Gas flares poison Basra’s atmosphere…and the concerned authorities are “silent”

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[size=52]Gas flares poison Basra’s atmosphere…and the concerned authorities are “silent”[/size]

[size=45]The flares of associated gas in Basra are affecting the atmosphere of the province, as environmental and economic experts are sounding the alarm due to the significant environmental damage they are causing.
While Iraq can benefit from the gas in global trade, experts confirm that there are no effective environmental treatments in the province, which has been suffering from high levels of pollution for years.[/size]
[size=45]Environmental and health impacts:
Basra residents complain daily about the emissions of associated petroleum gas burned in the atmosphere, which environmentalists accuse of increasing pollution and cancer. Iraq burns between 13 and 17 billion cubic meters of gas annually, making it the second largest country in the world in terms of the amount of gas burned after Russia. Despite these large quantities, experts confirm that the oil sector is not the only factor in environmental pollution.[/size]
[size=45]Environmental researcher Samir Aboud says that “the main reason for environmental pollution in Basra is the oil sector in all its details, due to the spread of production sites and oil fields over large areas close to city centers and population centers.”
He adds that “the oil sector is not the only reason for pollution, but the failure to implement environmental regulations and provide requirements for treating environmental impacts is the backbone of environmental pollution.”
Aboud explained that “the level of pollution in Basra is very high due to it being an economic province par excellence, with the presence of various industries such as the port and multiple land ports, in addition to the modest environmental efforts from all parties.”
He pointed to “the major deviations in the implementation of environmental and health regulations, in addition to the lack of green spaces and the treatment of sewage and waste.”[/size]
[size=45]Poor planning
For his part, economic researcher Duraid Al-Shaker Al-Anzi confirmed that “the poor production mechanism and incorrect use of gas and its burning in Iraqi airspace are the result of long-term accumulations.”
He pointed out that “pollution affects many countries, not just Basra,” indicating that “imperialist countries exploited the oil extraction mechanism to change colonial methods, and they possess the technology necessary to treat climate pollution, while poorly planned countries like Iraq are looking for new fields, even though these fields cause significant pollution.”
Al-Anzi suggested that “Basra establish factories to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which is the main cause of pollution and affects the environment and vegetation.” He stated that “the cost of these factories does not exceed $15 million, and their establishment could lead to a significant improvement in air quality within a year or two.”
He also pointed out the possibility of using gas in the global trade of carbon gas, the demand for which currently reaches $80 trillion. He added, “Manufacturing carbon in the form of ice granules can be used in rainmaking operations, which adds billions of cubic meters of water. It is also used to compress and cool gas to a certain degree, and inject it into oil wells instead of injecting water, which causes great harm to groundwater in Basra.”[/size]
[size=45]Funding and Aid
Al-Anzi explained that “the internationally banned bombs left behind by the invading forces require gradual and costly treatment.” He stated that the Iraqi government has allocated $200 million in the 2023 budget to purchase cancer drugs, and $250 million to cover some other requirements. However, these amounts are not enough to meet the suffering and needs of the population in light of the increasing number of injuries due to pollution.
Last April, the High Commission for Human Rights in Basra Governorate called on the provincial council to hold an emergency session to discuss the reality of services and the rising rates of pollution, especially in the province’s districts such as Al-Sadiq District.[/size]
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