No recycling system, clogged roads, electricity produced from fossil fuels. In Lebanon, there is much to do to protect the environment and the climate. Nevertheless, few people support the Fridays For Future movement.

Ike Arzoumanen walks along the beach promenade in Beirut past palm trees, the Mediterranean Sea to her left. Ike is angry and not alone: ​​”What do we want?” she calls out, “Climate justice!” the strikers shout at her. “When do we want it?” “Now!”

On September 20, around 100 young people went on strike in Beirut for sustainable politics, and on Friday more than 200 came. They creatively expressed their anger on posters: “Beirut on Fire,” “I want a hot boyfriend, not a hot earth,” “It’s so bad, even the introverts are here.” “Wake up!” calls student Ike Arzoumanen. She is vegan, travels little, recycles and tries to encourage neighbors, family and friends to recycle. Her parents are still skeptical. “At first they didn’t want to let me protest, for fear it was too dangerous.” A driver behind her honks. Older men on the side of the road are pointing their mobile phones at what is happening and filming.

While thousands of people in Europe are taking to the streets to fight for climate protection, the movement in Lebanon is small. Climate change is affecting the countries of the Mediterranean faster than the global trend. In Lebanon in particular, there is a lot that needs to be changed: the garbage is stored untreated in landfills on the Mediterranean. There are planned power outages every day, compensated for with private generators and fossil fuels. Politicians are making money in the oil and gas sector. In Beirut, the streets are full and SUVs are in vogue. Why aren’t more Lebanese people joining the climate strike movement?

The article was published in the taz and can be read online here.