Action Taken to Reduce Air Pollution and Its One Health Impacts in MENA Countries

This chapter explores the extensive plans and programs put in place throughout the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to reduce air pollution and deal with its many effects on One Health. Due to their distinct environmental problems, the MENA countries have realized how critical it is to address air pollution as an avenue to protect both human populations and the larger ecosystem. The first section of the chapter gives a general review of the problems with the MENA region’s air quality, highlighting the main pollutants and their sources. The many effects of air pollution on ecosystems and human health are then examined, along with how these effects are related to one another within the context of One Health. The chapter then goes into the variety of initiatives and laws that the MENA region has implemented to tackle air pollution. This covers policy initiatives, technology developments, and cooperative initiatives on a regional and global scale. The usefulness and difficulties of these initiatives are evaluated critically, illuminating the difficulties in tackling a global problem like air pollution in a heterogeneous and dynamic geopolitical environment. The chapter also includes case studies and success stories from MENA nations that have made notable strides toward lowering air pollution and lessening its negative effects on one’s health. For other countries dealing with comparable issues, these instances offer insightful lessons and effective methods. The chapter concludes by highlighting the significance of ongoing initiatives, creative solutions, and global cooperation to attain long-term gains in air quality throughout the MENA area. To address the intricate web of problems presented by air pollution, it emphasizes the interdependence of environmental, human, and animal health and advocates for an integrated and holistic approach.