On 22 April 2025, Awareness and Development for Women and Children in Iraq (ADWI) organized a panel discussion at the Technical Institute of Kifri to mark World Earth Day. The event was held in collaboration with university professors, legal experts, and environmental specialists.
The panel addressed key issues such as enhancing agricultural practices, minimizing environmental pollution, and promoting plastic recycling. Also, the session covered legal frameworks and procedures related to these environmental concerns, with a particular focus on pollution regulations.
Agricultural Sustainability
The panel opened with an overview of sustainable agricultural practices, emphasizing their environmental, economic, and social significance, presented by assistant lecturer Yaser Khorram Del at Kifri Technical Institute. It also focused on practical approaches to enhance agricultural development in the region. Another key segment of the discussion centered on environmental preservation, emphasizing protecting water resources, soil health, and biodiversity. The discussion also addressed economic enhancements, exploring reducing costs while increasing overall value.
The discussion also covered the latest research and modern technologies, sustainable methods of animal production, and recommended best practices tailored to the needs of the Kurdistan Region.
One of the attendees expressed the following viewpoint:
“In science, not every question has an immediate answer. Research often requires time to yield results, and genetic modifications can have impacts on human health. Sometimes, we must be patient for scientific findings, otherwise, our questions may remain unanswered.”
Recycling and its Relation to the Environment
Another significant aspect of the panel focused on recycling practices and their role in reducing environmental pollution presented by Maher Esa Jum’a, assistant lecturer. He stressed that everyday items, particularly plastics, can pose serious threats to the environment if not properly managed or recycled.
Panelist, assistant lecturer Maher Esa Jum’a stated:
“Over 380 million tons of plastic are produced annually, yet less than 10% is recycled. More than 8 million tons of plastic waste end up in oceans and water sources each year.”
Recycling consumes significantly less energy compared to producing materials from raw resources; for instance, recycling aluminum uses up to 95% less energy than producing it from scratch. Recycling is also a vital method for reducing waste, preventing it from ending up in natural environments such as water sources, soil, and ecosystems.
What Do We Face If We Ignore Recycling?
Our waste products are contributing significantly to environmental degradation. We focus solely on production, and once items lose their usefulness, we simply discard them without considering their long-term impacts on the environment. As a result of these practices, we are releasing more toxic gases into the atmosphere, contaminating water and soil, and accelerating global warming and climate change, all of which ultimately lead to serious health risks and environmental hazards.
Environmental Laws
Another important topic covered in the panel was environmental legal practices, presented by Chro Omer from the Garmian ADWI team. She provided an overview of the Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation Act, enacted by the Kurdish Parliament as Law No. 8 in 2008. The discussion also emphasized legal regulations concerning the establishment of factories and companies, aiming to reduce their harmful impact on the environment.
What is Mentioned in the Law?
Raising public awareness about environmental laws can play a crucial role in reducing pollution from factories, as informed citizens are more likely to take action, know their rights, and understand how to report violations to the appropriate authorities. The core principles of the law focus on environmental protection, including penalties for violations, conservation of wildlife, and specific provisions aimed at safeguarding water, soil, and air quality.
We All Are Responsible
The participants all agreed that both citizens and government officials play a vital role in enhancing environmental conditions. Individuals can contribute by sorting their waste, such as separating glass and plastic into different bins, while it is the government’s responsibility to ensure proper management and disposal of that waste.
One of the participants stated:
“It is crucial to translate these discussions into concrete actions rather than leaving them as mere words, as failure to act could lead to serious environmental degradation shortly.”
The discussion highlighted the key principles for improving agriculture, protecting the environment through recycling, and legal frameworks.
At the end of the session, participants engaged with the panelists by asking questions and sharing their concerns. Additionally, the ADWI team introduced the MaliAwa project in Kifri, highlighting its potential to serve as an inspiring model for similar future initiatives.