The Role of the Judiciary in combating Environmental issues in

Lebanon: Pollution & Deforestation

ISSUES:
Environmental Issues, Laws, Judiciary, Corruption, Pollution, Lebanon
Corruption, Deforestation, Legislation, NGOs, and sanctions

Pol201: Dr. Jeffrey Karam- Group3:

Antonios, Rebecca M.
Assaf, Vanessa J.
Karam, Marilyn P.
Boudaoud, Oussama M.
 Lebanon is a platform for political, cultural and economic exchanges with regional and
international countries. The country was subject to historical events and international
interferences that shaped its actual political identity and lead to a severe pollution and
deforestation problem.
At the present time, lots of the Lebanese agree that the functions of the state go beyond the
Weberian definition: the state, especially in a parliamentary democratic republic like Lebanon,
should deal with the globalization and International organizations, pass and implement
effectively laws, prioritize the general will in its agenda, organize the work among the three
branches of the government, and consider some new ideologies such as environmentalism.
Unfortunately, environmental problems are not only present in Lebanon, but also in many other
countries, becoming a threatening global problem.
These problems range from air and water pollution to deforestation, climate change, global
warming, acid rain, desertification, and destruction of the ozone layer.
Sadly, the Lebanese government apparently deems environmental issues as low priority and thus
fails to provide sufficient attention towards this issue.
With time, technological advances, rise of industries and depletion of the resources,
environmental problems are being aggravated.
Deforestation is taking over our green spaces; generally for industrial purposes, to build
infrastructure, and set up stone-pits. Also, recently, several Lebanese forests in different regions
were burned, with the cause still unclear.
Additionally, Lebanon suffers from severe air pollution: the number of patients diagnosed with
lung cancer are soaring. Exorbitant car exhaust, diesel generators – extensively used in Lebanon
due to the government’s failure to provide 24-hour electricity – and cigarette smoke are the
primary culprits in sabotaging the quality of air. The coastline of the country is usually concealed
by heavy smog, easily noticed from high attitude.
Furthermore, the garbage crisis is getting worse with the lack of sustainable solutions and
recycling programs.
These aforementioned problems are inter-related; deforestation increases air pollution since less
trees are filtering our air; air pollution seems to be spoon feeding climate change in the sense that
the outstanding increase of CO2 in the atmosphere has taken a toll on overall climate and winters
are colder and summers hotter
In fact, all these problems can be related to the lack of government control, a dysfunctional
political system. The Lebanese government has no excuse for having these environmental
problems in Lebanon, since the country does not have like China hefty industries which are often
the principal source of air pollution. Thus, corruption and selfish government are also to blame.
The main problem is the corruption in the formal institutions, the lack of government work,
control, transparency, accountability and the presence of different political parties that are most
of the time focusing on personal interests instead of all working together for a better situation.
These problems can be studied and tackled through specific policies, plans and programs
set by active, professionalized institutions that are majorly theoretically present (e.g. Ministry of
Environment), but not being applied and should be mainly controlled by the judiciary body.
Hence, the state needs to provide resources to help in the protection of our global environment.
The problem could be solved through the Legislative and judiciary bodies whereby legislatures
pass laws that seek the protection of the environment with the judiciary body ensuring that these
laws are being respected. Also, deforestation, for example, is more of a corporation problem
rather than a population or individual problem, therefore heavy sanctions should be given to
corporations that keep deforesting and do not abide by the reforms. Actions that harm the
environment, and ultimately, the society must be strictly prohibited by the courts. On that note,
the insurance of the independence of the judiciary body, with the judges being impartial,
independent from political parties, to determine the merits of legal cases is a necessity.
Accordingly, the respect and application of the rule of law is a must; thus, everyone in the
society is expected to obey to the law, whether he or she is a ruler, minister, or an ordinary
citizen.
The judiciary body can be supported by a professionalized, independent, responsible and
active body that works on providing safety and security measures towards the environment and
evaluating global risks to predict any forthcoming issues and prevent their growth and incoming
damage. This is where the state must recruit environmentalists, giving them adequate
representation and more space.
Accordingly, the civil society, as a pressure group, can potentially make the legislatures consider
eco-friendly reforms and laws. For example, activists should pressure the government to provide
24-hour electricity, fix the problem of public transportation, which will inevitably improve air
quality by reducing traffic and air-polluting emissions. Moreover, NGOs can raise awareness
campaigns to teach the people how to abide by the “All is affected” law and encourage them to
file for petitions or wage protests for serious measures to be taken against those who do not
abide. To limit corruption, awareness can be raised by implementing various systems to protect
the environment, in addition the formal environmental institution should work in collaboration
with other institutions, hence making it simpler to detect any fraud, and most importantly lead
the people to elect environmentally aware officials instead of officials who disregard the matter:
individuals should vote for candidates who really care about the public well-being and have a
solid plan to reduce air pollution and deforestation.
Additionally, neutral professionalized committees should be appointed to hold a continuous
control over the work of the public institutions in the environmental field; the committee should
be able to freely report any fraud to the concerned courts.
A specialized research body that works on actively finding alternatives to help fight pollution,
and keep the environment as clean and healthy as possible might also be formed.
In addition, pressure from international organizations can be important for the judiciary body
to ensure the government’s commitment to sustainable development, modern programs,
agreements and laws from international organizations and local NGOs to protect the environment
(SDGs of the UN), hence safeguarding the rights of the future generations, both human, and non-
human.
Lebanon is facing several problems among which alarming environmental issues from
deforestation to air pollution, due in part to the corruption in the ideally responsible institutions
and the lack of government control. As a solution, the judiciary body can play a major role in
combating these issues through laws and sanctions. The judiciary body should be supported by a
wise civil society forming pressure groups and being able to elect activists and professionalized
people in charge; support can also come from an independent responsible and active institution,
NGOs and international organizations.
Finally, if the state does not redirect its priorities, its negligence might just cost its people’s
future.