Lebanon: Pollution-free environment best posters

Lebanon has  awarded prizes for the best three posters which describe and promote  a healthy environment free of pollution. This took place in a ceremony at Beirut's Four Seasons hotel,Tuesday, three months after the competition's launch. The competition was organised by the Chance Association (Children Against Cancer) with the participation of the Lebanese Environment Minister Nazem al-Khoury, the Chairman of the Arab Bank Nadim Ghantous and the head of Chance Association Roula Farah, who explained the objectives and achievements of the association. The competition was entitled "Healthy Environment & Balanced Lifestyle in Cancer-Free World". Nazem al-Khoury said: “If we want to give this era a special feature and a milestone, we must say: This era is the era of the environment, because the degradation and deterioration in the environmental conditions has become the greatest concern of the whole world.” He added that the cost of the environmental deterioration in Lebanon according to the World Bank's latest report in 2011 exceeded $800 million USD per year, repreenting 3.7 percent of the GDP. He continued: “Everyone has the right to live in a healthy and stable environment. It is the duty of every citizen to protect the environment and secure the needs of the current generations without prejudicing the rights of the coming generations. We have endorsed four important bills. The first aims to establish a prosecution general for environment, with the purpose of applying and activating environmental laws and regulations. The second is related to the environmental nature reserves and determining the legal framework for establishing and securing proper functioning within these reserves. As for the third bill, it is related to solid wastes, and the reduction of the negative effects resulting from them. The fourth is about protecting air, as well as monitoring and controlling the pollution caused by human activity.” He expressed his pleasure of the participation of the Chance Association in choosing the best poster. He said that there is nothing better than seeing students competing and presenting paintings "which reflect the wonderful dream of a balanced environment." He also highlighted the importance of unifying the efforts of the public and private sector bodies such as clubs, associations and schools in the cause of preserving the environment. The top 20 posters will be published on the website of the ministry, after presenting them at an exhibition in the Zaitunay Bay until May 13.