{"id":6977,"date":"2020-06-24T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-24T03:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/mena\/appr\/"},"modified":"2021-12-01T15:31:00","modified_gmt":"2021-12-01T12:31:00","slug":"appr","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/mena\/en\/appr\/","title":{"rendered":"Greenpeace: Lebanon\u2019s Death Rate and Economic Cost due to Air Pollution among the Highest in the MENA Region"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Greenpeace MENA published a global report today entitled \u201cToxic Air: The Price of Fossil Fuels<\/a>,\u201d including figures that reveal the massive health and economic cost endured by countries due to their reliance on fossil fuels, which pollute the air and increase disease and mortality rates. The report also sheds light on the solutions that can protect our health and benefit our societies.<\/p>\n\n

The number of premature deaths in MENA countries is estimated at 65,000, as a result of air pollution due to fossil fuels. The estimated average number of premature deaths in Lebanon as a result of air pollution due to fossil fuels was 2,700 in 2018 \u2013 that is, at a rate of 4 deaths per 10,000 people, which is one of the highest rates in the region, along with Egypt\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cThese frightening numbers reveal a hidden and unknown health crisis and sound the alarm about the high levels of air pollution in Lebanon, which put the health and life of every Lebanese citizen at risk,\u201d Greenpeace MENA Programme Manager Julien Jreissati said, adding that \u201cair pollution exposes our societies to chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer, thereby making us more vulnerable to respiratory system viruses, such as COVID-19.\u201d In fact, numerous studies have reported strong evidence confirming that long-term exposure to air pollution increases the severity of COVID-19 contraction, as well as related deaths.<\/p>\n\n

In addition to health impacts, the report also revealed the economic cost borne by countries around the world as a result of air pollution. The annual cost in Lebanon reaches USD 1.4 billion, which is the equivalent of 2% of the country\u2019s GDP. This, too, is one of the highest rates in the region, along with Egypt\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n

\u201cIn a country that is on the brink of an economic collapse, this cost puts additional pressure on the finances of Lebanese citizens and their government and reveals an entirely new aspect of our economic crisis. Our general budget makes no mention of this issue, despite the fact that it requires prompt and immediate measures by the government,\u201d Jreissati said.<\/p>\n\n

Jreissati added that \u201cthe COVID-19 crisis has made it clear that air quality and the environment can quickly recover if strict measures are taken to remove the sources of air emissions and pollution. Therefore, we are calling for serious investments in renewable energies, rather than wasting our time debating which lethal and polluting power plants should be built first. We must focus on renewable energies, as they contribute to creating new job opportunities, thereby strengthening our economy and preserving the health of our society.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

It must be noted that Greenpeace had published a report in July, 2019, entitled \u201cNo More Excuses: Time to go Renewable<\/a>,\u201d in response to the electricity sector plan put forward by the Lebanese Ministry of Energy and Water last year. In the report, Greenpeace proposed an alternative scenario that relies on renewable energy resources and energy efficiency. The report confirmed that more reliance on renewable energy resources would result in additional economic, environmental and health benefits.<\/p>\n\n

Now, more than ever, Lebanon needs to focus on citizens\u2019 health and the environment as two major pillars in any plan seeking to contribute to the country\u2019s economic recovery. Jreissati concluded by saying: \u201cWe call upon the Lebanese government, particularly the Minister of Energy, to develop, adopt and implement an ambitious renewable energy plan as a fundamental step towards reducing the primary sources of air pollution and to save the country!\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Additional Information to the Editor:<\/p>\n\n