Media
GEO MAGAZINE: The Cedars of God
diego ibarra sanchez
Dec 18, 2023
Reporter: Karin A. Wenger
Postproduction: Joan Roig / CromagnonTv
Thirty years ago, when Youssef Tawk began planting cedars on the arid hills of northern Lebanon, most people in his hometown thought he was eccentric. After a few challenging years, he contemplated giving up, but his determination prevailed. He envisioned planting hundreds, perhaps thousands, of trees. Over the years, Youssef and his team have successfully planted more than 100,000 cedars, yet their work continues unabated. These ancient trees face threats from climate change, deforestation, and encroaching hotel resorts.
Today, Youssef receives gratitude for his efforts. In crisis-stricken Lebanon, the enduring resilience of these millennia-old cedars has become a symbol of hope for many
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