Science and Environmental Communication

The rapid spread of the Delta strain of the coronavirus and the myriad of extreme forest fires and storms around the world were a hellish harbinger of an increasingly probable future. The joint publication of Res Publica and Project Syndicate “New Summits” focuses on possible solutions with which we will be more prepared to face that future.

When the basic conditions for precise arrangement and maintenance of water bodies are not provided, a climate is created in which the motive for extraction of these mineral resources is of purely lucrative nature and is not carried out for achieving public interest which is protection of water from harmful effects. In this way, instead of regulating surface water bodies, the excavation of material becomes an illegal business for commercial purposes.

The work of environmental inspection services is of great importance in the prevention and sanctioning of acts that lead to degradation of natural resources. The effective planning of regular inspection supervisions enables proper deployment of the monitoring and control resources where they are most needed.

The existence of information system on water permits issued, the degree of water pollution and identification of pollutions sources should be the basis for the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning (MoEPP) in pursuing a sustainable water policy. The degree of harmful impact cannot be determined in the absence of full records of users and water polluters, so each administrative measure adopted by the MoEPP is ad hoc. Anyone can discharge harmful and dangerous substances without a permit, can pollute and not be subject to sanctions for illegal actions.

The current monitoring of water quality and quantity in Macedonia is inadequate to give a realistic picture of the current state of the water resources. The reasons for this situation are the lack of monitoring programs and cartographic representations in accordance with the requirements of the Law on Waters, insufficient financial and human resources, poor condition of the state measuring stations and the failure to meet the internal monitoring obligations.