Lebanon’s environment is in free fall and we urgently need someone to pay attention to this. If our democracy was a balanced one, this issue would be at the top of politicians’ agendas. Instead, the environment is almost unspoken of.
In fact, the reason for the lack of attention is a little more complicated. First, as we have still not resolved our national security priorities it is hard for anyone to focus on other issues.
Second, the interests stacked against us in environmental politics are quite daunting. Most established politicians are unwilling to challenge the status quo.
Third, environmental awareness in Lebanon is quite poor, with people unaware of the importance of a healthy natural environment for our long term well being and public health, among other things.
Meanwhile, here is a modest list of the key priorities that require urgent attention:
- Uncontrolled urbanization and construction
The general inadequacy of current city planning laws and regulations has meant buildings are going up everywhere at the expense of planning and the natural environment. Other than destroying the environment, the consequences are congested cities without adequate facilities for parking, parks, and pedestrians. In addition, a negative aspect is the aesthetic hideousness of the urban areas, with detrimental effect on our mental health and tourism industry. - Unrestricted car ownership and lack of alternatives
Cars dominate every part of our lives, with the resulting pollution detrimental to our health in the main cities. - Unregulated cement, asbestos and fertilizer plants
The region around Batroun and Sebline have been ravaged by unregulated cement and other factories which have been operating for decades. The dust pollution and the destruction to the surrounding hills and mountains are having a very negative effect on the natural environment and the health of the local population. - Unregulated stone quarries
This phenomenon, which has often been on the political agenda for other reasons, is destroying mountains around the country. - Poor waste management
“Garbage mountains” in Saida and Burj Hammoud are good examples of the poor waste management in the country, a result of poor planning and uncontrolled consumption habits. The problem also encompasses liquid waste which is most often simply dumped into the sea around the main cities. The result: nasty fumes and the destruction of our beautiful beaches and sea life. - Damage of beaches by uncontrolled land reclamation
Land reclamation all along the Lebanese coast has ravaged our beaches and natural habitats. Construction in the sea around Beirut, Dbayye, Saida and Tripoli, are only examples. A quick look at the Lebanese coast on Google Earth reveals the non-stop destruction of our beaches in almost every part of the country.
If we are lucky, any one of these items can come under the focus of politicians some time soon. If these issues are not dealt with soon, the cost to the economy and the health of the population could be excessive and detrimental for our nation’s future.
Lebanon Review 