(MENAFN- Amman Net) On the first working day of the Rotary District 2452 conference, in Amman, Friday, the theme, "Think Green, live Green" dominated the discussions. Delegates from various Rotary clubs in the region listened to reports about the success of Rotarians in applying the seventh focus of the Rotary International movement namely Supporting the Environment.
Tiffany Geara Lebanese environmental advisor and Past president of the Rotary Club of Men Gate spoke about the success of providing a green, sustainable, and affordable energy source to public schools instead of highly polluted diesel generators. The solution was to provide on a national level solar panels to power public schools across Lebanon. A solution that served three areas of focus: the environment, education, and community and economic development. A project that started with a small-scale initiative and had a wider impact across the district.
The Executive Director at Ecolo Investment spoke about supporting the environment in Cyprus by maintaining biodiversity through pollination presenting a video to conclude the first session,
The energy sector in Jordan was the focus of a panel discussion that dealt with the potential breakthrough Green Hydrogen might provide for Jordan. Mohammad Zakaria Kamh a senior energy specialist at the World Bank in Jordan said that the European Union is expected to purchase up to ten million tons of green energy in the coming years. He called on the need to adopt a mindset that prioritizes the environment. He called on all to consider their ecological footprint and be mindful of how our consumption impacts the planet.
Abdallah Mazahreh president of Amman Citadel Club focused on climate change mitigation and the importance of waste reduction and recycling. He called for the integration of environmental awareness into the school curriculums. Called for solutions regarding climate change, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, deforestation, green cities, ocean health, and pollution control. He concluded environmental sustainability aims to safeguard our plans and its inhabitants by enabling sustainable practices. Mazahreh called for leaders to play a crucial role in driving transformative change for environmental sustainability. He called the importance of media awareness for the environment, calling it a strategic tool for change.
Ghayda Salameh of the Jordan Green Building Council said they have supported sex training sessions training 125 people to collaborate with governmental and public institutions on how the green economy can support the private sector. Jordan has achieved 150,000 square meters of certified green area with an investment of 100 million JDs. Works on green building standards. We are starting a campaign to encourage local manufacturers to become eco-friendly.
Daowoud Isied spoke about the need to harness sustainable development using nature-based solutions. He referenced that Nabateans gave us a lot of lessons in terms of water management. Isaied illustrated how the nature-based solutions paradigm must shift to a new paradigm with a holistic approach. Isied said that water is a hugely critical issue in Jordan.“We have a challenge in this area because of water scarcity high evaporation rates, and degraded land.”
He said nature-based solutions require wetland restoration, sustainable land management, afforestation, and reforestation. He spoke of a project to improve water retention and infiltration as well as reduce erosion in the megacity of Neom in Saudi Arabia. Also worked on sustainable development and heritage conservation in Saudi Arabia. Smart desert project using nature-based solutions in Jordan by enhancing retention of water and far energy production leading to enhanced food security.
At the end of the second day's plenary sessions, John Cleverley of the Shelter Box spoke about the cooperation and support that Rotary International has given to them for supplying tents and other needed items for the people of Gaza. An actual tent of the kind sent to Gaza was erected at the conference hall.
The District Conference is sponsored by the Association of Rotary Clubs of UAE,
Orange, Premier Consultancy Group, Chery Al Marakzia Motors, Gulf Agency Company, Jordan Tourism Board, Madaboon, Rotary Club of Amman Citadel, Apollo Tours and Travel Agency, Ejada, iLegal Solutions,
Jordan River, Rivage
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