View source for Environmental issues in North Macedonia

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'''Environmental issues in North Macedonia''' include [[air pollution|air]] and [[water pollution]], [[deforestation]], threats to [[endemic species]] and [[climate change]]. There is substantial degree of [[pollution]] in the air, water and land of [[North Macedonia]]. According to 2019 estimates, the country is considered to have one of the highest degrees of pollution in [[Europe]].<ref name="apnews">{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/2fd6f2f66d1d7508ea4416c04f5cc048|title=North Macedonia: Hundreds protest dangerous air pollution|publisher=[[AP News]]|first=Konstantin|last=Testorides|date=20 December 2019|access-date=20 February 2020}}</ref>

The country's tradition of [[Air quality index|measuring air quality]] started in 1965, after which urban environments could be monitored for the level of pollution present. [[Air pollution]] negatively affects the health of citizens, primarily their [[respiratory]] and [[cardiovascular system]]s. Some of the main causes for the increased air pollution in the country include the use of [[firewood]] and [[carbon]] during the winter period and heavy traffic dominated by the use of old cars. Government and citizen initiatives to tackle the problem of air pollution have appeared with various degrees of success.

There is significant water pollution in the country's water resources, primarily the biggest rivers [[Vardar]], [[Bregalnica]] and [[Crna River (Vardar)|Crna River]] and the [[Ohrid Lake]]. This is mostly due to unrestrained wastewater disposal from industry, [[mining]], [[sewage|households]] and [[agriculture]].

==Background==
Some of the most frequently polluted areas in the country include urban regions. Nevertheless, pollution has been noticed in some of the rural areas as well.<ref name="reportmk" /> Some of the most frequently polluted cities include the country's capital [[Skopje]] and bigger cities like [[Tetovo]] and [[Bitola]].<ref name="reportmk" /><ref name="iph">{{cite web|url=https://www.iph.mk/en/information-about-the-air-pollution-in-cities-in-the-republic-of-macedonia-and-possible-risks-to-health/|title=Information about the air pollution in cities in the Republic of Macedonia and possible risks to health|date=10 December 2015|publisher=Institute of Public Health of Republic of Macedonia|access-date=20 February 2020|archive-date=16 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216084203/https://www.iph.mk/en/information-about-the-air-pollution-in-cities-in-the-republic-of-macedonia-and-possible-risks-to-health/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Monitoring of the [[air quality]] started being recorded in 1965 when samples of harmful substances were being collected. Since the 1990s, more modern technologies have been implemented throughout the country.<ref name="reportmk" /> [[Airborne particles]] in Skopje have been estimated to exceed safety levels recommended by the [[World Health Organization]] by 20 times. Skopje is regularly ranked as one of the most polluted cities, both in Europe and the world. The [[PM10]] levels in 2018 were above EU limits for 202 days; during that year they reached 2.5 PM, a measure that indicates the most dangerous air pollutants for health.<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200701-skopje-north-macedonia-the-most-polluted-city-in-europe|title=The young people fighting the worst smog in Europe|publisher=[[BBC]]|first=Jessica|last=Bateman|date=2 July 2020|access-date=27 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="jazeera">{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2019/3/19/inside-skopje-europes-most-polluted-capital-city|title=Inside Skopje, Europe's most polluted capital city|first1=Joi|last1=Lee|first2=Viktorija|last2=Mickute|publisher=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]]|date=19 March 2019|access-date=20 February 2020}}</ref> The [[Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning]] is responsible for the recording of pollution in the country.<ref name="iks">{{cite web|url=https://iks-edu-mk.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/4.-kratki_koj-gi-zagaduva-vodite-vo-makedonija_eng_print.pdf|title=Recording the pressures on the water resources: Who pollutes the waters in North Macedonia?|first1=Biljana|last1=Puleska Janusheska|first2=Dejan|last2=Andonov|publisher=Institute of Communication Studies|date=10 March 2021|access-date=4 November 2022}}</ref>

In 2022, it is expected that the pollution levels in the country will rise higher than before owing to the global economic crisis.<ref name="specat" />

==Air pollution==
[[File:Urban pollution ,Градско загадување.jpg|thumb|A source of [[air pollution]] through the emission of [[exhaust gas]]es in an urban area in the country.]]

===Main causes===
The state of the air quality aggravates with the beginning of the heating season. Additionally, due to the country's location in a predominantly mountainous region and its [[Mediterranean climate]], it is harder to tackle the problem.<ref name="reportmk" /> The rising of warm air upwards and its collision with the colder and heavier air downwards results in the formation of [[smog]].<ref name="jazeera" /> The main causes of air pollution, in descending order of importance include:

* Burning wood and using biomass [[pellet fuel]]s as a means of home heating during cold winters produces PM10 particles and [[carbon monoxide]].<ref name="apnews"/><ref name="iph" /> This is related primarily to their [[socioeconomic status]] and according to some estimates, 42-45% of the citizens of the capital use [[firewood]] to heat their homes, which is also partly purchased on the [[black market]].<ref name="jazeera" />
* Old cars that do not meet EU emission standards and heavy traffics cause PM10 and carbon monoxide.<ref name="apnews"/><ref name="reportmk">{{cite press release|url=http://air.moepp.gov.mk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/AirQualityReport_MK.pdf|title=Извештај за оценка на квалитетот на воздухот во Република Македонија за периодот 2005–2015 година|trans-title=A report of the assessment of air quality in the Republic of Macedonia in the period 2005-2015|first=Svetlana|last=Gjorgjeva|publisher=[[Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning]]|date=June 2017|location=Skopje|language=mk|access-date=20 February 2020|archive-date=16 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216090032/https://air.moepp.gov.mk/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/AirQualityReport_MK.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="iph" /> An increase of the import of such vehicles appeared in 2010 after the decision of the leading government at the time.<ref name="jazeera" />
* Industrial production processes that are older than the rest of [[Europe]]<ref name="jazeera" />
* Garbage disposal by incineration<ref name="apnews"/>
* Producing electricity using solid fuels-like brown coal (lignite) and liquid fuels - nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide<ref name="iph" /><ref name="reportmk" />
* Population density; construction activities - dust; inadequate urbanization, production facilities Silmak and Teteks; geographical basin location - Tetovo<ref name="iph" />

As in other post-Yugoslav countries, a study by the [[Health and Environment Alliance]] found that the main pollutants of the air include the 16 lignite plants that are found on the territories of the countries.<ref name="jazeera" />

===Effects on health===
According to health research, it is estimated that approximately 1350 (2015)<ref name="iph" /> and more than 3000 people (2019) died annually due to air pollution-related causes.<ref name="apnews" /> Additionally, air pollution in the country is known to contribute to lost productive days.<ref name="iph" /> According to 2015 estimates, 253 million euros were lost, mainly due to premature death, health costs and reduced productivity.<ref name="iph" />

Organs that are primarily affected by pollution are the [[lung]]s and the [[cardiovascular system]]. The most vulnerable population includes children between the age of 0 and 5, elderly people, people with chronic diseases, [[asthma]] patients, people who work outdoors and smokers (who have an increased risk of [[cardiac arrest]]).<ref name="iph" /> Additionally, heart diseases and strokes account for 80% of premature deaths related to pollution.<ref name="jazeera" /> Children are particularly prone to [[bronchitis]] and other infections due to the smaller size of their airways.<ref name="bbc" /> Air pollution can have an effect on [[neural development]] and [[cognition]] that can lead to a decrease in performance and lower [[quality of life]].<ref name="jazeera" />

Additionally, numerous scientific studies have shown that PM10 and PM2.5 particles in the air could lead to [[metabolic disorder]]s, such as those of the [[liver]] and to neurodegenrative effects, leading to worsened memory, speech, intelligence and tumor formations in pre-born children. It has been reported by Ratko Davidovski, a PhD in hygiene and health ecology, that several citizens of Tetovo who reported [[non-alcoholic fatty liver disease]] (NAFLD) despite leading healthy lives, which he attributed to the high levels of pollution in the air of that town.<ref name="specat">{{cite news|url=https://www.slobodenpecat.mk/novi-studii-za-vozduhot-vo-tetovo-aerozagaduvanjeto-go-napagja-i-crniot-drob/|title=Нови студии за воздухот: Аерозагадувањето го напаѓа и црниот дроб, тетовци веќе ги чуствуваат последиците|trans-title=New studies about the air: Aeropollution attacks the liver too, people from Tetovo can feel the consequences|work=[[Sloboden Pečat]]|first=Z.|last=D.|date=22 November 2022|access-date=22 November 2022}}</ref>

===Solutions===
According to an analysis of air pollution in the period between 2005 and 2015, there was a decrease in the level of [[sulfur dioxide]] while the levels of other pollutants only decreased very slightly or remained unchanged.<ref name="reportmk" /> The same analysis found that the most important factors to tackle first include wood-burning heating systems and heavy traffic.<ref name="reportmk" /> Some of the proposed solutions to tackle air pollution problems include better public transport, using solar heating and pedestrianizing the city center.<ref name="bbc" /> Additionally, nationwide [[gasification]] programs have been listed as the primary solution for the use of carbon and other pieces of furniture.<ref name="specat" />

==Water pollution==
[[File:Fishing Plastic.MOV.webm|thumb|A video showing plastic litter being fished out of the river [[Vardar]].]]
As there was no existing information on the level of water pollution in 2021, the discharge of harmful and dangerous substances in water bodies without a permit is not prohibited with sanctions for illegal actions. This includes [[wastewater]] from industry and mining that gets released into the soil, sewage, watercourses, reservoirs and lakes.<ref name="iks" /> Wastewater in turn, gets generated from several sources, including industrial and mining wastewaters, wastewaters from households and wastewaters from agriculture.<ref>{{cite book|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-22468-4_15|chapter=Water Quality and Pollution Status of the Main Rivers in the Republic of North Macedonia|date=2020|publisher=[[Springer Water]] |last1=Dimitrovska|first1=O|last2=Radevski|first2=I|last3=Gorin|first3=S|title=Water Resources Management in Balkan Countries |series=Springer Water |pages=389–418 |isbn=978-3-030-22467-7 |s2cid=210614503 }}</ref>

==Public reactions and government initiatives==
Many initiatives have been taken by the locals and the government to tackle and raise awareness about the issue of pollution. An AirCare application has been developed by an engineering student to monitor pollution levels and it gained widespread use by the wider public.<ref name="bbc" /> Thousands of high school students protested on 20 December 2019 in front of the government building as part of global climate movements.<ref name="apnews" />

The judiciary system in the country is responsible to take measures against air pollutants when there is enough evidence that pollution is harmful to health through central and local politics.<ref name="reportmk" /> The country is receiving financial help from the [[European Union]] (EU).<ref name="reportmk" /> The country's president, [[Stevo Pendarovski]], has emphasized that more financing is needed to tackle the air pollution problem.<ref name="iph" /> In early 2020, after the allowed toxic particles were eleven times higher than recommended, the government announced some measures such as free working days for pregnant women and the elderly, reduced outdoor work and banned sports and outdoor activities.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/north-macedonia-announces-urgent-measures-due-to-severe-pollution/30400915.html|title=North Macedonia Announces Urgent Measures Due To Severe Pollution|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=27 January 2020|access-date=20 February 2020}}</ref>

==Legislation==
Article 43 of the Constitution of the state is set in place to protect the environment. Since the 2000s, the harmonization process of the national legislation on environment with the EU legislation started and laws governing environmental protection started being implemented in the 2010s.<ref>{{cite report|url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/5/7/527568.pdf|title=Report on Environmental Corruption in the Republic of North Macedonia|publisher=[[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]]|via=State Commission for Prevention of Corruption|first=Jugoslava|last=Dukovska|date=3 October 2022|access-date=22 November 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|North Macedonia|Ecology|Environment}}
* [[List of environmental issues]]
* [[Environmental issues in Albania]]
* [[Environmental issues in Serbia]]
* [[Environmental issues in Bulgaria]]
* [[Environmental issues in Greece]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite press release|url=https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/epr/epr_studies/ECE.CEP.186.Eng.pdf|title=Environmental Performance Reviews Series No. 51|location=Geneva|publisher=[[United Nations]]|date=May 2019|access-date=20 February 2020}}
* {{cite journal|doi=10.1596/33042|title=Air Pollution Management in North Macedonia|date=October 2019|publisher=[[World Bank]]|s2cid=240909918 |url=http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/116521576516981237/Air-Quality-Management-in-North-Macedonia|hdl=10986/33042|hdl-access=free}}
* {{cite web|url=https://news.itu.int/how-skopje-north-macedonia-is-using-innovative-tech-to-clean-up-air-pollution/|title=How Skopje, North Macedonia is using innovative tech to clean up air pollution|publisher=[[ITU News]]|date=5 June 2019|access-date=20 February 2020}}
* {{cite web|url=https://www.thenewfederalist.eu/european-perspectives-climate-protection-from-london-to-skopje?lang=fr|title=European Perspectives: Climate Protection from London to Skopje|publisher=The New Federalist|first1=Andrea|last1=Joveski|first2=Charlotte|last2=Felthöfer|first3=Julia|last3=Bernard|first4=Rafaela|last4=Xanthoula Ayadi|first5=Carol|last5=van Buren|date=22 January 2020|access-date=20 February 2020}}
* {{cite book|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-22468-4_15|chapter=Water Quality and Pollution Status of the Main Rivers in the Republic of North Macedonia|date=2020|publisher=[[Springer Water]] |last1=Dimitrovska|first1=O|last2=Radevski|first2=I|last3=Gorin|first3=S|title=Water Resources Management in Balkan Countries |series=Springer Water |pages=389–418 |isbn=978-3-030-22467-7 |s2cid=210614503 }}
* {{cite report|url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/5/7/527568.pdf|title=Report on Environmental Corruption in the Republic of North Macedonia|publisher=Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe|via=State Commission for Prevention of Corruption|first=Jugoslava|last=Dukovska|date=3 October 2022|access-date=22 November 2022}}
* {{cite journal|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/257728717|title=Surface water pollution of major rivers in the Republic of Macedonia|first1=Olgica|last1=Dimitrovska|first2=Blagoja|last2=Markoski|first3=Biljana|last3=Apostolovska Toshevska|first4=Ivica|last4=Milevski|first5=Svemir|last5=Gorin|journal=Procedia Environmental Sciences|issue=14|year=2012|volume=14 |pages=32–40|doi=10.1016/j.proenv.2012.03.004 |doi-access=free}}
* {{cite book|chapter-url=https://repository.ukim.mk/handle/20.500.12188/12714|chapter=Water Quality and Pollution Status of the Main Rivers in the Republic of North Macedonia|first1=Olgica|last1=Dimitrovska|first2=Ivan|last2=Radevski|first3=Svemir|last3=Gorin|title=Water Resources Management in Balkan Countries |series=Springer Water |publisher=Springer International Publishing|doi=10.1007/978-3-030-22468-4_15|date=30 October 2019|pages=389–418 |isbn=978-3-030-22467-7 |s2cid=210614503 }} 

==External links==
* [http://air.moepp.gov.mk/ Information on pollutants in the air] in {{in lang|mk}}, available since 2012

{{North Macedonia topics}}
{{Environmental issues in Europe}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Environmental Issues In North Macedonia}}
[[Category:Environment of North Macedonia|North Macedonia]]
[[Category:Environmental issues by country|North Macedonia]]