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OWNER AND GENERAL MANAGER Pascale Choueiri Saad CO-OWNER Ronald Saad EDITOR IN CHIEF Pascale Choueiri Saad CHIEF ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT Edgard Chehab
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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT Bassam AlKantar
12 THE MAN WITH A (SUSTAINABLE) PLAN
COPY EDITOR Jody Jaffe
16 SIDON’S TRASH TURNS TO TREASURE
ART DIRECTOR Lamia Maatouk
20 GREEN WIDE WEB
RESPONSIBLE DIRECTOR Antoine Hajj CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Jody Jaffe, Tamara Batshon, Alia Fawaz, Bassam AlKantar, Louis Parks, Sanya Shahrasbi, Nabil Michel Barbir, John Gray, Sawsan Abou Fakhreddine, Jihan Seoud. GUEST PHOTOGRAPHERS Jason deCaires, CACT Lanzarote, Olivier Scheffer, all rights reserved. ILLUSTRATOR Riad Hanna-El-Daher
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68 EAU, WHAT A WONDERFUL LIFE!
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84 ONCE UPON A TIME IN ROTTERDAM MAGAZINE
IN ORDER TO RISE FROM ITS OWN ASHES, A PHOENIX FIRST MUST BURN.
HORIZONS 96
DRIVING THE LESSON HOME
104 GO WITH THE FLOW 118 BANK AUDI FIGURES IT OUT
PUBLISHED BY Five Stars Tourism s.a.r.l. Azarieh St. Azarieh Bldg. Block 01 Beirut, Lebanon Tel: +961 1 994 006 Fax: +961 1 994 007 THIS MAGAZINE IS PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
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insatiable thirst for truth and beauty With so few trees in the city and so much misery of all kinds surrounding us, how could we ever expect to see a ray of hope coming? The skies weighed so heavily above us that we were forced to believe that the longe-awaited feeling of rebirth would never actually come. It’s as if life were missing its most important season, the one that would release us from all those years of living through hell’s worst kind of psychological torture. This seemed so much to be our sad reality and only truth until that one morning when the invisible force of Mother Nature brought back the sun. After those frightening days when we were made to think that hope was no more, finally the season of rejuvenation made its return. Perhaps just as we always knew that the river would always flow again after it had frozen, deep down inside we always knew, despite the odds, that there would always be the spring. And of course spring didn’t arrive alone; with it came the thrill of discovery and the desire to dream, to delve into the unexplored and the unknown, pushing us outside our comfort zone and elating us on a daily basis. And this, I hope, is exactly the same path along which the contents of this magazine will lead you. Enjoy your reading, and enjoy a great spring season.
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M A I N
CO N T R I B U TO R S
EDGARD CHEHAB
BASSAM KANTAR
ALIA FAWAZ
ALFRED MOUSSA
With 17 years of experience in the environmental field, Edgard Chehab is a renowned name in local and regional green circles. He is the assistant resident representative and manager of the Energy and Environment Program of UNDP, Lebanon. He is also the advisor to the Ministry of the Environment. Beyond is lucky to have Mr. Chehab as its environmental consultant and dear friend.
Alia Fawaz is a freelance writer based in Beirut with a passion to see a greener, cleaner Lebanon. Can we influence others to be environmentally responsible? Trying to answer this question is both a challenge and the source of inspiration for her as a regular contributor to Beyond. She covers the increasing renewable energy projects and eco-initiatives in the country and shares snippets of natural wonders from around the globe.
A seasoned Lebanese journalist, Bassam Al Kantar frequently writes about environment, information communication technology, and human rights. Beyond's environmental consultant, he is the managing editor for greenarea.me. He strongly believes that the free press can, of course, be good or bad, but, most certainly without freedom, the press will never be anything but bad.
A photography artist who has captured the nature, architecture and people of 15 countries and 120 cities in five continents, Alfred Moussa has been taking his best shot since his tender years. He has contributed to Lebanon's Ministries of Tourism and Environment and LBC International, among many others. Mr. Moussa's work has earned him nods from Photo Laureates, American Art Festival, Georgetown University, World Press Photo and many more. Info@alfredmoussa.com
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www.banqueaudi.com LEBANON - SWITZERLAND - FRANCE - JORDAN - SYRIA - EGYPT - SUDAN - SAUDI ARABIA - QATAR - MONACO - TURKEY - UNITED ARAB EMIRATES BA CORP PA 20x27.8cm E.indd 1
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The man with a (sustainable) plan words jody jaffe illustration riad hanna-el-daher
Lebanon seems to be constantly teetering on the brink of collapse. The garbage crisis was resolved only recently, the most basic amenities - electricity and water – are constantly in short supply, and the country is hosting more refugees than it can possibly handle. In addition, the presidential vacuum that has existed for almost two years means that important decisions are still on hold. Lebanon is on a steady decline, with little hope for progress in sight. Despite all of this adversity, the Governor of the Banque du Liban (BDL) has strived to maintain order and equilibrium in this fragile country. Thanks to his unwavering leadership, the national currency is still miraculously stable and the BDL continues to spearhead empowering initiatives and provide loans for sustainable development.
The Banque du Liban (BDL) has been keen, over the past few years, on fostering sustainable growth. It has, in this regard, launched a series of initiatives and stimulus packages to boost private sector investments in vital sectors, with the aim of contributing to economic, social, and environmental development and ultimately more job creation. Through its loan incentive packages, the BDL has been promoting environmentallyfriendly initiatives. Whether related to energy saving, renewable energy, pollution abatement, solid waste, recycling, or eco-tourism, the BDL has been striving to make the Lebanese economy greener, not only for the resulting health benefits, but also for the economic ones. One of those initiatives is the National Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Action, a national
financing mechanism that the BDL developed in collaboration with the UNDP in 2010. It aims at supporting green activities. Such strategies effectively fall within the general mission of the Central Bank, which includes “ensuring the basis for sustained social and economic growth” (as stipulated by Article 70 of the Code of Money and Credit). In this regard, the BDL issued Intermediate Circular 236 dated November 2010, specifying the financing mechanism of NEEREA: long-term financing (up to 14 years) of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green buildings projects through banks with interest rates ranging between 0 percent and one percent. This Circular is in effect the fruit of collaboration between the Ministry of Energy and Water and the Central Bank of Lebanon.
It is worth noting that Lebanon’s current energy needs are met with annual energy imports amounting to $6 billion. Savings, ranging between 10 percent and 20 percent of Lebanon’s energy bill, could lead to tremendous improvements in the balance of payments. ENVIRONMENTALLYFRIENDLY LOANS In 2013, the BDL pushed the environmental agenda even further by including environmentally-friendly loans within its first stimulus package. This stimulus consisted of providing low-cost incentives to the private sector through banks to encourage investments in vital economic sectors such as tourism, agriculture, industry, IT, housing, education, and the environment, including NEEREA. Given its concrete benefits to the national
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In fact, green investments have reached more than 256 loans, amounting to around $500 million. They have effectively created 10,000 new jobs directly or indirectly, as a result of the growing number of companies working in this sector, in addition to the increasing number of projects in this field, and more importantly, the development of relevant fields of study.
economy, the package has been renewed for three consecutive years. Moreover, the UNDP and the EU’s support to the Lebanese environment, amounting to 12 million euros, is evidence of the growing importance of the Green Economy, and of Lebanon’s eagerness to promote such initiatives. In fact, green investments have reached more than 256 loans, amounting to around $500 million. They have effectively created 10,000 new jobs directly or indirectly, as a result of the growing number of companies working in this sector, in addition to the increasing number of projects in this field, and more importantly, the development of relevant fields of study. Today, the BDL, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment, is striving to support the green economy further, and thus foster sustainable growth, by providing more financial mechanisms to the environmental sector, as it did with the energy sector through NEEREA. The BDL is also
encouraging pollution abatement projects, in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment, by providing very low cost of credit (around zero percent), and for periods ranging between seven and 10 years. The Lebanese banking sector is more than ready to support any sustainable national initiative with a green twist. THE GREEN ROOF The Green Roof is another project that the BDL itself pioneered, with the aim of promoting green spaces in urban areas, taking into account all the benefits that emanate from it. The Central Bank dedicated an area of 834 square meters in its main headquarters in Hamra, and launched its very own “Green Roof” on the 30th of June 2014, in cooperation with UNDP’s CEDRO project. By launching such an initiative, the BDL hopes that it will inspire other public and private institutions to follow in its footsteps, and promote more green spaces. In addition, the BDL has been
prompting the banking sector to respect and adopt international environmental standards for due diligence when granting loans, such as the “Equator Principles:” a risk management framework, for determining, assessing, and managing environmental and social risk in projects, intended to provide a minimum standard for due diligence to support responsible risk decision-making. Such endeavors fall within the umbrella of BDL’s Corporate Social Responsibility.
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Sidon’s trash turns to treasure words tamara batshon
Many recall the infamous trash mountain in the city of Sidon, which existed for three decades. Now, however, residents of Sidon can put all this behind them, thanks to the successful implementation of the "Rehabilitation of Saida Dumpsite Project.” The UNDP-supervised project has transformed the landscape along the southern shores of the city from a gigantic dumpsite into a state-of-the-art public park.
The project's first objective was to rid the city of its 30-year-old trash mountain. This was accomplished by the construction of a 65,000-square meter engineered sanitary landfill. The landfill’s three cells now house the organic section of the 1.5 million cubic meters of waste that previously were randomly dumped in the old trash mountain. A NEW BEGINNING: THE PUBLIC PARK The second phase of the project was the construction of a 33,000-square meter public park that will finally be open to the public this spring. It was made in an area that was reclaimed from the sea and filled with non-polluted filling material. The landscaping design of the park enabled it to have different levels of altitude, from sea level to 14 meters, with hills overlooking the Mediterranean. At the center of
the park lies an impressive 200seat Roman-style amphitheatre, ready to host Sidon’s ceremonies and celebratory events. The park also offers three huge pergolas built in different styles, a decorative bridge that connects two of the main hills, plus the guard’s house and public restrooms. As for the planting of the park, a 12,000-square meter area is covered with green grass, while a bouquet of 10,452 trees and shrubs is planted all over. Among its 300 trees, there are 43 olive trees (of which three of them are over 100 years old), 18 citrus trees, six large Washingtonia trees, multiple pine trees, phoenix trees, Robinia, Jacaranda, and other kinds. The park’s hill is also covered in gorgeous blooms: lavender, cuphea, strelitzia of different colors, lantana and
gazania, among other colorful flowers. Being a family getaway zone, the park has a 200-square meter playground for kids, over two kilometers of walkways for jogging and walking, and over 50 benches along its roads for people to sit and enjoy Sidon’s remarkable green getaway.
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Sidon : from ugly trash to green panache
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Green wide web words alia fawaz
For decades scientists have been claiming that plants are deeply interconnected and function in synergy. Recently people have begun to compare flora ecosystems to the Internet, after studying how plants communicate and feed off each other in a myriad of ways. In James Cameron’s science-fiction blockbuster film Avatar, all the organisms are connected on Pandora, the fictitious forest moon, through a kind of electrochemical communication between tree roots. There is actually some uncanny similarity to this on Earth, according to experts.
IT’S A TREE THING In Germany, trees and forests are deeply rooted in the people’s psyche, as virtually every town has woodlands on its outskirts. This “forest culture” has spawned a best-selling new book, The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World, by Peter Wohlleben. After years working for the state forestry administration in Rhineland-Palatinate and then as a forester managing 3,000 acres of woods near Cologne, Wohlleben began to understand that contemporary practices were having a negative effect on the trees and those who depend on them.
He claims that society tends to look at trees simply as “organic robots” designed simply to produce oxygen and wood. He noticed that trees operate less like individuals and more as communal beings, working together in networks and sharing resources, thus increasing their resistance. He saw that the plantation forests (forests designed for timber production) that make up most of Germany’s wood have the trees artificially spaced so that they get more sunlight and grow faster. But Wohlleben and many naturalists argue that creating too much space can disconnect trees from their networks and reduce their inborn resilience mechanisms.
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23 While working for the state municipal forest owners, Wohlleben convinced his bosses to do things his way. He eliminated insecticides and expensive machinery, brought in horses and experimented with letting the woods grow wilder. Within two years the forest went from loss to profit, as the quality of the wood improved significantly. THE FUNGI CONNECTION To understand more about underground networks, one can look into the function of fungi. While mushrooms are the most familiar among the decomposers, most of their bodies are made up of a mass of thin threads, known as a mycelium. These threads act as a type of underground Internet linking the roots of different plants. The fungal network connects these plants so they can help out their neighbors by sharing nutrients and information. The way it works is that plants provide fungi with food (carbohydrates) and in exchange fungi helps the plants suck up water, and provide nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen, via their mycelia.
Similar to the human Internet, the fungal Internet is also susceptible to “cyber crimes.” That is because plants’ fungal connections mean that they are never truly alone, and bad neighbors can harm them. For example, there are some plants that don’t have chlorophyll, so they cannot produce their own energy through photosynthesis. Some of these plants, such as the phantom orchid, take the carbon that they need from nearby trees, via the mycelia of fungi two which both are connected. A fungus expert, Paul Stamens, even went so far as to call them "Earth's natural Internet," when he first noticed similarities between mycelia and ARPANET, the U.S. Department of Defense's early version of the Internet. It has taken decades to piece together what the fungal Internet can do, and scientists now know that these fungi are mycorrhizal, meaning that they have a beneficial, symbiotic relationship with a host plant.
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Tree-topping beauty words louis parks
The world is home to some stunning examples of natural beauty, so much so that the humble tree never seems to appear very high on the list. However, trees are often some of the finest examples of beauty to be found in nature. Here we look at ten of the most stunning trees, in no particular order. NB: This article is dedicated to Mrs. Maia Maatalani Fayad, an assiduous reader of "Beyond Magazine" and a true lover of nature.
27 JAPANESE MAPLE The Japanese Maple grows in East Asia and Russia and has an average height of between six and ten meters. The tree loses its leaves ian winter and can be grown around the world in temperate zones.
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JACARANDA The Jacaranda traditionally grows in South America and the Caribbean. Its name is thought to mean “fragrant.”
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31 RAINBOW EUCALYPTUS This stunning tree grows in New Britain, New Guinea, Seram Sulawesi, and Mindanao. The colored trunk is caused by peeling of the bark, which reveals a bright green layer beneath.
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33 TWISTED TREES When exposed to the wind over long periods of time, trees often bend, naturally forming new, interesting shapes.
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RHODODENDRON The rhododendron can grow in almost any climate and can reach a height of up to 30 meters. The leaves are usually covered with small hairs or scales.
35 WISTERIA Wisteria is a family of flowering plants that includes trees, shrubs, and several climbing varieties. It grows naturally in the eastern United States and in East Asia.
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DRAGON’S BLOOD TREE The Dragon's Blood tree grows on the Canary Islands and is the natural symbol of Tenerife. The oldest living Dragon's Blood tree is estimated to be around 365 years old.
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39 SOUTHERN BEECH The Southern Beech grows in the Southern Hemisphere and is the descendent of ancient tree species. It grows in temperate zones.
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BLOOMING CHERRY TREES The blossoms of cherry trees have inspired art the world over and are particularly famous for the frequency with which they appear in Japanese artworks.
41 GIANT SEQUOIA The Giant Sequoia is a species of redwood that grows in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. These trees are the world's largest single living thing and can grow up to 85 meters in height.
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“Intelligence is the ability to solve problems and plants are amazingly good in solving their problems.� Stefano Mancuso
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Charles Darwin, who in his later years became increasingly passionate about plants; and his son Francis thought of the plant as a kind of upside-down animal, with its main sensory organs and “brain” on the bottom, underground, and its sexual organs on top. “It is hardly an exaggeration to say that the tip of the radicle . . . having the power of directing the movements of the adjoining parts, acts like the brain of one of the lower animals; the brain being seated within the anterior end of the body, receiving impressions from the sense organs and directing the several movements.”
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Plants dominate every terrestrial environment, composing ninety-nine per cent of the biomass on earth. By comparison, humans and all the other animals are, in the words of one plant neurobiologist, "just traces.� Michael Pollan The New Yorker December 23, 2013 Issue.
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Plants I.Q. words alia fawaz
Plants are an integral part of life. They are so important to our survival that their disappearance from Earth would be catastrophic to the existence of animals and humans. Of course they are not going to vanish from our planet anytime soon, but when a book comes out to advocate their rights (yes, you heard right) and to support their intelligence, it may be time to ask ourselves: Do we really understand plants?
Are plants intelligent? Can they solve problems, communicate, and navigate their surroundings? Or are they just passive living organisms that are incapable of independent action or social behavior? These are the questions that are thoroughly tackled in a compelling new book titled Brilliant Green: the Surprising History and Science of Plant Intelligence. Written by plant neurobiologist Stefano Mancuso and journalist Alessandra Viola, the book explores the awareness and intelligence of plants in a refreshing and convincing manner. Mancuso claims that intelligence is the ability to solve problems, and plants are incredibly good at solving their problems. However, unlike humans and animals, plants don’t have a brain. How can they solve problems, act intelligently, or respond to stimuli without a brain? In fact Charles Darwin (who studied plants extensively for decades) was one of the earliest scientists to talk about the intelligence of plants. He noted that the radicle (root tip) is “endowed with sensitivity and having the power of directing the movements of the adjoining parts, acts like the brain of one of the lower animals.”* THE RADICAL IS THE KEY In his book Mancuso also cites evidence that the key to plant intelligence is in the radicle. Mancuso and his team recorded the same signals given off from this part of the plant as those from neurons in the animal brain. However, instead of having just one root, most plants have millions of individual roots, each with a single radicle. So, instead of a single powerful brain, Mancuso argues that plants have a million tiny computing structures that interact in a complex network, similar to the Internet.
Mancuso also explains how plants operate intelligently in order to find energy, reproduce, and ward off predators. For example, to meet their energy needs, plants tend to turn towards the Sun and many plants turn their leaves during the day to capture the most Sun. Other plants, such as the Venus flytrap, take a different route for energy by preying on animals. There are at least another 600 species of animal-eating plants. For plants to do this they have evolved complex strategies that enables them to catch and eat their prey. In addition, plants use animals in order to reproduce, which often involves crafty tricks and bait to attract pollinators. INTELLIGENT BEHAVIOR There is even new research that says some plants go so far as to distinguish between the different pollinators and only germinate their pollen for the best. Many plants will even warn other species when danger is near. Plants also have evolved an impressive range of toxic compounds to ward off predators. There are even behaviors in plants that we would not expect, such as those similar to sleeping and playing, accordingly to the book. In the book Mancuso goes on to argue that the state of plant conservation and the increasing evidence that plants are sentient beings should make people consider plants’ rights. After all, we depend on plants, which means that plant conservation is vital for human conservation. Evidence shows us that plants have plenty to teach us, and if we try to understand them more and appreciate how they function, we will certainly learn a great deal. *Quoted from The Power of Movement in Plants by Charles and Francis Darwin
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The fresh vigor of the spring awakens the woman. Like plants women embody quiet strength and resilience. Gifted with intelligence, intuition and grace, they never cease to inspire and amaze‌
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“Dance, when you're broken open. Dance, if you've torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you're perfectly free.� Rumi, 13th-century Persian poet
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Spring fever words jihan seoud and alia fawaz
Hurray, it’s finally spring! Gone are the cold days and early darkness, as we welcome flowers blooming, birds tweeting, and longer hours of daylight. In fact, we seem to have gained even more light in the evening, as our clocks were turned forward on March 27th. So, all this lightness should make us pretty happy beings, right? Okay, so perhaps it feels a bit strange having dinner at 8:00 p.m., when it feels as if it’s still 7:00 p.m., or you’re not sleepy when your watch says 11:00 p.m., because to your body and brain it’s still 10:00 p.m. Most people will be back in the swing of things in a few days.
However, for people who suffer from bipolar disorder, this seasonal change seems to have an adverse effect. It brings on bipolar elevated mood or hypomania, as they can become sensitive to the amounts of daylight that they receive. According to experts in psychology, the extra daylight, the end of winter’s gloomy days, and the experience of being outdoors again in the bright, fresh, spring air all contribute to triggering bipolar neurochemistry. DON’T BE SAD Not everyone with bipolar disorder is vulnerable to mood episodes that coincide with the seasons, typically known as SAD (seasonal affective disorder), but for those who are, the typical pattern is depression that recurs in winter and hypomania or mania in springtime or summer. Doctors identify three common warning signs that indicate spring mania or hypomania: sleep irregularity, rapid speech, and physical hyperactivity. Those with severe symptoms of bipolar disorder may become dysfunctional without the aid of therapy and medication. However, there are others who have seasonal hypomania, exhibiting symptoms similar to those of bipolar disorder, but in a much milder form.
BLAME OUR ANCESTORS In fact, the evolutionary origin of bipolar disorder suggests that it has Arctic origins dating back to our early ancestors: hibernation during the cold winter months and manic productivity during the short warm season. Recent studies demonstrate that seasonal mood is a gene adaptation remnant from our ancestors, especially those who lived in the Northern Hemisphere. Bipolar behavior may have actually helped early mankind overcome the long, extreme winters. After the harsh winter people, would literally spring into action and do as many things as possible during the shorter warm and sunnier season. This is why perhaps in spring we feel happy and show more symptoms that are associated with hypomania. In Lebanon SAD is not uncommon, but it is not as pronounced as it is in Nordic countries such as Norway. But come wintertime there is a trend among those who suffer from bipolar disorder. Elio Sassine, a Lebanese psychiatrist, explains that “the serotonin levels are affected in spring when the period of daylight is longer.” This translates into less sleep and more energy in general. The
additional sunlight also tells our bodies to produce less melatonin, a main ingredient in putting the brain to sleep. Sassine notes that hypomania in spring is actually more pronounced among females. He says: “People in spring feel more elated, become more active, and have more sex, which again has roots in our genealogy. In winter on the other hand, depression is more common and the need to sleep is more.” Clearly there is something about spring that affects all of us, whether we want to blame our ancestors or the extra hours of sunlight. Whatever it does to us, spring is definitely a time to rejoice, be active, and enjoy nature to the fullest. Don’t let the spring blues get the best of you, and if spring becomes overwhelming, take the appropriate steps and take care of yourself. Remember, spring is a time for new beginnings.
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Fever! in the morning Fever all through the night Everybody's got the fever That is something you all know Fever isn't such a new thing Fever started long ago...
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Deeply moving words louis parks photography jason decaires taylor / cact lanzarote
A remarkable collection of underwater sculptures highlights the dangers that are faced by the sea, those who travel upon it, and humankind's interaction with this most pristine and important element of our environment. Opened in February, the collection forms the main attraction at a new Spanish museum.
Designed by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor, a sculptor and diver, the sculptures constitute the main body of work that is featured at the new Museo Atlantico, located off the coast of Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain. A surreal, haunting portrayal of people in various states of apathy or distress, along with everyday scenes, the collection deals with a number of pressing environmental and social issues. Lying in clear blue waters off Las Coloradas Bay in Lanzarote, and sitting 14 meters below the surface, the museum will be accessible to all, amateur divers, snorkelers, and professionals alike. The pieces are all made from high density, PH-neutral concrete that will not harm the local environment in any way, and the material has been used before in works in the Bahamas and the Antilles. PLIGHT OF THE REFUGEES Perhaps the most famous piece in the collection is the Raft of Lampedusa. An artistic portrayal of the refugee crisis that is currently dominating news of the Mediterranean area, the raft references French painter Théodore Géricault's The Raft of Medusa. The harrowing theme of abandonment and desperation comes through clearly in the
faces and body language of the refugees, and their hopelessness is quite apparent. Intended as a stark warning rather than as a memorial, the piece is sure to open your eyes to the refugee's plight. A second highlight of the collection is The Rubicon. In this piece, over 30 people are portrayed almost sleepwalking forward, into an uncertain future, on the cusp of moving through a portal to another place, or world. The Rubicon is deCaires Taylor's way of showing us that we are blissfully ambivalent toward the fate of the world's seas, and that if we don’t take action, we risk destroying this rich, vital natural resource. Alongside deCaires Taylor's stunning pieces, the museum will also feature an artificial reef, the large volume of which will attract local fish and help to restore a damaged ecosystem surrounding images of human folly. The project is funded by the local government, and it will also be home to an underwater botanical garden, all of which are part of an area designated as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. A remarkable look into the power of art on both an ecological and social level, Taylor’s work is indeed very powerful.
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The Rubicon is deCaires Taylor's way of showing us that we are blissfully ambivalent toward the fate of the world's seas
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Eau, what a wonderful idea! words tamara batshon
Since time immemorial, humans have been captivated by water. We often dream of escaping from the humdrum routine and stress of daily life by going to a place where there is water. We imagine ourselves walking on a sparkling emerald coastline, in front of a gushing waterfall, or just chilling on a boat traveling across pristine waters, as far away as possible from where we are now.
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Loango National Park, gabon
Amazon, Peru
71 Water soothed and cradled us in the womb from the moment we were conceived. It’s no wonder that we feel safe and jubilant when we are around it. We are, after all, made of water (60 percent at least), and it is what hydrates us and keeps us alive. Water also covers two-thirds of our planet. Here are some fascinating wet and exotic destinations into which you may want to dip your toes this summer. RIVER CRUISING T he Ganges • The holiest of Indian rivers, the Ganges flows from the Himalayas down to the Bay of Bengal. The river is revered as a goddess by the Hindus and it serves as a lifeline to the millions of Indians who live along its course. T he Mekong • It is the longest river in Southeast Asia, straddling Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. The Mekong is a vibrant, working river where you will witness plenty of daily life and even floating markets. T he C olumbia R iver Gorge • Located in the largest river flowing into the
Pacific Ocean from North America, the impressive Columbia River Gorge is a must-see destination if you enjoy biking and hiking. The stunning landscape is full of breathtaking vistas and abundant waterfalls. T he A mazon • This is the world’s largest river system by volume. It sprawls across six South American countries. Whether you try piranha fishing or navigating through the jungle villages, there is no limit to what you will experience in one the world’s most mesmerizing waterways. IMMACULATE SHORES Whitehaven Beach – Whitsunday Island , Australia • This is one of Australia’s most stunning and cleanest beaches. It is accessible only by boat. The 90 percent pure silica sand makes it bright and white and it does not retain heat as do most beaches (no need for flip flops!). Bioluminescent Beach – Vaadhoo , Maldives • It is a gorgeous beach by day, and at night the water turns bright blue, thanks to the bioluminescent phytoplankton.
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Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
73 Columbia River Gorge's Fall, Wahkeena fall, Oregon Gullfoss waterfall, Iceland
Vangvieng and Nam Song river, Laos Niagara Falls
74 Angel falls, Venezuela
75 Sundarbans tiger reserve, India
Loango National Park – Gabon • The 60-mile coastline that surrounds Gabon’s National Park is considered to be the wildest beach on Earth. Be prepared to come across humpback whales, elephants, and western lowland gorillas in these waters. Eagle Beach - Aruba • Expect to see clear turquoise water and powdersoft white sand on the most beautiful beach in the Caribbean. There are plenty of idyllic swaying hammocks, great accommodations, and watersports for the perfect holiday break. MIGHTY WATERFALLS Gullfoss falls, Iceland • This is a magnificent waterfall located in southwest Iceland. Because of a crevice, the river Hvítá streams into a steep canyon and disappears. On sunny days expect to see picturesque rainbows in its wafting mist. Niagara falls, U.S. and Canada • This is perhaps the most famous waterfall in North America, straddling the borders of the U.S. and Canada. It’s also the one with the biggest volume (7,000 cubic meters of water per second). Its dynamic and raw power is something to admire.
Plitvice Falls, Croatia • This waterfall features plenty of cascading lakes linked by waterfalls and natural dams, in an impressive array of different colors: crystal clear, azure, and turquoise. Water flowing over limestone and chalk over thousands of years has created the different water barriers. Angel Falls, Venezuela • At 979 meters, it is the tallest waterfall in the world. In fact it is so high that some of the water evaporates before it reaches the pool below. Unlike most falls, this one is not derived from snowmelt, a lake, or a river but rather from rainfall from tropical clouds. As the falls are located in an isolated jungle, getting there is logistically tricky, but well worth the trek.
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Meet me in paradise words sanya shahrasbi and nabil michael barbir
Far off in the corner of the world, nestled in Micronesia, lies an isolated country of unparalleled beauty, with white sandy beaches and turquoise waters as far as the eye can see: Palau.
According to the Palauan legends, it is said that “Before there were people and land, there were only Palauan gods and the sea. One day, Uchelianged, the supreme god of heaven, looked down upon his vast emptiness and said, ‘Let there arise a land.’ A volcanic rock then rose from the sea. and upon this barren land sat a giant clam. Soon its belly began to swell and tremble, and it grew larger and larger, as if ready to give birth. Uchelianged saw this and said, ‘Let there be a strong running sea.’ So the wind began to blow and waves crashed around the clam, causing it to burst open. From it poured swarms of the first sea creatures to swim Palau. They in turn gave birth and the once empty seas were soon teaming with life, from the smallest sea worm to human forms. And with this one dramatic and spectacular beginning, Palau was born.” The more than 200 islands that make up Palau are home to around 20,000 inhabitants, mostly indigenous Palauan. Inhabiting primarily the islands of Koror, Anguar, Babeldaob, and Peleliu, Micronesians populated the islands in successive migrations originating from the Philippines, to the west, some 3,000 years ago. Because they live in a scattered network crisscrossing the various islands, community identity and connection plays a central role in islanders’ lives. In fact, the word
“Palau” originally comes from the word “buluu” (Pelew) which is Palauan for “village.” PRESERVING THE OCEAN The ocean plays a very central role in Palau’s cultural norms and traditions, as it is the main source of vital resources. As a result, preserving the ocean that surrounds them is an imperative for Palauans. Pioneers in the Pacific region for their conservation initiatives, Palauans embody President Tommy Remengesau, Jr.’s adage to “Preserve the best, and improve the rest.” Internationally, they are particularly respected for their dedication to ecological conservation. Palau created a Protected Areas Network (PAN) that brought the community and government together to protect marine ecosystems. They spearheaded the Micronesia Challenge, an initiative that proposed conserving at least 30 percent of the land and resources near the coast and 20 percent of the terrestrial life by 2020. The Marshall Islands, Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Northern Mariana Islands followed Palau’s lead, pledging to conserve a sizeable portion of the Micronesian marine habitat. One of the country’s most notable achievements was the creation of the world’s first shark sanctuary in 2009, banning all commercial
80 shark fishing in its Exclusive Economic Zone, an area of more than 600,000 square kilometers of ocean. Its success in protecting its ocean and its unique biodiversity makes Palau one of the most attractive tourist sites in the Asia Pacific region, in particular for tourists who are concerned about the environment. AN UNDERWATER PARADISE This tiny island nation is among the planet’s top sites for scuba diving and eco-tourism. This untouched paradise boasts a phenomenal array of underwater biodiversity: More than a thousand species of fish and over 700 species of coral thrive in Palauan waters. The ocean preservation group known as CEDAM named it one of the Seven Wonders of the Underwater World, comparable to the Blue Hole in Belize, the Galapagos, and the Great Barrier Reef. Every year hundreds of divers come to Palau to immerse themselves in this exotic underwater paradise. The Palauan dedication to shark preservation attracts marine enthusiasts from all over the world, as divers are almost guaranteed to see a shark in its natural habitat! Divers may also encounter manta rays, dolphins, and different species of turtles during their dives. Luckily, these
divers have many different scuba-diving sites available to them around the island. There are over 30 locations that are equipped for amateur and professional divers. Experienced guides lead tourists into the underwater world of Palau, showing them a seafloor covered with vibrantly colored coral reefs. These reefs house thousands of marine species, from exuberant sea fans to playful clownfish. On the seafloor giant manta rays roam alongside racing dolphins; turtles and dugongs lazily lounge around. THE ROCK ISLANDS Although Palau is not large, it boasts a wide variety of attractions. One of these is the Rock Island Southern Lagoon. The Rock Islands consist of 445 islands, with a total of 100 to 200 acres of mostly uninhabited land. Made from coral and limestone rocks, this particular archipelago became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. It is respected and protected by all members of the international community, and is one of the signature sightseeing destinations of Palau. Daily kayaking tours are organized, giving visitors the opportunity to explore the Rock Islands’ inside lagoons, limestone tunnels, indigenous Palauan villages, and hidden sandy beaches.
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83 These tours usually include a scuba dive within the lagoons. The Rock Islands offer fantastic hiking sites that allow tourists to witness Palau’s unique vegetation, including over 1,200 species of plants, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. The hike ends at the highest peak of the Rock Islands, where there is a historical lighthouse dating from the period of German control of the islands in the 19 th century. One of Palau’s most memorable landmarks is an isolated lake on Eli Malk Island, dubbed the “Jellyfish Lake.” This saltwater lake, one of some 70 others nestled among the Rock Islands, is unique in that it is home to several million golden jellyfish (Mastigias papua etpisoni), which fill the water as they migrate from one side of the lake to the other. As the jellyfish migrate horizontally across the surface of the lake to seek exposure to the sun, swimmers can immerse themselves in this surreal sea of golden jellyfish, as their stings are too weak to be felt by human skin. Palau has obtained international assistance from the chairman of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO to preserve and fund
research on this astounding ecological niche. Palau is one of the last untouched, authentic paradises of our world. Palauans are a society that values its biodiversity and nature, making it a prime destination for eco-tourists. Come immerse yourself in this pristine paradise. Under the gleaming tropical sun, bury your toes in the warm white sand with an exotic fruit cocktail in your hand! “This article was provided by the Permanent Delegation of the Republic of Palau to UNESCO. Palau has had the delegation since 2013, largely thanks to its ambassador, H. E. Mr. Taha Azmi Mikati.”
We can suggest two contacts for those who are interested in organizing trips to Palau: Nature et Plongée, Mr. Ziad El-Zein: ziad@nature-plongee.com Eurowings, Mme. Claude Tueni: claude@eurowingsvoyages.com
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Once upon a time in Rotterdam: a floating forest words john gray photography olivier scheffer
In today’s urbanized environments we all strive to make our spaces greener. Whether it’s creating garden landscapes and parks or lining roads with trees, injecting greenery is vital. But when faced with challenges to growing trees in concrete environments, it may be worth looking towards the ocean.
In Rotterdam, the Netherlands, a city that is below sea level and covered in water, turning to waterfronts may make a lot of sense. This spring twenty trees are being placed in Rijnhaven, the city’s harbor basin. However, these trees will not be exposed to the harsh saline waters, as they will be sitting comfortably in repainted old sea buoys that have been adapted to the trees’ needs. “The Bobbing Forest” uses trees from the city’s tree bank known as the Bomendepot (Every time a part of Rotterdam is renovated, the city’s Public Works Department stores the trees that get removed down at the Bomendepot). This project was actually inspired by an art piece called “In Search of Habitus,” by artist Jorge Bakker, in which he created an aquarium filled with bobbers that grow small trees. After seeing this clever art installation, Dutch designers and entrepreneurs from Mothership, a Rotterdam-based art production company, decided to implement this concept in real life. They made a successful prototype in 2014, which led to the actual project that was launched on March 16, 2016 during the Nationale Boomfeestdag (the national Arbor Day).
A CITY FOREST THAT FLOATS In this major port city, some neighborhoods are not just below sea level – they are as much as 20 feet below – and over a third of the city surface is already covered in water. Perhaps in this context it makes sense to create a city forest that should float. However, there were challenges in making it feasible, especially when faced with rough waters. The design team worked with students from a nearby university and they discovered that a particular tree, the Dutch Elm, was sturdy enough to withstand the rough swaying movements of waves. The tree could also handle a little saltwater. If this project goes well, it may pave the way for future floating parks and perhaps even help us to find innovative solutions to cope with the effects of rising sea levels worldwide.
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The only way is out words bassam alkantar
Seven months ago, the authorities shut the main landfill site (Naameh) for garbage from the capital, without providing an alternative. Since then, rubbish collection has halted and festering trash has piled up in the city streets, causing what researchers and campaigners now say is a public health emergency. Years before the crisis, the Lebanese governments were proposing many “Solid Domestic Waste (SDW) Treatment Plans� but none of these plans adopted the principle of treatment decentralization and giving the municipalities and union of municipalities a role in upholding responsibility of the SDW file for a sustainable period and in accordance with implementation mechanisms designed for this purpose. That’s why the government proposals to have the rubbish exported or treated in Lebanon have fallen flat.
90 The people also wants integrated SDW treatment that will save the economy and the environment.
On 13 March 2016, after an emergency cabinet session, government said it would reopen the Naameh landfill as part of a "four-year" plan to resolve the crisis. Naameh reopened for two months to take in the trash that has already piled up. Three other "temporary" landfills equipped to treat the waste would be opened in Beirut's suburbs. ( Burj Hammoud, east of Beirut, and in the coastal area of Costa Brava, south of Beirut). While landfill for the Chouf and Aley districts in the Mount Lebanon area will be determined later, after the government consults with local municipalities. The government’s announcement spur fresh protests by locals who are concerned of the health and environmental risks of living near a landfill. The question that remained without answer: why did the government extended the transitional SDW treatment period 4 years after it was set to 18 months in September
2015 SDW plan ? Activists are saying that this failed Cabinet blackmailed the people by giving them only two options: either the trash is left to accumulate in their villages and cities and cause an outbreak of diseases, or they accept opening landfills in their areas. But actually the proposed “solution “ in the long term is more dangerous than controlled dump sites and landfills. It is the incinerators ! Despite the lateness of this decision for several years, and abandoning it in the Cabinet’s decision in September 2015, the Cabinet returned to adopting the formation of incinerators, and decided to rehabilitate waste-toenergy plants in the large cities on 21 December 2015. The incinerators project includes designing, building, and operating a plant to turn waste into energy at a capacity of 2000 tons/day, and the time predicted for the project to be built is 36 months. However, the period during which the project will be
put into action ranges from 10 to 20 years. The CDR appointed 11 July 2016 for the launching of the bid, to be followed by 4 months for presenting the bidding offers, which will end on 11 November 2016. Signing the contract will take 10 days (11 May 2017), in addition to 36 months to finalize the works and begin operating (12 May 2020). Only by reading the timetable to operate the incinerators can we conclude why the government extended the transitional SDW treatment period 4 years. It is true that people wants a prompt solution that will secure the moving of the accumulated waste from the streets, but the people also wants integrated SDW treatment that will save the economy and the environment. Latest technology offers the solution but the government is shaping the bids of waste to energy to fit the incinerators companies and that the issue that should be challenged and stopped in the upcoming months.
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Thumbs up Bikfaya Biclean helps one municipality take the lead by example words bassam alkantar
The Lebanese government has said that it will temporarily reopen a landfill and build three new landfills to ease an eight-month rubbish crisis in Bikfaya. However, the Municipality of Bikfaya-Mhaiydseh, in collaboration with the Municipality of Sakiet el Misk-Bhersaf, has taken the lead and it has decided to handle waste management in “Greater Bikfaya” according to the system of integrated waste management. The new initiative involves “Biclean,” a waste management center that is now treating eight tons of daily waste sorted from source. Beyond speaks with Nicole Gemayel of Biclean, a woman who is determined to make this project a success story.
Q. T he slogan of the “B iclean ” project is “I t starts with you.” Can you explain why ? N icole G emayel : Recycling is the process of collecting, separating, processing, and selling recyclable materials so that they can be turned into new products. This is the concept behind the Biclean project, and this concept should be adopted in every Lebanese town or village to address the problem of solid waste management. People who don’t recycle make excuses such as: “It takes too much time out of my day,” “It is inconvenient,” “I have too many
other things to do,” “I don’t have enough recyclable materials at home,” “I forget the recycling pickup day,” and “I don’t know what to recycle.” Biclean has launched an awareness campaign in Bikfaya to overcome these obstacles. Those people that do recycle can tell you that once you get into the habit of recycling, it becomes second nature, takes very little time, and becomes part of your daily routine. Many people do not see recyclables as resources for new products, but rather as trash to be placed in their garbage cans. Education is the key if we are to make recycling a success in our communities.
Q. Isn’t there plenty of money to be made by recycling? N.G: Recycling can make money, but it also involves many expenses. Expenses are incurred in collecting and transporting the recyclable materials to the recycling facility; in sorting, processing, and loading the recyclable materials at the recycling facility; and in transporting the recyclable materials to market. Sometimes all these costs can be equal to or more than what the recycling facility receives for the recyclable material that it sells to the manufacturing facility. The value of recyclables depends to
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95 a large extent on the state of the country’s economy. Biclean does not sell paper, plastic, aluminum, or glass in the Lebanese market.
chicken and pigs farms in our region. Q. What about the waste that can’t be recycled or composted?
Q. What about the organic waste? N.G: Composting is the process of converting organic materials such as grass, leaves, food waste, woody material, and manure into humus, a soil-like material. Composting is important because it puts organic materials back into the ground, which is necessary for a naturally healthy lawn and garden. In addition, composting is important because it’s a better alternative then sending these natural organic materials to the landfill. Biclean currently doesn’t have the ability to carry out the composting process, so the most creative way to deal with the organic waste is to send it to local animal farms, especially since there are many
N.G: Until now, the amount of waste that can’t be recycled or composted has been less than expected, but the amount is not less than 20 percent of the solid waste. Biclean is storing this type of waste, which is not harmful to the environment (no smell, no leachate). We hope that the government will find a solution for this type of waste, either by using it in waste-to- energy solutions or by sending it to landfills. The most important thing is that sorting from source and integrated waste management are making the amount of waste that needs final disposal less than 15 percent of the total amount of waste, and this is what Biclean has been demonstrating since it began operating.
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Driving the lesson home words sawsan abou fakhreddine
Solid waste management is a major environmental issue of our times. It is constantly compelling societies to come up with sustainable solutions to address the manifold impacts that this sector has on communities and the environment. It undoubtedly represents one of Lebanon’s greatest challenges.
Solid waste management in Lebanon reached a crisis point during the summer of 2015. The lack of long-term solutions to waste management led to the piling up of trash in much of Beirut and Mount Lebanon. Over eight months have passed, and yet the crisis continues despite the rescue plan developed by the government and the civil society pressure. The need for greater awareness and behavioral changes is the common denominator among the various solutions proposed by the civil society groups, experts in the field, and the government institutions. Informing individuals of their role in the waste management cycle is necessary for an efficient solution to the waste crisis. Environmental education is a powerful tool for delivering key messages to young children and teenagers. That’s why Green Cedar Lebanon (GCL) and the Association for Forests, Development and Conservation (AFDC) have collaborated together to produce an innovative approach to spread awareness of solid waste
management among Lebanon’s children and youth. This initiative has been applauded by the governor of the BDL, Mr. Riad Salameh, who encourages all green initiatives. INCREASING YOUTH AWARENESS The project’s name, “THE 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) MOBILE SCHOOL,” encapsulates its main idea: spreading awareness in different regions through the use of a mobile unit. Specifically, the project aims to increase awareness among youth, especially school children, of the concepts of reducing and minimizing waste generation, reusing waste whenever possible, and the importance of recycling solid waste. The project’s innovative approach lies in the use of a mobile unit to deliver the appropriate awareness message to children throughout Lebanon. The advantage of the mobile unit is its flexibility and ability to reach faraway regions in less time and with little to no preparation needed on the part
of the targeted beneficiaries. Moreover, the mobile unit enables other community members beyond the schools to be engaged within the awareness sessions as a result of the flexibility of its setup. Therefore, the project will be able to influence entire communities, with special emphasis on schools and the youth. The project fosters informal education processes that are increasingly being recognized as an important component of the sound and solid education to which one is entitled. THE MOBILE UNIT The mobile unit itself is a bus that’s been completely revamped from the inside out. The outside of the unit will feature a colorful design conveying the all-important reduce/reuse/recycle message. As such, the message will be diffused passively to a large audience as the bus passes from one area to the other. On the inside, the bus will be divided into three main sections. Each section provides easily understandable material on how to reduce waste generation,
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The project’s name, “THE 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) MOBILE SCHOOL,” encapsulates its main idea: spreading awareness in different regions through the use of a mobile unit.
how to make use of generated waste, and how used materials can be transformed through recycling into useful objects on which we depend for our daily lives. The mobile unit will visit schools within various regions, stopping within each region for a day. During that time, the students will be able to explore the inside section of the unit through selfguided walks and with the support of trained monitors. In addition, the monitors will engage in various activities tailored to the tastes and needs of the schoolchildren’s age groups. These activities will be carried out within the school premises using material and equipment brought by the mobile unit. These activities include: • Kindergarten students: The activities will focus on storytelling, coloring, and puzzle games. These activities will teach young children about the various waste categories in a simple manner. • First educational cycle: The activities will include interactive video sessions and coloring.
Children will learn about the impact of inefficient waste management, using plastic as an example. In addition, they will understand more the different solid waste categories to increase their ability to sort waste. • Second educational cycle: The activities will focus on interactive videos and presentations, waste sorting games, and paper recycling. Children will learn how much resources go into the products that we use in our daily life and how to restore some of these resources, such as paper. Moreover, they will learn how to sort the different waste categories and understand more how each category is managed. • Third educational cycle: The activities will focus on interactive video sessions and creative use of waste. The students will learn how to reduce waste in their daily life and use their creative imagination to make useful items or artworks from common waste items. • Fourth educational cycle: The activities will focus on
interactive video sessions and easily applicable recycling options. The students will learn the importance of recycling processes and will be instructed on how to conduct composting at the school, thereby reducing the accumulation of organic waste. In addition to the aforementioned activities, the mobile unit has a mini-library. It contains a small collection of environmental books and magazines to be put at the disposal of children during the day of the visit. Interactive activity guidebooks will be shared with the teachers for further involvement of students in informal learning processes that serve to cultivate a sense of environmental stewardship among the youth.
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In search of fantastic plastic words alia fawaz
Wherever you look you will see something made of plastic. It’s not just the obvious food and beverage packaging but everything from electronic devices, utensils, and toys to toothbrushes – basically an endless list of things we have come to depend on every day. Despite its usefulness and durability, the ubiquitous plastic is causing lots of damage both to our environment and to our health. It takes anywhere from 500 to 1,000 years to degrade. And how can we ignore the infamous Pacific trash vortex: a massive area of plastic debris in the Pacific Ocean, which continues to kill wildlife and damage local ecosystems?
Plastic is mostly made from petroleum, and whether you manufacture it or destroy it by incineration, it pollutes. So, what is the solution to finding a safer, biodegradable material? Well, at first bioplastics were the answer: durable plastics made from renewable cellulose, a plant-based polysaccharide. However, the current bioplastics do not fully degrade in the environment. Their use is now limited to packaging material or simple containers for food and drink, as engineers have failed to mold these materials into complex 3D shapes that could be mass-produced and provide the hardness of everyday plastics. Researchers at Harvard’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering may have an answer. They have actually introduced a new bioplastic that uses shells from shrimps and other crustaceans. In experiments with the material in shrimp shells, called chitosan, and material from silk, known as fibroin, they have combined the two and developed a material called “shrilk.” The result is a tough, transparent material that can be used to manufacture large 3D objects with complex shapes using traditional casting or injection molding techniques. As a cheap, environmentally safe alternative to conventional
plastic, shrilk could also be used to make trash bags, packaging, and diapers that break down in just a few weeks, while also releasing rich nutrients that can go on to support plant growth. In other words, the materials in shrilk make excellent fertilizer. Currently, the majority of shrimp shells are discarded or used in fertilizers, cosmetics, and dietary supplements. In environmental terms, finding viable alternatives to conventional plastic is an urgent matter. One answer might be shrilk, if it can be produced cost-effectively and be successfully adopted by manufacturers. Scientists are also researching and developing other new substances that can potentially replace conventional plastic and be equally cheap to make. Perhaps we need to approach plastic in the way that we are beginning to wean ourselves from our dependency on fossil fuels. As more nations are using a combination of renewable resources such as wind, solar energy, and water for generating power, we should also find different alternatives that collectively replace all plastic materials, and that are safer for us and for our environment. And maybe, just maybe, the plastic that we know today will one day be a thing of the past.
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Helping industry come clean words tamara batshon
Industrial waste is a leading contaminator in Lebanon, along with solid waste and wastewater. To help reduce the pollutants from industries, the Lebanon Environmental Pollution Abatement Project (LEPAP) was established. Its mission is to reduce pollution in targeted industrial enterprises and to strengthen the monitoring and enforcement capabilities of the Ministry of the Environment.
LEPAP is a joint initiative by the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry of Finance, the Banque du Liban (BDL), the World Bank, and the Italian Cooperation to set up a mechanism for financing the reduction of industrial pollution. LEPAP supports the financing of industrial interventions by offering concessional loans supported by the BDL through commercial banks to industries. LEPAP loans are at near zero interest rate and are provided for a period of seven years (including a grace period of two years). Industries have already benefited from this loan for wastewater plants, air emissions monitoring /treatment devices, and various other measures to reduce the generation of all types of waste. Launched in 2014, LEPAP is set to continue for an
additional three years, and there is a strong probability that this project will be extended beyond its deadline. THE PROJECT’S BENEFITS LEPAP aims to reduce industrial pollution and its impacts on the natural resources and on the health of the Lebanese people. It engages the private sector and the public sector in a partnership for the protection of the fragile environmental resources of Lebanon. It also abides by international agreements that have been ratified by Lebanon, such as the Barcelona Convention. As such, Lebanon is committed to avoiding the discharge of any source of pollution into the Mediterranean Sea. Beneficiaries not only benefit from near zero percent interest
loans, but also receive free-ofcharge technical support in the development of environmental studies, such as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), or Environmental Audits. LEPAP also provides free technical support for the preparation of detailed technical specifications, bidding documents, and financial studies for the selected sub-projects. Eligibility through LEPAP means that industries comply with environmental regulations, specifically Decree 8471/2012, which is mandatory as of 2016 and operates in accordance with the international Environmental Compliance Certificate. As a result, industries will benefit from the facilitation of exporting their goods to countries with strict environmental conditions.
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LEPAP aims to reduce industrial pollution and its impacts on the natural resources and on the health of the Lebanese people. It engages the private sector and the public sector in a partnership for the protection of the fragile environmental resources of Lebanon. It also abides by international agreements that have been ratified by Lebanon, such as the Barcelona Convention. As such, Lebanon is committed to avoiding the discharge of any source of pollution into the Mediterranean Sea.
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Go with the flow words jihan seoud and alia fawaz
Lebanon has always stood out for having relatively more water resources per capita than its neighboring countries, thanks to its topography, which favors moderately high rates of precipitation (rain and snow). However, unsustainable water resource management practices and weak water governance have put a huge strain on the country’s water resources, in particular groundwater. The country was in dire need of a comprehensive groundwater study in order to assess the existing situation (the last comprehensive national groundwater assessment was done back in 1970 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). GROUNDWATER STUDY In 2014, after three years of meticulous work, thanks to an expert consortium of local and international companies, a new comprehensive National Groundwater Assessment study was completed, implemented by UNDP in partnership with and on behalf of the Ministry of Energy and Water and funded by the Government of Italy. This latest study covered hydrogeological information-gathering, mapping, surveying, and land installation of some continuous monitoring stations in a certain number of wells. This study was the first critical step in order to have the necessary data for the country to take proper water management decisions.
the country. For example, on the coast water is mostly saline, in some areas the groundwater is too polluted, and so forth. This lack of evenly distributed, sufficient clean groundwater is attributed to poor water management. • An estimated 60,000 unlicensed illegal wells are operating. This situation has spiraled out of control (because of a lack of water supply from the public water network, people are constantly digging to find their own wells). • The agricultural sector, the biggest consumer of water, relies too much on groundwater, as surface water is too polluted for irrigation. • The influx of Syrian refugees has increased both water pollution and water demand.
THE WATER STUDY: THE MAIN FINDINGS • Lebanon’s level of usable ground water has decreased significantly since the 1970s, and many of the coastal wells are now saline (salt water intrusion as a result of over pumping). • The water balance was calculated, and although there is an overall surplus (more water being received than being lost) at the national level, ironically it does not mean that we have sufficient water to be used. This is because water supply is not evenly distributed throughout
THE RECOMMENDATIONS Better monitoring of water sources is needed, whether of groundwater surface water, or precipitation/meteorological water. Furthermore, the “illegal water sector” (such as the water truck suppliers that fill the void when government-supplied water is scarce) needs to be better managed. However, these practices can only be curbed once the government can supply sufficient water. The existing water network is outdated, and the system allows for too much water wastage (about 60
percent). Major investment and planning is needed to reform the network in all areas. Furthermore, water conservation practices need to be improved. The Government is working towards coordinating the interventions in the water sector to ensure that water resource management is improved. However, there must also be improved water management among institutions, and within the Ministry itself, to better coordinate the work between the different players and sectors. Legislation has to be upgraded and improved along with enforcement by the institutions that manage the networks. However, there are not enough human and financial resources currently in this sector, and there is a lack of government funding. Furthermore, the loose flat-water fees system (no water meters), which also contributes to water wastage, does not bring in enough capital to pay for significant changes. To say that a country such as Lebanon is facing water shortages seems almost paradoxical, but decades of mismanagement and misuse have clearly brought this about. The challenges ahead are huge. However, with proper data and planning, decision-makers and citizens should be able to combine efforts to better manage Lebanon’s precious groundwater.
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Turning off the light to make a difference words jihan seoud and alia fawaz
Earth Hour is a worldwide event during which buildings turn off the electricity (in our case generators, too) for one hour on a Saturday in March. Earth Hour is a global environmental initiative that is organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). It mobilizes hundreds of millions of people to make a difference for the planet. Its core vision is to create an environmental impact by utilizing the power of the crowd. Every March, Earth Hour celebrates the symbolic “lights off” hour, which has become a mass global event involving more than 162 countries and 7,000 cities.
G (an NGO concerned with the environment) celebrated Earth Hour’s 10th anniversary with a musical concert at Uberhaus on the Beirut waterfront on March 19. It was attended by key dignitaries, including H.E. Abdelmuttaleb Hinnawi, the Minister of Sports and Youth in Lebanon, Ms. Sigrid Kaag, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, and Mr. Marcello Mori, minister counselor, head of the Sustainable Development Section of the delegation of the European Union to Lebanon. The event shed light on environmental issues by airing several documentaries and by being a three zeros event: • Zero Energy: All of the energy came from solar panels that were installed at the venue. • Zero Waste: All of the waste from the event was recycled.
• Zero Carbon: All of the carbon that was emitted by the fiveminute live broadcasting generator will be offset by planting the Earth Hour Lebanon 2016 forest on March 26. Although Earth Hour’s message aims to reach everyone, it was remarkable that most of the 1,700 attendees were young people. MTV Lebanon broadcast the turning off of the lights live during its prime news. Many corporations and institutions in Lebanon turned off their lights for Earth Hour, including the Grand Serail, the Port of Byblos, ABC Mall, the Alfa Building, the American University of Beirut, the Lebanese American University, the Chamber of Commerce, Virgin Megastore, and BankMed.
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The Earth Hour is a worldwide movement. This year, 170 countries including 1,200 landmarks and close to 40 UNESCO world heritage sites turned lights off for an hour to participate in the movement.
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words rania zahia
Experts have been warning us about the negative effects of climate change, which results from the emission of greenhouse gases. In the long run, these emissions will pose a threat to economic development. It is incumbent upon us to find a solution to this problem.
Changes in climate stem from global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has projected the trajectory of global greenhouse gas emissions that are expected through 2100 according to the highest-emissions scenario and the lowest-emissions scenario, along with the accompanying expected changes in the global average surface temperature. According to the highest-emissions scenario, which represents a continuation of current trends, temperatures would increase on a near-linear trajectory throughout the century. According to the lowest-emissions scenario, temperatures would increase through the middle of the century and then level off. Average surface temperatures in 2081-2100 would exceed those that prevailed in 1986-2006 by about 4–6°C. These temperature increases would be added to the increase of 0.61°C that was observed between 1850 and 1900 and between 1986 and 2005. ESTIMATING THE ECONOMIC BURDEN OF CLIMATE CHANGE According to a study on the economic costs of climate change to Lebanon that was carried out by
the Ministry of the Environment and the United Nations Development Programme, these costs may reach more than $80 billion in 2040 if the world does not implement quick and serious measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Around 33 prevent of these costs would be borne by the Lebanese government in 2040, according to the assumptions adopted in the study, whereas climate change would cost each Lebanese household around $60 thousand in the same year. In the event that countries around the world, including Lebanon, implement their pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the new Paris Agreement on climate change, Lebanon’s economy will save $50 billion in 2040, thanks to the reduced impact of climate change on the economy, society, and the environment. The report estimated the economic impact of climate change on eight economic sectors in Lebanon for the years 2020, 2040, and 2080. In addition, the report presented policy recommendations that Lebanon could adopt to better adapt to the adverse economic and environmental effects of climate change. Climate change has both direct as well as indirect costs. Direct costs
result when higher temperatures, changes in precipitation, and extreme weather events, such as storms, reduce agricultural productivity, adversely affect human health, cause flooding, and hence damage different segments of the economy. Indirect costs result when the direct costs slow the country’s economic growth. The slower growth means a decline in Lebanon’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), lower incomes for workers and households, lower government revenues, and higher government costs. Regional insecurities, in particular with regard to the distribution of natural resources, might be aggravated by climate change. This could exacerbate political conflicts and lead to an increase in migration, which would make it more difficult for different countries to deal with the negative effects of climate change. Thus it is important to develop a climate response system that would make communities more resilient to the adverse impacts of climate change. This can be done by following the recommendations that are presented in the aforementioned report on the economic costs of climate change to Lebanon.
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What climate change costs Lebanon
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The wild wilderness words john gray
A trip to Antarctica may become more accessible to tourists in the future now that a commercial passenger aircraft has successfully landed there for the first time. On November 26, 2015 a Boeing 757200 ER passenger jet piloted by Loftleidir Icelandic made history by being the first commercial airliner to ever land on the icy continent.
Until now passengers have traditionally traveled to Antarctica in combination cargo/passenger planes that are equipped to handle ice landings. Those who make this trip are mainly scientists, including those of NASA, who spend time in the remote ice desert for different research projects. For adventure-seeking tourists flying is an option, but it is less expensive and more common to board a cruise ship from Argentina or Chile, followed by a ride on the Zodiac dingy (an engine-powered inflatable boat) in order to set foot on the icy continent. The success of the Icelandic flight will undoubtedly encourage more passenger jets to do the same, and this will pave the way for more tourism. This trip, which was organized in partnership with the tour company Antarctica Logistics & Expeditions (ALE), could mean that within two or three years passenger jets will be regularly landing in the white wilderness. So if flying to Antarctica is on your bucket list, start planning. WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN ANTARCTICA For tourism, Antarctica is accessible only during the austral summer season from November
to March. During these months, the sea ice melts enough to allow access, coastal temperatures can rise up to highs of 14°C, and there are twenty-four hours of daylight. During the winter the sea is impenetrable, temperatures can fall to -40°C, and there are twentyfour hours of darkness. Antarctica is classified as a desert, and it does not rain or snow very much there. Snow actually builds up over many years to make ice sheets. You won’t find any greenery there, and the only plants that can survive are moss and algae. You won’t find any polar bears either (they are on the North Pole), but during the summer months you can spot seals, whales, penguins, and many bird species that migrate to breed and feed on krill, crustaceans, and fish. Aside from admiring the exceptional wildlife and the breathtaking dramatic terrain, you can also engage in plenty of sports. Various activities on offer include kayaking around icebergs, camping trips, cross-country skiing, climbing Mount Vinson (Antarctica’s highest peak), or swimming in Deception Bay, a large volcanic crater filled with warm water.
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"Antarctica has this mythic weight. It resides in the collective unconscious of so many people, and it makes this huge impact, just like outer space. It's like going to the moon." Jon Krakauer
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Bank Audi figures it out words john gray
Hazmig Khoury, head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Bank Audi, sits down with Beyond to talk about “My Carbon Footprint.”
What institution initiated this project? It was Bank Audi that initiated this project in order to support the Ministry of the Environment with regard to the climate change effort that was pledged during COP21. We became inspired because we did our own carbon footprint assessment as an institution. We have been doing it at Bank Audi since 2012. We went on an international platform to measure the green house gases emissions of all our offices and branches – including warehouses - throughout Lebanon. The exercise gives you the total tons of carbon dioxide expenditure that you have that impacts the Earth. That number can be divided by the number of employees that you have and the number of square meters that
you represent. We have actually been reducing our carbon footprint in the last few years, despite increasing employment and space occupied. So it’s even a bigger challenge to reduce the carbon footprint. So measuring youf carbon footprint began as an internal exercise?
We got excited with our own data and knowledge, and we thought that it would be very interesting to share this – and who better to engage with than the youth? So we conceived a youth-friendly website to help them to understand more about climate change and what are the different things that they can do at home. We have been going to schools and giving them talks about it.
How does it work? First you need to register, and then the website enables a child to calculate his/her carbon footprint. You need to put how many square meters your home is and how many people live in it and at the end of the month the student records the consumption: the electricity meter, the kilometers driven by the car, diesel bought for heating, and so on. Of course we also tailored the site for Lebanon, by adding generators and cooking gas bottles, for example. Once the students fill in the data, a chart appears each month to show them how much impact they have made. This will inspire them to reduce. We have also allowed students to see other
119 scores on the site to encourage them to get lower scores (less carbon footprint). There is also a financial prize for the student who assesses properly and actually shows us how the carbon footprint is reduced. How
will this data potentially
Ministry Environment ? benefit the
of the
The data would be quite interesting for the Ministry of the Environment because it is currently speculating. It does not really know the carbon footprint of a household in Lebanon. And it pledged a 30 percent reduction by 2030 at COP21. So hopefully this information will be helpful to the Ministry in planning and achieving the reduction that it pledged.
What is the duration of this school campaign?
We launched it on Feb 1st, 2016 and the schools have four months until the end of the school year. By mid-June we should know which child made the best effort. We will announce the “Green Champion� who is the winner, but there will also be two runner-ups. We are hoping to re-launch it more in-depth and engage more schools as of the next school year (2016-2017). It will start in September/October so that students can be involved for a longer period of time. Internationally it is done on an annual basis. Is this the first environmental CSR exercise for Bank Audi? This campaign is the first externalized environmental initiative for us, but we have
been doing our own recycling, paperless banking, measuring of our carbon footprint, and awareness- raising efforts for quite some years now. At Bank Audi the CSR strategy has been to be in line with the core business, which is banking and the economy. However, you cannot ignore the environment, and we believe that what we will do for the environment will be our own effort, which is why until today we have not gone external with it.
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Hitting the top notes words alia fawaz
Heartbeat is a Lebanese NGO that was founded in 2005 by a group of doctors and musicians with big hearts to help children who are born with congenital heart disease. To date operations have been performed on over 2,200 such babies with the support of the Heartbeat team, as well as thanks to generous donations and the money that is raised each year at Heartbeat’s concerts. Dr. Jad Habib is a pediatric cardiologist and a member of the Heartbeat committee. He is also a seasoned musician who plays the piano at its concerts. For nearly six months, a dedicated team of doctors, engineers, lawyers, and other professionals meet twice a week and rehearse for the annual Heartbeat concert.
The professionals who perform for Heartbeat know too well the therapeutic benefits of music. Habib points out that the first doctor in Greek mythology was also a musician. He explains: “Music therapy affects mood, sensation, and helps combat depression. It plays a big role in the physiology of a person.” He says: “This year the theme is around the world. We will perform songs from different countries.” You can expect to see the dirbakeh, tabl, and the buzuk representing Lebanon, and one doctor will also be playing the bagpipe from Scotland at the Heartbeat concert that will take place at BIEL on April 23 and 24. When Habib is off-duty and not rehearsing for the concert, he is most likely on his motorbike exploring the mountains of Lebanon. Being out in nature is
another way for him to unwind and to escape the pressures of work and urban living. “The purity of nature – away from the toxins, chemicals, sound and noise pollution – is so important,” he stresses. In fact, being in nature has been scientifically proven to lower one’s blood pressure and regulate the hormones. Habib and his biker buddies often enjoy going to places such as Dhour Shweir, the Bekaa Valley, Faraya and the Ammiq Nature Reserve, which is known for its natural lakes.
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"There can be miracles. When you believe. Though hope is frail. Its hard to kill. Who knows what miracles. You can achieve. When you believe, somehow you will."
Al-Jan