| | Environment: Between the government and the public
| | By Najib Saab
July/August 2001
Recently I went over the results of a survey on Arab environmental trends. The results showed that more than 90% of those included in the survey demand more strict laws to preserve the environment, even if that meant imposing some restrictions. The results also indicated that more than 80% were prepared to take personal environmentally friendly actions to contribute towards protecting the environment such as using public transportation, switching to unleaded fuel and conserving water and electricity. 77% agreed to pay taxes that are allocated to protecting the environment. Lebanon's statistics were among the best in comparison to other Arab countries, a clear indication of the public's increasing environmental awareness. | | more... | |
|
|
| | Environment and Development Forum
| | By Najib Saab
June 2001
As Environment & Development celebrates its 5th anniversary, it is evident that it has become an Arab forum, transcending its role as a mere magazine to become the focal point for environmentalists in all Arab countries. The number of the magazine’s readers and subscribers has grown to include students, academicians, politicians, intellectuals, industrialists, housewives, employees, businessmen and environmental activists from every Arab country. Very early on, we received suggestions from many readers to include Environment & Development’s audience within an Arab Environment Forum, united by the same vision and interests. | | more... | |
|
|
| | Economic and Environmental Priorities
| | By Najib Saab
May 2001
President George W. Bush announced last month that the United States has repealed the Kyoto Protocol for diminishing climate change emissions, and said that he will not allow for any commitments that might hinder the progress of US economy. Despite resounding protests from all over the world against the United States’ blatant disregard of international laws, President Bush was adamant in his belief that the United State’s economy is by far more important than other people’s wellbeing. | | more... | |
|
|
| | Turning Oil Revenue into Technology
| | By Najib Saab
April 2001
Natural resources in Africa and Asia are either yet to be discovered or already being consumed at prices much lower than their actual cost, within an international economic framework that puts the world’s resources at the service of industrial nations, according to its own set of rules. The Egyptian-American scientist Dr. Farouk El-Baz says that geological sciences originated in Europe, which is the only continent devoid of deserts, and that is why pioneer geologists were not concerned with the elevations of dry land and the desert environment. After the discovery of oil, the West’s interest became focused on gathering the information that will enable it to invest the resources of desert countries, cheaply and in accordance with its own interests. | | more... | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | | | Arab Environment in 10 Years | | | ARAB ENVIRONMENT IN 10 YEARS crowns a decade of the series of annual reports produced by the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) on the state of Arab environment. It tracks and analyzes changes focusing on policies and governance, including level of response and engagement in international environmental treaties. It also highlights developments in six selected priority areas, namely water, energy, air, food, green economy and environmental scientific research. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
