Hajj with more than 30 million pilgrims has caused environmental warning

RELIGIOUS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – Some scientists have expressed concern about Hajj pilgrimage in 2023 and environmental crisis.

AP reported Australian climate scientists suggested that the five-day Hajj, with flights and living costs, produces over 1.8 million tons of greenhouse gases, roughly the amount New York City emits every two weeks.

Another study in 2022 on the environmental sustainability of the Hajj considered how collaborative planning could enable Saudi Arabia to achieve its goal of getting half its energy from renewable resources by 2030.

But that figure is ten million more than pre-pandemic annual levels.

Muslim activists have launched “Ummah for Earth” encouraging people to undertake only one Hajj and adopt other green ways of living.

2 million Muslims are expected in Mecca this week for the annual Hajj pilgrimage which starts today.

It is the first Hajj pilgrimage without any restrictions since the Covid pandemic.

The report says Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has expressed a vision that 30 million pilgrims would take part in the Hajj and Umrah — smaller, year-round pilgrimages – by 2030.