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.
