Debunking the Climate Change Myth: The Real Issues Facing Lebanon's Goat Herders
Beyond Climate Change: How Human Development, Economic Turmoil, and Natural Weather Cycles Are Impacting Traditional Herding Practices
A faithful reader of Animal Politics sent me an article entitled, “Lebanon’s Goats and Their Herders Brave Warmer Weather: How climate change is slowly eroding the millennia-old profession of transhumance in a mountainous, remote corner of the Levant”.
This may not be a popular position, but I think it is time we start challenging the prevalent narrative that climate change is the cause of all our environmental woes. Understanding the real causes behind the challenges faced by Lebanon's goat herders is crucial for finding effective solutions.
Lebanon’s goat herders have traditionally followed the rhythms of transhumance, moving their flocks to different elevations with the changing seasons. However, recent years have seen significant disruptions to this way of life, which has led many to blame climate change as the culprit. I fear our obsession with climate change distracts us from the real causes and solutions to our environmental crises.
A closer examination of the situation in Lebanon reveals that human development, economic instability, and natural cyclical weather patterns are the actual cause of the difficulties faced by these herders today.
Historical Weather Patterns in Lebanon
Lebanon has always experienced a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. Historical data shows that the country has long dealt with periods of drought and high temperatures. For instance, summers along the coast can see temperatures exceeding 35°C (95°F) while inland areas experience even more extreme heat. This climate variability is not a new phenomenon but a long-standing feature of Lebanon's weather patterns. According to the World Bank's Climate Change Knowledge Portal, Lebanon's climate has seen significant inter-annual variability, with historical data indicating that extreme weather events are part of the natural climate cycle.
Human Development and Environmental Degradation
What is different today is the rapid pace of human development in Lebanon which has had a profound impact on the environment, exacerbating the challenges faced by goat herders:
Overgrazing and Land Degradation: Overgrazing by livestock has led to significant soil erosion and loss of vegetation. This degradation reduces the land's capacity to support grazing, making it harder for herders to find adequate forage for their goats.
Deforestation and Urbanization: The expansion of urban areas and deforestation have further reduced the availability of natural resources. These activities have stripped the mountains of tree cover, leaving the land more susceptible to the scorching sun and reducing the natural habitats available for grazing.
Water Pollution and Mismanagement: Rapid population growth and unplanned development have led to the pollution and misuse of water resources. More than 2,000 springs in Lebanon are now threatened, impacting both human and animal populations.
Economic Instability
Lebanon's ongoing economic crisis has compounded the difficulties for goat herders. The collapse of the banking sector in 2019, coupled with the refugee crisis from Syria and regional conflicts, has strained the country's resources and infrastructure:
Economic Pressures: Many herders have been forced to reduce the size of their flocks or abandon herding altogether due to economic pressures. This shift has cultural and economic repercussions, as herding has been a traditional way of life for centuries.
Inflation and Costs: The economic downturn has led to rising costs of feed and other necessities, making it increasingly difficult for herders to sustain their livelihoods.
Cyclical Weather Patterns
While climate change is often blamed for the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, it is essential to recognize the role of natural cyclical weather patterns:
Historical Droughts: Lebanon has experienced periods of drought throughout its history. These natural cycles of wet and dry periods have always posed challenges to agriculture and livestock herding. Studies have shown that Lebanon has faced significant droughts in the past, with historical rainfall data indicating periods of extreme dryness and wetness over the last 146 years.
Seasonal Variability: The country's climate exhibits significant inter-annual variability, with some years experiencing more extreme temperatures and precipitation patterns than others. This variability is a natural part of Lebanon's climate system.
Conclusion
The difficulties faced by Lebanon's goat herders are the result of a complex interplay of factors, including human development, economic instability, and natural cyclical weather patterns. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach that considers sustainable land management, economic support for herders, and measures to mitigate environmental degradation. By focusing on these areas, Lebanon can help preserve its traditional herding practices and support the livelihoods of its goat herders.
References:
Ed Boks is a former Executive Director of the New York City, Los Angeles, and Maricopa County Animal Care & Control Departments. He is available for consultations. His work has been published in the LA Times, New York Times, Newsweek, Real Clear Policy, Sentient Media, and now on Animal Politics with Ed Boks.
I think the discussion on all of the nuances of climate change was something that should have been had decades ago. It is not a linear thing as evidenced by this article.
What is happening in Lebanon is mirrored in many countries. But, what is the “fix”? I know in my neck of the woods, we have very large herds of rangeland cattle that roam thousands of acres to graze. Our winters have been mild and our summers hot and very dry causing food sources to be non existent to be able to maintain these herds adequately.
This article was fascinating. Thanks Ed!
An interesting and thought-provoking article! I think you're right that it is important to look at the multifaceted nature of environmental destruction and avoid being obsessively focused on climate change. I do think you're walking a difficult fine line, since reference to cyclic weather patterns is often used by deniers of climate science, despite very robust data on carbon dioxide levels and global temperatures.
Corporate greed and consumerism played an enormous role. It is easy to look at the acidification of the oceans due to increased carbon oxide levels and forget the fact that mile-long nets that fish every living thing out of the ocean are destroying ocean biodiversity, and that overfishing due to the mistaken belief that everybody should eat more fish is resulting in rapidly dwindling fish populations. It is equally easy to blame environmental issues in the Amazon on rising temperatures, when rampant deforestation in the name of beef production and poisonous waters due to gold mining are causing more immediate harm. And let's not mention the political decisions that facilitate all of this.
All that being said, it would be a mistake to suggest that the consensus of many thousands of climate scientists should be ignored. Climate change is a real and important issue, but you're right, so many of the problems that are being blamed on climate change are really brought on by other causes, and the solutions are within our grasp!