Earth's Silent Plea: A Reflection on Humanity's Neglect

On Earth Day, what can we possibly say to this "Earth," and how can we apologize for the ignorance of humanity, which deemed itself the smartest of all creation, yet invaded and violated the purest and most nurturing realms?

We were entrusted with this planet, abundant in blessings, yet we have destroyed much of it, generation after generation, under the banner of urbanization and civilization. But what kind of urbanization leads humanity to poverty and hunger, causing so many to perish on the lands of this Earth? And what kind of civilization displaces animals, stripping them of their rights, destroying their habitats, and offering no alternative?

Isn't the true essence of urbanization and civilization meant to elevate the soul to its highest form of humanity—an image inherently shaped by compassion, love, generosity, and sacrifice?

Perhaps the lord of wealth blinds his followers to their humanity, a gift originally bestowed by the Lord of the Heavens. Yet that god forgets that injustice cannot prevail, and nature inevitably retaliates against its oppressor when its balance is disrupted.

The climate changes we are witnessing, the shifting of seasons, and the escalating natural disasters should drive us to acknowledge the critical need to protect and preserve the planet's natural ecosystems. Large-scale reforestation stands as our only viable path to salvation—there is no alternative.

Lebanon's Wounded Legacy: A Cry for Nature's Healing

From the vastness of planet Earth, I return to the deep love for the land of our Lebanon, a place where the wonders of nature meet the marvels of skies. Every corner tells a thousand and one stories, spanning a thousand days and nights, intricately woven into masterpieces that are scarcely rivaled on this "Earth." This Earth—our land—is the legacy of our ancestors, the land of the Phoenicians, and the sacred ground of martyrs and saints.

Yet, we too have treaded the path of misguided progress, obliterating mountains and valleys, and annihilating irreplaceable ecosystems for countless reasons. I continue to witness scenes that break both heart and soul—the horrors of relentless environmental destruction at every level, from the construction of dams to irresponsible waste disposal, the killing of animals in their very homes and skies, and the devastating chaos of uncontrolled quarries and crushers.

The most recent devastation I witnessed was just yesterday at Mount Moussa, where a significant portion was bulldozed, ancient trees were killed, and all that remained was the barren sight of yellow, naked rock. I didn’t even bother to find out who was responsible, as they all fall into the same category, worshipping the same god.

Our mountains, the cradle of Lebanon’s forest treasures and the birthplace of its rivers, are also bearing the brunt of climate change. Some rivers have dried up entirely, failing to spring back to life even after this year’s abundant rainfall—a stark reminder of how long nature takes to recover and heal from the wounds inflicted upon it.

And this is from a river that “died” in the Batroun district.

From Prayer to Action: Reviving Nature Through Reforestation

On this day, the glorious Easter celebration for the Eastern denomination, just one week before the arrival of the blessed month of Ramadan, my prayer is that the Lord of the heavens safeguards what remains of His natural blessings upon our land. I call for the widest-reaching reforestation revolution and for respecting animals by allowing them to remain in their natural habitats, honoring their homes and rights.

If we are unable to halt the ongoing violations and environmental destruction, let us strive to compensate for their crimes, each in our own capacity—even if it’s as simple as planting trees in the street we live on, at the entrance of our building, or on rooftops. I leave the rest to your creativity to find other ways to contribute. #ReforestationRevolution

Join me now on a journey across our land, celebrating Earth Day and glorifying the Creator, beginning with the artistic stone masterpieces of Shouf and the breathtaking natural ponds of Laqlouq.

Laklouk Magical Ponds (Copy) (Copy)

Moukhtara Hidden Gems (Copy) (Copy)

And from there, to the various rivers and waterfalls that greet us wherever we wander in our land. These photos are from some of the hikes I shared live on my Instagram account this month.

This is the land of our Lebanon, from its resilient Beirut and its iconic Pigeon Rock to its sea and natural caves, ascending to its majestic peaks with their elevated pride. May we prove worthy of this land, preserving its natural and cultural heritage for future generations, so that our identity is not lost amidst the sweeping challenges.