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In parts of Mideast, power generators spew toxic fumes 24/7

A new generator is lifted to a roof to replace an old generator in Beirut, Lebanon, Feb. 21, 2022. Private generators are ubiquitous in parts of the Middle East, spewing hazardous fumes into homes and business across the country, almost 24 hours a day. As the world looks for renewable energy to tackle climate change, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere rely on diesel-powered private generators just to keep the lights on. The reason is state failure: In multiple countries, governments can’t maintain a functioning central power network, whether because of war, conflict or mismanagement and corruption. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) A row of privately-owned diesel generators provide power to homes and businesses in Beirut, Lebanon, March 4, 2022. Private generators are ubiquitous in parts of the Middle East, spewing hazardous fumes into homes and business across the country, almost 24 hours a day. As the world looks for renewable energy to tackle climate change, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere rely on diesel-powered private generators just to keep the lights on. The reason is state failure: In multiple countries, governments can’t maintain a functioning central power network, whether because of war, conflict or mismanagement and corruption. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) Smokes rises from the roof of a hotel after their privately-owned diesel generator catches fire in Beirut, Lebanon, July 12, 2022. Private generators are ubiquitous in parts of the Middle East, spewing hazardous fumes into homes and business across the country, almost 24 hours a day. As the world looks for renewable energy to tackle climate change, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere rely on diesel-powered private generators just to keep the lights on. The reason is state failure: In multiple countries, governments can’t maintain a functioning central power network, whether because of war, conflict or mismanagement and corruption. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) Workers install a new generator for the U.N. headquarters in Beirut, Lebanon, March 1, 2022. Private generators are ubiquitous in parts of the Middle East, spewing hazardous fumes into homes and business across the country, almost 24 hours a day. As the world looks for renewable energy to tackle climate change, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere rely on diesel-powered private generators just to keep the lights on. The reason is state failure: In multiple countries, governments can’t maintain a functioning central power network, whether because of war, conflict or mismanagement and corruption. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) Aqeel Abdullah prepares an electricity generator to power private homes in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, July 12, 2022. Private generators are ubiquitous in parts of the Middle East, spewing hazardous fumes into homes and business across the country, almost 24 hours a day. As the world looks for renewable energy to tackle climate change, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere rely on diesel-powered private generators just to keep the lights on. The reason is state failure: In multiple countries, governments can’t maintain a functioning central power network, whether because of war, conflict or mismanagement and corruption. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban) Beirut and suburbs are lit by privately-owned diesel generators that provide power to homes and businesses during a blackout, Lebanon, Oct. 10, 2021. Private generators are ubiquitous in parts of the Middle East, spewing hazardous fumes into homes and business across the country, almost 24 hours a day. As the world looks for renewable energy to tackle climate change, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere rely on diesel-powered private generators just to keep the lights on. The reason is state failure: In multiple countries, governments can’t maintain a functioning central power network, whether because of war, conflict or mismanagement and corruption. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) People walk near an electricity generator used by a restaurant, on the main road in Gaza City, July 8, 2022. Private generators are ubiquitous in parts of the Middle East, spewing hazardous fumes into homes and business across the country, almost 24 hours a day. As the world looks for renewable energy to tackle climate change, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere rely on diesel-powered private generators just to keep the lights on. The reason is state failure: In multiple countries, governments can’t maintain a functioning central power network, whether because of war, conflict or mismanagement and corruption. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) A worker switching on privately-owned diesel generators that provide power to homes and businesses in Beirut, Lebanon, March 4, 2022. Private generators are ubiquitous in parts of the Middle East, spewing hazardous fumes into homes and business across the country, almost 24 hours a day. As the world looks for renewable energy to tackle climate change, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere rely on diesel-powered private generators just to keep the lights on. The reason is state failure: In multiple countries, governments can’t maintain a functioning central power network, whether because of war, conflict or mismanagement and corruption. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) An exhaust pipe from a diesel generator spouts fumes near a residential building in Beirut, Lebanon, March 4, 2022. Private generators are ubiquitous in parts of the Middle East, spewing hazardous fumes into homes and business across the country, almost 24 hours a day. As the world looks for renewable energy to tackle climate change, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere rely on diesel-powered private generators just to keep the lights on. The reason is state failure: In multiple countries, governments can’t maintain a functioning central power network, whether because of war, conflict or mismanagement and corruption. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) Dozens of electric cables connect homes and businesses to privately-owned diesel generators, in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, March 4, 2022. Private generators are ubiquitous in parts of the Middle East, spewing hazardous fumes into homes and business across the country, almost 24 hours a day. As the world looks for renewable energy to tackle climate change, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere rely on diesel-powered private generators just to keep the lights on. The reason is state failure: In multiple countries, governments can’t maintain a functioning central power network, whether because of war, conflict or mismanagement and corruption. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar) Electricians work on a network of generator wires during a power outage in Baghdad, Iraq, July 13, 2022. Private generators are ubiquitous in parts of the Middle East, spewing hazardous fumes into homes and business across the country, almost 24 hours a day. As the world looks for renewable energy to tackle climate change, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere rely on diesel-powered private generators just to keep the lights on. The reason is state failure: In multiple countries, governments can’t maintain a functioning central power network, whether because of war, conflict or mismanagement and corruption. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban) Children hang out near an electricity generator under electricity distribution wires in the Shati refugee camp, Gaza City, July 8, 2022. Private generators are ubiquitous in parts of the Middle East, spewing hazardous fumes into homes and business across the country, almost 24 hours a day. As the world looks for renewable energy to tackle climate change, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere rely on diesel-powered private generators just to keep the lights on. The reason is state failure: In multiple countries, governments can’t maintain a functioning central power network, whether because of war, conflict or mismanagement and corruption. (AP Photo/Adel Hana) Saad Haider fuels a generator to provide electricity to private homes in Baghdad, Iraq, Tuesday, July 12, 2022. Private generators are ubiquitous in parts of the Middle East, spewing hazardous fumes into homes and business across the country, almost 24 hours a day. As the world looks for renewable energy to tackle climate change, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere rely on diesel-powered private generators just to keep the lights on. The reason is state failure: In multiple countries, governments can’t maintain a functioning central power network, whether because of war, conflict or mismanagement and corruption. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban) With the Lebanese Government House in the background, a new generator is hauled up to the roof of an office building, in Beirut, Lebanon, Feb. 21, 2022. They literally run the country. Private generators are ubiquitous in parts of the Middle East, spewing hazardous fumes into homes and business across the country, almost 24 hours a day. As the world looks for renewable energy to tackle climate change, Lebanon, Iraq, Gaza and elsewhere rely on diesel-powered private generators just to keep the lights on. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)