Air Pollution: Addressing Long-standing Fear of Being Called Incompetent

Residents in Phnom Penh and several provinces in Cambodia have been experiencing abnormal foggy conditions this week. Photo by Sao Phal Niseiy

Measuring air pollution in Cambodia remains a contentious issue. This week, despite growing public alarm over the dangers of air pollution, as highlighted by IQAir data, government ministries like the Ministry of Environment have been reluctant to acknowledge the sharp decline in air quality, which has now reached dangerously high levels. Their hesitation has delayed much-needed action to safeguard public welfare.

Residents in Phnom Penh and several provinces in Cambodia have been experiencing abnormal foggy conditions this week. On January 22, the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology issued a statement informing the public of foggy conditions, stating that the haze would affect travels between January 23 and 31. However, there has been no official statement or explanation of the cause of the abnormal hazy conditions, whether such change could have potential health implications that would affect people or they need to stay alert.

The Ministry of Environment, tasked with monitoring air quality, acknowledged rising pollution levels. However, they maintained that overall air quality remains acceptable and did not warrant immediate public concern. This assessment, however, contradicts data from air quality agencies like IQAir, a UNEP partner. IQAir's findings indicate a deteriorating air quality situation in Phnom Penh and other provinces, prompting an urgent need for increased caution.

While Cambodia still regards air quality as moderate, Thailand has recommended that its citizens exercise caution and stay safe amid rising air pollution levels. Several measures have been implemented to ensure public safety, including the mandatory closure of 352 schools in response to worsening air quality.

Faced with growing public outcry and concern over the region's hazardous air pollution, coupled with social media calls for prioritizing public health, the Ministry of Environment has now revised its stance.

Forced to acknowledge the alarming rise of air pollution levels in Phnom Penh and several provinces exceeding safe limits on January 24 the Ministry of Environment swiftly triggered a coordinated response. The Health Ministry immediately advised citizens to exercise caution, minimize outdoor exposure, and wear protective masks in affected areas. The Ministry of Education echoed this urgent call, urging students and guardians to prioritize their safety.

A critical question arises: why did it take the Environment Ministry, and other responsible government agencies, so long to acknowledge the severity of Cambodia's air pollution crisis, particularly in the capital?

While bureaucratic delays are unfortunately common, this instance is particularly concerning given the public health emergency at hand. Delays in acknowledging and addressing the issue can have severe consequences, as they leave citizens vulnerable to the health repercussions of poor air quality. When information and advice are not promptly disseminated, public awareness and preparedness for such emergencies remain inadequate, putting public health at significant risk.

While air pollution will pose a significant environmental challenge in the future, the current incident should serve as a point of reflection and reconsideration for the relevant ministries and institutions to ensure they avoid repeating past shortcomings.

To be fair, environmental pollution, notably air pollution, is a common issue facing both developed and developing countries. Residents of large cities frequently encounter this issue, as social and economic growth leads to a rise in pollution sources—major cities in Southeast Asia experience similar challenges.

The UNEP reports that almost all residents of East and Southeast Asia are exposed to air pollution annually, with nine countries in the region, including Cambodia, ranking among the world's 40 most polluted.

This widespread pollution stems from a confluence of factors: rapid urbanization, population growth, expanding economic activity, and the growth of transportation and agricultural sectors. Moreover, weak law enforcement, limited political will, and inadequate technical and financial resources exacerbate the problem.

Given this regional reality, particularly for least-developed countries like Cambodia, why do relevant institutions consistently deny the severity of the air pollution crisis? Why is there such reluctance to acknowledge the multifaceted nature of the problem and the need for a collective, long-term approach?

This denial comes at a significant cost to public health, as timely recognition of the issue would empower citizens with the knowledge and preparedness necessary to mitigate its health impacts.

This article aims to not only raise public awareness about the critical issue of air pollution and encourage individual action, but also to demand greater accountability from policymakers and government institutions.

Historically, some public institutions have demonstrated a troubling tendency to deny pressing challenges and their own shortcomings in policy implementation, likely to avoid criticism or evade responsibility. This behavior may stem from a fear of appearing incompetent and reflects a deeply ingrained culture of deflecting blame.

But this is the 21st century. No society can thrive through constant denial. These institutions must recognize that denial is counterproductive and that acknowledging problems and shortcomings is essential for their improvement and the betterment of society.

Like each individual, recognizing a problem or a gap does not indicate weakness. Instead, acknowledging flaws showcases the strength to confront the issues and demonstrates an individual's or institution's responsibility. Recognizing shortcomings is even more important for public institutions that have the authority and role to manage and solve public challenges.

Such recognition encourages us to find timely and effective solutions. Like many countries, Cambodia's self-correcting mechanism, if it exists, will be boosted by such acknowledgment to better prepare for other public debacles, especially health emergencies.

With this increased air pollution, relevant institutions must act more quickly to guide and inform citizens and help prevent a public health crisis. Providing sufficient information in early warning helps citizens prepare and significantly mitigate health risks.

The Environment Ministry consistently asserts that its air quality measurement standards are uniquely tailored to Cambodia's development context. While this claim might appear plausible, the variability in these standards ultimately fails to adequately safeguard public health from potential hazards.

We should remember that breathing polluted air or experiencing poor air quality has many long-term health repercussions. According to the World Health Organization, air pollution causes respiratory diseases, heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, and many other non-communicable diseases. If we fail to protect our people from these pollutants, they will soon suffer these diseases. 

Addressing air pollution offers a dual benefit: it not only saves lives and mitigates the substantial hidden costs of inaction but also plays a crucial role in combating the climate crisis.

However, the alarmingly slow response to the air pollution crisis in Cambodia, and other less developed nations, underscores a disturbing trend: prioritizing economic growth over environmental health and public welfare. This negligence is exacerbated by a critical lack of financial and technological resources to effectively monitor, control, and prevent pollution sources.

However, political will and swift public response are key to reducing risks. The courage to acknowledge the problem, be open to criticism, and improve without bias helps us develop a better society together.

In this regard, our country faces many development challenges—more than we can handle at once. In addition, we need to recognize that the level of public knowledge also plays a vital role in reducing or exacerbating the challenges we encounter, including solving the current air pollution.

Research indicates that the open burning of household garbage and the clearing of forests for agriculture, common practices among many people, significantly contribute to air pollution. In a city like Phnom Penh, urbanization, transportation, and the increasing use of fuel-burning personal vehicles such as cars and motorbikes are also major sources of pollution.

Identifying the sources of air pollution is paramount. Addressing this crisis necessitates a collective effort, with public awareness playing a pivotal role in fostering behavioral change. This involves educating citizens about the harmful consequences of their current practices, such as open burning, improper waste management, and slash-and-burn agriculture.

Concurrently, urban dwellers can significantly contribute by embracing sustainable transportation options. Cycling, utilizing public transport, and opting for electric vehicles over personal automobiles are crucial steps towards reducing emissions.                                              

While eradicating pollution sources demands a long-term commitment, competent institutions have an unequivocal duty to proactively identify emerging threats. When public health is jeopardized, these institutions must swiftly inform citizens and implement measures to mitigate the risks. A mantra we need to remember is acknowledging a bad situation does not show our weakness; it demonstrates public accountability and helps protect public well-being.

Cambodianess

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