Author Nabila Rahhal recently wrote in City Lab an article entitled In Beirut A Grass-root Push for More Grass. I was moved to read of the human need for green space. For me this reinforces a bumper sticker motto "Plants influence lives". It is so evident from this article that after so many years of destruction by different  groups that someone is saying enough. I for one hear that voice.

http://www.citylab.com/design/2014/08/in-beirut-a-grassroots-push-for-more-grass/379242/

Alex Pearl