Addressing the Orphaned Issue of Dust and Sandstorms: A Call for Action
In an insightful interview with Shargh network, leading environmentalists, Kaveh Madani and Seyyedeh Aminah Mousavi, addressed the challenges of tackling the dust and sandstorm issue at the United Nations.
BNN: In an insightful interview with Shargh network, leading environmentalists, Kaveh Madani and Seyyedeh Aminah Mousavi, addressed the challenges of tackling the dust and sandstorm issue at the United Nations. This problem, they said, is orphaned and lacks a dedicated custodian. Madani, the head of the Water, Environment and Health Institute at the United Nations University, shed light on the underlying political complexity of water issues and the physical constraints that complicate negotiations between upstream and downstream countries.
Addressing the Dust and Sandstorm Issue
Mousavi put forth the idea of creating joint working groups and commissions to confront political, economic, and environmental issues, including water disputes. Both Mousavi and Madani touched upon the internal environmental issues in Iran, like the negligence of wetlands, lakes, and forests, along with issues surrounding transboundary rivers and dam construction with neighboring countries, such as Afghanistan and Turkey.
Dust Storms: A Global Environmental Challenge
They pointed out that dust storms, a significant environmental challenge of the 21st century, receive minimal attention globally, even at the United Nations, where powerful economies often overlook them. Madani noted that while some international efforts have been made, including the establishment of a regional center in Iran to address dust and sandstorms, the overall international response remains inadequate.
Call for Collaborative Regional Action
The interviewees advocated for collaborative regional action, spearheaded by both governments and the public, to address the human-made aspects of dust storms resulting from environmental degradation. The narrative further delved into climate science, the escalating risks of global warming beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius, and the urgent need for decisive action. It also touched upon the outcomes and challenges of the 19th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference.
