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Arts & Culture
Environmental Health students target climate change through creativity Tala Kardas and Lynn Itani News Executive & Staff Writer
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nvironmental Health students, in collaboration with the Faculty of Health Sciences Student Representative Council (FHS SRC), hosted “In Earth We Trust” on Monday, January 18, at the Issam Fares Hall. This event aimed at increasing awareness about climate change through video, theater, music, and dance performances- all produced by students. The importance of this matter attracted people from all walks of life and was covered by a multitude of local media outlets. The event started off by a word from one of the student organizers and host for the evening, Environmental Health senior Rana Tarhini. As she discussed the problem the world is facing at the moment, she noted that “all what was expected to happen in 2080 has happened in 2006.” Tarhini also mentioned the lack of political will, which has prevented the Copenhagen summit from succeeding in achieving the set forth goals. Ragheb Alama, UNESCO’s environment ambassador in the Arab region, was one of the evening’s many stars. Following an introductory documentary urging the community to “change climate change,” Alama said a few words on the occasion. He warned that we are currently witnessing only “a small effect of climate change,”commenting that at COP 15, “the two largest countries in the world were in an economic race, rather than one related to who serves the planet first.” He believes, however, that “there is another year left
for negotiations, which gives us hope” and that the world must continuously strive for sustainable development. Alama stated that “activists will use their full strength” as a special committee will be formed that activates other Arab countries and stresses on the dangers of climate change, with respect to the entire region. Alama concluded his speech quoting Paulo Coelho, stating that mother nature will always be more powerful than man. Sponsors United Lebanon Foundation also spoke, thanking those who planned the event and stressing on the importance of “focus[ing] our plans on environmental projects in all regions in socioeconomic classes.” The first of the student productions came in the form of a sketch. Dressed as delegates of several nations including Lebanon, United States of America, China, and the Maldives, students reenacted the proceedings of Copenhagen sarcastically. The performance included a reporter who was interviewing these delegates as they spoke with their designated accents. Humorous responses included “Teetee teetee, mittel ma rehteh mitel ma jeete” as well as “maawadeen alaykon, khodo el a’arar aanna.” At the end of the sketch, a “gift bag” was donated to developing nations, as though bribing them to remain silent. Famous local stand-up comedian Mazen Abdallah preformed one of his routines related to the Lebanese culture while relating it to climate change. He remarked, for example, that “skirts will get shorter in Gemayze as the
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temperature rises.” Music was also a mean by which these students’ voices were heard. Ahmad Tarhini presented the Climate Change Song with the chorus “Hot eedak bi eedeh, ta nezraa shajra jdideh”. Ezzat Kayss, a young school student, and Elie Bitar both amazed the audience with their piano talents and several songs were performed by Louai Mehrei with a backing band. Sara Obeid joined in with Merhei to passionately sing “Ya Aashikata El Wardi,”as the band provided the background music. Jinane and Nai Abi Ramia demonstrated the sadness incurred by the slow deterioration of the Earth through a contemporary dance routine to the song “Lithium.” The performances were concluded with a Dabke performance by the Amjad Group and several Environmental Health
students. During this performance, the audience stood up clapping and dancing in response to this Lebanese heritage experience. Dean Iman Nuwayhid of FHS thanked the students and faculty members for their contributions, stating that “his heart has grown with what the students have created.” He was very proud of the students, noting that the event was a “100% student production.” He also stated that “we could all improve the environment,” and that “such events demonstrate a starting point for all of us to work together towards that goal”. Dean Nuwayhid also honored Ragheb Alama and Dr. Milad Sibaali, who both signed a large signature promise board, signifying their commitment to protect Earth from climate change. Rana Tarhini, the hostess of the event, commented that
“this was an opportunity to not only raise awareness and show care for the community, but also a chance to entertain people while teaching them about aspects that affect Lebanon and the Arab world.” Environmental Health senior Dania Turjaman, also an organizer, thanked Dr. May Massoud, SRC advisor, for her efforts and stated that the event “exceeded expectations, was well-organized despite the time-limit, and sets an example for other universities and schools.”Also along the same line of thought was Environmental Health junior Alaa Abu Daher, who also thanked AUB for giving students “the opportunity to be studious but at the same time exhibit their creativity and talents.”
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