Seminar: "The global ecocide and what to do about it: case study from Palestina", by Mazin Qumsiyeh

Professor Qumsiyeh will be visiting the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) at the invitation of researchers from ICTA-UAB, with whom he collaborates on biodiversity conservation and climate justice issues.

Seminar: “The global ecocide and what to do about it: case study from Palestine”

Speaker: Prof. Mazin Qumsiye, founder of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability, Bethlehem University

• Date: Friday, October 17th 2025
• Time: 11h
• Venue: Sala Juntes, Rectorat UAB

In his talk Prof. Qumsiyeh explains the global catastrophic situation that impacts sustainable human and natural communities: climate, change, habitat destruction, pollution, overxploitation of natural resources, invasive species, and wars/conflicts.  Using a case study from Palestine, Qumsiyeh offers analysis of symptoms and diagnosis adding discussion of therapy and prognosis for our challenged planet. He articulates how working for environmental justice and for human rights is key to peace and sustainability and not just in Western Asia but globally. He highlights the model work of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (palestinenature.org).

BioProf. Mazin Qumsiyeh is founder and volunteer director of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability, Bethlehem University (PIBS see palestinenature.org and review our 10 year booklet and annual reports here). Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh previously served at US universities including Tennessee, Duke and Yale. Qumsiyeh published over 250 scientific papers, over 30 book chapters, hundreds of articles, and several books including “Sharing the Land of Canaan” and “Popular Resistance in Palestine” on topics ranging from environmental impact of colonization to environmental and climate justice to cultural heritage to human rights to biodiversity conservation to cancer. He served on the board of 11 human rights advocacy organizations and oversaw a number of projects ranging from formulating the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan to empowerment projects with farmers, women, and children that benefitted tens of thousands. He is laureate of the Paul K. Feyerabend Foundation award the Takreem award, Peaceseeker of the year award, and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2025. Prof. Qumsiyeh’s background is here and here.