Protesters in North Macedonia took to the streets in various cities to demand improved air quality in a country plagued by severe pollution issues. The capital, Skopje, witnessed a significant gathering outside the Environment Ministry, with demonstrators donning gas masks to draw attention to the alarming situation. Authorities attribute around 3,500 premature deaths annually to the poor air quality, making it a pressing public health concern.
One of the primary causes of pollution spikes, particularly during winter, is the prevalent use of log fires for heating. Due to the high cost of central heating, many households resort to burning wood, old tires, plastic, and other waste materials, emitting a dangerous cocktail of harmful chemicals into the air.
Protest organizers have called for urgent government intervention, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations on traffic and industry practices that have been neglected for decades. The recent surge in air pollution levels during the winter months prompted the demonstrators to demand immediate action to address the crisis.
Environmental activist Gorjan Jovanovski, known for developing a mobile app to monitor air quality, highlighted the severity of the situation by referring to city-dwellers as 'ecological migrants.' Jovanovski expressed frustration over the prolonged inaction of governments, stating that the time for decisive measures is long overdue.
European Union health authorities have raised concerns over pollution levels in Skopje and other Macedonian cities, noting that they often exceed the limits set by the World Health Organization by more than four times. The gravity of the situation has spurred organizations like Green Human City to mobilize citizens and advocate for cleaner air through protests and awareness campaigns.
Thousands of individuals participated in the recent protests organized by environmental groups, signaling a growing public outcry against the persistent air pollution crisis in North Macedonia. The collective voice of the demonstrators echoes a resounding call for immediate action to safeguard the health and well-being of the population.
