Latest news with #KuwaitEnvironmentProtectionSociety
Kuwait Times
05-07-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
KEPS launches region's first women-focused climate action guide
Secretary-General of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society, Jenan Behzad KUWAIT: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) on Saturday launched a groundbreaking publication titled 'Women's Guide to Climate Action and Shared Responsibility,' marking a significant step by civil society to empower women and strengthen their role in addressing the climate crisis. KEPS Secretary General and book supervisor Jenan Behzad said in a press statement that the guide is the first of its kind in the region. It offers a comprehensive look into women's contributions to environmental efforts, combining scientific insight, social analysis, and real-life experiences of pioneering Arab women in the fields of climate action and sustainable development. Behzad noted that the guide was prepared with contributions from 11 Arab female writers representing Kuwait, Egypt, Bahrain, the UAE, Tunisia, Lebanon and Iraq. The book is divided into five chapters, tackling key themes such as the impact of climate change on women, environmental and social responsibility, Arab women's leadership in climate initiatives, and a practical guide for applying sustainability principles at home. She emphasized that KEPS aims, through this publication, to enrich the Kuwaiti and Arab environmental library with knowledge resources that reflect climate challenges from a gender-based perspective. The guide also seeks to encourage women to take on active roles as essential partners in environmental protection. 'Women are vital actors in crafting solutions and driving transformations toward a sustainable future, drawing on their leading roles within families and across social and political spheres,' Behzad said. She added that the book was produced in response to the recommendations of a workshop titled 'Women between Climate Change and Sustainable Development,' held in cooperation with the National Association for Family Security. — KUNA
Arab Times
05-07-2025
- General
- Arab Times
KEPS launches pioneering guide on women's role in climate action
KUWAIT CITY, July 5: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) launched on Saturday a groundbreaking publication titled 'Women's Guide to Climate Action and Shared Responsibility,' marking a significant step in civil society's efforts to empower women and reinforce their role in addressing the global climate crisis. KEPS Secretary General and supervisor of the book, Jenan Behzad, described the guide as the first of its kind in the region. She said it offers a comprehensive exploration of women's contributions to environmental efforts, blending scientific insights, social perspectives, and the experiences of pioneering Arab women in the fields of climate action and sustainable development. Behzad noted that the guide was a collaborative effort, prepared with the participation of 11 Arab female contributors from Kuwait, Egypt, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Iraq. The book is divided into five chapters that address key issues such as the impact of climate change on women, environmental and social responsibility, regional leadership by Arab women in climate action, and practical methods for implementing sustainability in daily life. According to Behzad, the publication aims to enrich both Kuwaiti and broader Arab environmental literature by offering knowledge that reflects climate challenges from a gender-based perspective. It is also intended to inspire women to take an active role as key partners in protecting the environment. 'Women are central to creating solutions and leading transformations toward a sustainable future,' she emphasized, pointing to their influential roles within families, communities, and decision-making bodies. The guide was developed in response to recommendations made during a recent workshop titled 'Women between Climate Change and Sustainable Development,' organized by KEPS in collaboration with the National Association for Family Security. The initiative underscores the vital link between gender empowerment and effective climate action in the Arab world.
Arab Times
12-05-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
'Green Schools' program fosters eco and health awareness in students
KUWAIT CITY, May 12: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) continues its commitment to fostering environmental and health consciousness in educational institutions through its "Green Schools" program. This initiative aims to equip educators with the necessary knowledge and tools to address emerging environmental and health challenges, particularly in the context of accelerating climate change. On Monday, KEPS organized an awareness workshop titled "Viruses from Origin to Mutations, Climate Impacts, and Prevention Methods" at Latifa Al-Barak School for Girls. This session is part of a series of activities designed to promote health and environmental awareness in schools and create a safe, child-friendly educational environment. Dr. Hessa Taqi, a certified trainer in the Green Schools program, led the workshop. She provided insights into the origin and genetic evolution of viruses, their relationship to climate change, and the impact of environmental changes on viral mutations. The session also offered practical guidance to help teachers prevent viral diseases within the classroom, especially in light of recurring health challenges. The workshop aimed to raise awareness among teachers about ways to prevent viral diseases and link them to environmental factors, thereby enhancing the ability of schools to provide a healthy and safe educational environment. A simplified guide was distributed, outlining immediate procedures when symptoms of illness appear among students, such as temporary isolation and communication with parents. The guide also emphasized promoting a culture of cleanliness and ventilation inside the classroom and discouraging the sharing of personal items. The importance of seasonal vaccinations, particularly the influenza vaccine, was also highlighted to maintain a healthy and safe school environment for all students and teachers. KEPS's ongoing efforts through the "Green Schools" program underscore its dedication to enhancing environmental and health education in Kuwait's schools, preparing educators and students to effectively respond to the challenges posed by climate change.
Arab Times
12-04-2025
- Arab Times
Kuwait key stop for migratory birds: Important habitats identified
KUWAIT CITY, April 12: Kuwait continues to serve as one of the most significant bird migration routes, offering essential rest and feeding areas for migratory birds. Key locations such as the Jahra Nature Reserve, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) Nature Reserve in Kabd, Abraq Al-Houbari, and the farms of Wafra, Sulaibiya, and Abdali are crucial habitats that attract a wide variety of species. Talal Al-Muwaizri, a member of the bird monitoring and protection team at the Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS), highlighted the natural phenomenon of bird migration in a recent statement. He explained that bird migration is an adaptive process that demonstrates birds' ability to adjust to changing environments. According to Al-Muwaizri, spring migration begins from mid-February and lasts until late May, a period when birds are at their most colorful and vibrant. Each year, birds migrate from the colder northern regions to the warmer southern regions in search of more moderate climates and longer days. This migration spans all continents, with birds fleeing the cold and seeking better conditions. "In our region, birds migrate from Europe and Central Asia, passing through Kuwait and the Middle East before reaching their final destinations in Africa and India," said Al-Muwaizri. This migration is known as the "autumn migration," which typically begins in mid-August and continues until mid-October. During this time, birds settle in Africa and India for the winter. Al-Muwaizri also emphasized that birds rely on various routes for their autumn migration, such as coasts, rivers, or even navigating by following the stars at night. As temperatures rise, food becomes more plentiful, and daylight increases in the spring, birds start their return journey. This migration is known as the "spring migration," as birds make their way back to Europe and Central Asia to breed and raise their young in safer, more resource-rich environments. Among the birds that arrive in Kuwait during the spring migration, the hoopoe is one of the first to appear, signaling the arrival of spring and the end of winter. Al-Muwaizri noted that the hoopoe's arrival marks the start of a gradual influx of other migratory species. These include small birds like the za'ara, yikiki, crucifix, mardam, hammer, hamira ras, sweida ras, hamroush, shola, baghl as-saman, bint al-sabbagh, qalliba, humimij, and others such as eagles, gulls, fri, and wild pigeons of the turtledove family. Additionally, Al-Muwaizri mentioned the arrival of small birds of prey, specifically the shrike species, in successive waves. The first to arrive are the qahfi, Arabian pigeon, and the left-handed shrikes. Following them are the more visually striking species, such as the Husseini (masked shrike) or polar shrike. The last birds to arrive, towards the end of April and May, are the Hasawi pigeon and the cage pomegranate and chatbi family, signaling the close of the spring migration season. Kuwait's role in providing safe passages and habitats for these migratory birds emphasizes its importance as a key stopover on their long journeys between continents. The country continues to play an essential role in supporting wildlife conservation efforts through its protected natural reserves and dedicated environmental work.
Gulf Insider
08-04-2025
- General
- Gulf Insider
Kuwait's Waste Crisis Among World's Worst
Kuwait is facing an escalating waste crisis that activists say demands immediate, systemic change. As one of the world's highest per capita producers of organic waste, estimated at 1.4 kilos per person per day, the country is grappling with the environmental, health, and economic toll of a growing mountain of solid, liquid, and gaseous waste. Environmental leaders warn that without radical, sustainable solutions, Kuwait's waste problem will continue to worsen. 'We need to convert waste into electrical energy,' said Jenan Behzad, Secretary-General of the Kuwait Environment Protection Society. She called for a comprehensive policy shift, from expanding recycling infrastructure to raising public awareness about waste reduction. According to Behzad, Kuwait's reliance on consumption-heavy lifestyles, weak recycling practices, and continued dependence on landfills have created an unsustainable trajectory. The country currently uses three primary landfill sites, Jahra, the Seventh Southern Ring Road, and Mina Abdullah, to manage household waste. However, plastic packaging from supermarkets and restaurants is fuelling a surge in plastic waste, now comprising nearly 80 per cent of floating marine debris, threatening coastal ecosystems. Food waste, she added, is particularly acute during religious and national holidays. A recent study by the Kuwait Environment Protection Society revealed that food waste can spike significantly during Ramadan, with edible items often discarded in excess. In the Gulf region overall, food waste constitutes around 50 percent of total waste, a staggering figure. To combat this, Behzad called for the use of waste-to-energy thermal conversion technology and methane harvesting from organic waste to generate power. She also suggested biofuel production from discarded food, citing successful examples in Germany and Sweden. 'Solid waste contributes to 2.4 per cent of Kuwait's total greenhouse gas emissions,' she noted, adding that recycling and energy recovery could not only reduce pollution but also diversify the country's energy sources. A key part of the solution, she argued, lies in mandatory household and commercial waste sorting. Separate bins for plastics, paper, metals, and organic waste would improve collection and recycling rates. Behzad also proposed establishing government-run sorting stations in every governorate, with the private sector playing a central role in waste collection, sorting, and investing in recycling ventures. Despite existing laws, enforcement remains weak. 'The Environmental Protection Law imposes fines of up to 500 Kuwaiti dinars for dumping waste in undesignated areas,' she explained. 'Yet 58 percent of those surveyed by our society said they were unaware of the law's details.' Engineer Alaa Hassan, CEO of the International Petroleum Services Company (PSCO), described the waste issue as 'a ticking time bomb.' She criticized the lack of serious planning and pointed to the accumulation of between 8 and 10 million damaged tires annually. These tires, often left in open areas, represent a major environmental hazard. 'We must hold illegal dumpers accountable,' she said, urging private sector engagement in converting waste into raw industrial materials. Environmental activist Barak Ramadan Al Hindal echoed the call for change, emphasizing the untapped financial and employment potential of the recycling sector. He called for a cultural shift in waste management, beginning in homes and schools, extending to offices and hospitals. 'Many countries around the world have transformed waste into opportunity,' Al Hindal said. 'Kuwait must follow suit if we are serious about building a sustainable future.' For now, environmentalists agree that time is running out. Without bold reforms and public buy-in, Kuwait's waste crisis threatens to outpace the systems designed to manage it, posing long-term risks to the country's environment, economy, and public health. Also read: Senior Kuwaiti Officials Monitor Raffle Draw Amid Fraud Concerns
