On Tuesday, June 11, 2024, on the occasion of World Environment Day, a Scientific Meeting, under supervision of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, at Shahid Khorakian Conference Hall, was held. This meeting was attended by professors, students, and specialists in the related fields. In this meeting, Dr. Mohseni Bandpay, Director of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Prof. Nobakht, Director of Forest Range and Watershed Management Organization, Prof. Mehrdadi, Dean of Faculty of Environment at University of Tehran , Prof. Farrokhi, Director of HSC Group at the Faculty of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Prof. Heshmati, Deputy of Human Environment at the Environmental Protection Agency, and Dr. Zargarpour, Former Deputy of Water Affairs at Ministry of Energy , delivered speeches on the importance of the aforementioned topic. The meeting began with Dr. Mohseni Band Pay’s speech on the theme of World Environment Day. He explained about the history of World Environment Day and this year's theme of " Land Restoration, Desertification, and Drought Resilience" under the slogan “Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration.”. He also provided information on environmental crises, climate change, its impact on the environment, and Iran's statistics on water crisis and land subsidence. He also presented the adaptation strategies for drought risk reduction as follows: effective water resource management, efficient water consumption and conservation methods, use of innovative technologies, and optimization of wastewater use (undergone water treatment process) in agriculture.
In the field of diversifying agricultural products, he mentioned the cultivation of drought-resistant crops, determining desired cultivation patterns, and integrating sustainable agricultural methods to increase resilience. And in the field of infrastructure improvement, he emphasized the need to upgrade water storage and distribution systems to increase water security during drought periods. He concluded by calling on officials at all levels to take action to mitigate and adapt to drought challenges.
Next, Prof. Nobakht started his speech on the "One Billion Tree Planting" public plan. He stated that in this plan, with the help of the Ministry of Education, each student is supposed to plant three seedlings, and ultimately sixty million seedlings will be planted in schools. He also mentioned that in some provinces, with the participation of volunteers who have a good taste on planting, house yards are being transformed into small gardens.
Due to the unsustainable extraction and depletion of groundwater resources, the imperative for preserving vegetation cover and reinforcing underground structures has become increasingly vital. AI data analysis suggests that reforestation in southern provinces can lower temperatures by three degrees and increase humidity by twenty percent. Audience participation was requested for tree planting and promoting this culture in the society.
Prof. Mehrdadi highlighted the influence of climate change on water and wastewater treatment, stressing how it affects these systems' vulnerability to flood risks related to altered rainfall patterns. The use of treated wastewater in agriculture and industry was emphasized due to the decrease in water resources in Tehran province, necessitating the expansion of sewage collection networks.
Prof. Farrokhi addressed environmental inequalities, challenges, and solutions. He said that environmental problems affect all members of society, with deprived areas experiencing greater damage and more critical conditions. Economic disparities contribute to environmental inequalities, which can be decreased through equitable economic progress. He also proposed solutions including reshaping governmental perspectives, fostering public demand for environmental protection, enacting strict environmental regulations, and empowering local communities in environmental management.
The following speaker, Prof. Zargarpour, examined some decisions of the Iran’s Environment Assembly. Prof. Zargarpour expressed concern about the current state of the environment in Iran, warning that if these issues are not resolved within seven to eight years, there is a risk of ecological collapse. They suggested that the environmental organization should undergo a structural transformation and become stronger by being united with Forest Range and Watershed Management Organization as well as Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation.
Prof. Heshmati outlined the topics discussed, including environmental laws, Sustainable Development Goals, innovative technologies, wastewater management initiatives, and establishment of 180 accredited air-quality monitoring stations and national working groups. He mentioned the introduction of a new method to enhance the efficiency of these companies and self-evaluation projects.
The session concluded with a student Q &A session.
