From protests in Turkey to everything you wanted to know about climate change, catch up on the latest green news from the region
Saudi Minister Denies Land Bridge to Egypt Plans
Following a rather mixed reaction to the news that plans were afoot to build a bridge connecting Egypt and Saudi via the Red Sea, the Saudi Minister of Transport has denied any agreement between the countries. Speaking to the Arab News, the minister said, “There is no any such agreement to the effect between the ministry and any other party concerning the project.”
Whilst the project’s future now appears in limbo, it has been estimated that if the bridge was built it would bring in 1.2 million Saudi tourists (and their cars) every year. The present number of visitors is currently 300,000. For a thorough look at the environmental concerns surrounding the land and sea bridge proposal see this blogpost by Egyptian blogger Zeinobia.
:: Arab News
Protests Against Nuclear Power in Turkey
As part of a wider Greenpeace campaign, protestors gathered outside the Hagia Sofia Museum in Istanbul to highlight the dangers of nuclear. The protest marks the lead up to the first anniversary of the Fukushima disaster in Japan which will take on March 11. According to campaigners, the day of action is also to remind us of the fact that the world’s more than 400 nuclear reactors pose an ongoing threat to the hundreds of millions of people who live in their shadow.
: Image and information via Greenpeace Arabic.
Muslim Nations Meet To Talk Water
Members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) met in Istanbul on Monday 5 March to “develop a common vision regarding water”. The conference which included 62 OIC member countries, approved a final statement which recommended more nations co-operate in water research and co-ordinate their water-related organizations and campaigns. Countries in attendance include Kuwait, Egypt, Qatar, Syria, Libya, Oman and Turkey. No doubt the conference was important, although it seems the power of OIC as well as the action actually taken by the group is limited.
:: Arab News
The Road to Doha
In the lead up to the climate summit in Doha, Qatar, there is a distinct effort to get the region up to scratch on climate change issues. And Carboun, the sustainability consultancy, is playing its part. It recently published a ‘everything you need to know about climate change’ article by William Yassine which not only very readable but has lots of diagrams and infographics to help you get your head around the climate science and politics. Carboun is also promising more MENA-focused climate change guides in the future.
:: Read the ‘Road to Doha: An Introduction to Climate Change’ here.
For more green news nuggets see:
Saudi Arabia’s Climate U-Turn?
Saudi Arabia, Corals, Aviation and Basil- Green News Snippets
Saturday’s Green News Snippets – February 25 2012
Author: Arwa Aburawa
Arwa is a Muslim freelance writer who is interested in everything climate change related and how Islam can inspire more people to care for their planet and take active steps to save it while we can. She is endlessly suspicious of all politicians and their ceaseless meetings, especially as they make normal people believe that they are not part of the solution when they are the ONLY solution. Her Indian auntie is her model eco-warrier, and when Arwa is not busy helping out in the neighborhood alleyway garden, swap shopping or attempting fusion vegetarian dishes- with mixed success, she’d like to add- she can be found sipping on foraged nettle tea.
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