Threatened Human & Bio – diversity; South Lebanon as a Living Example

Saturday, July 27th at 5 PM at the Silk Factory in Kobayat.

Addressing the environmental challenges imposed by war requires a broader perspective beyond technical solutions. It is essential to contextualize these challenges within the larger framework of events to avoid a situational approach. Therefore, the focus will extend beyond merely narrating current tragic events and their solutions to encompassing the risks posed by ongoing violent attacks in South Lebanon within the political and environmental context of the entire Zionist project. The talk will proceed by drawing an analogy between the danger of politicizing identity on the cohesion of highly diverse societies and the threat to biodiversity through extensive destruction, monocultures (identity-based states), and other stresses such as resource depletion for war purposes. The discussion will then narrow to concentrate on the specific atrocities in South Lebanon and explore possibilities for environmental recovery, such as soil recovery from phosphorus. The talk will conclude on a hopeful note, emphasizing that life after such tragedies is both possible and attainable.

Introduction/moderator: Mohammad Hamdan

Mohamad Hamdan is a mathematician, trainer in nonviolent communication & theatre production, strategy advisor, and a founding member of Zoukak Theatre. He acts as the general manager and co-artistic director of Zoukak, leads key production projects and participates in the collective creative devising processes of the theatre company. Mohamad’s focus revolves around people development and collective work sustainability. He has been practicing this focus in various contexts within the business and associations worlds, as well as within social movements and with various communities.

Speaker: Ralph Daher

Architect and designer with concentration on Bioclimatic Architecture. Basic studies in social sciences. Collaborated on several strategic and master plans in Akkar, Tripoli and Beirut. Participant in urban design competitions. Member in Salon Culturel. Member in Citizens in a State.

Speaker: Hady Awada

A fighter in the field of environmental agriculture, with a special interest in soil and the soil food web, the founder of an earthworm farm (vermicomposting) for producing an effective natural soil amendment. I am studying to develop my knowledge in soil science, microscopy, and improving soil without intensive and destructive tillage. Also working in a team on new models of local governance that give the knowledge and power back to its community and the fact that we are allowed and can govern ourselves. Like most people in the country, I see the need for a strong and transparent culture, knowledge and community, and I believe that we create this change ourselves, starting at a local level.

Speaker: Abbas Baalbaki

Abbas Baalbaki is an environmental researcher and activist with a BS in Biology and a minor in Geology from the Lebanese University. He holds a master’s degree in Environmental Technology from the American University of Beirut (AUB) and has extensive experience in advanced oxidation processes and hazardous waste management. Abbas has worked on numerous projects focusing on sustainable environmental practices and is currently involved in researching the long-term health and environmental impacts of the use of white phosphorus munitions on South of Lebanon for the development of proper mitigation measures. His work is aimed at creating efficient, Eco-friendly solutions to environmental challenges.