Antoun el-Fata, "Akhbar al-Yawm" agency

Between Consumption and Conservation: Finding Equilibrium in a 24/7 World

Nasr: Balance is the key game that allows us to avoid major risks

Today’s world is locked in a constant race for production and consumption. Companies operate day and night, and consumers demand everything, anytime. At the same time, people are growing tired, and increasingly aware of the urgent need to protect the environment to ensure life can continue on this planet.

Yet while governments place restrictions on individuals, limiting lighting, heating, and water use, thousands of institutions are left to consume massive amounts of energy and resources without serious oversight.

Economic expert Dr. Albert Nasr emphasized the importance of protecting environmental resources. He pointed out, via the "Akhbar al-Yawm" agency, that in Lebanon, a major problem is the lack of a budget and clear plan to address the negative environmental impacts caused by past economic activities, which have accumulated over decades. He cited the example of the Qaraoun Dam lake, which has become heavily polluted and hazardous to both human health and nearby agriculture, despite its potential to be a valuable tourist site.

Dr. Nasr emphasized that the most dangerous pollution is the kind left unaddressed. Simply reducing fossil fuel or electricity use, such as by closing institutions on holidays, has a limited effect compared to implementing a long-term strategy to address the accumulated environmental damage over time. However, he noted that serious environmental protection comes with economic costs, and often, cleanup efforts may not deliver the desired results. This raises broader questions about the effectiveness and economic feasibility of environmental action, especially since every economic activity inherently causes some level of pollution, and a complete solution is unattainable.

He highlighted a core paradox in environmental economics: achieving 100% environmental protection is nearly impossible because the cost is extremely high and can even have negative economic consequences. For example, while shifting away from fossil fuels toward electric batteries and solar panels is necessary, we must also plan for how to dispose of these materials safely after their use. If mishandled, these waste products can pose serious risks to both the environment and human health.

Nasr stressed the need to strike a balance between economic consumption and environmental responsibility. He pointed out that billions of mobile phones are used around the world, and many are discarded annually just for the sake of fashion and upgrades. If not disposed of properly, these devices, and the harmful materials they contain, can have serious global environmental consequences.

In conclusion, he argued that balance is the essential principle: it's the only way to preserve necessary benefits while avoiding large-scale damage and long-term risks.