5	Environment Policies Inspired by Public (by Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri)
20	Beirut: Environmental Rise of the Phoenix (cover story)
36	Nature's Prints in the Construction of the Pyramids
38	Saudi Aramco's Forum on Environmental Management in Saudi Industry
44	Sustainable Business (Stephen Schmidheiny)
48	Prize for Green Advertisers
54	Environment & Development's 5th Anniversary
68	Zayed's Falcons Back to Nature in Pakistan
74	The Danube Delta
82	Envitec 2001 & A+A in Düsseldorf
86	Global 500 Awards
91	Environment Public Opinion Survey
96	Environmental Contest Results
98	River Jordan & Dead Sea Environmental Catastrophe
100	Mines & Quarries in Saudi Arabia
Environment Forum,8 - Arab Environment News, 14 - World Environment News, 78 - Environment Market, 88 -Green Library,90 - Calendar, 92 - Time for action,98

Environment Policies Inspired by Public
By Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri
Issue 40-41, July-August 2001

The results of an environment public opinion survey in Arab countries, recently published by the United Nations Environment Program, caught my attention. They showed that over 90 percent of the public demands stricter environmental laws, even if it means imposing some restrictions. The survey also indicated that over 80 percent of respondents were prepared to take personal environmentally-friendly action to contribute toward protecting the environment, such as using public transport, switching to unleaded fuel and conserving water and electricity. An overwhelming majority of 77 percent even indicated willingness to pay higher taxes if the money is allocated to environment protection. Lebanon's figures were among the best of all Arab countries, which is a clear indication of a higher level of environmental awareness among the populace.

The results of this survey constitute guidelines that we should follow. The public expects significant action that would preserve the environment and natural resources, in order to protect the rights of present as well as future generations. The responsibility of individuals, however, does not negate the government's central role in initiating and implementing environmental programs.

Whatever pressing problems we face in politics, economy, war and peace, there is no valid excuse to postpone seriously addressing the environmental concern. After all is said and done, we will still have to breathe, eat and drink! It is inconceivable that coming generations will not enjoy their right to fresh air, pure water and fertile soil.

The government is convinced that environmental management should be an integral part of development plans, within a system of priorities that begins by ceasing all actions that cause irreparable environmental damage, up to developing and harnessing natural resources in a balanced way that caters to economical needs without destroying the environment. It is imperative that environmental cost should be included in the government's budget, as balance sheets can no longer ignore real profit and loss figures related to the environment. Pollution and the open-ended consumption of natural resources cannot be tolerated in any sustainable development planning. Budgets should reflect environmental realities as well as economic realities.

International experiences have shown that a balanced use of resources, protecting nature, and promoting cleaner production that generates less pollutants and waste leads to a better quality of life. It has also been proven that environmental efficiency is not in conflict with economic prosperity and profit. Protecting the environment still has its price tag, but leads to decreasing health hazards, attracting more tourists and bringing in more investments. In short, it paves the ground for a better quality of life.

Entering the era of advanced technology and the communications revolution, as developers and not merely as consumers, will also lead to preserving the environment. Alongside the positive impact of acquiring technology ­ in terms of solutions to the problems of pollution and to what communications have achieved by bringing peoples closer together, presenting early warning systems for environmental hazards and natural disasters and disseminating effective solutions ­ the communications revolution also carries immediate impact on environmental protection. A satellite weighing 100 kilograms might today replace tons of ground cables, decreasing the amount of materials used and minimizing damage to ecosystems.

Providing the means to increasing production, fair distribution of wealth through balanced development and eliminating acute poverty are factors that affect environmental protection positively. For the environment is better protected by satisfied citizens who have confidence in the future. Even privatization programs have a positive environmental impact, if they lead to better efficiency in production and balanced use of resources.

We are convinced of those principles, which were included in the policy statement of the government. However, we need the support of those who expressed their opinion in the environmental survey but remain, to a large extent, a silent majority and a passive statistical potential. We invite them today to make their voice heard to the Cabinet as well as to members of Parliament.

Unfortunately, some individuals and groups still consider destroying the environment the cheapest way to quick profit, and others still think that protecting an illegal quarry here or overlooking a building violation there will win them more votes in the polls. Personal interests are standing in the way of implementing the comprehensive environmental management plan we promised in the Cabinet's policy statement. But I emphasize that the government is committed to implementing its environmental obligations.

I urge the public to make its environmental voice heard, in order to support environmental measures, and demand action from their elected representatives. People should not accept meager services and temporary profits at the expense of the future.

Environmental problems cannot be solved except by the cooperation of ordinary citizens, economists, traders, farmers, intellectuals and politicians. My attention was drawn to Environment and Development magazine's emphasis on the slogan "A better environment begins with you." The magazine has actually begun implementing this slogan without waiting for anyone's support, and has gone ahead with an environmental venture that succeeded within five years to trigger an environmental renaissance in many Arab countries, with apparent results at schools.

I congratulate Environment and Development magazine on its fifth anniversary, as it has evolved proficiently into an Arab environmental institution that reflects a strong belief in Lebanon's continuing resurgence and its pioneering role in the region.

The Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri attended and addressed the guests at Environment & Development magazine's 5th anniversary reception, where he also received from the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Najib Saab the first membership card in the "Environment and Development Forum". He wrote this article for the July-August issue of Environment & Development.