This article focuses on the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
A little more than a month ago, Instagram stories were filled with awareness posts about the 2020 Beirut Explosion. Irresponsibly stored ammonium nitrate blows up and causes upwards of $15 billion dollars worth of economic damage and loss - going down in history as being the most powerful non-nuclear explosion ever. What a lot of people don’t know is that Lebanon was undoubtedly suffering as a country even prior to the explosion; corruption was — and still is — extensively present in Lebanon. In order for any country to prosper, there should be good governance, transparency, and high citizenship. In Lebanon, these three pillars are weak and the whole governmental system is to blame. In order to achieve transparency and lessen corruption, we need to work on a major overhauling of the whole system.
To be incredibly blunt, there are very few ways to combat corruption and see immediate results in the rewriting of an entire governmental system. Nonetheless, the people of Lebanon have actively strived for transparency and advocated for a change in the system through various ways; many of which were semi-effective. They have come together and supported each other while pressuring the government in any way they can. The younger generations have been especially proactive in advocating for a new governmental structure. To help spread awareness, they’ve used online platforms to rapidly share information and have created multiple petitions to sign. They’ve pressured the politicians on their Instagram and Twitter posts using the so-called ‘fairy comments’. Besides clicktivism, they’ve also taken to the streets, protested many times. In the first week of the October Revolution, hundreds of thousands of Lebanese stood in the streets as one, forgetting about their differences.
Lebanon is still struggling. The government’s two-time resignation — a result of the protests and pressure — has proved to be an unsuccessful long-term solution due to the persistent incompetence of the whole system. Members of the parliament and political party leaders are only acting and governing motivated by their self-interest and profit; the gaps and weaknesses in the governmental system allows them to do so.
Lebanon is exhausted from all that’s happened because of corruption and the ineffective government system. An economic crisis has taken over the nation. The Lebanese pound’s value has decreased by 75% on the black market (Fahy). The people have faced shortages in food, medicine, and fuel because 65-80% of goods are imported which, inturn, causes the economy to collapse. Lebanon has a 152% debt to GDP ratio, ranked third in the world (Shawish). Poverty rates have been skyrocketing as a result of COVID-19, the revolution, and the explosion. Besides, as of December 2019, 1.5 million Syrian refugees and 300,000 Palestinian refugees are living in Lebanon (Goal 1: No Poverty). Power cuts have reached 22 hours a day while, amidst all this, there is still a global pandemic that is slowly deteriorating the country and its economy.
But, the most devastating result of the malfunctioning government and its politicians has to be the 2020 Beirut Explosion that caused 200+ deaths, 6,500 injuries, and 300,000 people displaced from their own homes (Beirut Explosion, BBC.com). The Lebanese climate has been influenced negatively, also affecting the public health and well-being. A couple days after the explosion, the chemicals and fumes had dispersed into the atmosphere; sources claim that the fumes included multiple types of nitrate oxides. Rain fell on the 4th - 6th day after the explosion. Hazardous materials typically kept in the Beirut Port are now mixed in with the 800,000 tonnes of demolition waste - including, but not limited to, lead, pesticides, heavy metals, and industrial chemicals (ScienceInsider). Direct exposure to these materials could cause health issues, whether it be mild or major. Sooner or later, a lot of the chemicals and dust that's spread around Beirut may become airborne, an issue regarding public health. And as expected, the water and soil has all been contaminated from the debris and construction waste.
The UN has been actively trying to clean up Beirut and minimize the impact on the environment. Sustainable Development Goal 13 is all about reducing contamination in the air, soil, and water and minimizing the number of health issues caused by them. The 2020 Beirut explosion can definitely be considered a major setback for reaching said goal. For obvious reasons, the ammonium nitrate shouldn’t have been stored in the middle of an urban area, let alone the capital. To take steps towards the prevention of future disasters like that of Beirut, Lebanon needs to replace it’s politicians and their governmental structure.
What the Lebanese have been doing so far is really the only effective way to substantially reduce corruption, especially as youth. Acting on changing the governmental policies and balance of power would lead to the reaching of SDG 16, specifically 16.5; this would fundamentally fix all other problems in Lebanon. In theory, the SDGs that focus on basic human needs and rights would all be met.
By working on overhauling the system and reaching SDG 16.5, money would be distributed more evenly. Lebanon’s balance between exports and imports would be more stable, aiding the flow of the economy. Tourism would flourish from Lebanon’s grand ski slopes in the winter and warm beaches in the summer. Not to mention the rich history and delicious cuisine available at all times. The poverty, unemployment, and hunger rates would significantly decrease. Moreover, basic needs such as electricity and clean water would be much more accessible. Carrying out these changes relies on having a solid governmental system and leaders that can wisely use Lebanon’s resources to better the nation and protect it.
Lebanon’s situation has been kept covered up for long enough. It’s time to start working towards the goal of reducing as much corruption as we can by revising, if not rewriting, the Lebanese system and policies as a whole. What’s needed are politicians that value transparency in a governmental structure that works efficiently and wisely. Protest, spread awareness, and pressure the government in order to help the Lebanese people live in a more just, safe, and sustainable country. Join us and act now, there’s no better time.
External Resources
Works Cited
Baker, Luke, and Tom Perry. “Explainer: Why Is Lebanon in an Economic and Political Mess?” Edited by Peter Graff, Reuters, Thomson Reuters, 6 Nov. 2019, www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-protests-causes-explainer/explainer-why-is-lebanon-in-an-economic-and-political-mess-idUSKBN1XG260.
“Beirut Explosion: Lebanon's Government 'to Resign' as Death Toll Rises.” BBC News, BBC, 10 Aug. 2020, www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-53720383.
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“Lebanon Protests: Huge Crowds on Streets as Government Acts.” BBC News, BBC, 21 Oct. 2019, www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-50118300.
Majzoub, Aya. “Lebanon in the Dark.” Human Rights Watch, 2020 Human Rights Watch, 5 Sept. 2020, www.hrw.org/news/2020/07/09/lebanon-dark.
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Schlein, Lisa. “UN Warns of Hazardous Waste Threat After Beirut Blast .” Voice of America, 2 Sept. 2020, 09:21 AM, www.voanews.com/middle-east/un-warns-hazardous-waste-threat-after-beirut-blast.
ScienceInsider, et al. ‘Absolutely Horrendous.’ Scientists Discuss Beirut’s Blast and How They Are Coping with Its Aftermath, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 4 Sept. 2020, www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/09/absolutely-horrendous-scientists-discuss-beirut-s-blast-and-how-they-are-coping-its. Accessed 6 Sept. 2020.
Shawish, Hesham. “How Did Lebanon Become the Third Most Indebted Nation?” BBC News, BBC, 25 Oct. 2019, www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50183895.
“World Bank Cancels Loan for Lebanon's Bisri Dam, Effective Immediately.” Arab News, Arabnews, 5 Sept. 2020, www.arabnews.com/node/1729821/middle-east.
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