Environment of Lebanon
One of the major
A large number of environmental
NGOs
Compared to other regions in the world, the
Water crisis
Lebanon is known for being one of the few countries in the Middle East with adequate water.[3] Not only do several large rivers surround Lebanon, but Lebanon also has the highest annual rainfall in the region, averaging 827mm.[3] But in the summertime especially, there is limited water for the residents to use.[3] The main problem is that there a few places for water to be stored.[3] Also, much of Lebanon's drinking water flows out into the Mediterranean Sea.[3] These problems also go along with the higher demand of water and the leaky system of pipes and reservoirs.[3] Lebanon is in need of an upgraded water network in order to avoid chronic water shortages predicted in the year 2020.[3]
Climate
Recently, not only has rainfall severely declined in Lebanon, but the rising climate has also been affecting the amount of water available. It is estimated that about 50% of the rainfall evaporates leaving people of Lebanon little to work with.[4] As a result of climate change, temperatures have been rising, which means more water lost to evapotranspiration.[5] Losing the water produced by rainfall to evapotranspiration then creates a higher demand for irrigation in farmlands.[5] While agriculture has been suffering the most from the drought, Lebanese households are also expected to go through further water rationing as the dry season arrives.[6]
Rising population
Lebanese make up about four million people in Lebanon. This number does not include the mass number of
Environmental projects
The Greater Beirut Water Supply Project
The aim of the Greater Beirut Water Supply Project (GBWSP) is to provide water from the
The Greater Beirut Water Supply Project is a project the Lebanese government has been considering since the 1960s and 1990s.[8] A request for inspection relating to GBWSP was registered by the inspection panel on November 10, 2010.[9]It was approved on December 16, 2010, by the World Bank's board of directors. The cost of this whole project is 370 million dollars. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) will be responsible for paying about 200 million dollars and the rest will be paid by the Government of Lebanon and the Beirut Mount Lebanon Water Establishment. Lebanon’s Ministry of Energy and Water (MoEW) will be responsible for executing the project and will delegate implementation, monitoring and reporting responsibilities to the Council for Development and Reconstruction (CDR) and the BMLWE.[8]
Improving the water supply in the Greater Beirut area would have a positive impact on about 2.1 million people, which is around half of Lebanon's population.[10] This would also include about 350,000 people living in lower income neighborhoods.[10] Also, many residents who live on the top floors of apartments do not receive water because of the low water pressure in the pipes.[10] Fixing these pipes will allow residents living on top floors to have better access to water. The quality of water will also improve and be in line with international standards, while also being much more consistent.[10] This project will also help many people in Lebanon save money. Today, in order to get clean water, many residents rely on private water for drinkable water.[10] It is estimated that around $308 million per year is spent on private water by households.[10]
Litani River Authority
The Litani River Basin Management Support program (LRBMS) was put in place by
Environmental issues in Lebanon
See Marine environmental issues in Lebanon
References
- ^ a b Barry, John and Gene E. Frankland. International Encyclopedia of Environmental Politics, s.v. “Non-Violent Direct Action.” Abingdon: Routledge, 2002.
- ^ “Non Governmental Organizations/ Complete List of NGOs” Archived 2013-06-22 at the Wayback Machine, United Nations Development Program. Accessed April 22, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f g “Lebanon: Greater Beirut Water Supply Project” Archived 2017-09-20 at the Wayback Machine, World Bank. Accessed April 22, 2014
- ^ a b Saleh, Kamel. “Lebanon Faces Water Crisis”, Almonitor. Accessed April 23, 2014.
- ^ a b “Lebanon: Climate Change and Politics Threaten Water Wars in Bekaa”, IRIN Middle East. Accessed April 23, 2014.
- ^ Sakr, Elias. “Taking Aim at Lebanon’s Water Shortage”, The Daily Star. Accessed April 23, 2014.
- ^ a b c “Lebanon Profile”, BBC. Accessed April 24, 2014.
- ^ a b c d “Greater Beirut Water Supply Project” Archived 2015-01-03 at the Wayback Machine, Bank Information Center. Accessed April 24, 2014.
- ^ a b “Lebanon - Greater Beirut Water Supply Project (GBWSP) (English)”, World Bank. Accessed April 24, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f “Lebanon: Greater Beirut Water Supply Project” Archived 2017-09-20 at the Wayback Machine, World Bank. Accessed April 27, 2014.
- ^ a b c “Litani River Basin Management Support (LRBMS) Program” Archived 2015-02-24 at the Wayback Machine, Engility Corp. Accessed April 29, 2014.
- ^ a b "Litani River", Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Accessed April 22, 2014.