The recent nomination of Jessika Roswall as the European Union’s Environment Commissioner has stirred a wave of skepticism across Brussels. Coming from Sweden’s conservative Moderate Party, Roswall represents a government criticized for its lackluster commitment to EU environmental goals. Her appointment has raised concerns about the future direction of the European Green Deal, particularly as she takes on a portfolio fraught with contentious issues such as deforestation and biodiversity. 

With the EU struggling to meet its own climate and environmental targets, Roswall’s leadership will be under intense scrutiny, especially as debates over environmental regulations heat up. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s recent comments about possibly delaying the enforcement of the EU’s anti-deforestation regulation underscore the precarious balance the new commissioner will have to maintain. The regulation, aimed at preventing the import of products linked to deforestation, such as cocoa and coffee, has been mired in controversy. Industry groups and NGOs alike have expressed concerns about the feasibility of compliance under the current timeline. 

Roswall’s task will not be easy. Sweden’s own environmental record has been less than stellar recently, with the country pushing back against several EU environmental initiatives, including the Nature Restoration Law and anti-deforestation rules. Critics have warned that her nomination could signal a weakening of the EU’s resolve on critical environmental issues. As MEPs prepare for her parliamentary hearing, many are eager to see if she can rise above her government’s track record and advocate for stronger, more effective environmental policies at the European level. However, given how critical these environmental policies are, it’s particularly concerning that EU policymakers are often distracted by less impactful debates. 

Distracting Debates

One such issue is the ongoing controversy over the harmonization of front-of-pack food labeling. One of the systems being considered for implementation is Nutri-Score. The FOP label was introduced in 2017 and was developed to help consumers make healthier food choices. Since then, it has only courted criticism. Nutri-Score was designed to simplify nutritional information through a color-coded scale ranging from green ‘A’ to red ‘E’, but its execution has been far from straightforward. The system oversimplifies complex nutritional data, creating confusion among consumers. Foods that are nutrient-dense but traditionally high in fat or salt, such as olive oil, cheese, and cured meats, often receive lower scores, despite being integral parts of balanced diets in many European cultures. This has led to well founded accusations that Nutri-Score unfairly discriminates against heritage foods. Moreover, the frequent changes to the Nutri-Score algorithm have only added to the confusion. 

For instance, Bel Group announced that the company would not be applying the Nutri-Score label on its cheese products in countries where the system is in place. Bel Group, which produces popular cheese brands like Babybel and The Laughing Cow, expressed concerns that Nutri-Score does not currently account for the specific nutritional benefits of cheese, particularly in relation to recommended portion sizes and its role in a balanced diet. They argue that Nutri-Score fails to provide consumers with accurate information about cheese products. In the meantime, Bel Group continues to provide detailed nutritional information and balanced meal suggestions on packaging and via their websites, ensuring consumers still have access to the information needed for healthier choices.

While the debate over Nutri-Score has captured significant political and media attention, it seems to be a distraction from the more pressing environmental challenges facing Europe. With the EU struggling to meet its climate goals and facing significant pushback on essential regulations like the anti-deforestation law, it is crucial that policymakers focus on the bigger picture. 

Managing complexity 

Roswall’s tenure as environment commissioner will likely be defined by her ability to navigate these complex, high-stakes issues. Von der Leyen’s suggestion to delay the anti-deforestation regulation’s enforcement is emblematic of the balancing act that Roswall will have to perform. The regulation, which officially came into force in June 2023, is currently in a transition phase, with full compliance expected by December 2024. However, the enforcement deadlock, coupled with industry pressure, has led to calls for a postponement. Proponents of the delay argue that companies need more time to adapt to the stringent requirements, which include providing geolocation data to prove that their products are not sourced from deforested land. 

The implications of such a delay are significant. MEPs like Pascal Canfin have warned that postponing the regulation could set a dangerous precedent, undermining the EU’s credibility on environmental commitments and potentially stalling other crucial aspects of the Green Deal. Canfin and others argue that backtracking now would send the wrong signal, both to the international community and to European citizens who have placed their hopes in the EU’s ability to lead on environmental issues. A postponement could also embolden those within the EU who are resistant to ambitious climate policies, making it even harder to pass future legislation aimed at tackling deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change.

Roswall’s leadership will also be critical as the EU faces increasing scrutiny over its ability to meet its own climate and environmental targets. The bloc has set ambitious goals, such as achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and protecting 30% of its land and sea areas by 2030. Yet, progress has been slow, and there are growing concerns that the EU is not on track to meet these commitments. The upcoming parliamentary hearings will be an opportunity for Roswall to articulate her vision and commitment to these targets. 

While the debate over Nutri-Score may seem peripheral in comparison to these larger issues, it is indicative of the broader challenges facing EU policymakers. The controversy surrounding the labeling system reflects a deeper struggle over how best to reconcile public health, cultural heritage, and economic interests. 

Roswall’s challenge will be to ensure that the EU’s focus remains on the critical environmental challenges at hand. The EU’s ability to lead on global environmental issues depends on its willingness to make difficult decisions and to stay the course in the face of political and economic pressures.

The new commissioner will need to navigate a complex web of stakeholders, from industry groups and NGOs to national governments and European institutions. Each will have their own interests and agendas, and finding common ground will be no small feat. Yet, the urgency of the environmental crisis demands bold action and decisive leadership.

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The European Union (EU) has long been a global leader in environmental protection, and its latest move – the EU Deforestation Regulation – is a testament to its commitment to safeguarding our planet’s future. This regulation is a significant step forward in the fight against deforestation, with far-reaching implications for businesses, the environment, and the global community. The EUDR is a comprehensive legislative measure aimed at curbing the availability and export of commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation within the EU market. These include cattle, soy, palm oil, coffee, timber (wood), rubber, and cocoa. The law was enacted by the European Parliament and the Council on 31 May 2023, and has entered into force as of June 29, 2023.

The regulation acknowledges the environmental, economic, and social benefits of forests, recognizing their role in maintaining ecosystem functions, protecting the climate system, and providing livelihoods for approximately one-third of the world’s population. It also highlights the severe consequences of deforestation and forest degradation, including the reduction of essential carbon sinks and the increased risk of new diseases and pandemics.

An infographic by satellite data analytics company LiveEO, which offers deforestation detection, breaks down the complex legislation.

Why is the bill important?

Deforestation and forest degradation are occurring at an alarming rate, contributing significantly to global warming and biodiversity loss. The EU’s consumption is a significant driver of these environmental issues on a global scale. The regulation aims to combat this by reducing the impact of the Union’s consumption on deforestation, promoting sustainable trade, implementing ambitious environment and climate policies, and working in partnership with producer countries.

The regulation is a crucial part of the measures needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and comply with the Union’s commitments under the European Green Deal and the Paris Agreement. It also seeks to combat biodiversity loss and comply with the Union’s commitments under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

Who Needs to Comply – and How?

The regulation applies to companies operating within the EU that deal with commodities and products associated with deforestation and forest degradation (see infographic), which need to ensure that their supply chains are deforestation-free. This involves conducting due diligence to identify and address deforestation risks in their supply chains, sourcing commodities and products from sustainable and certified sources, and implementing traceability systems to track the origin of commodities and products.

Businesses are also required to adopt sustainable practices in their operations. This could include implementing sustainable agricultural practices, reducing waste, and minimizing their carbon footprint. They will need to report on their efforts to combat deforestation, as well as disclose information about their supply chains. Publishing annual sustainability reports, participating in third-party audits, and disclosing information to regulatory authorities will be part of this effort.

In addition, companies are encouraged to work in partnership with other stakeholders, including local communities, non-governmental organizations, and governments, to address deforestation. This could involve participating in multi-stakeholder initiatives, supporting local conservation efforts, and contributing to sustainable development projects.

The EU Deforestation Regulation is a significant step towards a more sustainable future. It not only addresses a critical environmental issue but also sets a precedent for other regions to follow. As companies adapt to comply with this regulation, they will play a crucial role in protecting our planet’s forests and, ultimately, our future.

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Istanbul aims to build its third airport on nearly a square kilometer of previously pristine forest in the northern, European part of the city, on Lake Terkos near the Black Sea. With six runways and an annual capacity of 150 million passengers, Transport Minister Binali Yildirim told Turkish newspaper Zaman “it will be the largest airport in the world.”

Capable of surpassing  passenger throughput at London’s Heathrow and the trio of airports in the United Arab Emirates, this new facility will be so large it’ll be visible from space.

An environmental impact report (ÇED) prepared by the Ministry of Environment assessed probable environmental effects from project construction.  It predicts that, if the airport is built as planned, more than half a million trees spanning ten species will be chopped.

The project site is 80 percent forested, dense growth that acts as a natural carbon sink for populous Istanbul.  Airport development, with associated deforestation, will interrupt carbon’s natural cycling and considerably increase regional air pollution.

Carbon cycling is the natural transfer of carbon between the biosphere and earth’s atmosphere, Trees and plants are the primary transfer agents.

Forests pull CO2 out of the atmosphere as part of photosynthesis. A series of biochemical reactions convert the CO2 into glucose, which fuels plant cell function, growing biomass. Carbon in plantlife is conventionally released back to the atmosphere through respiration, burning, and biomass decay.

Large-scale deforestation eliminates natural carbon storage, releases unnatural amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere, and reduces forward capacity to suck CO2 from the air. All serve to accelerate anthropogenic climate change.

The ÇED, recently released on the ministry’s website, states that airport construction will cause irreversible damage to the area’s forest and water ecosystems. “The area where the third airport is planned to be built is 7,650 hectares, and 6,172 hectares of this field consists of forested area, 1,180 hectares are used for mining, 660 hectares constitute a lake, 236 hectares are used for pasture and 60 hectares are used for agricultural activities. There are 2,513,341 trees in the area…maritime pine, stone pine, Calabrian pine, black pine, oak, hornbeam, narrow-leafed ash, linden, Norway maple and cedar.”

The report states that there are 70 animal species living in the forest, and warns that the proposed development will destroy the area’s vegetation and natural features. Increased vehicle traffic and urbanization following airport construction will exacerbate air pollution and habitat loss.

Istanbul has two international airports: Ataturk on the European side (37 million annual passengers) and Sabiha Gokcen on the Asiatic (13 million annual passengers).  The third airport is expected to create 100,000 new jobs in this city of 15 million people.

Image of felled trees from Shutterstock

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Abu Dhabi Group will construct the world’s tallest building in Pakistan. It’s the stuff of dreams. Let’s hope it stays that way. The project will surpass Dubai’s Burj Khalifa (the world’s tallest building in Dubai) as part of a $45 billion national investment by Pakistani tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain, according to Construction Week Online.

The mega-deal between Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi Group, and Hussain was just inked in Abu Dhabi.  Sheikh Al Nahyan said, “I am genuinely happy that in this historic project we are working with visionary Malik Riaz Hussain, this guarantees that the project will be delivered beyond our expectations but also before time. We will Inshallah be welcoming first residents in next three to four years.”

Watch that space.  Not a single major capital project has come in as per original schedule in the Middle East in a decade (developments related to elite sporting events are excluded from that broad smack-down).  It’s the economy, stupid.  Development money flows at a trickle, and new space is hard to sell.

Hussain also plans to build a series of single-themed cities for media, medicine, education and sports, as well as miniature versions of the Seven Wonders of the World.  Is Pakistan aiming to “out-Vegas” Dubai?

About $10 billion of the planned budget will be spent in Lahore and Islamabad and $35 billion will pour into Sindh.  The combined works are expected to create 2.5 million jobs.

Is this marvelous or misdirected? 

The world’s tallest building plunked down in Pakistan, the world’s sixth most populous nation that suffers from poverty, terrorism, illiteracy and corruption. The literacy rate (for population above ten years old) is 58.5%, and over a third of its people are under age 15.  Half of Pakistan’s’ urban dwellers lack access to sanitation, resultantly, gastroenteritis (transmitted through waterborn pollutants) is a leading cause of death.

As typical in a developing nation, efforts to spur economic growth undermine environmental protections.  Waste disposal is largely unregulated and there are no controls on vehicular emissions. Pakistan has the second-highest rate of deforestation in the world. But hey, it’s location, location, location.

Amidst the media shock and awe reporting on this story, one quiet blogger offered a clear perspective.  Ali Rafiq writes on The Tribune website:

“The tallest building on the planet, Burj Khalifa, was built in 2010 when Dubai was ranked as the seventh most visited city in the world. The second tallest building, the Makkah Royal Clock Tower Hotel, was built in a city that is visited by several million pilgrims annually as part of an obligate religious duty. The third tallest building in the world, the Taipei 101, is located in a city that holds one of the largest global foreign exchange reserves and boasts virtually full employment.

“The crux of the discussion is that all such buildings symbolise already existing prosperity in their respective cities, instead of initiating the process of development.

“When the Mughals, at the peak of their power, were busy building lavish architectural miracles like the Taj Mahal, the West invested in the field of science. The effect of these different approaches are being felt a couple of centuries later when the West has left us far behind in terms of development. The effect is felt even more when each year hundreds of our educated youth leave their home country for greener pastures, disheartened by the security situation that worsens each passing day.”

The Abu Dhabi United Group for Development and Investment is a United Arab Emirates-based private equity firm owned by Sheikh Zayed Al Nahyan, member of the Abu Dhabi Royal Family and Minister of Presidential Affairs for the UAE. According to Wikipedia, the company was formed in 2008 as the investment vehicle for the takeover of Manchester City Football Club.

This may be a good move for it’s shareholders, but what’s in it for 180 million Pakistanis?

Image of fantasy tower from Shutterstock

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In Darkush, Syria, civilians must turn to their environment for the basic need of warmth. Day after day, freezing temperatures prevail, and tree after tree is cut down. The national park to the northwest of Idlib, a herding area, is slowly becoming a flatland.  Without the trees, which are beautiful and rare, the volume of tourists at the site is likely to decrease tremendously.  An area once known for its magnificent forests is sadly becoming known for its arboreal devastation.

The Syrian people are cutting down trees with increasing fervidity, but are doing so regretfully.   “My heart burns to see all the trees cut down. But there’s no choice. People need to stay warm,” said Hamad Al-Tawheed, one of many pick-up drivers for the firewood-to-be in Darkush.

A special unit of forest rangers was stationed in the park, but with the onset of the war, it was disbanded.

Syrian civilians found themselves suffering from a fuel crisis that meant power cuts across the whole country.  The trees, unprotected, in turn suffered at the hands (…or chainsaws) of those civilians and their hired help.

Chainsaw operators are reported to receive $5 for each tree knocked down, and truck drivers approximately $150 for each ton of lumber transported.

There is a dire need for this wood to make fuel not only in the homes of Syrians living in Darkush, but also in the businesses, like bakeries, in some of the country’s main cities.  Imported fuel from Turkey is generally off the table, as it is substandard and expensive.

Putting bread on the table is easier said than done.

In Syria, any woodland is rare; according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, it constitutes a mere 1.4 percent of the country’s terrain.  Now, as push comes to shove for the Syrians, even that statistic is diminishing.

The cliffs will remain, and so will the nearby Orontes river, but the trees, among them conifers and oaks, are scarily becoming a distant memory.

::The Saudi Gazette

Photo of man cutting tree from Shutterstock

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A UK-based scientist has removed trees from world famous works of art to highlight the threat of deforestation

In the field of climate change, we are constantly asked to imagine nightmarish scenarios. Situations where water may run dry, where mass migrations are provoked by food shortages or where extreme weather events on the rise. These are all, however, future events we have to conjure up and not our present or past. But what if you had to edit the world’s history to reflect its future? What if there were no more trees? What would our past look like? What would world famous works of art look like without trees? An Edinburgh University scientist has used photo-editing software to imagine just that.

 Dr Iain Woodhouse has recreated famous paintings without trees and woodlands to draw attention to the threat of global deforestation and highlight the values of woods and forests. He photoshopped the trees out from Constable’s The Haywain (below), Seurat’s Sunday Afternoon on the Island of Grande Jatte (above), and Van Gogh’s Olive Trees with Yellow Sky and Sun.

He told the BBC: “Trees are a vital global resource, providing fuel, shelter, clean water and food for many species including people, and helping to maintain a healthy atmosphere by harvesting carbon dioxide… It is crucial that trees do not disappear from our landscapes.”

Writing on Forest Planet, Dr Woodhouse explained that the project came about as an attempt to visually represent loss. “It’s one of the themes that I’ve been working on with the artist Alice Ladenburg,” he explained. “It is relatively easy to represent the importance of something that is present, but how do you capture or express the importance of something like deforestation that is all about the absence of something? It is not easy to focus a viewer’s attention on something that is not there!”

Well, I think he did a pretty good job of presenting loss. The Van Gogh piece is a particularly stark reminder of what we have to lose.

For more arts and culture with an environmental slant see:
‘Rain’ and Qatari Folktales of Nature
‘Wadjda’ – A Saudi Girl & Her Green Bike
‘Solar Mama’ – A Film About Jordan’s Solar Women
Film Review: The Blessed Tree – An Interfaith Meeting Under The Shade of Nature

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Illegal logging is not only killing the planet – it is supporting organised crime too

Back in 2010 we reported on the case of Moroccan activist Mohammed Attaoui who was facing imprisonment for his stance against illegal logging. Living in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains, Attaoui insisted that ‘mafia-style’ corruption was behind illegal logging which threatened the protected cedar of Morocco. Weeks after publishing his expose Attaoui was arrested on trumped-up charges and given a two year sentence. Now, a new report by the UN states that around 90% of all illegal logging in tropical countries in the Amazon basin, Central Africa and South East Asia may be supporting organised crime.

The UN report challenges the international figures which state that illegal logging is on the decline and insists that the illegal loggers have just got better at hiding their tracks. Common techniques used to hide stock include forging permits, hacking trade databases, hiding illegal timber amongst legal stock and concealing the true origin of the wood. With this in mind, the report estimates that illegal logging makes up 30% of the global timber trade and 50% – 90% of tropical deforestation can attributed to organised crime. This means that the illegal timber trade alone is estimated to net between $30 to $100 billion a year.

“What we’re shocked about is the sheer scale of timber that goes unaccounted for,” report author Christian Nelleman told New Scientist. And as the illegal trade is so lucrative, cartels are simply becoming more and more organised: “As long as the profits in illegal logging remain high and the risks of getting caught are very low, there is little incentive to abandon illegal practices,” adds the report.

UNEP released the report ‘Green Carbon: Black Trade’ in association with international police organization Interpol. In June, Interpol established a pilot programme called Law Enforcement Assistance for Forests (LEAF) which will attempt to coordinate the efforts of police and intelligence agencies to fight illegal timber internationally. The full report focuses on case studies in Indonesia, the Congo and Brazil where corrupted political systems have allowed illegal loggers to escape detention.

: Image of Logging activity at canal river in Indonesia via Shutterstock.com

For on the impacts of illegal logging and deforestation see:

The Lebanese Cedar Survival Past Tipping Point?

Jordanian Bank Buys 1/4 of A Congo Forest

Grandfather of Turkish Environmental Movement Receives Right Livelihood Award

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Turkey is not a country where environmental awareness is terribly high. But one man has done more to solve this problem, as well as the forces that threaten Turkey’s natural habitats, than almost anyone. The second Turkish environmentalist to win one of the “alternative Nobel prizes”, Hayrettin Karaca devoted his life to nature conservation after witnessing alarmingly unsustainable land development on travels throughout Turkey in the 1970s.

As he faces potential jailtime for “trespassing” on public land to document deforestation, Karaca’s award has drawn global attention to this remarkable environmentalist.

Educating the masses, while keeping Turkey green

Much-loved by Turkish civil society and unafraid to take on the Turkish government or corporate developers, Karaca has done more to bring environmental awareness into the public sphere in Turkey than almost any other person.

In 1992, he co-founded TEMA (the Turkish Foundation for Combating Soil Erosion, for Reforestation and the Protection of Natural Habitats), which has since carried out 150 projects that demonstrate how to conserve biodiversity, reforest, and develop rural areas sustainably. The foundation currently has 450,000 volunteer members, in addition to hundreds of full-time staff and educators.

TEMA’s primary goal these days is highlighting the dangers of soil erosion and resulting desertification. More than 2.5 million people have attended TEMA’s educational programs, and its efforts are paying off: a recent poll showed that 64 percent of Turkish adults view soil erosion as an urgent threat.

Throughout the course of its career, TEMA has planted 10 million new seedlings across the country. It has also opened or intervened in 166 legal cases for the protection of forest or agriculture areas, and won 82 of them — an impressive achievement in a society where corporations carry so much influence.

Battling for his freedom

Despite his age, Karaca, 90, shows no sign of ceasing his work on behalf of Turkey’s environment. But Karaca’s involvement in his most recent cause may cost him six of his remaining years.

In 2010, he met with villagers in western Turkey, where gold-mining companies had prepared to cut down 7,400 trees on public land. After he went to the area where the deforestation was about to commence and took some pictures, the mining company sued him and several villagers for trespassing. If convicted, they each face up to six years in prison.

This case reveals the best and the worst of the environmental movement in Turkey: passionate, brave individuals who risk their freedom to stand up to corporations with no regard for the environment versus the power those corporations wield across Turkish society and government.

If he is found guilty, Karaca’s conviction will certainly spark protests across Turkey. He is widely admired, with two national TV programs and frequent speaker appearances around the country. TEMA’s supporters, as well as the individuals Karaca has personally taught, will not let the government imprison this man without a struggle.

:: Right Livelihood Awards

Read more about heroic environmentalists in Turkey:
Environmentalist Partially Blinded By Illegal Fishermen in Istanbul
Will Turkey’s New Constitution Include Ecological Protections?
Turkish Energy Analyst Says Biggest Emitters Avoided Durban Commitments
In Remotest Anatolia, Lone NGO Speaks Up On Nature’s Behalf

Image via habermonitor

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An Islamic bank in Jordan, Sanabel, has bought up over a quarter of a Congo forest for ‘sustainable projects’

When I first read about the acquisition of 500,000 hectares of high value forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo by an Islamic investment bank in Jordan, I thought one thing: land grab.

Over the last couple of years, countries across the MENA region have been buying tracts of land all over Africa. Worried about the rising cost of food as well as declining natural resources locally, they have been trying to make sure that their eggs (so to speak) aren’t all in one basket. Egypt has bought up land in Sudan, Saudi Arabia has staked a claim on land in Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates has farms in Sudan, Morocco and Algeria.

However, this latest land acquisition by Sanabel is a little more interesting as it claims to come with some green credentials. According to news reports, Sanabel which is Jordan’s first Islamic investment bank is considering a number of “Sharia’ compliant forestry activities” for the land it has purchased. These range from afforestation and reforestation projects, and protecting the land from deforestation and sustainable agro-forestry projects.

I have written about the ethical aspects of Islamic banking in the past and also the important role they could be playing in protecting the planet, so it’s great to see some action being taken. Indeed Al-Sanabel Chairman and CEO Khaldoun Malkawi explained that these activities are entirely compatible with Islamic banking principles since they simultaneously help to fight climate change by protecting biodiversity, reducing poverty and promoting corporate social responsibility.

Sanabel did however also add that this purchase is part of their plans to capitalise on the rapidly growing carbon trading market. This means that the company “will develop forest carbon credits projects that will protect the role of forests in mitigating climate change.”

As such Sanabel will be hoping to get companies to pay them to preserve the forestland in Congo and protect it from deforestation in return for carbon credits which help them meet their carbon reduction targets.

This is, however, where it gets a little messy.

Firstly, the carbon credit market has been widely criticised for allowing business to continue spewing lots of emissions. It turns out that buying carbon credits from schemes such as the one that Sanabel will be running is a lot cheaper and easier for businesses than actually cutting their own emissions.

So instead of protecting the environment and helping tackle global warming, these scheme just help companies continue their destructive practices.

The second issue that needs to be considered is the displacement of poor people living in these forests. For example, 70,000 indigenous people living in the western region of Gambella in Ethiopia were forced to relocate as the land had been living on was bought up by foreign investors. Saudi Star Agriculture Development was one of the companies implicated in this forced displacement.

Land ownership is a hugely contested issue and passing on ownership to a foreign government can only make the situation more complicated.

So while I’m happy to see Islamic banks consider green projects, I think they need to do better next time. They need to show that they aren’t out just to make a quick buck and also that they take their environmental responsibilities seriously.

Update March 2020: the website/Facebook page for Sanabel is down.

Images of Congo forest via bobulix/flickr.

For more on African land grab see:
Egypt to Grab Sudanese Land To Meet Its Wheat Needs
Africa Up For Sale, Is The Middle East Buying?
Arab States Buy Up Vast Tracts Of African Farmland

The post Jordanian Bank Sanabel Buys One Quarter of a Congo Forest appeared first on Green Prophet.

British Muslims are breaking the terrorist stereotype in a new eco-awareness campaign. Trees4Life, a British grassroots organisation has branched out as far as Palestine and Indonesia, to facilitate positive solutions to environmental problems in the form of tree-planting programs.

In the faithful hopes of trying to make us aware of our environmental obligations, Trees4Life believes planting a tree is the first small step in being a green Muslim. “We are just trying to open the door in thinking ‘green’,” says founder Naweeda Ahmad.

Green Prophet writer Zaufishan Iqbal asked the Trees4Life team how British Muslims can help the Middle East and whether planting trees is really the way to go about it.

Green Prophet: Great to speak to you Naweeda. First up, tell us a bit about Trees4Life. When and where did the campaign begin? Who’s on the team?
“Trees4Life Campaign began in June 2010. There are two members on the team; Ruhul Tarafder and Naweeda Ahmad. We also have 5 trustees, Shahed Yunus (Chair), Lina Khan (Secretary), Robin Virgin, Naima Bouteldja and Rafia Meah. Each of us has a varied role in terms of promoting unusual fundraisers and organising campaigns.

The main aims of the organisation are to raise awareness in Britain of the ecological and environmental problems facing the planet, especially some of the most vulnerable populations of the less developed world.

Trees4Life Campaign is an innovative, global initiative to raise awareness of the ecological and environmental problems facing our planet. Our belief is simply that life cannot survive without trees because trees are in essence the lungs of the earth, they breathe in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen, this is what sustains life.”

Green Prophet: How does faith as a Muslim fit into your environmental action?
“Ecology may seem like a western concept but really this is something that Islam promoted over 1400 yrs ago. Allah (Arabic, God) has made humans custodians of the earth; this has been entrusted to us by Allah and it’s important for us to look after it.

As Muslims, we have an obligation to preserve the planet, and what better way than planting a tree.”

Green Prophet: Is Islam therefore the inspiration behind Trees4Life
“At Trees4Life, we felt that Islam is not just about fulfilling the rituals of the faith – prayer, fasting in Ramadan – but to look beyond that and to be concerned about the world we live in.

We are therefore supposed to be concerned about our environment and to learn about how we can help our world in a positive way, this is part of our faith.

We wanted to engage in an act that would help us to help the environment and also encourage others to do the same. Planting a tree is one of the simplest acts anyone can do to help support the environment.”

Green Prophet: Where in the world have you planted trees so far, and where are you going next?
“Trees4Life Campaign is working to support tree planting programs in many parts of the developing world. Our first and current project is Trees4Life Indonesia whereby we aim to help our partners (IFEES and the Consortium) to re-plant trees in two of Java’s National Parks. Between 1985 and 2007, the island of Sumatra alone lost 12 million hectares of natural forest; a 48 percent loss over 22 years. Our humble aim is to plant 2,000 trees.

*Updates on the Trees4Life Facebook group page say over a half of this target was recently met. Great stuff.

We hope to initiate projects in other countries including Bangladesh, Palestine, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Costa Rica and Brazil. Developments are being made to launch these soon.”

Green Prophet: What response have you had about your campaigns from the Muslim and wider community?
“We have had a very positive response so far in a short space of time which is very pleasing. Earlier this year, we hit over 500 members on our Facebook group supporting the Banglatown road trip where through donations, we had the funds to plant just over 300 trees.

People from all over Great Britain have supported the project as well people who met the road trip team in the different countries they have driven through.”

Over the summer season, Trees4Life organised an open eco-poetry competition, allowing submitters to gift a tree planting, and a fantastic Fusion Rally environmental car trek across Europe saw the Muslim ‘Green Burqettes’ fundraise and promote Green Islam ideas.”

Green Prophet: Middle Eastern regions only constitute 4.7% of the world’s total carbon emissions, so it’s ironic that leaders fly across in planes just to tell us to switch off our kettles. How can planting trees help reduce our global carbon footprint?
“It is no myth that trees help to reduce carbon emissions. As they grow, they help in the fight against climate change. Trees remove carbon dioxide from the air, store carbon in the trees and soil, and then release oxygen into the atmosphere.

Research shows that global warming is threatening the world’s trees. If current rates of fossil fuel emissions continue, the rainforests are in danger of collapse. In turn, deforestation exacerbates global warming when dying trees release their stored carbon back into the atmosphere. This vicious cycle could lead to irreversible and dangerous climate changes that would affect all life on the planet.

Planting trees is a simple step that anyone can take that reduces carbon dioxide and makes a pro active stand against global warming. Our official website provides a carbon calculator which can be used to find out an individual’s carbon footprint and how many trees he/she needs to plant to offset this.”

Green Prophet: Faith is a driving force for many environmentalists. Do you believe Muslims have an additional role to play in keeping the earth ‘green’?
“Yes definitely. In fact, studying the biography of the Prophet Muhammad shows his actions would be considered in today’s world as that of a green and eco-friendly person.

We think many Muslims are unaware that this is their social and Islamic responsibility as part of our Islamic faith to be ‘green’.

Over 1400 years ago the Prophet taught us to not waste our energy and resources but to use these wisely. In a hadith (saying) emphasising the urgency of preservation, he was reported to have said ‘If an individual has an opportunity to plant a tree, even if he knows the Day of Judgement is imminent, let him plant the tree’. [Bukhari]

Green Prophet: Although we have reported on the lives and passing of green Muslims, positive reenforcement of the ‘Muslim environmentalist’ image is lacking in mainstream media. What do you think is holding back Muslims from doing more for the planet?
“There are many factors holding Muslims back from doing more for the planet. First and foremost would be a lack of education on environmental issues. When taking into consideration many countries with an overwhelming Muslim population are hugely underdeveloped, and there are high illiteracy rates, environmental concerns are often not seen as a high priority.

Many ordinary people throughout Asia and Africa struggle for basic necessities such as clean water, food, shelter, and free education. What is not highlighted is the correlation between having these basic necessities and preserving the environment.”

Green Prophet: If you could get Muslims to do one thing for the environment, what would it be?
“Stop wasting what Allah has given us. Use water wisely, think about our food, how much we consume and how much we actually waste. We need to re-educate ourselves on being grateful to Allah for the blessings He has given us.

If the simple act of planting a tree across the globe could be promoted amongst everyone then this single act would not only be a step in the right direction of preserving the planet but for Muslims it’s a small action for which the spiritual reward is far reaching.”

Green Prophet: As educators yourself, what work does Trees4Life do in Middle Eastern countries in protecting the environment?
“Our Trees4Life Campaign launched this year with the first project in Indonesia. The tree planting process involves identifying a nursery site, constructing the nursery, and preparing and maintaining seedlings. We train local people to look after the nurseries and thus, continue the tradition of tree preservation.

Trees4Life research the best nursery sites and maintain saplings in purpose-prepared eco-friendly land

The planting stage includes land preparation – clearing, green fertilization, preparing sites for planting of each tree – as well as establishing land control, shelters and signboards. The program in Indonesia, along with others, will plant “cash crops” and will facilitate community mobilization, education, planting and maintenance activities.

We hope to launch future projects across the world including the Middle East, with recruitment currently underway in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Brazil. We are currently exploring possibilities of developing olive tree programmes in Palestine.”

Green Prophet: What are some of the core green principles inspired by Islam?

“Islam is a way of life in which justice, fairness and compassion towards all of creation is paramount. Prophet Muhammad is the role model for humanity. Like Prophet Jesus and Prophet Moses, he had the Islamic environmental philosophy, simple living, moderation, and respect and concern for all creation.

Trees are a blessing from Allah; they provide us with shade, with fruits and more importantly they are the lungs of the earth, providing us with oxygen. They also provide us with a beautiful environment. Many different types of trees and flowers with herbal uses and beautiful shades of colour, are a reminder of Heaven, all of which make us reflect on creation.

Trees are mentioned in the Quran and hadith (Prophet Muhammad’s sayings) including the date palm tree, olive tree, fig and pomegranate. These fruits have many health benefits and undiscovered remedies so Islam teaches us to be grateful for these blessings.

Several hadith (prophetic sayings) refer to planting a seed or tree:

• ‘There is no-one amongst the believers who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but it is regarded as a charitable gift for him.’
• ‘If any believer plants any plant and a human being or an animal eats of it, he will be rewarded as if he had given that much in charity.’ (Hadith recorded by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).”

Green Prophet: And finally, what changes do you hope to see in the Middle Eastern and Asian community in the next 25 years with regards to environmental awareness?

“It is very important for the countries mentioned and others to consider environmental awareness for the next 25 years and beyond.

One of the other benefits is that trees provide a powerful defence against floods and soil erosion, such as in Bangladesh and Pakistan, which climate scientists warn will suffer from increased risk of floods due to rising sea levels from climate change. The recent devastating floods in Pakistan fit into the long-term pattern of increased frequency of natural disasters and erratic weather symptomatic of global warming. Deforestation made Pakistan much more vulnerable to flooding.

Trees4Life Campaign thus aims to get to the root of the problem by encouraging people all over the world to plant trees. Extensive reforestation of the southern hemisphere would also significantly reduce the effects of global warming and help to restore the natural balance elsewhere. Trees are nature’s way of ‘locking in’ carbon, so planting more trees is one of the most powerful ways of combatting climate change and defending our environment.”

:: Trees4Life Campaign

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A Guide To Green Blogging For Muslims
30 Mosques in 30 States: USA’s Organic Muslims
Middle East Leaders To Launch Green Hajj Guide At House Of Lords
UN: Urban Trees Needed Everywhere

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