Q+A with Project Lebanon 2010 Sustainability Award Winners
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The Project Lebanon 2010 Sustainability Award was presented to people who have made a difference in environmental awareness and sustainability in Lebanon, pioneers who understand the urgency of the issue and are actively working towards a greener future. It is meant to become the most important acknowledgment of personal excellence in implementing eco-friendly solutions and sustainability, within or in cooperation with the public and private sectors, and government entities.
Philippe Skaff, President of the Lebanese Green Party
In an effort to prevent Lebanon’s rapidly-depleting forests from disappearing, Philippe Skaff has initiated bold environmental programs and seen them through to action. President of the Lebanese Green Party, Mr. Skaff was recently awarded the Project Lebanon 2010 Sustainability Award for his green activism.
Do you think legislation should be implemented in Beirut to set mandatory environmental and sustainability standards?
It should be a priority. As always, the problem will lie in the implementation. We live under the law of the jungle in a jungle of laws, which means that the legislators can clear their conscience by passing relevant laws on the subject, but there is no real follow up. We should create incentives for the adoption of new standards but also enforce a new vision on building norms.
Iffat Edriss, President of the Cedars for Care Association
Founded in 1998, the Cedars for Care Association supports several social and environmental projects that benefit Lebanon. The organization’s most recent initiative, Operation Big Blue, launched an annual nationwide cleanup campaign across the Lebanese coastline to eliminate garbage, protect marine life and endangered species, and raise environmental awareness. Iffat Endriss, President of the Cedars for Care Association, was awarded the Project Lebanon 2010 Sustainability Award for her role in environmental conservation in Lebanon.
Environmental protection is a global concern. Why did you feel it was important to adopt environmental initiatives in Lebanon?
Simply because being clean is at the top of the hierarchy of needs. Having a clean environment is our defense against diseases, our income from tourism, and our pride in owning a beautiful country.
What are the economic and environmental benefits of adopting sustainability measures?
It’s as simple as meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs! On the economic level, we will see a more fruitful planet more green job opportunities, thus less recessions the planet as a cheaper place to live and a drop in medical fees. On the environmental level, there will be clean air, water, and production less diseases and a planet with new “sprouts” and continuous productivity, rather than dead leaves.
Nada Zarour, President of Association for Forests, Development & Conservation (AFDC)
The AFDC was established in 1993 to achieve sustainable conservation of natural resources and raise awareness through community-based programs. For promoting the idea that conservation can only be successful if local communities benefit from it, Nada Zarour, President of AFDC, was presented with the Project Lebanon 2010 Sustainability Award.
To you, what is the significance of being awarded the Sustainability Award at Project Lebanon 2010?
It’s always great to receive an award. Sustainability is the way in which development meets the needs of the present without compromising the next generation’s ability to meet its own needs. For me, receiving an award now gives me a great responsibility not only towards the current generation but also towards future generations.
Do you see a cultural change in attitude towards sustainable development in Lebanon? Do you think the masses support – or will grow to support – green initiatives?
There have been so many initiatives that have helped create interest in the community towards sustainable development. Awareness has been a key corner stone in building that interest. But, to me, awareness is not enough. Sustainable development is a choice that requires substantial and “painful” decisions related to what Lebanon wants. Looking at all political statements of all Lebanese governments, you find the term “sustainable development” in the basic components of these statements. What actions have been taken? Well, I could say that we are not there yet at all. Is the political community in Lebanon that is largely linked to almost completely free-handed economic interests ready to make the painful decisions that sustainable development requires? For that, it is inevitable for us, for people that have the passion of preserving what we have for our children and grandchildren, to take a more proactive path in convincing the public that sustainability is the future, and advocating that would require using all legitimate means including political struggle. This is our mission in the Green Party of Lebanon, which is part of sustainable development in this beloved country.
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