Established in the lead up to the COP18 Doha negotiations, the Arab Youth Climate Movement brings together over 20 campaigners from 15 Middle East/North Africa countries

As the saying goes, there is power in numbers. So it’s great to see environmental organisations across MENA come together to “create a more sustainable, prosperous, meaningful, just, and fair world”. The the newly launched and ambitious Arab Youth Climate Movement unites campaigners from IndyAct, 350.org, Global Campaign for Climate Action and the Climate Action Network (CAN) in a simple vision: to be able to enjoy the stable climate that our parents and grandparents enjoyed. A five-day workshop was held around two weeks ago in Egypt where new regional alliances were built and plans were made to hold an Arab regional day of climate action on the 3rd of November.

Youth activists from countries such Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Sudan, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates attended the event which helped train them in useful skills such as speaking to the media and organising actions and campaigns. However it wasn’t all plain sailing. Sarah Rifaat from 350.org, who we interviewed recently, said organising such a workshop brought with it lots of logistical challenges due to the political realities of MENA nations:

“One Tunisian applicant was hospitalized after being caught up in intense clashes in her city, while another Palestinian activist couldn’t get his visa on time due to strict security regulations. The Syrian applicant couldn’t make it to the workshop due to heavy fighting on the streets of his city, but despite the turbulent situation he is still in contact with us and is adamant on getting youth in his country involved with the Arab Youth Climate Movement.

“AbdulGader, the Libyan participant, almost didn’t make it to the workshop when his flight was grounded at Tripoli airport after a sudden indefinite flight ban was imposed. He finally arrived in Cairo on the second day of the workshop with such enthusiasm and commitment that it was hard to imagine how the workshop would have been without him.”

Indeed, the movement is a great way to get to know young activist from across the MENA region and I hope to be able to profile a couple of members about their country and the environmental work they hope to do in the future. First on my list is Tariq Al-Olaimy from Bahrain. As well as his eco-campaigning, Tariq is the co-founder of 3BL Associates, a Bahrain based social impact consultancy and Think-do-Tank, which focusses on multi-stakeholder sustainable and regenerative development in the MENA region. Another interesting fact about Al-Olaimy is that he is among the first 100 people in the world to persue deep specialist training in the field of Biomimicry.

So look out for GreenProphet’s interview with him but for now, find out more about the members of the Arab Youth Climate Movement here.

For more co-ordinated climate action across MENA see:

Egyptian Seed Bombing Campaign To Hit Cairo and Alexandria

Egyptian Campaigner: ‘Corruption not Climate Awareness is Holding Us Back’

Egypt Environment Activists Fighting Back Over Sinai Red Sea Bridge

Help Make Palestinian Filmmaker’s Arctic Eco-Documentary a Reality

: Images via Arab Youth Climate Movement Facebook page.

The post The Arab Youth Climate Movement Is Born appeared first on Green Prophet.

We speak to Egyptian campaigner Sarah Rifaat about the environmental movement and why bureaucracy and corruption are still the biggest barriers to change in Egypt 

Sarah Rifaat, like many people in Egypt, suffered from childhood asthma caused by the high levels of pollution in her city. What Sarah did differently when she grew up however, is refuse to accept this as the norm. Sarah’s asthma was her first lesson in the importance of a healthy and sustainable lifestyle which led her down the path of environmental campaigning. Today, she works with 350.org as the Arab world co-ordinator and is also part of a new Arab Youth Climate Movement. I caught up with Sarah to find out more about her work and what she would change if she was Egyptian president for a day.

Tell us a little about yourself and how you got involved in the climate change movement?

I’ve always had a passion for environmental conservation ever since I was a young girl. I can attribute that to specific moments in my life, such as the time when my grandfather taught me to name flowers in his garden, or when I used to watch Captain Planet. All these moments made me feel that I had a responsibility towards the world around me.

In college I studied mass communication and wanted to be a graphic designer, but I took a course on Environmental Issues and used my design skills for environmental awareness initiatives. After I graduated I volunteered to facilitate workshops for children at the World Environment Day celebration which is held in Cairo every year. I tried to lead a more environmentally conscious existence, but an activist I was not, climate or otherwise. That all changed in 2009 when I got an email inviting me to go to a 3-week climate advocacy workshop organized by 350.org and IndyACT in Turkey.

I and 20 other young Arabs went on a sponsored trip to Turkey to learn about climate change and also about using the tools of art and media for climate advocacy. We were there with participants from 39 other countries to learn about how to organize for the first 350 global day of action on October 24th. I’ve been part of the movement ever since as a volunteer field organizer till 2011, when I assumed the role of the 350 Arab world coordinator.

So you’ve been involved in the 350.org  campaign for a couple of years now. Can you tell us about what you feel the campaign has achieved in Egypt so far?

I feel that the campaign has managed to involve more Egyptian youth in climate activism and organizing, as well as link climate change to local issues such as sustainable transportation. The campaign has also managed to encourage local collaboration between different groups and NGOs.

What changes have you noticed in the environmental movement in Egypt over the last 5 to 10 years?

The environmental movement has become more developed and more widespread than ever before – especially among youth. There’s a lot more recognition now of the link between environmental issues and social justice issues, which has led many groups that haven’t been involved in environmental activism to join forces with environmentalists.

I understand you were also part of a recent campaign to setup a Arab Youth Climate Movement. How did the meeting go and what can we expect next?

The workshop was about uniting youth climate activists from around the Arab World, with the aim of launching a strong regional youth network on climate. The activists came from 14 different Arab countries and got a chance to jointly discuss global and regional climate politics and acquire organizing skills, such as activists story-sharing, action planning and campaigning. In addition we also managed to bond as a team and formulate a common vision for the regional network. The AYCM is now focused on organizing the first Arab Day on Climate Action on November 3rd and is gearing up for participation at the Conference of Youth and COP18 in Qatar later this year.

What do you think are the unique barriers that Egypt faces in terms of tackling its environmental issues?

Corruption, outdated policies, vested interests and extremely bureaucratic governmental institutions are the biggest barriers for many environmentalist. There are those who might argue that lack of mass awareness on some issues is a barrier, and while that is true in some cases, the events of last year have proved that you only need a dedicated few to bring about massive change. However, in order for us to create lasting change, we need to transform the systems and institutions that have long kept the status quo.

What one thing would you change if you were leader of Egypt for the day?

I would create more open and intuitive channels of communication between government and civil society and try to launch some process by which governmental planning is truly inclusive, transparent and decentralized.

:: Images courtesy of Sarah Rifaat and 350.org

For more on Egypt’s environmental movement see: 

Frack Off Shell! Egyptians Launch Anti-Fracking Campaign

Recycle Art Workshops @Darb 1718 this October

Sun, Soak and Dive Holidays in Sinai’s Sharm El Sheikh

The post Egyptian Campaigner: ‘Corruption not Climate Awareness is Holding Us Back’ appeared first on Green Prophet.

In 2007, the UAE became the third country in the word, after Switzerland and Japan, to work with WWF on an Ecological Footprint Initiative. The project measures a nation’s environmental impact. And the WWF judged the UAE to be the world’s most environmentally wasteful country on the planet 12 years running, a rank it only recently lost to Qatar and Kuwait earlier in 2012. If all of the world’s inhabitants lived like citizens of the UAE, we would require 5.4 planets in order to sustain the human population. But recent years have seen the beginnings of several promising initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability across the UAE.

“In order to hit the targets and create a future that is comfortable, we need to reduce carbon emissions by 80 to 90 per cent,” said Dr Rob Cooke, the technical coordinator for the Emirates Green Building Council (EGBC), a group dedicated to the promotion of sustainable construction in the UAE. “Put simply, we need to halve demand, double efficiency and halve carbon.”

Dubai and Abu Dhabi are starting to address the public’s reliance on private vehicles and subsided fuel prices with their Metro and the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport surface transport master plan. Water is another huge environmental issue facing the UAE.

Consider, for example, the 6.5 million litres of drinking water used daily to irrigate just one of the capital’s golf courses. Abu Dhabi residents consume a per capita average of 550 litres of water every day. That is three times the UN benchmark of 180 litres per day, according to the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi. There is a growing awareness throughout the region, and many Arab activists are stepping up to confront these challenges. Hopefully the Eco Future exhibit will inspire even more youth to think about the future of their region, and of the world.

Read more about the UAE:

Dubai’s Waste amongst the Highest in the World

UAE Sustainability Conference Inspires Change

UAE To Cut Electricity Output, Carbon Emissions

The post New Environmental Exhibit Inspires Hope for UAE’s Future appeared first on Green Prophet.

The ‘Adopt A Negotiator’ project is looking for young bloggers and activists from the region to take part in the Doha Climate Change Conference this November

Are you a budding blogger with an interest in the environment? Or maybe a video journalist with a passion for social issues? Well, if you are and also happen to be between 18-30 years old, then the ‘Adopt a Negotiator’ project is for you. They are on the look out for talented people to join their delegation to the UN COP18 conference in the hope of securing a better deal for the climate and the world’s citizens at the next climate summit.

Sébastien Duyck from AaN explains more about the project: “We bring young (18-30) people and bloggers to the main meetings of the UN climate talks to push for stronger climate action, mainly through the use of social media. So as we are now seeking new candidates to join our delegation to the UN COP18 conference, we would like to invite several regional representatives to join us.

“Hopefully we can contribute to raising awareness at the regional level and build the capacity of local young people for the benefit of their networks after the conference.” AaN, which is a project of the Global Campaign for Climate Action, have a number of fellowships available so if you’re interested then do get in touch. Applications received before 22nd August will be given priority, so no time like the present!

BACKGROUND

Adopt a Negotiator (AaN) is a project of the Global Campaign for Climate Action, an alliance of more than 350 non-profit organizations working to ensure a safe climate future for people and nature, to promote the low-carbon transition of our economies, and to accelerate the adaptation efforts in communities already affected by climate change by mobilizing civil society and galvanizing public. AaN got its start with a group of passionate young climate activists publicly tracking their country’s climate negotiators during the lead-up to the Copenhagen Climate Talks (COP15) in 2009. The project has since continued to support activists in publicly tracking their government’s roles in international efforts to respond to climate change.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Here are some of the qualities we are looking for:

You understand the landscape – Our Fellows should not only understand climate change, they are also familiar with their country’s national and international climate politics; preferably with the UNFCCC itself: its history, its inner workings, and its roles in addressing climate change.

You are a great communicator – Our Fellows are excellent at turning the complex and hard to communicate developments happening during climate negotiations into compelling, accessible, creative, actionable communications across multiple channels and mediums. Our primary tool is blogging – and you must be a skilled blogger – but the ability to leverage other communications tools and channels with strategic and/or large audiences via new and traditional media is key to their success.

You’ve got informed empathy – Our Fellows seek out a deep understanding of how climate change affects people in different situations in different ways all over the world – security, health, livelihood, values, politics, business, etc – and can tap into that understanding to help them connect with with various audiences (including your negotiators).

You’re brave – In a short amount of time, each Fellow has to build relationships with experts in our alliance, members of the media, and their country’s negotiators and decision makers. Fellows must make and take public stands on complicated issues; get their ideas and opinions out to media in their home country in meaningful ways; and share those.

You’re fast – Our Fellows must be able to rapidly respond to events and opportunities inside climate negotiations and out.

You’re dedicated – Our Fellows understand the stakes and are dedicated to helping push for progress in addressing climate change in spite of any setbacks and challenges we face along the way. While we expect to count on our Fellows’ full-time participation during the Doha Climate Change Conference, they will also actively participate in the project throughout the remaining months of 2012.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Applicants will need to be:

• Aged between 18 and 30
• Be able to attend fully the COP18 in Qatar (from November 23rd to December 8th 2012);

• Be able to commit a few hours per week to prepare for the delegation in the coming months and act already as a negotiation tracker.

Fellows will be provided with:

• The opportunity to play a specific role to promote progressive climate policies in your country;
• The chance to be part of a team with many other amazing young activists/bloggers;
All support needed from our team and partner during the coming months (networking, capacity building);
• Transportation to Doha, accommodation and a generous per diem during the Doha Climate Change Conference

For the full details and to apply got to the AaN webpage.

: All images via ‘Adopt a Negotiator’ flickr.

The post Bloggers to Win Free Doha Climate Change Conference Trips this November: Adopt A Negotiator appeared first on Green Prophet.

This is according to the 2012 Arab Youth Survey. Launched in 2008, the annual survey is conducted by research professionals from Penn Scheon Berland (PSB) who travel to villages and cities in order to interview 2,500 young Arab men and women in person. Here is a list of the top 10 concerns that emerged during these discussions.

1. Fair Pay and Home Ownership: The survey found that young men and women are worried about having the resources to own their own home and to receive a fair wage. This is a valid concern. While we were in Tunisia, one of two new countries added to the survey’s scope, we met educated journalists who were living in hovels because their wages are so poor.
2. High Cost of Living: It comes as no surprise that Arab youth are finding it difficult to establish a decent quality of life when the cost of living is steadily increasing. Who can forget that the Arab Spring uprisings were largely spurred by the high cost of food or that energy and water prices are growing prohibitively high.
3. Lack of Democracy and Civil Unrest are Biggest Obstacles: Egypt is a sterling example of how corruption and civil unrest have interrupted the smooth operation of daily life, and young people told researchers that these two things are the greatest perceived obstacles to achieving their goals.
4. The Arab Spring is a Positive Development: This is interesting. Even though the nooks and crannies of the Arab Spring uprisings have not been worked out, most youth perceive it to be a positive development. (On a side note, check out this fascinating new novel Kapow! that traces the uprisings in visually-groundbreaking format.)
5. Increased Trust in Government but Corruption Abounds: While Arab youth are tentatively more willing to put trust in their government, they also very concerned about continued corruption. Let’s hope that the government organizations, civil society organizations and the private sector who avail themselves of these insights are paying attention.
6. The Arab Spring Won’t Spread: This will be a sigh of relief for governments in the Arab world! Most people believe that the uprisings have come to an end and that they are very unlikely to spread. But if they do well up again, Morocco, Jordan and Algeria are the countries most likely to be affected next.
7. Modern Society Challenges Traditional Values: While most young people appreciate the value of their longstanding traditions, the survey found that many also believe that they need to evolve with changing times. This need not be a cause for alarm, but some nations (like Saudi) are likely to crack down on any perceived threats to the old order.
8. Aspire to be like the UAE: The United Arab Emirates has a longstanding policy of social inclusion and are leading the charge to enact massive environmental changes, so it comes as no surprise that this is the nation to which young men and women throughout the Gulf, Levant and North Africa look for inspiration. The survey found that most people – if they could – would live in one of the seven Emirates ahead of any other Arab country.
9. France is the Most Admired Foreign Country: This is intriguing. Of all foreign countries, France, which recently elected a socialist President, is the one that most young people in the Arab world admire. Rising powers China and India, which couldn’t be more different than France in terms of its environmental, political and social identity, fall close behind.
10. TV-watching is Diminishing and News Consumption is on the Rise: This is an enormous relief. Television-watching zombies are being replaced by news-hungry civilians who increasingly look to the internet for their daily bits of information.

Visit ASDA’A Burson-Marsteller Arab Youth Survey 2012 to learn more about the methodology employed to achieve these findings and to consider their implications more fully. The youth are the future. We should take their concerns seriously.

::Arab Youth Survey

More on Young Arabs:
Arab School Scoops a Coveted Israeli Green Globe Award
eZra3 Remote Farming is Like Farmville but Real
The Bedouins Convert Ill-Begotten Tunisian Mansion into a Skate Park

Image credit: Young Arab Man, Shutterstock

The post What Arab Youth Want (A List of 10 Things) appeared first on Green Prophet.