This winter will be harsh, not just meteorologically expected due to a "mini ice age," but it will also leave Lebanese people "naked." Heating has become very costly! Diesel prices are soaring and are likely to rise further due to various factors, most notably the war in Ukraine, which has led to a global fuel crisis, along with the ongoing crisis in Lebanon. The same applies to gas. For those using electric heating, the situation is even worse since "there is no electricity." These matters will directly impact fires, firewood collection, and the environment. So, what awaits us?
Environmental expert Dr. Naji Qadi explains, in an interview with MTV, that since a long time back, as winter approaches, fires tend to increase, a phenomenon known as the "fire season." Some fires are deliberately set, others are due to neglect and lack of precautions, and some occur naturally. Because preventive and protective programs are lacking in Lebanon, we witness a significant number of fires each year during this period.
He points out that "the poor who cannot afford diesel or other heating methods might resort to cutting down trees instead of buying expensive firewood. People living close to forests and woodlands may turn to firewood collection, which can be harmful to forests and woods if done unsystematically."
Regarding the accumulated losses and what may happen this year, he states: "We lose hectares of green cover annually due to fires, and the government has yet to take serious measures. The percentage of green cover has significantly declined and is now below the minimum level, and instead of planning policies for afforestation, planting, and developing our green cover, we lose it yearly. This, of course, has environmental repercussions including air pollution during fires, increased soil erosion, and mountain degradation, in addition to creating problems for groundwater recharge, leading to a series of negative environmental impacts."
The issue is that the policies and programs needed for implementation are clear, yet no government has adopted or executed these strategies... So, will Lebanon burn again as it did in 2019?
