Tress for trees: Syrian ecological initiative Green Tress is planning to plant four mn trees to raise awareness about climate change, Arab News reports. The volunteer group will also host climate awareness workshops and teach villagers how to compost.

Facing hurdles: Syria is facing massive environmental challenges including land desertification and a drought threatening the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, as well as geopolitical hurdles as Turkey’s 23 dams have dried up the Euphrates’ tributary rivers. Many lush forests along the northern border were destroyed during the prolonged Syrian civil war when citizens were forced to use trees for survival as fuel sources ran out. Despite these obstacles, Green Tress is determined to effect change, starting at the “household level.”