Apart from great human suffering, the ongoing war is leaving its marks on Lebanon’s environment. The effects on the environment are diverse: to begin with, the weapons used have a lasting negative impact on soil, water and air. Besides the clear and visible impact of the mere act of warfare itself on the environment, conflict makes any progress on climate policy impossible. On 14th November IFG is organising the event “The ecological effects of war; conflict and the green movement in the Middle East”, to share experiences and insights with the Dutch public. In this article we present the multitude of impacts that war has on the environment, both direct and indirect.
Like last year, IFG is organizing an event on the Northern Africa and Middle East (MENA) region in The Netherlands on 14th November. The topic of the event is: “The ecological effects of war; conflict and the green movement in the Middle East”. The direct and indirect effects of war on the ecology are indisputably enormous. To begin with, there is the direct ecological effects of destruction of infrastructure as well as natural resources. Secondly, we see the specific effects of use of chemical and other weapons on ecological capital such as water, air and biodiversity. An example is the phosphorous bombs being dropped by Israel on Lebanon, of which the long-term effects have been inadequately researched. And third, we see that conflicts have a paralysing effect on the development of green policies; in crisis there is little room for manoeuvre and the actors are limited in time, financial resources and capacities. We will bring together various perspectives of our partner organisations in Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Morocco, to hear about their experiences, how this has impacted their organisation, and how they strive to still bring the green agenda forward. Depending on their situation, they will reflect on the effect of past conflicts, current conflicts or conflicts in other countries on ecology and the green movement. In addition we will invite experts on the topic and policymakers to reflect, so that we can discuss ways forward for the different actors involved.
Sasa-ساسة Institute for the Promotion of Democracy
After years of back and forth between the Serbian government, the judiciary, protestors and mining companies, the lithium mine in the Jadar Valley might 'finally' be on its way. The EU has been a big proponent of this mine, which holds 58,000 metric tons of lithium, a metal that is essential in most of today's batteries for cars, phones and others. The Union has been dependent on China for its lithium supply thus far. The question, however, is whether this mine will actually have a positive impact on the planet and whether this will fulfil the EU's goal of becoming independent from authoritarian regimes.
Green Party of Lebanon
Green Party of Lebanon
Center for Green Politics
Op 6 juni gaat Nederland naar de stembus voor het Europees Parlement. De inzet van deze verkiezingen is helder: met de opkomst van radicale partijen in heel Europa is het tijd om de krachten te bundelen en pal te staan voor progressieve waarden in Europa.
Daarom organiseert de Party of European Socialists op 11 mei in Rotterdam het event ‘Een keerpunt voor ons Europa’.
Kom 9 mei naar ons Politiek Café in het kader van de Europese verkiezingen.! Met Tineke Strik, Kim van Sparrentak, Kris van der Veen, Binyam Andebrhan en Sopo Shubitidze.