“ملف يشكل خطرًا كبيرًا”… ودعوة إلى وضع خطة طوارئ!

المصدر: ليبانون ديبايت

“A File Representing a Major Threat”… Call for an Emergency Plan!

Lebanon faces serious environmental challenges, particularly highlighted by the annual wildfires that recur every autumn. In this context, environmental expert and president of the Global Environment Party, Dr. Doumit Kamel, addresses this phenomenon, outlining its causes and potential solutions.

Dr. Kamel emphasizes in a conversation with “Lebanon Debate” that “Lebanon, like other countries in the eastern Mediterranean basin, has experienced intense wildfires annually between October 15 and November 15 since the late last century. While some people in Lebanon label these fires as deliberately set, this characterization is inaccurate.”

He points to a range of factors that contribute to the outbreak of these fires, including the accumulation of waste. The forests of Lebanon are filled with industrial and household waste discarded haphazardly, along with plastic bags. Due to high temperatures, these bags ferment and become saturated with gases, which can lead to explosions and ignitions. He also mentions that randomly discarded plastic and glass containers in the woods can act as lenses for sunlight, igniting fires. Additionally, some individuals light charcoal and fires during outings and leave without extinguishing the embers, contributing to the outbreak of fires.

Dr. Kamel warns that “the failure to address environmental issues in Lebanon correctly poses a significant danger. Strict decisions must be made regarding this matter, such as issuing fines against those who violate laws related to littering on roads or in forests.”

He highlights the impact of climate change on Lebanon's weather, asserting that “the onset of rain typically begins around September 15. Unfortunately, this did not occur this year due to climate changes, leading to severe drought, low rainfall, and decreased humidity, along with hot winds in certain areas. All these changes significantly affect agricultural production and fruit trees.”

In conclusion, Dr. Kamel states, “It is time to adopt the correct methods to confront the global climate changes we are witnessing by implementing an environmental emergency plan and resorting to scientific methods to cope with the ongoing changes in this field.” He emphasizes that “the period of wildfires will continue until the rains fall.”