Reflections on Mediterranean Day

In this edition, we explore critical environmental, social and political issues shaping the Mediterranean and beyond. From the controversies surrounding COP29 in Baku to the ongoing plastic pollution negotiations at INC-5 in Busan, these stories reveal the pressing challenges and opportunities for action in the region.

We are also sharing the recording of our webinar, Fighting Disinformation: Tools and Strategies for Fact-Checking, held in honor of Mediterranean Day. This insightful discussion brought together experts to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time, combating the spread of false information in an ever-connected world.

You'll find insights into the impacts of war on climate, the struggles of communities facing environmental degradation, and the urgent need for fairer global policies. We also highlight innovative projects, investigative reports, and the voices of activists and experts driving change across the Mediterranean.

This newsletter celebrates the power of storytelling, collaboration, and advocacy in addressing the interconnected crises of our time.

Enjoy the read ??

Webinar on Fighting Disinformation: Tools and Strategies for Fact-Checking

AMWAJ organized Tabadul's webinar "Fighting Disinformation: Tools and Strategies for Fact-Checking" in honor of Mediterranean Day. The event brought together valuable insights and perspectives from experts in the field.

Special thanks to speakers Samuel Allan (Maldita.es) and Magdalini Gkogkou (AFP & MedDMO), and moderator Patricia Carbonell (REVOLVE) for leading an engaging discussion. If you missed it or would like to revisit the conversation, the webinar is available for replay.

WE&B Promotes Innovative Solutions and Stakeholder Action in Tunisia

WE&B and MedCities - both AMWAJ members - worked together in Gabès, Tunisia, to address water scarcity by promoting innovative solutions such as rainwater harvesting and wastewater reuse. This partnership engaged local stakeholders to develop sustainable water management strategies that support both urban and agricultural needs while preserving ecosystems. Discover the results of this project in our latest Tayyarat article.

New AMWAJ Media Partners

AMWAJ is excited to welcome our new media partners: Daraj Media , Jummar Media , Journalism Initiative, Water News Europe and Marea Media . Explore their work and impact across the Mediterranean and beyond.

Join AMWAJ WhatsApp Community

?AMWAJ WhatsApp community is a space to share your work, projects, articles and events on environmental issues in English and your native language. You can connect with peers from across the Mediterranean, create synergies and facilitate access to research. To join, email [email protected] to request the invite link.

Must Read

Discover relevant Mediterranean stories published by AMWAJ media partners on water-related topics.

The recent COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan has faced widespread criticism for mainly furthering fossil fuel interests and tourism instead of focusing on meaningful climate action. Critics argue that the COP, hosted by a petro-state, has become a platform for greenwashing, with significant representation from the fossil fuel industry. Read more about the critique on this year's COP in the article by Aya Nader published by our media partner Raseef22 ??????22

Another aspect of COP29 were the many discussions centering on mobilizing trillions of dollars for climate adaptation and mitigation projects in developing countries. However, experts warn this falls far short of actual global needs. In this article Zeina Shahla looks at the challenges of the Arab region, heavily impacted by climate change and decades of conflict. Many COP participants from the Arab region describe the funding mechanisms as “slow and utterly unjust,” and highlight the region’s marginalization in these negotiations. Read more in this article by Raseef22 ??????22

Plastic pollution is severely impacting marine ecosystems, livelihoods, and human health, while also contributing to climate change and biodiversity loss. At INC-5 in Busan, countries are negotiating a legally binding global treaty to tackle this crisis. Despite having the highest per capita plastic footprint, the MENA region is not a major producer of plastics but bears the burden of pollution. Experts highlight the need for a fair financial mechanism under the treaty to help developing countries in the region reduce plastic dependency and address pollution effectively. Read more about the INC-5 in this article by Aya Nader , published by Raseef22 ??????22 :

Wars contribute around 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions and destroying vital carbon sinks like forests and wetlands. In his article about his visit to COP29, Lebanese journalist Mounir Kabalan asks about the value of events such as COP29 when they fail to address the environmental devastation caused by wars or the weapons manufacturing by major powers. Read more in this article published by Raseef22 ??????22 :

The Israeli war on Lebanon has brought life at the port of Saida to a standstill, disrupting the livelihoods of roughly 350 fishermen and their families. With fishing banned due to safety concerns and threats in the area, the once-bustling fish market has been closed for over a month. Fishermen, who typically catch 10 to 15 kilos daily, now struggle to make ends meet. Read more in this article written by Alex Martin Astley published by our media partner Beirut Today

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has abolished the Ministry of Renewable Energy , transferring its responsibilities to Energy Minister Mohamed Arkab. This move has raised concerns about Algeria’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Despite being rich in natural solar resources, Algeria has lagged behind global renewable energy trends, focusing instead on gas exports. Read more in the article written by Salma Ouaguira and published by our media partner The New Arab .

Ongoing Israeli raids on the Gaza strip since October 2023 have destroyed large swathes of farmland and polluted the soil with toxins, jeopardizing food security for decades. This pollution poses severe health risks, including respiratory, digestive, and skin diseases, particularly for children and the elderly. Read more in this article written by Rasha Jalal and published by The New Arab .

Based on a report by the Egyptian Ministry of Environment from 2022, emissions from the Alexandria Company for Refractories plant have exceeded legal limits. This represents an environmental risk that threatens the health of those living around the factory, which is in the centre of a densely populated area. Most of the people living around the factory suffer from a range of respiratory diseases. Read more in this investigative report by Ahmed Asar published by our media partner ARIJ Network .

At this year’s climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, American environmental activists expressed concern over Donald Trump’s re-election as President of the United States, describing it as a source of unpredictability for global climate action. Reflecting on Trump’s history, including his 2016 withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, many fear his return could disrupt progress on addressing the climate crisis. Read more about voices on Trump's re-election in this article by Hala Nouhad Nasreddine published by our media partner Daraj Media .

At COP29 in Baku, the presidency announced the "COP Truce" initiative, with 132 countries and over 1,000 institutions backing a call for a ceasefire during the conference month to halt military operations. Dubbed the "COP of Peace," the summit is the first to officially address the connection between armed conflicts and climate change. Activists at the event called for an end to funding genocide and urged investments in climate justice. Read more in the article written by Rannine Awwad, published by Daraj Media .

In Valencia wastewater contamination is causing problems. The recent DANA (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos) that struck the Valencian Community in early November has caused significant damage to both potable water supply and sanitation infrastructures. This is causing health problems and a serious threat to natural environments such as the Albufera. Read more about these challenges in the article published by our media partner Water News Europe .

The natural disaster that occurred in Valencia at the end of October has left the area like a war zone. Many people lost their lives, houses are demolished, and the infrastructure has been completely washed away in many villages. Delayed alerts, a lack of public awareness and inadequate urban planning aggravated the situation. It will take months to clean, repair and renovate the damages. Read more in the article written by Esther Rasenberg and published by Water News Europe .

In Southern Iraq, the Euphrates no longer meets the Tigris. Fishermen, who used to live in the marches in Dhi Qar, were forced to abandon their profession, leave their homes and boats in the marshes and migrate to the city. The article by Mortada Al Hadoud, published by our media partner Jummar Media describes the harsh impacts of climate change on the residents of the marches in Dhi Qar (Iraq). Find the article here.

An investigation into the deep state of real estate in Hilla, shows its arms extending across municipal departments, real estate registry and other regulatory bodies, all for the benefit of government officials and judges. This report is also about those people who, when they show up in their SUVs, seem to make the green spaces disappear. Read more in the below article written by Haider Mahdi and published by Jummar Media .

At the terminals of the gas pipeline bringing gas from Azerbaijan to Italy, continuous emissions were discovered from vents that should only be activated in an emergency. A group of local activists tried to measure the problem. Read more in the below article written by Teresa Di Mauro and Vittoria Volgare Detaille , published by our media partner Marea Media .

We hope you found this newsletter informative and inspiring, and we look forward to sharing more updates with you in the future.

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