Author Archives: Jane Marsh

About Jane Marsh

Jane is the editor-in-chief at Environment.co, specializing in sustainability, climate change, and renewable energy. In her free time, she enjoys nature trails, eco-friendly DIY projects, and volunteering with environmental groups.

إستخراج مياه الصرف الصحي: تغيير النظم في المدن شحيحة المياه

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في المناطق ذات النمو السكاني المتسارع، فإن الاستدامة تعتبر مُلّحة ومُهمة لإن هذه المناطق تكون أكثر عرضة لندرة المياه. يُعرّض مناخ الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا الحار والجاف هذه المدن للخطر. وبالرغم من ذلك، تنتج مدن هذه المنطقة – التي تعاني من ندرة المياه – كميات هائلة من مياه الصرف الصحي التي يمكن معالجتها لتلبية احتياجاتها المائية. ما المقصود باستخراج (تعدين) المجاري؟ استخراج مياه الصرف الصحي (المجاري) هو عملية تجميع هذه المياه ومعالجتها لإزالة جميع الملوثات وفصل المواد الكيميائية لإعادة استخدامها. وبالعادة فإنه يتم الحصول عليها ومعالجتها محلياً. بهذا ممكن أن يقل الطلب على مياه الشرب عن طريق توفير مصدر محلي … Continue reading →

Scaling Sustainable Agri-Tech in MENA: Policy, Finance and the Roadblocks Ahead

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Food security in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is facing a turning point. It’s well known that the area is short on fertile land. What’s newsworthy is that agri-tech solutions are being mobilized quickly to address this long-standing issue and how policy, capital and old-school obstacles shape the path ahead. Here’s a clear view of what’s happening, how it works and why it matters. The State of Agri-Tech in MENA The hunger risk in MENA is serious. In 2023, 66.1 million people in Arab regions faced starvation. Wars are driving several countries toward famine, while water scarcity … Continue reading →

Sewer Mining: A Game-Changer for Water-Scarce Cities in MENA

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Sustainability is important everywhere, and it is especially urgent in places with rapidly growing populations that are more prone to lower water scarcity.  The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s hot and dry climate puts cities at risk. However, MENA’s water-scarce cities produce a ton of wastewater that can potentially be treated to accommodate their water needs. What is Sewer Mining? Sewer mining is when wastewater is harvested and treated to remove contaminants and separate certain chemicals so that it can be reused. It is typically sourced and treated locally. It can reduce the demand for potable water by … Continue reading →

Climate-Resilient Cities in MENA: Green Spaces, Walkways and Cycle Routes

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Countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region endure more climate challenges than any other area. If you live in the developed Western world, you may not experience food deserts, water scarcity and urbanization’s impacts. However, these are common problems for these populations, especially as temperatures shift and natural disasters impact local ecologies and economies. Building better cities could be the best way to reinforce communities with more climate-resilient resources. The Role of Green Spaces in Urban Resilience MENA is slowly embracing the role of thought leader in the climate space. The United Arab Emirates held the 28th … Continue reading →

Water Scarcity and Mining: Navigating Environmental Pressures in the MENA Mineral Sector

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Water in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is precious, but demand for the region’s copper, phosphate and rare-earth deposits keeps climbing. Those who are a part of this sector face a daily trade-off — unlock mineral wealth or safeguard every drop. The latest research uncovers how forward-thinking operators already make water-smart mining the norm. Water Stress — The Non-negotiable Starting Point In 2023, the average renewable water supply for each person in MENA hovered around 480 cubic meters — well below the 1,000 cubic-meter threshold that signals scarcity and barely one-tenth of the global mean. To complicate matters, … Continue reading →

The Race to 75 GW: MENA’s Ambitious Solar Targets and What They Mean for Global Energy

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The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) nations have set an ambitious renewable energy target — they want to triple green power capacity by 2030. The projects would be an inspiring and groundbreaking revolution for the region’s capacity. It could be the first of many similar initiatives worldwide, even in your hometowns. The Scope of Solar’s Impact on MENA Nations MENA had  53 gigawatts of renewable energy potential in 2023 and a goal of 150 GW by the turn of the decade. Around 75 GW will be solar photovoltaic, with Saudi Arabia investing over 40% of the total expansion. Its … Continue reading →

Reducing Single-Use Plastics in MENA Through Sustainable Packaging

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Single-use plastic waste has reached crisis levels, forming a 1.6 million-square-kilometer island of trash in the Pacific — a glaring symbol of consumerism. As vital economic contributors, Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries must act swiftly to curb reliance on virgin materials and adopt sustainable alternatives. While recycling efforts and eco-friendly expectations are nudging industries toward change, the transition needs to accelerate. Will MENA lead the charge toward a cleaner future, or continue fueling the plastic problem? A Regional Overview of the Plastic Problem in MENA MENA nations are fortunate to have immense access to plastic feedstocks. They make … Continue reading →

مستقبل المدن الذكية المستدامة: حالات دراسية من نيوم ومدينة مصدر

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ينتشر مصطلح ما نسميه اليوم “المدن الذكية” على نطاق واسع دلالة على ظاهرة المدن التكنو-حضرية، خصوصاً في العقد الثاني من القرن الحادي والعشرين. وقد وصلت العديد من المدن الكبرى إلى مستويات عالية من التحدي لمواكبة التحول العالمي المرتبط بهذا الخصوص، والذي من شأنه أدى الى تطورات جديدة ومتعددة وصولاً لأحدث معايير الحياة الذكية والمستدامة. وبالرغم من ذلك، فإن بعض هذه المدن تجاوزت تلبية التوقعات المطلوبة، بل قامت بإعادة تعريفها، فمثلاً تعد مدينة نيوم ومدينة مصدر في الشرق الأوسط من أكثر المدن الرائدة في هذا المجال الطموح، إذ أنهما تعيدان تشكيل الحياة الحضرية من خلال تصاميم ذكية تهدف إلى الحد من … Continue reading →

تحقيق التوازن بين الحفاظ على البيئة والنمو الحضري: دروس من محمية الريم في قطر

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محمية الريم الطبيعية في قطر هي منطقة محمية ومأهولة تقع في الجزء الشمالي الغربي من البلاد. يمكن الوصول إليها بسهولة من الطرق الرئيسية، وهي تبعد أقل من 50 ميلًا عن الدوحة، مما يجعلها وجهة جذابة لمن يرغبون في الاستمتاع بجمال الطبيعة دون الحاجة إلى تنظيم رِحْلات كبرى. يحمل هذا المشروع العديد من الدروس المهمة للأشخاص المهتمين بالبيئة. يمكن أن يساعد فهم المراحل المختلفة للمشروع في تحديد ما يجب مراعاته عند قياس النجاح وتحديد الأولويات. التعاون أساس النجاح تم إنشاء محمية الريم رسميًا في عام 2005. ونظرًا لأن الأرض تمتد عبر ثلاث سلطات قضائية، كان التعاون بين عدة جهات أمرًا ضروريًا … Continue reading →

Balancing Conservation with Urban Growth: Lessons from Qatar’s Al Reem Biosphere Reserve

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Qatar’s Al Reem Biosphere Reserve is a protected, inhabited area in the country’s northwestern region. It’s accessible from major roadways and less than 50 miles from Doha, making it an attractive destination for people who want to enjoy nature’s beauty without planning major excursions. This project has many lessons to teach eco-minded individuals. Understanding the various project phases can inform you of what to consider when measuring success and outlining priorities. Collaboration is Key for Success Planners officially established the Al Reem Biosphere Reserve in 2005. Since the land encompasses three jurisdictions, collaboration between multiple parties was essential during all … Continue reading →

Future of Smart Sustainable Cities in the Middle East: Case Studies from NEOM and Masdar City

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The techno-urban phenomenon we now call a smart city became widespread in the 2010s. Many metropolises worldwide have risen to the challenge of several interconnected global shifts, driving new developments that set the latest benchmarks for truly smart and sustainable living. However, some cities go beyond merely meeting expectations — they redefine them. NEOM and Masdar City in the Middle East are among the most ambitious pioneers, reshaping urban living through intelligent design aimed at minimizing the negative impacts of modern cities while creating ideal model communities for the future. Redefining Urban Movement Today, traffic congestion is worsening in the … Continue reading →

Alimenter les écoles à l’énergie solaire: investir dans l’éducation et l’environnement de façon éclairée

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L’énergie renouvelable s’est largement intégrée au mix énergétique mondial, et on assiste à un virage vers des sources d’alimentation pour maisons et commerces plus propres et plus fiables. L’énergie solaire, notamment, est en première ligne de la révolution renouvelable, à travers les panneaux solaires pour toit et les technologies subséquentes disponibles partout, que ce soit votre domicile, votre lieu de travail ou votre établissement d’enseignement. Les écoles du pays ont vite compris qu’il était essentiel d’adopter l’énergie solaire afin de réduire leur empreinte carbone, de réaliser des économies et de fournir des conditions d’apprentissage optimales. Voici pourquoi il est pertinent … Continue reading →