In response to the initiative of the respected Prime Minister, Engineer Mohammed Shiaa Al-Sudani, to plant five million trees throughout Iraq, and in order to increase green spaces, improve the environment, and mitigate the effects of climate change in the country, AlShaab University, in collaboration with Al-Rashid Municipality, organized an awareness seminar titled "Climate Change" on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at the Central Library Hall in the university building. The seminar was attended by professors and experts in the fields of environment, agriculture, and climate, in the presence of Mr. Assistant to the President of AlShaab University for Administrative Affairs, as well as several professors, lecturers, and students of the university. During the seminar, Dr. Khamees Abdullah Ali, Assistant to the President of the University for Administrative Affairs, delivered a speech emphasizing the importance of the Prime Minister's initiative to plant five million trees and its role in improving the environment, reducing pollution, and mitigating the effects of climate change. He also commended the efforts of Al-Rashid Municipality in organizing awareness seminars and tree-planting campaigns in Baghdad. The seminar began with a lecture by Dr. Nazik Al-Fatlawi, a lecturer at the College of Science, University of Baghdad, on the topic of global warming, its causes, consequences, and risks to human life, along with an overview of the factors contributing to its exacerbation, increase, and methods of addressing it. Mr. Salah Askar, Deputy Director of Al-Rashid Municipality, spoke about the importance of increasing green spaces and tree-planting campaigns in Baghdad, as well as ways to preserve and protect them and raise awareness about them. Engineer Ali Jasim, Head of the Agricultural Department at Al-Rashid Municipality, highlighted the most prominent agricultural campaigns and projects implemented by the municipality, which focus on environmental development, climate improvement, and pollution reduction. Additionally, Mr. Montadhar Jawad, Director of Media at Baghdad Sewerage Department, discussed the department's work and future projects, as well as the services it provides to residential areas and neighborhoods under the jurisdiction of Al-Rashid Municipality. Mr. Salam Nasser, Director of Media at the Design Department - Baghdad, also spoke about the tasks of the design department and its role in establishing construction regulations, preserving heritage areas, and developing modern designs. The seminar concluded with the screening of an educational video produced by the Baghdad Municipality titled ( mahalati 'ajmal) "My Beautiful Neighborhood," followed by interventions from the attendees that enriched the seminar's topic with additional information. Certificates of appreciation were distributed to the participants at the end of the seminar.
