On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, EDAMA organized a Power Breakfast event titled “The War on Gaza and Its Impact on Resources and the Environment” in Amman. The discussion panel featured Dr. Duraid Mahasneh, Chairman of EDAMA; Eng. Bahjat Al-Jabareen, Director of the Inspection and Control Department at the Palestinian Water Authority; Mey AlSayegh, Director of Media and Communications at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Middle East and North Africa Regional Office, Beirut); and Farah Atyyat, a journalist specializing in environmental and climate issues.
Dr. Mahasneh opened the event by introducing the speakers. He highlighted that the carbon emissions from the war are equivalent to the entire carbon production of a European country. He also emphasized that seawater has been polluted as a result of the war. Expressing his sorrow for the victims, Dr. Mahasneh began the meeting with a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs.
Engineer Bahjat Al-Jabareen described Gaza’s situation as “catastrophic,” highlighting the environmental damage, water and energy shortages, and infrastructure destruction caused by the war. He called the marine area “disastrous” due to pollution and the death of marine life from waste accumulation. He concluded, “Those who don’t die from the bombing will die from hunger, thirst, or pollution.”
Mey AlSayegh then spoke about the accumulation of waste and sewage water, noting that the closure of the Rafah crossing led to a limited number of aid shipments entering Gaza, exacerbating food insecurity. She also discussed the lack of adherence to international protocols and the Red Cross’s efforts to address violations and find solutions.
Farah Atyyat highlighted the global climate summit held during the war on Gaza. She discussed the scale of military spending and its cost to climate change, pointing out that it is time to place conflicts on the climate action agenda. She also raised concerns about oil-related conflicts and potential displacement due to climate impacts.
Dr. Duraid Mahasneh opened the discussion, stressing the importance of shedding light on the environmental impact of the war on Gaza and the need for pollution studies in both Gaza and Jordan. Dr. Jamal Latouf questioned whether carbon emissions are a scientific or political decision, while Dr. Youssef Mansour noted that environmental pollution extends beyond Gaza and raised concerns about the environmental impact on Jordan.
It is worth noting that the Power Breakfast is a series of events organized by EDAMA, aimed at fostering discussions between the public and private sectors to build partnerships that benefit society and promote the green economy.
