On a meeting 3rd of March at Le Grand Sérail in Beirut, under the auspices of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, the organization Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) presented its first report on the state of the environment in the Arab countries and the future challenges.  Prime Minister Siniora, in a very engaged intervention talked about the report as having a shock effect for all Arabs. The report is a wake-up call for changing of behavior when it comes to environment and climate-issues, the Prime Minister continued.  The report certainly presents some very gloomy facts on the state of the environment in the Arab World when it comes to pollution of the air in the cities, waste of water resources, degradation of the coastline and the ominous consequences of climate change because of irresponsible ways of production and transportation. 
2009 can become a mile stone in modern history. For the bad, if we fail to manage the global crisis. But it can also become a mile stone for the good.
My message here is simple. Let’s make it for the good. Let’s make 2009 a green year!
In December 2009, the world will gather in Copenhagen for the 15th UN Climate Summit, the so called COP15 (Conference of Parties, 15th session). COP15 provides us the opportunity to reach a global agreement to follow the Kyoto Protocol on fighting the global climate changes.
The consequences of these, e.g. flooding and extreme precipitation, drought and desertification, are already visible and severe. As seen here in Lebanon with the frequent forest fires, the risk of the beautiful Cedar forests disappearing and need for much more irrigation in the Bekaa Valley because of the global warming. If we don’t find common solutions soon, the negative effects can be even worse in the years to come.
In Copenhagen in December, the international community will have an opportunity to make a historic decision. We can make the planet a better place to be for our children and for the generations to follow.
Denmark together with the EU is a driving force. The EU speaks with a strong and united voice in the international negotiations.
At the EU summit in December last year the EU countries agreed on a number of ambitious goals for the Union’s future reduction of green house gases and the share of renewable energy sources. We also agreed on the distribution of the burdens in order to realize these aims. The agreement sets out a strong joint platform to persuade others.

On a meeting 3rd of March at Le Grand Sérail in Beirut, under the auspices of Prime Minister Fuad Siniora, the organization Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) presented its first report on the state of the environment in the Arab countries and the future challenges.  Prime Minister Siniora, in a very engaged intervention talked about the report as having a shock effect for all Arabs. The report is a wake-up call for changing of behavior when it comes to environment and climate-issues, the Prime Minister continued.  The report certainly presents some very gloomy facts on the state of the environment in the Arab World when it comes to pollution of the air in the cities, waste of water resources, degradation of the coastline and the ominous consequences of climate change because of irresponsible ways of production and transportation. 
2009 can become a mile stone in modern history. For the bad, if we fail to manage the global crisis. But it can also become a mile stone for the good.

My message here is simple. Let’s make it for the good. Let’s make 2009 a green year!
In December 2009, the world will gather in Copenhagen for the 15th UN Climate Summit, the so called COP15 (Conference of Parties, 15th session). COP15 provides us the opportunity to reach a global agreement to follow the Kyoto Protocol on fighting the global climate changes.

The consequences of these, e.g. flooding and extreme precipitation, drought and desertification, are already visible and severe. As seen here in Lebanon with the frequent forest fires, the risk of the beautiful Cedar forests disappearing and need for much more irrigation in the Bekaa Valley because of the global warming. If we don’t find common solutions soon, the negative effects can be even worse in the years to come.

In Copenhagen in December, the international community will have an opportunity to make a historic decision. We can make the planet a better place to be for our children and for the generations to follow.
Denmark together with the EU is a driving force. The EU speaks with a strong and united voice in the international negotiations.
At the EU summit in December last year the EU countries agreed on a number of ambitious goals for the Union’s future reduction of green house gases and the share of renewable energy sources. We also agreed on the distribution of the burdens in order to realize these aims. The agreement sets out a strong joint platform to persuade others.