Preparing for Tomorrow’s Environmental Challenges: Sustainability, Technologies, Innovation
Synopsis:
This course is open to anyone interested in understanding better what the environmental crisis is made of, and where are the myths and the realities. What does sustainability mean? Is there really plastic in our food? How is climate change affecting us? Participants will get the opportunity to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the environmental crisis but also identify and discuss the ideas and solutions that would help us shape a more sustainable future.
The course will rely on data-driven content from scientific and reliable sources but also media support such as videos and documentaries. Experts in their fields will be invited for interventions followed by debates on specific subjects. Each session is two hours on Wednesdays from 6pm to 8pm at Lebanon Support in Beirut, starting on July 3rd (4 sessions).
This course has been postponed. New dates will be announced shortly.
Course description:
The course will tackle the following topics:
1. What is the environmental crisis? How did we get there? This session introduces the course and retraces the origins of climate change and the environmental crisis, while looking at concepts such as sustainability and renewability. We will discuss nature and its cycles, how us humans have been interacting with our environment, and what is the impact on our lives.
2. It’s all about energy:This session will focus on energy. Energy is at the source of all human activities, it is as well one of the important causes of the environmental crisis. We will discuss the ways of using energy in a rational and sustainable way, as well as how to produce it. Technical, political, legal and financial aspects will be tackled.
3. Food, agriculture and sustainability: This session tackles the essential relationship between agriculture, climate change and sustainability. We will look at the damages created by intensive agriculture and the agribusiness industry and discuss the existing alternatives.
4. Waste, waste and more waste: From single-use plastic to fast-fashion, our modern lives are surrounded by waste. The search for convenience, rapidity and affordability have made our oceans, land and air filled with pollution. During this session, a special focus will be made on the Lebanese trash situation and the necessary actions that should be taken.
5. Technology, innovation and sustainability: Is Tech good or bad for the planet? Can the private sector combine profitability and impact? This session will look at the latest innovations and the challenges and opportunities created by the third and fourth industrial revolutions. Nature and its cycles, humans and how they work
Number of sessions:
4
Dates of sessions:
Every Wednesday starting July 3rd until 31 (4 sessions), from 6 to 8 pm.
Language:
Slides in English, Lebanese Arabic spoken.
Course Pre-requisites:
None
Instructor name:
Ounsi El Daif, Nadia Moukaddem
Instructor Bio:
Dr. Ounsi El Daif:
is cofounder of the Lebanese NGO Jibal, and is the CEO of Eedama, company based in the UAE that does education and training to sustainable development. He is originally a physicist who studied in France and Switzerland, he got his PhD in 2007 from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL, Switzerland). Until 20015 he was researcher in the field of solar photovoltaic energy in world-class scientific labs (EPFL, Lyon nanotechnology Institute in France, IMEC in Belgium, QEERI in Qatar) as well as University lecturer (Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and the American University of Beirut). He has authored and co-authored more than 30 publications in scientific peer-reviewed journals, and 10 in broad audience media. He is president and board member of Lebanon Support. Since he cofounded Eedama and Jibal, stopped traditional university work, and decided to use his scientific knowledge for the broadest audiences possible.
Nadia Moukaddem:
(Science-Po and HEC business school, Paris, Boston University) has been working with entrepreneurs for the past 6 years, supporting, mentoring and helping SMEs and start-ups develop, grow and expand, with a strong focus on companies with a social and environmental impact. She strongly believes that the private sector can and must work hand in hand with states and public authorities to solve tomorrow’s greatest challenges with regards to climate change, social inequalities, food security etc. She is currently working in a leading Venture Capital Fund based in Beirut and investing throughout the MENA region as well as in Europe and the US. Throughout the year, she has been acquiring and developing a strong knowledge on entrepreneurship and businesses in emerging markets that she will share during the program.
Contact Email:
How to contact:
please add the name of the course you’re interested to inquire about in the subject line. Note that registration is done via the form.
Participation Fees:
Standard Fee: 100 $
Reduced** Fee: 60 $
Solidarity* Fee: 140 $
*This fee enables to fund the reduced fee difference and allow concerned persons to have access to the course.
** For salaries under 1000$/month and having to pay house rental. If you do not fall under this categorie and still believe you should have the reduced fee, please contact us. The reduced rate is applicable for limited number of participants.