Raied Gheblawi

When I heard of the tragedy in Derna, I was overwhelmed by a feeling of sadness, disappointment, and anger towards the negligence of the matter. I felt like I had been screaming in vain about climate change for twelve years. My voice was not heard until my fears came true and disaster struck.

My name is Raied Gheblawi an activist interested in environmental issues.

My interest in the environment began at childhood. We had a lot of pets at home which gave birth to my awareness of the environmental impact on animals and it grew as I discovered its extent on humans as well. Which turned my interests into a cause to defend and fight for.

After 2011, I thought of establishing "The Libyan Youth Movement for Climate" with a friend of mine and did so at a regional level. We studied the climate situation in Libya, released reports and recommendations, and communicated with state officials as well but all our efforts were ignored! Not only that but people thought that the environmental factors were the least of their concerns neither were a priority. Thus, not categorized as a matter befalling the country. No one cared enough to even plant a tree! Not one government or private entity was willing to fund a movement relevant to the environment.

Nevertheless, I refused to let my passion die, despite the lack of funding I carried on with the movement and it continued to grow voluntarily. I do realize the fact that the environment gives us as much as we give it, fairly and more.

After the flood in Derna, people blamed those responsible for the negligence and criticized the ignorance of institutions affiliated with environmental issues. The Derna incident remained in social media highlights for a long period and then slowly withered like its trees did, leaving the environmental issue to become insignificant yet again. Meanwhile, everyone forgot that disasters reoccur in different ways!

I hope that everyone could understand the relevance of the environment in our society and work together to avoid such disasters as we have all witnessed the true impact of climate change.