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Mahi Tabet Aoul received degrees in telecommunications engineering and meteorology engineering at Strasbourg University and Paris-Sorbonne. He specialized in the field of the atmosphere at both the University of Fort-Collins and the University of Miami, and has taught at Laval University in Canada as a visiting professor. Aoul was the founder and first Director of the Hydrométéorological Institute for training and research. Aoul is also affiliated with the Centre en Anthropologie Sociale et Culturelle (CRASC) and (Laboratoire des Systèmes d’Information en Santé (LABSIS).
Environment and Sustainable Development in the Maghreb
The Maghreb extends about 2,000 kilometers on either side of the Greenwich meridian (-13° West from Cabo Jubi and 11.08° East to Kelibia) and is located on the same longitude as Europe. Although the Maghreb forms a single climatologic and geographical unit, it is a diverse landscape of mountains, fertile areas, and steppes. Nevertheless, the similarity of climate, geography, and culture in the Maghreb provides a solid foundation for developing a common environmental strategy.
Innovating Ways to Face the Effects of Environmental Degradation
The environmental degradation process in the Maghreb is mainly of natural origin, but has been accelerated by human activities. The most dangerous threats caused by environmental degradation are soil degradation and desertification, pollution, droughts, floods, and water scarcity.
Action is urgently needed to return lands to their original vocation, to implement large-scale reforestation, to rehabilitate the steppe and oasis, and to ensure the stability of rural communities. But what kind of action, and action by whom?
