts and advanced technologies can only do so much to protect the environment. Effective stewardship of a natural habitat hinges on the involvement of the people who live and work there.