Greenpeace MENA premieres climate documentary in Beirut

Greenpeace MENA screened Under the Sun in Beirut on July 3, bringing together more than 60 attendees for a discussion of climate justice, resilience and storytelling. The film returns to Lebanon after being shot there in 2023 and links the climate crisis to war, displacement and inequality across the region.

Why it matters: - The Beirut premiere puts climate justice in the frame alongside social justice, war, displacement and inequality. - The documentary centers people most affected by the climate crisis as leaders and problem-solvers, not only as victims. - Lebanon is facing more heatwaves, drought and pressure on water and livelihoods, making the film’s message immediate for local audiences.

What happened: - Greenpeace MENA hosted the Lebanese premiere of Under the Sun on Friday, July 3, at Metropolis Cinema in Beirut. - More than 60 people attended, including environmental and climate advocates, Greenpeace MENA partners, volunteers, media members, environmental experts and specialists. - The screening was followed by a discussion in the cinema garden with the Greenpeace MENA team. - The event focused on the film’s message, storytelling, culture, collective action and solidarity in environmental justice.

The details: - Greenpeace MENA produced the documentary with Roots and Brain Hug. - The film follows climate advocates and young people from Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, Uganda, the Philippines, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala and other countries. - The documentary was filmed in 2023 during the Climate Justice Camp, before the outbreak of war in Lebanon. - More than 400 young people from across the Global South gathered in Lebanon for that camp to share experiences, exchange ideas on solidarity and climate action, and imagine a more just future. - Executive Director Ghiwa Nakat said climate justice cannot be separated from social justice and that defending the environment also means defending people’s right to safety, dignity and life. - The film highlights the growing impacts of the climate crisis on communities most affected, along with their ability to organize, build resilience and lead transformative change. - The premiere also marked the film’s return to Lebanon, where its story first began.

Between the lines: - Under the Sun is presented as a counter to conventional climate coverage that leans heavily on statistics and catastrophe. - The screening turned into a wider conversation about who gets centered in climate narratives and why lived experience matters. - Greenpeace MENA is using the film to connect local Lebanese challenges with a broader regional and Global South climate justice story. - The message lands against a backdrop of mounting environmental and humanitarian pressure in Lebanon.

What's next: - The documentary begins a new chapter with audiences after its Beirut premiere. - Greenpeace MENA is positioning the film for broader discussion on climate justice and collective action. - The organization is also extending the film’s reach through its social channels: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and X.

The bottom line: - Under the Sun uses personal stories from Lebanon and the Global South to argue that climate action is inseparable from justice, dignity and survival.