Eco Mania at IC

IC attends ACT NOW Conference in Finland

2011-10-18T21:53:00.008+03:00

From 12 till 17 September, Nour Chanouha, Eva Malik and Dima Chahine from the Environmental Club in Middle School Ras-Beirut, accompanied by their club advisor Sawsan Kibbi, participated in the ACT NOW Conference in Finland. To benefit from the Finnish vast experience with forests, the three girls visited Koli National Reserve. To the girls’ surprise, the Finnish President joined the group in their visit to the National Park and participated in planting trees. It was yet another amazing day when they attended hands-on workshops where they learned how to dig holes for trees using a planting tube, identify different trees through their barks and measure the height of a tree with Laser scanning. Through an eco-fashion show they attended, they eagerly learned how to look stylish even when using ecofriendly materials. Unbelievably, the three students were availed during the conference an opportunity to chat through the web with Dr. Jane Goodall. When replying to their questions, Dr. Goodall commended the environmental acts of young children especially if they work hand in hand. She added: “A small mosquito cannot change the direction of a rhino but a thousand mosquitoes can”. On their way back to school, the three children were starting to plan what to do next to show that they can make a difference. It was a trip to remember and treasure!

ACT - Global Warming in Lebanon

2010-03-21T13:30:00.003+02:00

Global Warming in Lebanon

Same day, different year
2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

Seal The Deal now !

2009-11-12T18:18:00.001+02:00

It takes just 1 minute, sign the 'Seal the deal' petition!

http://www.sealthedeal2009.org/

En route pour la conférance de Copenhague (2009)

2009-11-12T18:04:00.003+02:00

J'ai présenté aujourd'hui le thème du réchauffement climatique en classe de français (avec Mme Kobeissi) à partir de 3 articles de presses que j'ai retiré de quelques sites électroniques (les réféences sont cités ci-dessous). J'ai voulu communiquer avec vous les articles, et ma présentation aussi :) Je vous souhaite une bonne lecture ;)

Présentation

Je vous présente un thème que je considère très important pour nous et c’est le réchauffement climatique. En effet, le réchauffement climatique sera à l’ordre du jour de la conférence de L’Organisation des Nations Unis (ONU) qui se tiendras à Copenhague du 7 au 18 décembre 2009.

Cette conférence est le sujet traité dans un dossier publié sur le site électronique du le courrier international. Dans cette conférence les chefs d’états et de gouvernement vont négocier un accord international sur le climat, un nouveau Protocol qui devrait remplacer le Protocol de Kyoto qui prendra fin en 2012 et qui n’a jamais était ratifié par les Etats-Unis, le Protocol de Copenhague. Dans cet article, on nous informe aussi que la Chine, premier producteur de CO2 au monde, a promis de faire des efforts ; alors que l’Afrique ne signera ce nouveau Protocol que si elle reçoit une aide financière.

Le quotidien anglais ‘The Indépendant’ a aussi publié un article de presse traitant notre thème. D’après ce quotidien l’Organisation des Nations Unis (ONU) attend avec optimisme que Pékin relance les négociations sur le réchauffement climatique. Le président chinois annoncera que son pays, le plus grand émetteur mondial de CO2, est prêt à introduire des nouvelles mesures pour réduire sa pollution.

Un projet chinois présenté dans le magazine Terra-Economica montre que les chinois prennent leurs promesses au sérieux. D’après cet article, avec 107 millions de journaux vendus chaque jour, la presse chinoise est un grand pollueur. L’industrie papetière en Chine travaille essentiellement avec des pailles issu de l’agriculture, par conséquent, que le numéro un du papier journal chinois, Huatai Paper Company Ltd., a mis en place une nouvelle stratégie : remplacer la pate de paille par de la pate de bois, issu d’espèces à croissance rapide. Donc, ce journal a planté 400 000 hectares d’arbres à croissance rapide ce qui assure un pompage idéal pour le bilan carbonique de cette entreprise et en même temps permet à six milles familles de vivre des ressources forestières ce qui assure le développement durable.

Pour conclure, je pense le réchauffement climatique est un grand danger pour nous tous. Au niveau mondial l’alerte est très forte, les grands états le prennent au sérieux, il nous reste de suivre le déroulement de la conférence de Copenhague le mois prochain et d’espérer que les Etats-Unis coopèrent avec l’Europe et la Chine pour réduire leurs émissions de gaz et pour aider les pays en développement à faire de même.

Riad Hamadeh (3ème A)

Les articles de presses

La conférence de Copenhague

La lutte contre le réchauffement climatique sera à l'ordre du jour de la conférence de l'ONU qui se tiendra à Copenhague du 7 au 18 décembre 2009. Elle sera l'occasion pour les chefs d'État et de gouvernement de renégocier un accord international sur le climat en remplacement du protocole de Kyoto, qui prendra fin en 2012 et que les États-Unis n'ont jamais ratifié. L'arrivée au pouvoir de Barack Obama devrait modifier la donne. La réduction des gaz à effet de serre continue de diviser l'Occident et les pays en voie de développement. La Chine, premier producteur de CO2 au monde, s'est toutefois engagée à faire des efforts. L'Afrique, quant à elle, conditionne sa signature à une aide financière.

Et si l'initiative venait de Chine ?

L'ONU attend avec optimisme que Pékin relance les négociations sur le réchauffement climatique", écrit le quotidien britannique. Ce 22 septembre doit avoir lieu à New York l'Assemblée générale des Nations unies. Le président chinois, Hu Jintao, devrait y "annoncer que son pays, le plus gros émetteur mondial de CO2, est prêt à introduire de nouvelles mesures pour réduire sa pollution". A trois mois d'une conférence de l'ONU sur le climat, prévue à Copenhague, le sujet divise plus que jamais Europe et États-Unis.

En Chine, le papier touche du bois

Les journaux chinois polluent. La faute à leur papier issu de la paille. Mais Huatai Paper, le numéro un national, retourne en forêt.
S’il y a un marché qui ne va pas rester sur la paille, c’est celui de la presse chinoise. Avec 107 millions de journaux vendus chaque jour, la Chine caracole en tête du classement mondial. Deux quotidiens, le Canaco Xiaoxi et le Quotidien du Peuple, franchissent la barre des 2 millions d’exemplaires par jour. Alerte rouge cependant : le papier. Dans un pays peu riche en forêts - 18 % du territoire –, l’industrie papetière nationale travaille essentiellement avec des pailles issues de l’agriculture. Face à une industrie papetière tenue pour responsable de 17 % de la pollution des cours d’eaux du pays, Huatai Paper Company Ltd., le numéro un du papier journal chinois, a mis en place une nouvelle stratégie : remplacer la pâte de paille par de la pâte de bois, issue d’espèces à croissance rapide.
Selon le Programme des Nations unies pour le développement, Huatai Paper permet aujourd’hui à 6 000 foyers de vivre des ressources forestières. En plantant 40 000 hectares d’espèces à croissance rapide, ces derniers assurent en outre un pompage du CO2 idéal pour le bilan carbone de l’entreprise.
Le 26 Octobre 2009, par Victor Heitz

Références:

Terra-Economica
http://www.terra-economica.info/En-Chine-le-papier-touche-du-bois,5622.html?bravo=oui

Le Courrier International (The Independant) http://www.courrierinternational.com/breve/2009/09/22/et-si-l-initiative-venait-de-chine

Le Courier International:
http://www.courrierinternational.com/dossier/2009/10/20/la-conference-de-copenhague

Je vous souhaite une bonne journée :)

Riad : An Active Environmentalist

2009-10-31T23:15:00.006+02:00

Ragheb Alameh, a Lebanese popstar and U.N. ambassador for environmental and climate concerns for the Arab world, arrived last Saturday on a bicycle at the screening of "The Age of Stupid" in Beirut October 24, 2009. The event was organized by the League of Independent Activists (IndyAct).

In the photo,you can see also, Riad Hamadeh, an advocate environmentalist in 3eme leading Ragheb by bike to the green carpet.

Picture posted on:
http://townhall.com/photos/view.aspx?guid=a1a9370d-310c-4607-86e3-be44e55aca21&slideshow=1018&#photoViewer=a1a9370d-310c-4607-86e3-be44e55aca21

Bravo Riad

Inspiring Action

2009-10-31T23:06:00.002+02:00

Join the fight against climate change and sign up at :

http://www.greenpeace.org/international/getinvolved/inspiring-action

On est en danger !

2009-10-25T12:04:00.004+02:00

350 parts per million is what many experts are now saying is the safe limit for CO2 in our atmosphere.

Il faut limiter nos besoins en CO2 et arrêter de tuer notre planète! Pour plus d'info visiter: http://www.350.org/ !

Environmental Pioneers starts a new year

2009-10-24T14:14:00.002+03:00

Welcome back to school ! We will soon inform you when is our first meeting !
At this point, we would like to ask for suggestions concerning this year's activities that we can organise this year as part as our Environmental Pioneers' work!

OCTOBER 24

2009-10-07T14:07:00.004+03:00

TODAY IS THE DAY OF ACTION ! On 24 October, people in 181 countries are coming together for the most widespread day of environmental action in the planet's history. At over 5200 events around the world, people are gathering to call for strong action and bold leadership on the climate crisis.

SEAL THE DEAL http://www.350.org/ ! It takes less than 15 seconds !

Adnan's Memories of The TUNZA Trip

2009-09-27T16:36:00.002+03:00

My participation in the 2009 TUNZA International Children’s Conference was an outstanding and informative experience. I attended along with 3 of my colleagues, my teacher Mrs. Kibbi and my mom the TUNZA conference held in Daejeon, Korea from 17 to 20 August 2009. The main theme was Climate Change and its effect on bio-diversity as well as climate change and young people, water and sustainable life style. I attended many workshops and presentations that discussed the main theme of our meeting. I also went on fieldtrips to learn more about Korea.

During my stay, I met people from all around the world, and we shared our experience regarding our environmental projects. I benefited a lot from meeting new people, attending the sessions, and listening to the interesting lectures. I learned much and taught much to other children in the conference. I learned how I can have a sustainable lifestyle. For example, I learned that in order to consume energy, I can use the stairs instead of the elevator and I can play board games or card games instead of using electronical games in a way that I can not only save energy but also entertain myself. In one of the sessions I learned that water on earth is decreasing and that water is as precious as gold. I believe that water is of great value and a lot should be done to preserve it. On the other hand, my friends and I taught other children about the project we worked on last year on recycling batteries. Many people visited our stand, where they tasted Lebanese treats, played environmental games, won prizes and took photos with us wearing our national costumes. The most impressive work shop or meeting was the Global Town Hall meeting which brought together 1000 children and youth as well as participants from 20 cities around the world connected via web casting. This meeting was very organized and extremely impressive. I communicated and discussed various environmental issues with multinational children and youth.
My trip to Korea and my participation in the conference were once in a life time experience. It affected me in many positive ways that will lead me to work harder in the environmental club in order to make a difference and try to save our precious environment. I would like to thank my school and especially my teacher for choosing me to attend this conference and I promise them to continue working in the environmental pioneers group.

Environmental Pioneer
Adnan Ammache 1st A

IC Joins the UN “Seal the Deal!” Campaign in South Korea

2009-09-27T16:14:00.014+03:00

From 16 till 22 of August, four members of the Middle School Environment Club, Adnan Ammache, Mohammad Ali Maktabi, Alya El Husseini and Riad Hamadeh attended the TUNZA International Conference that was organized by UNEP in Daejeon, South Korea. Together with 1000 children and youth from 110 different countries and under the main theme Climate Change: Our Challenge, they actively discussed four issues: climate change and its effects on biodiversity, climate change and young people, water and sustainable lifestyle.

As they wore their t-shirts “Lebanon-the land of cedars”,they dazzled the participants with their environmental enthusiasm and the projects they displayed at the conference exhibition.

On the last day, they joined the Seal the Deal Global Debate, a perfect opportunity to share their opinions with other children. While Alya worked hard to prepare a statement that will be addressed to all world leaders including our President Michel Suleiman to “Seal the Deal” in Copenhagen, Adnan took advantage of his presence in the international conference to advertise for his “Recycle the Batteries” campaign and to collect international signatures on a banner.

With a cheerful smile and endless eagerness, Mohammad made sure to involve everyone in the environmental games the environment club at Ras Beirut has prepared earlier. On the other hand, Riad returned to school determined to inform his friends about sustainable consumption and to make them aware that their choices can make a big impact.

Alya, Riad, Mohammad and Adnan also distinguished themselves in the talent show where they proudly danced the dabkeh. Special thanks to Mrs. Ammache, Adnan’s mom, who well-trained them!!!

Rally for Nature

2009-06-01T00:06:00.004+03:00

Members of the Environment Club together with Science fair participants joined a rally for nature that took place on May 20 in Reserve Shouf.

Earth Day Celebrations

2009-05-31T23:55:00.005+03:00

Middle School Environmental Pioneers have been as busy as bees in a beehive. To publicize for Earth Day, they prepared beautiful banners that decorated the walls of Sage Hall.

On Friday April 24th during the lunch break, around 100 students of middle school student enjoyed the environmental games as well as delicious treats prepared by club members. Special thanks to some students outside the club like Farah Mawla and Nadia Mourad who caught the environmental fever and helped make this day a success. Yasmeen Nasser of grade six told her friends: “Earth Day was so much fun. Can we celebrate it every day?”

EARTH DAY - LA JOURNEE DE LA TERRE

2009-04-20T19:48:00.004+03:00

We are proud to annonce our EARTH DAY activities that are going to take place on FRIDAY, APRIL 24 during the second break in front of Sage Hall's main entrance! The program includes many activitites related to environment!

Nous avons le plaisir de vous annoncez que notre groupe organise des activités pour célébrer la journée de la Terre le VENDREDI 24 AVRIL à la deuxième recéation devant le Sage Hall (école complémentaire). Plusieurs activités reliées à l'environment auront lieu.

IC Students in a Finnish Newspaper

2009-04-19T14:07:00.003+03:00

For two consecutive days IC students appear in Finnish newspaper.

On April 15, one article discussed how the Lyceo School in Joensuu was visited by the ENO members. It was clear according to the article how the Lebanese group were impressed by

the equipment and the school organization. A picture to that article showed an IC student making good use of the well equipped music classroom and playing the drums in front of
a wide audience.

On April 16 newspaper, the article discusses how the first Lebanese group arrived to Joensuu to attend the ENO conference and how students are enjoying it and making good use of their stay to learn about the Finish culture, traditions, and schools.

IC Attend ENO In Finland

2009-04-15T20:40:00.013+03:00

"Today was the most unique day of my life", says Omar Najjar. "We went to Kukula Forest in Joensuu, Finland. We saw a breathtaking Finnish forest with thousands of trees, birch, oak and spruce. Due the cold weather, Finland has low biodiversity only around 20, 000 different species of plants and animals.We learned how a dead tree in a forest can be very beneficial and important to forest life. It is not dead but it is full of life. Yes , it houses many plants and animals. I was able to count around seven different kinds of mosses and lichens as well. I learned that those lichens will not grow when sulfur pollutants fill the air. With the help of a magnifier I observed the stalks of mosses and learned that they open up to release the spores and grow more spores.

I saw a harvester that harvest trees( weighs around 16 tons). It has a computer that measures the diameter of the tree barks and chops the log.

After walking for some time between the trees, we entered a cozy, warm cottage. There I struggled to make a ring out of bark slices. But, I could make it.

As for Hanna Hawa news and his picture playing the drums appeared already in today's finnish news. In the memory book of the Kukkula forest he wrote:

The tall trees pierce the skies

And the snow carpets the forest floor

This is the forest of Finland , a beauty lies at every corner

The branches of trees welcome you and make you feel at home

Earth Day Celebrations

2009-04-12T14:27:00.004+03:00

Through the advisory session the evironment club will start its plans for Earth Day celebrations.

On that day, the advisors will discuss for two consective sessions an article titled " Embrace the Tap" . With a lot of statistics and data, the article highly encourages students to use the tap instead of the plastic bottles. Students will creatively find with their peers different ways to minimize their dependence on plastic bottles.

Don' miss the fun games on Thursday April 23, during recess.

Environmental Pioneers Join the Science Fair

2009-04-12T14:21:00.006+03:00

Four members of the environment club joined the science fair 2009.
Omar Najjar and Hiba Siblini made a beautiful model about bees and their decline in our environment.

Riad Hamadeh and Alia Husseini actually won the first prize this year for their wonderful project on Eco School.

Bravo for Environmental Pioneers!

Earth Hour

2009-04-06T20:52:00.007+03:00

Lara ,in grade seven C, convinces all here neighbors to turn off the light.

Bravo Lara!

Check the following website to see magnificent pictures of the Earth hour in different parts of the earth.

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2009/03/earth_hour_2009.html

Recycle Batteries Posters

2009-03-26T22:47:00.006+02:00

Recycle Batteries for the Environment

2009-03-26T22:14:00.006+02:00

For the past four months, “The Environmental Pioneers” club in the Middle School has been working on an Ecobatt project to promote recycling batteries at IC with the help of an NGO called “Beeatona”. Batteries are extremely harmful for the soil if disposed improperly. The chemicals found in the battery may leak and damage the soil.

This is why Hiba Siblini, Mohammad Ali Maktabi, Riad Hamadeh, Aliya El Husseini, Adnan Ammache and Feras Wahab studied the importance of this project. Through posters they prepared they stressed the importance of using rechargeable batteries and proper ways of disposal.

Advisors distributed to all middle school students brochures that reveal why batteries could be dangerous and discussed with them ways to reduce battery wastes. “The Environmental Pioneers” also put together a movie and a poster illustrating the importance of this campaign and participated in a competition among schools at the UNESCO palace. We strongly encourage everyone to place their worn out batteries in the box placed in Sage Hall next to middle school office. Collected batteries will be shipped to a recycling plant in Egypt. Hand in hand, together we can all work for healthier and safer environment!

IC ADVERTISING FOR EARTH HOUR

2009-03-26T20:17:00.006+02:00

EARTH HOUR

The Environmental Pioneers is encouraging students to turn off the lights this saturday from 8.30 to 9.30!

"We all have a vote, and every single vote counts. Together we can take control of the future of our planet, for future generations."

"This year, Earth Hour has been transformed into the world’s first global election, between Earth and global warming. "

Aliya El-Husseini, member in the Environmental Pioneers group, has done a wonderful job in decorating her class's bulletin board in order to encourage students to participate in the global Earth Day event.

I, Riad Hamadeh, prepared many posters in order to spread the news, and I posted them in the cafeteria and in the classes and corridors. Aliya distributed those paper in Verdun Street in the afternoon with the help of some of her friends (Farah El-Mawla, ...)!

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE! TURN OFF YOUR LIGHTS AND SPREAD THE NEWS!

Middle School Goes Green

2009-01-25T21:30:00.003+02:00

Lately, the environment club acquired a new bulletin board to post on it all the green news.

ENO For Climate Change

2009-01-25T21:14:00.003+02:00

The environment club have joined the ENO Schools. ENO is virtual school for sustainable development that runs its own program. Lately several students of the club have joined the program with a play titled " Climate Change". Dana Karout wrote the script and Tara Arnaout helped act the play. Omar Najjar did a great job in video taping. The play is already posted on the ENO site:
https://sites.google.com/a/enoprogramme.org/climate-change-videos/lebanon

Celebrating Arbor Day: the IC Style

2009-01-01T16:51:00.007+02:00

On December 16 , the environment club at International College of Beirut planted four native trees : two almond trees and two myrtle trees. Twenty students watched and helped in the activity to celebrate arbor day.

"Switch off the Light" Campaign

2008-11-17T00:29:00.003+02:00

Energy Group in the Environment club lately posted small, green reminders in all classes.
Aiming to decrease energy consumption and CO2 release, the posters encourage students to turn off the light before leaving the classroom. Towards a greener Sage Hall!!

Environment Club meets Class Representatives

2008-11-13T23:09:00.007+02:00

Thursday, November 13 during lunch break, Environmental Pioneers met all class representatives at Middle School , Ras Beirut to discuss current environmental issues. The forum started with the pioneers setting their goal which is to make IC Go Green. Then they invited their class reps to list their green suggestions to help their friends become eco-smart. "Let us switch off the lights when we can depend on natural light " or " Encourage our peers to use less napkins" were some comments. The Pioneers collected all their suggestions and promised to raise them to the adminstration. The meeting ended with the class representatives promising to be eco ambassdors and the environment club launching the beginning of a recycling competition among classes. Thanks to the small green reminders to switch off the light before leaving the class, Sage Hall will be consuming less energy in the future.

Choose a GREEN doctor!

2008-11-07T20:19:00.004+02:00

You can always go to an environmentally friendly doctor, or you can convince your doctor and explain to him how he can save the environment!
- Clinical waste such as nappies, hygienic waste and medical supplies are very dangerous for the environment, that’s why they shouldn’t be thrown in the “normal” garbage after having bin used. We should also be very careful what to do of needles and syringes.- Medicine containers can also be recycled once they’re empty like any other cans… So you can tell that to your doctor to see what he does with them.- Some companies are currently finding solutions for the clinical waste treatment plans, such as Medical Waste Solutions to save the environment and Mother Nature.
Thanks to the help of Zeena Sinno.

TUNZA commitments

2008-11-04T22:51:00.005+02:00

The four envionmental pioneers who attended the TUNZA conference made the following commitments:

OUR COMMITMENTS

We, the delegates of 2008 Tunza International Children’s Conference on the Environment, held in Stavanger, Norway from 17 to 20 June 2008, have committed to undertake the following:

ENERGY
Reduce our reliance on cars by walking, using bicycles and public transport more often.
Encourage children and adults to car-pool.
Turn off lights when not in use.
Switch off appliances and entertainment systems at the mains, and not leave on standby modes.
Support and campaign for the use of renewable energy.
Encourage the use of energy-saving bulbs or globes.
Reduce the need for indoor heating by dressing up warmly.

WATER
Take shorter showers to reduce water usage.
Close all taps properly to minimize water wastage.
Not dump any material or waste into rivers and oceans.
Participate in Beach and River Clean-up campaigns.
Reuse water.
Use more recycled water
Where possible, use cold water instead of heated water

BIODIVERSITY
Plant a tree on every birthday.
Encourage and teach others not to over-fish, over-hunt and over-eat.
Reduce deforestation through campaigns, education and tree planting initiatives.
Help preserve endangered species of plants and animals.
Participate in environmental awareness campaigns in our school, community and in our region.

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
Eat local and organic food, whenever possible.
Minimize use of plastic bags and paper.
Buy Fair Trade* Products.Reduce consumption, e.g. eat less, re-use, and only buy when really necessary.

Are you a green person?

2008-10-30T00:28:00.002+02:00

Take this interactive, fun quiz and know how good you are at conserving the environment.
http://teens4planetearth.com/teenstakeaction/teens-amiaconservationist

We have a Dream to Make IC Green

2008-10-26T21:27:00.016+02:00

Saving Mother Nature from harm has been the global issues that have been taking us by storm for the last decade. As a result, the Environmental Pioneers Club at IC Middle School was founded to spread awareness among students.

The Pioneers asked grade six students to create symbols and slogans to encourage their peers to care and nurture nature. Grade six students used their adroit hands and thinking caps to come up with attractive slogans and colorful symbols. The four students who attended the TUNZA conference last years together with the help of new member Omar Najjar posted those symbols on the bulletin board of Sage Hall. Thank you grade six student for your conscientious symbols and congratulations to the environmental club for spreading the awareness that is so crucial in these times of crisis. Some of their advice was : " Don't be a bug thug", "Be fantastic and use less plastic", "Use less fuel and use carpool".Thank you grade six students and environmental pioneers club for your joint effort in spreading environmental awareness.

Energy

2008-09-22T00:53:00.002+03:00

What are you doing to decrease carbon emissions?

IC attends a green conference in Norway

2008-09-22T00:07:00.006+03:00

Stavanger, Norway: From 17 to 21 June, four middle schoolers , Jawad Khalifeh, Riad Hamadeh, Tara Arnaout and Dana Karout attended one of the largest international children's conferences in the world, the biannual TUNZA conference. Through debate,presentations and fieldtrips , they learned about current environmental issues. They had lots of fun.