Latest news with #KuwaitEnvironmentProtectionSociety
Arab Times
14-07-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Kuwait launches 'Green Schools' guide to promote sustainability in schools
KUWAIT CITY, July 14: The Kuwait Environment Protection Society (KEPS) unveiled the comprehensive 'Green Schools' guide on Sunday, aiming to assist schools in adopting best environmental practices and enhancing awareness to support sustainable development. The announcement came at the conclusion of KEPS's 14th annual Green Schools educational awareness program. KEPS Chairperson Dr. Wijdan Al-Oqab highlighted that the guide offers a detailed framework for waste management, energy and water conservation, and the promotion of green spaces within school environments. Dr. Al-Oqab explained that the guide provides both technical and educational guidelines to establish school environmental clubs, encouraging active participation from students and teachers in sustainability initiatives. It also outlines mechanisms to measure environmental performance through clear criteria and periodic assessments. The annual program primarily targeted teachers from public and private schools, empowering them to spread environmental and health awareness within their institutions. Throughout the school year, workshops and lectures were conducted to foster values of environmental citizenship and public health among students. Stressing the importance of science and environmental consciousness in achieving sustainable development goals, Dr. Al-Oqab affirmed that the guide equips schools with practical tools to launch initiatives that promote a healthy, sustainable educational environment grounded in environmental values and scientific awareness. Jenan Bahzad, Secretary-General of KEPS and Director of Programs and Activities, noted that approximately 2,000 teachers and students from schools nationwide participated in this year's program. Topics included environmental analysis, sustainable resource management, and the implementation of Kuwait's Environmental Protection Law. Bahzad added that the program maintained continuous engagement through field visits and online workshops to ensure broad access and direct interaction with educators. She outlined the program's strategic objectives, which aim to strengthen schools as micro-communities capable of transmitting scientific and environmental knowledge to both students and the wider local community. The initiative also seeks to embed a culture of sustainability within schools as a foundation for lasting environmental stewardship. Looking ahead, Bahzad expressed hope that the Green Schools guide would serve as a catalyst for expanding KEPS's collaboration with the Ministry of Education and academic institutions. Plans include practical implementation in schools supported by training resources and interactive content. She praised this year's success in turning the partnership between government and civil society into measurable impact within Kuwaiti schools. The launch of the guide marks a significant step toward transforming environmental knowledge into daily practices and sustainable institutional education.
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.
