Sarajevo, 26 January 2024
Lost in the smog
"If I ever leave Bosnia and Herzegovina, it will be because of the air pollution. I, as an individual, may not be in a position to do much about all the other negative issues such as corruption or the lack of rule of law (or I may not be aware of the fact that those are "killing us softly") but I can feel and see how smog kills us…or actually I see nothing these days," said Maja, inhabitant of Sarajevo, to me at the OSCE regional kick-off meeting on "Climate change and security in South Eastern Europe: Tackling challenges at the interface of air pollution and health".
Maja, we fully share your concerns and support your intention to secure a healthy life for you and your family. However, it's crucial to emphasize, as you're well aware, that the impact of air pollution on your well-being is sadly connected to corruption and the absence of a robust rule of law. This forms a vicious and destructive cycle that demands substantial and committed efforts from all of us to break.
World Health Organization data shows BiH to have the fifth-highest mortality rate from air pollution in the world (Ambient air pollution attributable death rate (per 100 000 population, age-standardized) (who.int)) whilst The World Bank estimates that PM 2.5 air pollution causes 3,300 premature deaths in BiH every year and the loss of over 8% of GDP.
It's hard to envision a more explicit manifestation of the repercussions of corruption, negligence, and the absence of effective rule-of-law mechanisms than what unfolds when you gaze outside your window on winter days in BiH. The impact is direct and universal - no one is unaffected, and it is literally killing thousands of people.
Decades of negligence, corruption, turning a blind eye and ongoing irresponsibility, combined with a lack of public awareness and increasing suppression of civic activism, are now resulting in thousands of premature deaths and countless illnesses every year in BiH, with the city of Sarajevo being one of the worst affected urban areas.
Corruption led us to weak enforcement of environmental regulations where regulatory authorities fail to monitor and penalize industries that violate emission standards, allowing them to continue polluting without consequences. The issuance of permits without proper scrutiny has allowed businesses and individuals to operate, build and pollute without adhering to environmental standards. And the lack of rule of law, resulting in a weak judicial system. leads to a lack of accountability, which further encourages unlawful practices that contribute to this horrible air pollution.
When decision-making processes related to environmental policies are not transparent, it becomes challenging for the public to hold authorities accountable for their actions or inaction in addressing air pollution.
Access to information, public participation in environmental decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters are the three pillars of the Aarhus Convention, an international agreement to which BiH is a party. You have the right to know all the facts, you have the right to demand all the relevant information, you have the right to participate in all decision-making processes that affect your environment and health - this is all provided to you by this Convention.
Aarhus Centres, currently operating in 14 countries throughout the OSCE area, including in BiH, are there to serve as a bridge between public authorities, civil society, business and the public. And they are also investing great efforts to try to address the growing problem of air pollution in the country.
In South Eastern Europe, and in BiH especially, reliable research and data on the impacts of climate change and air pollution on public health remains lacking and so do local policies to tackle the issue.
That's why Aarhus Centre Zenica, hosted by the Eko Forum NGO, is pioneering scientific research into the health effects of industrial air pollution, one of the main exposure sources in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The research looks into air pollution caused by coking (a part of the steel-making process) and uses genetics and DNA analysis to examine the impacts of such pollution on the health of local residents and will result in a first-of-its-kind study in BiH, which will inform future mitigation efforts and public health interventions.
I am sure that everyone has heard the alarming statistics many times before, and we all tend to pass them by not worrying too much. But they are alarming. And they require urgent action by everyone.
And yes, it is the decision-makers who are primarily responsible. But, let's not just point fingers. You have the right to know, to assess, to challenge, to influence - you have the power to hold them accountable. Every single action, project, permit, decision they made has an influence on your life, your health and well-being of your family.
It seems absurd that in the 21st century we are fighting for clean air, but unfortunately it is the reality we live in, not just people in BiH but the rest of the world as well. Some countries are dealing with this more effectively while others still struggle to address this issue adequately. What I see as one of the main factors that divides them is the strength of people. Awareness and the strength of people. Awareness that begins very early, when you, as power holders, demand programmes that suit you and your community, when you go out to vote, and when you demand accountability from your elected officials. I think their intention is not merely to cast a vote in the hope of choosing competent, honest, and accountable politicians; rather, they actively contribute to shaping individuals with such qualities.
Let's not be lost in the smog. Change begins with every individual commitment. Speak up, demand change - each small action adds up to a monumental impact. The result will be visible from your window.
