A survey on the environmental trends in the Arab countries
The majority of the respondents (60%) to a survey on the environmental
trends in the Arab countries find that the state of the environment in their
countries is getting worse:
A survey on environmental trends in Arab countries was organized by Al-Bia
Wal-Tanmia (Environment & Development) magazine, in cooperation with the
Regional Office for West Asia of the United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP/ROWA) and the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for the
Environment (CAMRE). The survey was conducted between November 2005 and
March 2006, on voluntary basis and without interviewers. The questionnaire
was distributed through weekly magazines and daily newspapers from the
Arabic world. Replies were received from 18 Arab countries including
Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestinian Authority, Syria
and Tunisia.
The four main causes of environmental deterioration indicated by the
respondents were:
• non-adherence to legislation,
• inadequate awareness programmes,
• bad environmental management and
• weak environment protection agencies.
In some countries, the majority of respondents indicated also insufficient
public expenditure on the environment.
Considering the level of urgency of environmental problems, air pollution
scored the highest, as 80% of the total considered it a major problem.
Hazardous waste scored second, health hazards from pesticides and
fertilizers third, followed by weak environmental awareness and solid waste.
Fresh water resources, industrial and coastal pollution also scored as high
priorities. The more the problem is directly related to health, the more the
public seems to be sensitive to it. However it was remarkable to note that
71% indicated weak awareness of environmental problems as a top priority.
Contact information | n/a |
---|---|
News type | Inbrief |
File link |
http://www.mectat.com.lb/estitlah/survey2006.pdf |
Source of information | AL-BIA WAL-TANMIA |
Keyword(s) | environmental trends |
Subject(s) | NATURAL MEDIUM |
Geographical coverage | Lebanon, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia, Palestine |
News date | 29/09/2006 |
Working language(s) | RHAETO-ROMANCE |