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| Selected Editorials |
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 Arab water: reform or perish | | by Najib Saab
February 2010
The Arab world is facing thirst and hunger unless rapid and effective measures are taken to address the water scarcity dilemma. Even if all available water resources were utilized, Arab countries are today under the water stress level, and they will face by 2025 the stage of 'acute water scarcity' which is less than 500 cubic meter per capita per year. In many countries this is already below 100 cubic meters, which can be only described as ‘below thirst level’. | | | China and USA: two giants controlling the World's Climate | | By Najib Saab
January 2010
The main outcome from the Copenhagen climate summit may turn out to be the Chinese-American accord that will probably mark the 21st century. The agreement between the old and new super powers, at the last minutes of negotiations, can be considered as a coup that not only marginalized the developing nations but also sidelined the European countries. In a tone characterized by bitterness, the UN Secretary General and EU leaders attempted to identify some 'positive elements' in this crippled agreement by considering it a 'beginning'. Those who will have enough life might witness how the end will be. | | | Climate Change: Challenge of Tomorrow, Solution for Today | | by Najib Saab
September 2009
Is it true that combating climate change hampers efforts to tackle pressing issues in the Arab world such as poverty, hunger, water scarcity and pollution? | | | Green Economy: From Ban Ki-moon to Fuheid Al-Sharif | | by Najib Saab
July-August 2009
"Were you the one who wrote that speech?" My son enquired after we listened to the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's graduation speech to the class of 2009 at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington. William, who graduated with a degree in energy and environment policies, was taken by surprise with the high environmental tone of the Secretary General, compared to the usually subdued international statements meant to please everybody, while saying nothing. | | | Climate Change: from intentions to actions | | by Najib Saab
June 2009
The Arab ministerial declaration on Climate Change issued by the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the Environment (CAMRE) at the end of 2007, has placed for the first time the official Arab finger on the climate change wound, but did not evolve yet to an action plan with specific objectives and targets. | | | Energy policies and the nightmares of advisers | | by Najib Saab
May 2009
Renewable energy is a nightmare." I was highly surprised with this statement attributed to Saudi Arabia's Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources Ali Al-Naimi, which made center stage in the headlines of hundreds of articles and comments in newspapers and online. | | | The Environment in Lebanese Elections | | by Najib Saab
April 2009
Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora launched the discussion about this issue by his speech at the ceremony for the presentation of the annual report of the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) in Beirut last month. He considered the facts and figures presented by the report as a "slap on our faces that may awaken us to what we have caused of damage in our environment and the delay in taking corrective measures throughout the years". As he stated that debates and struggles over privileges and positions does not stop people's need for clean air, water and food and the enjoyment of nature's resources, he endorsed the inclusion of environmental accounting as a part of the national budget of Lebanon and other Arab countries. | | | Climate Change: who pays for the dinner? | | by Najib Saab
March 2009
If no drastic measures are taken immediately, global warming will accelerate during the 21st century at a rate that causes severe environmental damage exceeding what was previously anticipated." This warning was issued by the US scientist Chris Field who is a prominent figure in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), only two days before the 25th session of UNEP's governing council that was held in Nairobi last month.
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| Articles |
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 The Environment in Arab Media | | Najib Saab
Chapter 14- "Arab Environment: Future Challenges", Edited by: Mostafa K. Tolba and Najib W. Saab - 2008
It is difficult to talk about a special identity of Arab environmental media in the same way as one may talk, for example, about an identity relevant to Arab political, cultural, economic, or sports media. An information identity requires some fundamental conditions to be considered autonomous and genuine. One such condition is the existence of professional patterns concerning varieties of news collection, presentation and analysis based on a particular theoretical framework pertaining to environmental issues | |  | | | Executive summary Arab Environment: Future Challenges | | Najib Saab
Preface and Executive Summary of "Arab Environment: Future Challenges", Edited by: Mostafa K. Tolba and Najib W. Saab - 2008
Arab Environment: Future Challenges is the first annual report produced by the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED). The policy-oriented report is designed to evaluate the progress made towards the realization of sustainable development goals and a good environmental quality. It also examines the Arab contribution to global environmental endeavours. | |  | | | The Lebanese Coast | | Najib Saab
Introduction of "The Lebanese Coast"- 2003
This book of photographs is unique in that it pictures the Lebanese coastal zone from the sea. What we have been used to in similar books was to look from land to sea; here we are looking from sea to land. This turning of the picture outside in is extremely significant since it provides for viewing the coast not only aesthetically but also environmentally, making many beauties stand out in a new perspective. | |  | | | A Plan for Environmental Recovery | | Najib Saab
Chapter in "Options for Lebanon" - 2004
It can be said without hesitation that the environmental crisis in Lebanon is rooted in the weaknesses inherent in the country’s prevailing political system. It is, unfortunately, a structure based on the distribution of profits among those in power, which encourages dealing with public resources not as a national common good, but rather as a milch cow to be shared among influential clan-chiefs, under the pretext of various religious, regional and provincial interests.
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 | | Arab Environment : Climate Change
Impact of Climate Change on Arab Countries | | Edited by Najib Saab and Mostafa Tolba
Impact of Climate Change on the Arab Countries is the second of a series of annual reports produced by the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED). The first, released in 2008 under the title Arab Environment: Future Challenges, covered the most pressing environmental issues facing the region. The 2009 AFED report is designed to provide information to governments, business, academia and the public about the impact of climate change on the Arab countries, and encourage concrete action to face the challenge.
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