Ramadan: A Time to Respond to the Earth’s State of Emergency

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This week marks the beginning of the blessed month of Ramadan, a month which has been identified as a time to gain taqwa – God-consciousness. This month invites Muslims to attain nearness to Allah (SWT).

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ١٨٣

O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may attain taqwa, Qu’ran, 2:183

Ramadan and climate change crisis

However, Ramadan is more than the individual forms of worship. Ramadan embodies a sense of community. A time of gathering in the mosque; of sharing meals; of engaging in acts of kindness, compassion and empathy towards the creation of Allah (SWT). Ramadan is a time to embody acts that uphold the sacred trust and responsibility of khalifah towards the Earth. To consciously honour and uphold the dignity of every creation of this Earth, which Allah (SWT) has created.

وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَكُمْ خَلَـٰٓئِفَ ٱلْأَرْضِ

And it is He who has made you successors upon the earth, Qur’an, 6:165

This week also, simultaneously marks the release of the new UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report which indicates that humanity has reached “a critical moment in history,” as per IPCC Chair Hoesung Lee.  As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has put it, the report presents an Acceleration Agenda and is a massive call to action by every nation and sector to act with a sense of immediacy and urgency, a moment for humanity to join efforts, and be part of the solution.

environmental-quotes

For Muslims, as we step into the blessed days of Ramadan, this report should be a call for us to pay special attention towards the Earth, and divine creation of Allah (SWT). How can we focus on attaining nearness to Allah (SWT), and ignore the suffering and damage that is happening to His Creation? Islam provides Muslims with a very unique framework for connecting with and upholding the well-being of the Earth. One that is connected to a divine connection to Allah (SWT).

Within the Qur’an itself, Allah (SWT) has explained that all of creation is united in a single bond of worship and glorification of the Lord.

تُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتُ ٱلسَّبْعُ وَٱلْأَرْضُ وَمَن فِيهِنَّ ۚ وَإِن مِّن شَىْءٍ إِلَّا يُسَبِّحُ بِحَمْدِهِۦ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَفْقَهُونَ تَسْبِيحَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّهُۥ كَانَ حَلِيمًا غَفُورًۭا ٤٤

The seven heavens, the earth, and all those in them glorify Him. There is not a single thing that does not glorify His praises—but you ˹simply˺ cannot comprehend their glorification. He is indeed Most Forbearing, All-Forgiving., Qur’an, 17:44 

The loss of species, the damage to the Earth is in fact a damage to the very entities that are engaged in worship and glorification of The Creator.  We have to question, how do our actions become accomplices in the destruction of this sacred Earth?  In the words of Guterres, “We have never been better equipped to solve the climate challenge, but we must move into warp speed climate action now.  We don’t have a moment to lose.”  So the question to ourselves as an ummah is, how did we react when this news reached us?  How did Ramadan transform us inwardly, and how did we manifest this outwardly through our actions on this Earth?

Quran and environmental conservation

Amidst the reality of the rapidly degrading state of the Earth through the climate change crisis, Muslims have also been equipped with a framework that enables us to act with a balance of hope and meaningful action, rather than despair of loss.

As found in the hadith:

Anas ibn Malik reported that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said,

“If the Final Hour comes while you have a shoot of a plant in your hands and it is possible to plant it before the Hour comes, you should plant it.”

For a Muslim, there is a sense of finding hope and grounding oneself in knowing that Allah (SWT) has knowledge over all things and is the Protector of all.  Thus, acting with calm consistency and recognizing one’s individual responsibility to simply act without attachment to the outcome is the very act of building hope for a Muslim.

May this Ramadan be a time of attaining nearness to Allah (SWT) and meaningful action which embodies a commitment towards responding to the critical state of the Earth, InshaAllah.

Data Centers, AI and the Water–Energy Nexus: Toward Sustainable Digital Infrastructure in the MENA Region

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Abstract

The rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) and hyperscale data centers is reshaping global electricity demand while intensifying water dependency. This article analyzes the structural energy transition associated with AI-driven computational scaling, examines the implications for the water–energy nexus, and discusses technological and governance pathways for sustainable digital infrastructure. Particular attention is given to water-stressed regions such as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where digital expansion must align with hydric constraints and renewable energy strategies.

Digital Acceleration and Structural Energy Transition

The global digital ecosystem is undergoing an unprecedented transformation driven by artificial intelligence, hyperscale cloud computing, and data-intensive services. Unlike previous ICT growth cycles, the current AI revolution is characterized by exponential computational scaling and high-density GPU clusters.

As illustrated in Figure 1, projected global data center electricity demand is expected to nearly double between 2020 and 2030, reaching approximately 100 GW equivalent load.

datacenter power consumption worldwide

Interpretation

Figure 1 demonstrates the structural acceleration of electricity demand driven by AI workloads. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global data center electricity consumption reached approximately 460 TWh in 2022 and could exceed 1,000 TWh by 2026 under accelerated AI scenarios [1]. In some advanced economies, projections indicate that data centers could represent up to 10–12% of national electricity consumption by 2030 [2].

This growth is not linear but structurally transformative, as AI clusters now operate at rack densities exceeding 100–150 kW per rack, significantly increasing localized grid stress [3].

To contextualize this expansion, sectoral comparisons are shown in Figure 2.

electricity demand across different sectors

Interpretation

Figure 2 shows that data centers rank among the fastest-growing electricity-consuming sectors globally, comparable to electric vehicles and building electrification. This indicates that digital infrastructure is no longer a marginal consumer but a structural driver of electricity demand growth.

Masanet et al. (2020) highlighted that efficiency gains previously offset demand growth, but AI-induced computational intensity may reverse this stabilizing trend [3].

AI Scaling Laws and Computational Intensification

The core driver of this structural energy shift lies in AI scaling laws. Model performance improves predictably with increased computational effort and dataset magnitude [4][5], incentivizing ever-larger training runs.

AI training dataset

Interpretation

Figure 3 (logarithmic scale) illustrates the exponential increase in AI training dataset sizes. This growth reflects scaling behaviors described by Kaplan et al. (2020) [5], where compute requirements increase as a power-law function of model size.

Training large transformer models may require several gigawatt-hours (GWh) of electricity [6], and earlier studies estimated that certain NLP training runs emitted over 284 tons of CO₂ under carbon-intensive electricity mixes [7].

This computational intensification leads to:

  • Increased GPU cluster density
  • Elevated thermal output
  • Higher cooling loads
  • Increased indirect water use via electricity generation

Although global average PUE has declined from ~2.0 in 2010 to ~1.55 in 2023 [8], AI workload growth currently outpaces efficiency improvements.

Water Consumption and the Water–Energy Nexus

Electricity demand alone does not capture the environmental footprint of AI data centers. Water use—particularly for cooling—constitutes a critical sustainability dimension.

Evaporative cooling towers may consume tens of millions of liters annually for a single hyperscale facility. Li et al. (2023) estimated that U.S. data centers consume approximately 1.7 billion liters of water daily when direct and indirect water uses are combined [9].

Indirect water consumption associated with thermoelectric electricity generation may exceed direct cooling withdrawals [10], reinforcing the systemic nature of the water–energy nexus.

In the MENA region—where per capita water availability often falls below 1,000 m³/year [11]—AI-driven data center expansion could intensify:

  • Competition with agriculture
  • Urban water stress
  • Desalination-electricity feedback loops
  • Drought vulnerability

Without hybrid dry cooling, wastewater reuse, and renewable integration, digital infrastructure may exacerbate regional hydric fragility.

water-energy nexus in data centers

Technological and Policy Mitigation Pathways

Several mitigation strategies can reduce environmental impact:

Advanced Cooling Technologies

  • Liquid immersion cooling reduces cooling energy demand by up to 30–40% [12].
  • AI-based cooling optimization has demonstrated approximately 30% reductions in operational facilities [13].
  • Closed-loop cooling significantly reduces freshwater withdrawal.

Renewable Energy Integration

Hyperscalers have become major renewable energy buyers globally [14]. However, renewable energy integration must align with grid stability and storage capacity.

Hardware and Algorithmic Efficiency

Emerging innovations include:

  • Model pruning and quantization
  • Advanced semiconductor nodes
  • Silicon photonics interconnects [15]
  • Renewable-aware workload scheduling

These approaches may partially decouple compute growth from energy intensity.

Strategic Implications for the MENA Region

Digital transformation in water-stressed regions requires integrated planning that combines:

  • Solar-powered data centers
  • Treated wastewater reuse
  • Hybrid dry cooling systems
  • Renewable-powered desalination
  • Transparent environmental metrics (PUE, WUE, CUE)

For MENA economies pursuing digital sovereignty and AI competitiveness, sustainability constraints must be embedded at the infrastructure design stage.

Conclusion

Figures 1–3 demonstrate that AI-driven data center expansion represents a systemic transformation of global electricity demand and water dependency. The exponential scaling of computational intensity reshapes both energy systems and hydric pressures.

A sustainable digital future requires:

  • Integrated water–energy governance
  • Technological innovation in cooling and hardware
  • Renewable integration
  • Transparent reporting frameworks

For water-stressed regions such as MENA, sustainable digital infrastructure planning is not optional—it is strategic.

References

[1] International Energy Agency (IEA), Electricity 2024, 2024.
[2] U.S. Department of Energy, Data Center Energy Forecast 2024, 2024.
[3] Masanet, E. et al., “Recalibrating global data center energy-use estimates,” Science, 2020, 367(6481), 984–986.
[4] Brown, T. et al., “Language Models are Few-Shot Learners,” NeurIPS, 2020.
[5] Kaplan, J. et al., “Scaling Laws for Neural Language Models,” arXiv:2001.08361, 2020.
[6] Patterson, D. et al., “Carbon Emissions and Large Neural Network Training,” arXiv:2104.10350, 2021.
[7] Strubell, E. et al., “Energy and Policy Considerations for Deep Learning in NLP,” ACL, 2019.
[8] Uptime Institute, Global Data Center Survey 2023, 2023.
[9] Li, Y. et al., “Water consumption of U.S. data centers,” Nature Sustainability, 2023, 6, 123–131.
[10] Meldrum, J. et al., “Life cycle water use for electricity generation,” Environmental Research Letters, 2013, 8(1), 015031.
[11] World Bank, Beyond Scarcity: Water Security in MENA, 2018.
[12] Zhang, H. et al., “Energy-efficient liquid cooling technologies,” Applied Energy, 2022, 306, 118076.
[13] Evans, R., Gao, J., “DeepMind AI reduces Google data centre cooling bill,” Nature, 2016, 538, 12–13.
[14] BloombergNEF, Corporate Renewable Energy Market Outlook, 2024.
[15] Miller, D.A.B., “Silicon Photonics,” Nature Photonics, 2017, 11, 403–404.

How Do I Know What Method Of Shipment Is Best For Me?

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When it comes to cargo, selecting the right method of shipment can be challenging. Considering the perilous situations your goods may have to go through, you need to be cautious when picking the appropriate mode of transport to ensure safe and timely freight delivery.

With so many options available, it can take time to determine which one is best for your particular situation. To help you make the best decision, here are some tips on knowing which shipment method is the best for you.

which shipment method is the best for you

Type of Goods

Start by considering what type of goods you are shipping. Different shipping methods are suited for different types of products. For example, if you are shipping fragile items, you may opt for a method offering extra protection, such as air freight forwarder services or express shipping.

On the other hand, if you are shipping bulky items, opt for a less expensive shipping method, such as ground shipping. The right company will brief you on the best method for your shipment. Do your research to get a clear idea of your action plan.

Destination

Next, consider the destination of your shipment. If you are shipping to a rural area, choose a method that offers door-to-door delivery. On the other hand, if you are shipping to an urban area, you may be better off using a method that offers pick-up options. Consider the distance as well.

If you’re looking to send your goods to a far-off place, consider air freight — but you’d have to pay more for that than ocean transport. Also, check the company’s record in delivering long-distance shipments.

Urgency

Are you tight on time or does your shipment need to be delivered urgently? Each shipping method offers varying levels of speed. For example, express shipping is usually the fastest, while ground shipping is usually the slowest. Depending on the urgency of your shipment — and the distance — you may opt for a faster shipping method.

Before hiring a company, discuss your specific requirements so you don’t run into issues later on. Let them know of any special demands so they can plan accordingly.

Cost

Finally, consider the cost of the shipment. Different shipping methods come with different costs. For example, air freight can be more expensive than ground shipping, but it is usually faster. Similarly, express shipping can be more expensive than ground shipping, but it is usually faster.

Before selecting a shipping method, make sure to compare the costs of each option to make sure you get the best deal. Review quotes from different companies and choose the one that is within your budget and delivers the goods within the time frame you provided.

Bottom Line

Choosing the right shipment method is easy if you research correctly. By considering the type of goods, destination, urgency, and cost of your shipment, you can determine which method and freight forwarder are the best for you and your needs.

How Could Urban Planners Contribute to Social Cohesion in Cities?

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While most of the implemented programmes that promote social cohesion are based on people’s ideology, perceptions, and social behaviours, the impact of the physical built environment, that hosts people’s lives and their social interactions, remains less tackled. In the context of urban planning, to what extent do our cities affect the advancement of social cohesion of communities? And could elusive and complex social concepts – like social cohesion – be tackled in a practical spatial planning approach that yields concrete actions?

The fostering of social cohesion gained intensive focus in the literature of urban planning and sustainable development studies, especially in cities, which include complex socio-economic fabrics and experience big demographic changes. Cities, that involve a diverse mass of the population of different backgrounds, interests, religions, ethnicities, and social statuses, would constitute more than two-thirds of the world population by 2050.

Opportunities and challenges of diversity come hand-in-hand. Providing equal opportunities and basic needs to all citizens, regardless of their background or social status is a pressing concern of planners and decision-makers in cities, where the income gap is more likely to get wider. Moreover, preserving unity and social solidarity among different social groups is a hard challenge that needs more than providing material needs to everyone.

Amman provides one case in point. Historically, the city received immigrant and refugee waves including Circassians, Palestinians, Iraqis, and recently the Syrians. The city, which is populated with 4,327,800 million residents which is 42% of Jordan’s total population, stands as a unique cultural and ethnic melted mixture, while presenting an example for peace and tolerance in a charged and unstable region. Yet socio-spatial division is still perceived in some areas of Amman, mostly based on the economic and wealth distribution, evidently between east and west Amman.

The eastern areas of Amman is poorer, hillier, more crowded, less fertile, and people are younger and receive services of lower quality than those in the western areas. Moreover, the recent unplanned Syrian refugee influx was an unprecedented demographic change that Amman planners could not have detected.

Cities for people

According to the Encyclopaedia of Quality of Life and Well-Being Research, “social cohesion refers to the extent of connectedness and solidarity among groups in society” and is based on two main dimensions. The relationships among members within the community and their sense of belonging to the city.

Social cohesion between different social groups depends on many factors. Although urban planners cannot independently provide the complete solution to the social problems of the city, yet their role would be facilitating the interaction and social mixing in the community by ensuring well-connected and liveable urban patterns. Therefore, urban planners tend to apply the human perspective to their cities when planning “cities for people” or “people-friendly” cities, where public spaces are occupied by people of different statuses.

For planners to provide equitable opportunities and services, the following needs to be taken into consideration: planning for suitable proximity between facilities, transportation, places of employment, and housing, while keeping accessibility and mobility within suitable range for all citizens. In addition to providing different affordable housing types for different social groups.

Achieving low-carbon, sustainable growth in Arab cities is a complex task.

On the other hand, fostering social cohesion requires maintaining social values like justice and equality, which are connected to the distribution of wealth, and current and future opportunities among individuals. Also, critical to fulfilling equality and justice among citizens is people’s participation in the process of shaping their cities. In this regard, participatory planning is a key approach to enhancing the sense of belonging and social inclusion of all members of society.

The right to the city and the spatial justice

Fostering social inclusion in planning cities implies concepts like “the right to the city”, which is the right of the residents to full and equal access to the resources and services in cities. This right includes the concept of “Autogestion” (self-management), where people are free to make and remake their cities and themselves. In that sense, the right to the city is a continuous process shaped by people’s needs and challenges and based on “social solidarities”.

Another urban concept that explores justice in cities is the “spatial justice”, which have been broadly discussed by Professor Edward Soja in his book “Seeking Spatial Justice”, 2010. The term states that “justice has a geography, and the equitable distribution of resources, services, and access is a basic human right”. The term highlights the spatial dimension of justice, which explains hidden aspects and new perspectives for action.

Both concepts fall under urban social movements and complement each other to create the just city, which implies equity and distribution of resources on the one hand, and supports the full development of the individual and the society as a whole, on the other. Furthermore, the concepts are linked to the notion of citizenship, which requires people’s social mobility and participation in decision-making.

Social exclusion and marginalisation in cities

Preserving social cohesion and spatial justice among citizens raises their sense of belonging, while inequalities and injustice in distribution wealth and rights would lead to marginalise some social groups that are the least represented in the city or deprived of their basic needs. Subsequently, the society’s stability and security would be threatened, while conflicts, poorer social relationships, and violent crime rates would increase.

In most cases, the poor and the most vulnerable sense the injustice and inequality impact more than wealthier social groups, therefore, “the call for a “real” right to the city comes from the oppressed and alienated”. It comes also from “the most marginalised and the most underpaid and insecure members of the working class”.

Integrated approaches for complex contexts

Fostering social cohesion in the urban planning context requires action plans that intersect and work in parallel with different layers of development; social, economic, political, and cultural. The traditional tasks of urban planners in managing land use to provide services and needs are no longer enough to cope with the complex and massive growth of cities. Furthermore, anticipating shocks in an unstable part of the world, that is constantly changing, is a difficult task, therefore, proactive and resilient planning that responds to possible future scenarios is a necessity in this struggle.

This process must consider the participation of different social groups to foster the inclusivity and to preserve the sense of belonging and active citizenship within the community. Finally, while grievances and injustices could take several forms, linking them to the spatial dimension is a contemporary and practical approach that provides evidence and facilitates forming concrete actions, where both, the urban planner and the sociologist work together for a common agenda, in a collaborative manner.

References

بصمة خضراء… حكاية الكربون ١/٤

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الكربون – العنصر الذي بنى الحياة. الكربون هو أحد العناصر الأساسية في الطبيعة، ورمز لحياةٍ معقّدة تربط بين الإنسان، والمادة، والمناخ. يُرمز له كيميائيًا بالحرف «C» ويُعدّ العنصر الرابع من حيث الوفرة في الكون بعد الهيدروجين، والهيليوم، والأوكسجين. عنصر بسيط في شكله الذرّي، لكنه حاضر في كل ما نلمسه تقريبًا: في أجسادنا، وفي غذائنا، وفي الهواء الذي نتنفسه، وحتى في الصخور التي نظنّها جامدة وصامتة. لسنوات طويلة، عاش الكربون في توازنٍ طبيعي هادئ، ينتقل بين السماء، والأرض، والمحيطات، والكائنات الحية دون ضجيج أو أزمة. لكن المشكلة لم تبدأ من الكربون نفسه، بل من علاقتنا به. حين تحوّل من عنصرٍ طبيعي إلى وقودٍ لنمط حياةٍ متسارع، استُخرج بكثافة، وأُحرق بلا حساب، واختلّ التوازن الذي حافظت عليه الطبيعة لملايين السنين. اليوم، لم يعد الكربون مجرد عنصر كيميائي، بل أصبح عنوانًا لأزمة مناخية عالمية، ومصدر قلق بيئي، ورقمًا في تقارير الانبعاثات. المشكلة الحقيقية ليست وجود الكربون، بل الإفراط في تحريره من مخازنه الطبيعية، دون فهمٍ كامل لعواقب ذلك على المناخ، والأنظمة البيئية، ومستقبل الحياة على الأرض.

carbon is the element of life

لفهم هذه الأزمة، نحتاج أولًا إلى تبسيط فكرة «دورة الكربون». الكربون مكوّن رئيسي في جميع الكائنات الحية، ويدخل في تركيب البروتينات، والدهون، والكربوهيدرات، والحمض النووي .(DNA) كما يوجد في الغلاف الجوي على شكل ثاني أكسيد الكربون (CO₂) وفي التربة كمادة عضوية، وفي المحيطات كمركبات ذائبة. دورة الكربون هي العملية الطبيعية التي يُعاد فيها تدوير هذا العنصر بين الهواء، والماء، والتربة، والكائنات الحية. النباتات تمتص ثاني أكسيد الكربون من الجو خلال عملية التمثيل الضوئي، وتحوله إلى غذاء وطاقة. الحيوانات والإنسان يستهلكون هذا الغذاء، وعند التنفس أو التحلل، يعود الكربون مجددًا إلى الغلاف الجوي أو التربة. هذه الدورة كانت تعمل بتناغم دقيق، أشبه بتنفسٍ جماعي للكوكب. المشكلة بدأت حين أضفنا كربونًا «قديمًا» إلى الدورة؛ كربونًا كان مخزنًا في باطن الأرض منذ ملايين السنين على شكل نفط، وفحم، وغاز. بإحراقه خلال عقود قليلة، ضُخّت كميات هائلة من الكربون في الجو، أسرع بكثير مما تستطيع الطبيعة استيعابه أو إعادة تدويره.

في واقعنا اليوم، يظهر أثر هذا الخلل بوضوح. الوقود الأحفوري لا يزال المصدر الأساسي للطاقة في معظم دول العالم، ومع كل عملية حرق، يتحرر ثاني أكسيد الكربون، وهو غاز دفيء يساهم في ظاهرة الاحتباس الحراري. ارتفاع درجات الحرارة، تغيّر أنماط الأمطار، ذوبان الجليد، وازدياد الظواهر المناخية المتطرفة، كلها نتائج مباشرة لتراكم الكربون في الغلاف الجوي. هنا ظهر مصطلح «البصمة الكربونية» لوصف كمية الانبعاثات الناتجة عن نشاط معين، سواء كان فرديًا، أو صناعيًا، أو وطنيًا. مع تطور مفاهيم التنمية المستدامة، أصبح للكربون بعدٌ اقتصادي أيضًا. بدأت الدول والشركات في قياس انبعاثاتها، وتحسين كفاءة الطاقة، والانتقال إلى مصادر متجددة مثل الشمس والرياح. كما ظهرت تقنيات التقاط الكربون وتخزينه، وأسواق لتجارة الكربون، حيث يُباع ويُشترى «حق التلوث» ضمن أطر تنظيمية تهدف نظريًا إلى خفض الانبعاثات. لكن الواقع يثبت أن الحلول التقنية والاقتصادية وحدها لا تكفي، إذا لم يُرافقها تغيير حقيقي في أنماط الإنتاج والاستهلاك.

الكربون ليس عدوًا بطبيعته، ولم يكن يومًا كذلك. هو عنصر الحياة، والأساس الذي بُنيت عليه الكائنات، والحلقة التي تربط بين الطبيعة والإنسان. ما نواجهه اليوم ليس «أزمة كربون»، بل أزمة فهم واختلال توازن. الحل لا يكون في محاربة الكربون أو التخلص منه، بل في إعادة ضبط علاقتنا به. أن نفهم حدوده، ونحترم دورته الطبيعية، ونتعامل معه بوعي لا بجشع. تقليل الانبعاثات ليس مجرد التزام سياسي أو هدف رقمي، بل خيار أخلاقي يعكس إدراكنا لمسؤوليتنا تجاه الكوكب والأجيال القادمة. حين ندرك أن كل قرار استهلاكي، وكل كيلوواط طاقة، وكل منتج نستخدمه يحمل أثرًا كربونيًّا غير مرئي، يبدأ التغيير الحقيقي. ربما لا نستطيع إيقاف دورة الكربون، ولا يجب علينا ذلك، لكننا نستطيع أن نعيدها إلى إيقاعها الطبيعي. أن يبقى الكربون عنصرًا للحياة، لا عبئًا عليها. تلك هي جوهر الحكاية، وبداية الطريق نحو بصمةٍ أخف… وأكثر خضرة.

Islamic and Sustainability: Perspectives

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The 21st century is characterized by a number of global environmental challenges that shaped and defined the discourse and agenda of the West with respect to the developing world, specifically the Islamic world. Islam provides new sustainability perspectives for discovering and explaining the root causes for the current environmental, economic and social crises as manifested in climate change, HIV, poverty and human security. For example, the Islamic perspective on climate change is that the root cause of this global issue is the absence or lack of human stewardship and is an indication of market failures.

environmental-therapy

Pitfalls of the Western Model

The Western model of economic development with its free market economies, political, economic and social institutions created a number of externalities and environmental costs. In the name of development local and indigenous people are deprived of their rights in the developing world. Rights and natural resources of local people are taken away and substituted by needs that are defined by the west.

Sustainability is not a product manifested in a sector like energy, tourism, agriculture, trade or urban environment but rather a worldview that encompasses all domains of life from spiritual realms, norms and consumption and production patterns to macro-economic policies. This system thinking and perspective towards culture, economy and ecology is fundamental for re-thinking sustainability and root it in local knowledge and embed it as a model for human-centred development.

The global financial crisis which started in 2008 along with poverty, AIDS and climate change challenges compel and incite a dire need for a new economic model that address these global challenges. There is a need to critique and rethink the underpinning of the current market economy that look at both human nature and culture as a commodity. The main pitfalls of the existing market model are that it discounts the future and is based on compound interest rate and a banking system that encourages loans and over-consumption.

When looking at the benefit-cost analysis of climate change, the interest rate (how much we discount the future) will justify the rationality of taking preventive action. In other words, the more the future was discounted the more it made economic sense for climate change impacts to take place.

Islamic Perspectives on Sustainability

The high cost and irreversible environmental costs of the market-based economic model is evident. It is argued that markets do not tell us the ecological truth and that climate change and global financial crises issues are evidence of the market failure. Re-defining the basic notion “what constitutes a good life” and how to pursue happiness are critical in understanding sustainability from an Islamic perspective.

media and sustainable development

The pursuit of happiness from an Islamic perspective is about adding value to life through good deeds and knowledge as part of human role in the construction of universe, helping others, bringing up good children, and also about living lightly on earth and elimination of waste and over-consumption. The Islamic dream is not linked to accumulation of wealth and living in luxury but rather on conserving the human, social and natural capitals which are considered as necessities.

There is a need for a macro-shift in our worldviews; a re-thinking of the fundamentals of the western economic model to ensure a humanistic and sustainable model that resonate with culture and ensures balance (mizan), social equity (adl) and respects harmony between nature, people and markets. Above all, what is needed is a new and fresh look at Islam as a source of both inspiration and restoration of the natural state of humans as referred to in Islam as fitra. The following is a brief outline on how Islam looks at the three pillars of sustainability (environment, social and economic).

Environment and Spirituality

The most interesting feature of the worldview of Islam is that it presents an interactive and integrated outlook. Therefore, a contemporary understanding of the notion of maslaha (public interest) may lead to a theoretical understanding of sustainability in its broader terms. Islam represents the natural state (fitra) or the intrinsic state of goodness. The natural state (fitra) implies a full harmony with nature, people and the built environment. It also means a full realization and consciousness of the role of the human as a trustee and a witness (khalifa). Humans are trustees (khalifa) to make sure that all resources are used in a sustainable manner.

Islam views the potential risks of climate change as a problem of absence of human trusteeship which is referred to as mischief (fasad). Islam looks at species as nations like humankind. Reading Quran informs the mind and the soul that our natural capital and social capital are interconnected and inter-dependant.

Islam teaches that species including plants and wildlife are in a state of prayers (tasbeeh). The harm of any species means that we are disrupting the symphony of life and silencing worshipers. Quran elevates and deepens the notion of aesthetic intelligence, bio-mimicry, and learning from nature. Both Quran and nature contain many signs (ayat) that demonstrate and offer insights and guidance to nurture naturalistc intelligence, innovation and learning.

Ihsan is a key concept in Islam which is the driver and fuel for human stewardship, responsibility and excellence. Zohd means living lightly on earth which is an Islamic concept that promotes conservation and rational use of resources. Waqf which is endowment fund resourced by civil society and private sector as an economic tool to ensure socio-economic and environmental security and also as a vehicle to contextualize the notion of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and a value-based organization.

sustainable development in islam

Social Dimension

From an Islamic perspective, losing the social compass means the lack or absence of embodiment of the teachings of Islam (as a code of reference). This will result in a state of both ecological degradation (fasad) and human and social alienation. The second pillar of sustainability is the realization of the human and social dimension of development. The notion of equity, social justice (adl), public participation (shura) and the deep concern for future generation are cornerstones in Islam. The role of Ummah as a community of practice is to set standards for ethical codes of conduct and also to create new knowledge based on the values and public interest.

Within the framework of the Islamic way of development, material and spiritual aspects of life are complementary. To be able to live the good life of devotion to God, we have, therefore, to make the best use of the material resources of our world. Talking about development without considering the spiritual side of people is meaningless; development must preserve the essence of our humanity.

Among the dynamic principles of social life Islam has particularly emphasized two – firstly the optimal utilization of resources that God has endowed to man, and his physical environment; and secondly their equitable use and distribution and the promotion of all human relationships on the basis of rights and justice. Care for the poor and the marginalized through sharing resources and financial contribution of Zakat and Waqf a key concept in Islam that need to be harnessed through institutional innovation (ijtihad) and reform of governance.

islam and sustainable development

Economic Dimension

Islamic economics prohibits the compound interest which is the basic concept of the western banking system. Also, Islam provides regulatory framework that ensures the development projects are in the interest for the wider community, not for few individuals. Islam also provides a framework for valuing and weighting interest and value that transcends humans to species and natural resources and future generations.

The fundamental concept is that Islamic economics is that it prohibits usury (riba) and does not discount the future implies that fossil oil at the present is not discounted in the future and hence Islam limits over-use of fossil fuels and hence contributes to limit CO2 emissions due to climate change. Unlike the existing banking system which encourages loans and mega-projects that exploits our natural capital.

Islam encourages small-scale development which will result in lessening the distance that goods are transported and hence lowering of greenhouse gas emissions and the ecological footprints in the business sector. Islamic economics in its profit-sharing and absence of usury provides sound constraints to prevent borrowers from running into un-payable debts whilst encouraging wealth to be distributed evenly. This in turn will help to have a greener economy that is reformed by Islam.

The First Competitive Advantage in Real Estate is Property Research

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Why Property Research Comes Before Speed, Capital, or Negotiation

In addition, most investors aim to maintain their advantage in real estate either on speed, capital or negotiation skills. Although such factors do matter, they are rarely what distinguishes consistent winners from the rest. The real benefit shows itself much earlier in the process. The first competitive advantage in real estate is property research, defining where investors deploy capital (and how they assess commercial opportunities), and whether to act decisively or with trepidation. Many investors take the first steps to build this foundation by learning data sources and insights through resources like a PropStream Review, but real advantage comes from how research is utilized, not just where data is discovered.

In this market there is no longer a monopoly on information, and that investing brilliantly begins with intelligent research.

a real estate agent handing over house keys to a new homeowner

The Market is Done Making Assumptions About You

But the real estate markets today are crowded with investors using similar outreach methods and fighting for the same properties. And guesswork, intuition alone or superficial analysis merely no longer yield reliable results. Guessing investors tend to react late, pay too much or chase deals that we never close.

Property research removes guesswork. It substitutes assumptions with evidence and makes investing a proactive rather than reactive activity. This is where we start making the first true gain.

Opportunity Research Prior to Competition

Every transaction starts with a piece of information. This is why property research enables investors to spot opportunities well ahead of everyone else. Being early to this awareness creates less competition and more leverage.

Deep research investors can:

  • Spot patterns before they turn into trends
  • Detect changes in ownership behavior early
  • Discover how to spot undervalued situations ahead of the crowd

By the time competition comes in, well-researched investors are already several steps ahead.

Focus is a Competitive Weapon

One of the greatest obstacles for investors is distraction. No research means you chase every opportunity, wasting your time on properties that never fit with strategy. Property research provides focus.

Streamlined research criteria illuminate areas where investors shouldn’t spend time. These concentrated targets enhance productivity and enable investors to allocate capital toward the highest-potential properties. In competitive settings, focus is usually more important than speed.

Why Decision Quality Matters More Than Deal Volume

Missed last week’s issue? Read it here.

Most investors assume that more deal flow equals better results. In fact, it is far more important to analyze the correct deals. The better the quality of decision-making from property research done which filters out noise and highlights relevant signals.

Stronger deal selection, less emotional decision making, and more consistent evaluative criteria due to better research. When research drives decisions, the outcomes are more certain.

Managing Risk Before Deploying Capital

Every real estate investment involves risk, but research makes the difference between that being informed or ignored. Current property research withholds issues involving ownership, market and property conditions prior to any money being exchanged.

Well-informed investors are better equipped to weather storms. They go into deals with more clear expectations and fewer surprises. This preparation is a significant competitive advantage — especially in times of market volatility.

Research Changes How Investors Communicate

Strong research impacts not just what investors buy, but how they communicate. Those who understand the property itself and its context can have conversations with owners, partners, teams that go beyond dollars.

Unlike spray-and-pray outreach, data-driven investors address interactions with relevance and purpose. This fosters credibility and trust key components in most off-market or negotiated transactions.

Clarity Early on Enables Faster Action

Good research does not slow you down contrary to popular belief. In fact, it accelerates action by lessening doubt. When investors know why a property meets their criteria, people make decisions easier..

This clarity enables investors to act decisively when opportunities present themselves. In competitive markets, confidence that’s research-based is often how you win the deal.

Research Supports Scalable Investing

However, informal decision-making is not sustainable as the investments grow. The research into property creates a framework, which can be scaled. Defined research standards empower teams and enable them to consistently evaluate opportunities across markets and deal types.

Business expands with discipline when research criteria is overt and repeatable. This scalability is one of the most underappreciated advantages to strong research practices.

Data Without Research Creates Confusion

This is not a data advantage by itself. In fact, without any structure, too much data means indecision. Investors can be indecisive, overthink things or fail to prioritize.

Property research provides structure. It transforms raw data into insight, and insight into action. Without research, data becomes noise. With research, data becomes direction.

Research Builds Long-Term Consistency

You may experience short run success with little research, but you can’t have long run success. Investors use this feedback loop with property research, learning from the outcomes to hone their criteria.

Over time, this process refines judgment and increases accuracy. Consistency falls out of disciplined research, not chance.

Systems Amplify the Impact of Research

Systems allow research to thrive. Handled data, follow-ons and results documentation prevents valuable knowledge from slipping through the cracks. Systems enable research to build up in times.

When property research becomes part of the system, it is repeatable, scalable and measurable. This is the point where competitive advantage becomes durable.

Research Before Everything Else

Marketing, negotiation and execution matter but depend on understanding. Property research informs every downstream decision, from where to search to how to behave.

Those investors who make research optional are reactionary. Those who take it as foundational act strategically. That’s the difference that defines competitive advantage in real estate.

Conclusion: Clarity is the Real Competitive Advantage

The market that you target is the first competitive advantage in real estate; it reduces risk and determines focus so you can invest with confidence before money goes out of the bank. In a world full of information, understanding is what will differentiate the winners from losers.

By prioritising research, creating transparent evaluation frameworks, and embedding systems in supporting decisions, investors are set-up to be able to act sooner, more intelligently and consistently. In real estate, the greatest leverage is not speed or scale—it’s clarity; and clarity starts with property research.

The Significance of Water in the Islamic Culture

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The great cultural bloom that took place during the al-Andalus period was made possible from a material and social viewpoint thanks, among other factors, to the judicious water management at those times. Countryside, cities, public bathhouses and fountains, qanats, mosques and gardens honoured the element of water. However, this water culture emerged from a distinctively Islamic conception which is briefly summarized in the following paragraphs.

water-islamic-culture

Water in the Holy Quran

In Islam, life and knowledge originated from water, a divine gift that symbolises profound wisdom, the drink that quenches the soul’s thirst. But it is also science. Thus, the word al-ma’a – water in Arabic – appears 63 times in the Quran, which revealed secrets in the 7th century recently discovered by science.

Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth we joined together (as one Unit of Creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing (Quran, 21-30).

Indeed, today we know that water covers more than 70% of Earth’s surface (mostly seas and oceans). We also know that water has been found in the interstellar clouds of our galaxy – the Milky Way –, as well as in Mars, and it is believed to be found in other galaxies. It also appears to be one of the first molecules on planet Earth.

The Holy Book states as follows with regard to living creatures:

And God has created every animal from water: of them there are some that creep on their bellies; some that walk on two legs; and some that walk on four. God creates what He wills; for verily God has power over all things (Quran, 24-45).

Today we know that as babies we are 75% water and as we grow older the body of an adult human being is made of approximately 60% water. Animals contain on average 60% water while vegetables up to 75%. Human brain is composed of 90% water. This means that the human being, which is the most perfect being in nature, talks, thinks, does, undoes, writes and invents on the basis of water.

Allah thus asserts in the Holy Book that His Throne was upon the water. That is to say that he created life on the basis of water.

Water also represents also purity in Islam. Thanks to water human beings take care of their body hygiene, as in all cultures, but also perform spiritual purification by means of the daily ablutions. In accordance with the great Sufi Ibn ‘Arabi of Murcia, who lived in the 12th and 13th centuries, by performing ablutions believers get rid of vanity and appearing themselves as servants of the Creator.

water-conservation-islam

Moreover, water is a powerful symbol of the rebirth and quickening, and it is commonly used metaphorically. God has brought life from death, and death from life, as the Holy Book tells us.

And He it is Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy, and we send down pure water from the sky.

That with it We may give life to dead land, and slake the thirst of things we have created, cattle and men in great numbers (Quran, 25, 48-49).

This description refers at first sight to a natural phenomenon, but it is means the quickening of the soul or the spiritual awakening.

Significance of Water in Islam

Water ownership is accepted as long as the person has built a particular infrastructure, for instance in a river course. But, over and above that, there is the obligation to distribute the surplus free of charge. Many institutions were established in order to ensure a balanced and fair water distribution, some of which have lasted up to the present day, such as the Water Tribunal of (Tribunal de las Aguas) de Valencia, the Council of Good Men (Consejo de Hombres Buenos) de Murcia and the Irrigation Communities (Comunidades de Regantes) in the Eastern Coastal Region of Spain.

water-conservation

Providing water to others is considered as sadaqah, a good. Some ecological hadith, or traditions attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, relate to the obligation to assist the thirsty ones, whether humans or animals. According to a hadith, a little dog in need was given assistance by a man who descended to the bottom of a pit with no little effort, held his shoe with the mouth to fill it with water and gave the water to the dog. In so doing, he obtained divine favour. These are beautiful stories that help us to reflect upon. And let’s not forget that we reflect thanks to water.

Key Takeaway

Finally, I would like to emphasize that water in Islam is considered as a gift belonging to all equally, which has to be managed and distributed with equity among all living beings, humans, animals and plant life. In fact, this is envisaged in the law on the right on water, named safa. We are of water, and we live on it.

Hence, this precious and scarce natural resource must be managed with respect and the highest degree of responsibility, in an equitable manner both individually and collectively, as our ancestors from al-Andalus taught us in such exemplary fashion.

Also Read: Persian Wheel for Lifting Water

5 Innovative Air Pollution Projects Developed by Students

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Pollution is a ubiquitous problem in the present-day world, and it is rising continuously all around the globe. Amongst all other kinds of pollution, such as water, land, and sound, air pollution has a profound impact on every living organism present on the earth. We inhale many toxins and pollutants along with oxygen while breathing, which can cause severe health problems and can even lead to an untimely death. Developing countries face more pollution-related health problems as compared to developed countries. However, students alongside scientists are working hard to protect our home planet from air contamination and its hazardous effects.

Fortunately, more and more people are working for environmental protection and conservation. Government and private organizations are working to reduce the factors that are damaging the nature we live in. Today’s students are also more concerned about the harmful effects of the contaminated environment and seek to help in their own way. During school and college if you are wondering how to rewrite my paper, you should know the importance of a sound environment. They are also asked to work on projects and proceedings on environmental protection methods.

climate-change-public-health

Students may significantly benefit from essay samples https://eduzaurus.com/free-essay-samples/environment/ to work on their paper and learn more about protecting the earth. Reading such pieces helps in their course to develop useful projects that aid to solve the existing pollution related problems.

Cities around the world are choked with smog and dangerous emissions. Addressing the harm caused by rapidly increasing air pollution, many university students worldwide have developed useful environmental projects. Some of them are as follows:

1. Pollution vacuum cleaner

The idea of a pollution vacuum cleaner is to suck up the contaminants from the air. Developed by an Indian mechanical engineer, it takes all the pollutants along with the air and releases clean air after filtration. As the air passes through various layers inside the filter, the contaminants stick in the filter, and clean air is released. Such vacuums can be used near chimneys and generators to reduce the presence of smoke in the air.

2. Hydrogen fuel from pollutants

Extracting hydrogen gas from the air is challenging, but not for enthusiasts. As part of their project, students have developed a device to purify the air from organic adulteration. This device is powered by solar energy, which houses a thin membrane that attracts the contaminants and exhales purified air. The extracted hydrogen can be stored and used later as fuel in hydrogen-powered vehicles.

3. Air pollution AI framework

Predicting the level of smog in a place can help the locals take a precautionary approach in case of an increment in contamination. A high school student from New-York made a device as project work that predicts air pollution levels using neural networks. The AI-equipped tool can predict contamination with up to 92% accuracy.

artificial-intelligence-environment-protection

Artificial Intelligence can provide invaluable assistance in environment protection and resource conservation

4. Anti-smog gun

The anti-smog gun is an effective method of clearing the air pollutants in smog-afflicted areas. During the high level of pollution, the gun sprays vapor into the air, absorbing the toxins. It is a short-term solution to minimize the harms of hazardously polluted air.

5. Air-Ink

Air-Ink is a creative and interesting device that can convert air carbon to ink. People can connect the KAALINK device to their car exhaust pipe to get the ink from the fuel fumes. The tool can extract 30 ml of ink within 45 minutes of driving. However, the collected ink requires to be purified in the lab before its use.

Bottom Line

Students may find that working on air pollution control projects is one of the best ways in which they can learn about environmental hazards during their educational course. Such insights inspire them to search for a solution and develop various solutions to counter the threats.

Getting involved in innovative air pollution projects will help us to understand the importance of the atmosphere and environment and our responsibility towards keeping the earth safe for the future generation. We can all contribute to fighting air pollution and saving all beings for generations to come through our collective effort.

Women Entrepreneurship in MENA: An Analysis

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Women entrepreneurship is an important unexploited source of economic growth in almost all parts of the world. Unfortunately women in MENA have the lowest rates of Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) at merely 4% of the population. The highest rates, globally, are in sub-Saharan Africa, at 27%. Latin American and Caribbean economies also show high levels (15 percent). In just seven economies (Panama, Thailand, Ghana, Ecuador, Nigeria, Mexico, and Uganda), women had equal or slightly higher levels of entrepreneurship than men. For the rest, women represented a smaller share of the entrepreneur population.

women-entrepreneurship-middle-east

Current Situation

The recent interest in women entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa region has spurred a number of studies that aim to explain MENA’s very low female participation in the workforce and political life, at  both the inter-regional and the intra-regional scales and  to identify the challenges facing women entrepreneurs.

The comparative data shows that the MENA region has made strong gains in human development: Literacy increased to 69 percent, average schooling (for those above 15)  rose  to  5.2  years,  child mortality  rates  plunged  to  around  46  per  thousand  births,  and  life  expectancy  has climbed to  reach  68  years.”.

However the level of unemployment among women remains high throughout the region. Of course, there is enough evidence to show that culture and social norms — not religion since countries with the same religion clearly show different rates — have a great deal to do with it.

Also Read: Buying and Trading Gems in the Middle East – An Easy Guide

Key Barriers and Constraints

The MENA region, more than other regions, faces specific barriers for women to interact in the public sphere and to access vital resources. This poses constraints that need to be addressed with specific measure in access to technology, financing and access to information which is a necessity in a globalized world. Some of the main barriers and constraints identified in hampering women entrepreneurs from entering the economic mainstream are as follows:

  • Gender specific barriers: Despite the fact that MENA nations have made considerable efforts to narrow the gender gap, much remains to be done to raise the social welfare of women in the region.
  • Cultural norms.
  • Civil law: Prevalent laws tend to enforce certain customs and social norms and, in doing so, institutionalize and legitimize certain behaviors.
  • Access to financial services and resources.
  • Barriers in the business environment.
  • Lack of research and data to inform an effective advocacy strategy.

Inter-regional Disparities in MENA

The difference of Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) rates among countries in the MENA region is well explained by the heterogeneity and diversity of their historical development, social makeup and system of governance as well as  the  key  indicators  of  human  development  such  as health, education and living  standards.

role of women in food security

It is quite difficult to make generalizations across the MENA region as the region  includes super-rich oil economies, a relatively small population and a large expat population such as Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE; mixed oil economies such as Algeria, Iran, Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen and  Syria  and non-oil economies  like  Jordan, Morocco, Palestine, Malta and Cyprus. This further complicates attempts to explain variations in the character and gender aspects of employment and entrepreneurship.

Also Read: Building Businesses With Purpose – Social Entrepreneurship

Thus, each country in the Arab world is confronting constraints and barriers to women entrepreneurship in different contexts. The profile of barriers for each nation is shaped by inter-connectedness of intrinsic and extrinsic factors specific to each country. Some studies have attributed MENA’s low rates of female labor force participation in oil-exporting countries of MENA (the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates) to oil.

It has been argued that the economic structure, social norms, and institutional characteristics of oil-rich economies discourage women from formal sector work. Ross (2008) argues that oil production “reduces the number of women in the labor force, which in turn reduces their political influence.” Oil-rich countries tend to have undiversified private sectors characterized by male-dominated employment and large public sectors. Consequently, employment opportunities for women often are highly concentrated in the public sector

Oil is a significant source of income for some MENA countries, especially GCC nations, and has definitely limited the growth of non-oil sectors. Nevertheless, it is notable that many countries in the region are net oil importers but still have rates of female labor force participation as low as those of oil-rich MENA countries. In contrast, oil producers outside MENA such as Norway and the Russian Federation have higher rates of female labor force participation.

Ways to Enhance Female Entrepreneurship

Targeted, coordinated efforts are needed on multiple fronts to increase women’s participation in the economic and political spheres, and these efforts must be specific to country context. These efforts include changes in policies to secure women’s equality under the law, to bridge the remaining gender gaps in health and education, to redress the skills mismatch in the job market, and to promote women’s civic and political participation, and changes in economic policies by adoption of more nuanced labor taxation systems, more targeted social welfare benefits, tax credits, public financed parental leave schemes and promotion, better flex-work arrangements, enhanced access to finance and training for female entrepreneurs.

women entrepreneurship in Arab world

All these policy options and more can narrow the gap between men and women in economic life, and can trigger a momentum of growth and job creation that can support much higher rates of GDP and ensure prosperity for all.

Furthermore, the economic and political environment arising from the Arab Spring has created an unprecedented window of opportunity for change. Given the growing labor, demographic, and fiscal constraints, and the changing aspirations in the Middle East and North Africa region, policy reforms are urgently needed to boost job creation for all.

References

  • Ebba Augustin, Ruby Assad & Dalila Jaziri, 2012, Women Empowerment for Improved Research in Agricultural Development, Innovation and Knowledge Transfer in the West Asia/ North Africa Region, AARINENA Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa
  • Leyla Sarfaraz, Nezameddin Faghih and Armaghan Asadi Majd 2014, The relationship between women entrepreneurship and gender equality, The Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research (JGER)
  • Michael L. Ross, 2008, “Oil, Islam, and Women.” American Political Science Review
  • OECD-MENA Investment Programme, 2013, Gender inequality and entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa : A statistical portrait
  • World Bank, 2007, The Environment for Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Middle East and North Africa Region

كاربونيفا: إعادة صياغة العمل المناخي من خلال الكربون، والطاقة والتكيف

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بالغالب عندما نقوم بمناقشة التغير المناخي، نقوم بمناقشة مجزأة، حيث نصوّر الطاقة كأداة للتخفيف من آثار هذا التغير وننظر للتكيف على أنه وسيلة للسيطرة على الأضرار الحاصلة، ونقوم باختزال الكربون لمقياس وحيد للانبعاثات. وبالرغم من ان هذه المقاربات ساهمت في تنظيم العمل المناخي عالمياً، إلا أنها تقف عاجزة أمام التسارع الذي يواجه العالم بآثار تغير المناخ ومخاطره وتحديات الموارد المرتبطة به. لا تنقصنا التكنولوجيا أو الطموح، بل التكامل. فالتغير المناخي ليس مجرد مشكلة طاقة، ولا انبعاثات فقط، بل هو تحدٍ لكيفية إدارة الكربون ويمتد هذا التحدي عبر أنظمة الطاقة والنظم البيئية وموارد المياه، والامن الغذائي، والمرونة الاجتماعية، وكذلك الاقتصادية. ولتتم معالجة هذا التعقيد، فإن هنالك حاجة لتطوير مفهوم جديد، وهنا بهذه المقالة فإننا نقدم (كاربونيفا) كإطار عمل موحد لدمج الطاقة مع تخفيف الكربون والتكيف للتصدي لآثار التغير المناخي في نظام واحد متطور من شأنه تحقيق مرونة مناخية طويلة الأجل وخلق تنمية مستدامة.

Climate Action Through Carbon, Energy and Adaptation

من تجزئة العمل المناخي إلى التفكير المنهجي

تم تنظيم استراتيجيات المناخ لعقود طويلة بمسارات خطية؛ تقليل الانبعاثات، وتثبيت درجات الحرارة، والتكيف مع الآثار المتبقية. تم تنفيذ هذه المسارات عن طريق سياسات قطاعية تعمل كلٌ على حدا من الناحية العملية، لأنه من النادر أن تُراعى مرونة النظم البيئية مع تخطيط الطاقة وفي الكثير من الأحيان تتجاهل استراتيجيات التكيف الآثار الكربونية. وفي بعض الاحيان تزيد الجهود المبذولة للتخفيف من حدة التدهور المائي، وتدهور الأراضي وحتى الهشاشة الاجتماعية. وبنفس الوقت، لم تعد آثار المناخ مجرد توقعات بعيدة، فإننا بالفعل نشهد موجات الحر والجفاف والفيضانات وندرة المياه وهي تعيد تشكيل الاقتصادات والمجتمعات، خاصة في المناطق القاحلة وشبه القاحلة، وتؤثر هذه الاثار بشكل مباشر على استراتيجيات التخفيف وعلى أدائها واستدامتها كذلك. ومن هنا وُلد مشروع كاربونيفا ليس كتقنية جديدة أو بديلة لأطر المناخ الحالية، بل هو تطور لمفهوم يعترف ويؤكد بأن العمل المناخي هو نظام حيوي متكامل وليس مجرد مجموعة من الأهداف المنفصلة.

ما هي كاربونيفا؟

يرمز هذا المصطلح إلى الكربون والطاقة والتكيف، وقد تمت صياغته بكلمة واحدة عمداً ليعبّر عن إجراءات تغيير لثلاث أفكار رئيسية وليس قائمة من الإجراءات. أولاً، يجب أن نفهم ان الكربون هو عنصر حيوي مشترك بين النظم الطبيعية والانسان، وإنه ليس مجرد انبعاثات من الواجب تقليلها. ثانياً: تعتبر الطاقة المتجددة محركاً أساسياً للتخفيف والتكيف، لإنها تؤثر على الأمن المائي، والنظم الغذائية والقدرة على المقاومة.

ثالثاً: إن التكيف والتخفيف يعتبران عمليتان متكاملتان وليس أولويات متنافسة، لا بل على العكس، فهما يجب أن تتطورا معاً. وبهذا وحسب نظام الكاربونيفا فإن التغير المناخي لا يجب أن يتمحور حول تخفيف الكربون والقدرة على المقاومة، وإنما يدور حول تصميم أنظمة لتمكين تخفيف الكربون على تعزيز القدرة على المقاومة، وتُمكّن القدرة على تخفيف الكربون بشكل أعمق.

الكربون يتجاوز الانبعاثات

يعتبر الكربون عنصراً رئيسياً في تغير المناخ، ومع ذلك فإنه غالباً ما يُهمّش دوره. وهنا نرى بأن السياسات المناخية قامت بالتركيز بشكل أساسي على خفض انبعاثات ثاني أكسيد الكربون من الوقود الاحفوري، وهذا أمراً ضرورياً، ولكن الكربون يوجد كذلك مُخزّناً في التربة والغابات والمحيطات والأراضي الرطبة وحتى البُنية التحتية. وهذه المخزونات تعمل على تنظيم المناخ وتسهم في دعم النظم البيئية وتعزز كذلك من سبل العيش. يوسّع نموذج نطاق مفهوم الكربون بإقرارهِ أن الكربون المُتَجنب عن طريق استخدام الطاقة المتجددة، والكربون المخزّن في النظم البيئية والمواد، والكربون المعاد تدويره في الاقتصادات الدائرية، وكذلك المصارف الطبيعية للكربون، تشكّل جميعها عناصر ذات دور فعّال في استقرار المناخ. ومن هذا المنطلق، تصبح إدارة الكربون مسألة تحديد مكان وجوده، كيفية تدفقه، وكيف ستكون قدرته على دعم التكيف. تُساهم النظم البيئية الصحية بعزل الكربون مع التخفيف من حدّة الظواهر المناخية المتطرفة، وتقوم التربة الزراعية المرنة بتخزين الكربون مع تحسين الأمن الغذائي، وتقوم أنظمة المواد الدائرية بتقليل الانبعاثات بالإضافة لخفض هشاشة الموارد، وبذلك يصبح الكربون عاملا رابطاً وليس مقسمّاً.

الطاقة المتجددة كعامل تمكين للمرونة

تلعب الطاقة المتجددة دورًا محوريًا في مشروع كاربونيفا، لكن أهميتها تتجاوز بكثير مجرد خفض الانبعاثات. فالطاقة الشمسية وطاقة الرياح وغيرها من أنظمة الطاقة المتجددة تقلل الاعتماد على أسواق الوقود المتقلبة، وتعزز سيادة الطاقة وتتيح بنية تحتية لامركزية. وفي المناطق التي تعاني من ندرة المياه، يمكن لتحلية المياه وإعادة استخدامها باستخدام الطاقة المتجددة أن تعزز القدرة علىالتكيف. وفي المناطق الريفية كذلك، تدعم مصادر الطاقة المتجددة الزراعة وتخزين الطاقة وسلاسل القيمة المقاومة لتغير المناخ. وفي إطار مشروع كاربونيفا، لا تُقيَّم أنظمة الطاقة المتجددة بناءً على كثافة انبعاثات الكربون فحسب، بل أيضًا بناءً على تفاعلاتها النظامية مع المياه والأراضي والنظم البيئية والمجتمعات ويصبح تخطيط الطاقة تخطيطًا متكاملًا، يربط أهداف المناخ بأولويات التنمية واحتياجات المرونة. ويُعد هذا النهج المتكامل ذا أهمية خاصة في المناطق التي تواجه مخاطراً مركبة، حيث يتقاطع تغير المناخ مع ندرة المياه وانعدام الأمن الغذائي والضغط الديموغرافي.

دمج التكيف والتخفيف

من ضمن التحديات المستمرة في سياسات المناخ، فإن الفصل المصطنع بين التخفيف والتكيف يعتبر من أبرزها. وهنا تعمل كاربونيفا على تقليل هذا التحدي من خلال اعتبارهما عنصرين مترابطين تحت نظام واحد. تؤثر آثار تغير المناخ على أنظمة الطاقة من خلال الإجهاد الحراري، وتوافر المياه، والظواهر المناخية المتطرفة. وفي ذات الوقت، فإن خيارات التخفيف تقوم بتشكيل القدرة على التكيف من خلال التأثير على النظم البيئية، والبنية التحتية، والعدالة الاجتماعية. وتجاهل مثل هذه التفاعلات يؤدي الى سوء التكيف وضياع الفرص. لذلك، تُركّز كاربونيفا على التغذية الراجعة بدلاً من المسارات الكتابية. يقوم خفض الانبعاثات بإبطاء آثار تغير المناخ، وبالتالي تقليل الضغط على النظم البيئية والبنية التحتية. تقوم النظم البيئية الأقوى على عزل الكربون وتثبت الدورة المائية. وبالتالي تحسين المرونة المجتمعية باتباع مسارات تخفيف ذات طموح أعلى مما يُعزّز العمل المناخي ليصبح حلقة وصل داعمة بدل من كونه مفاضلة بين أمرين.

لماذا تُعدّ كاربونيفا مهمة بالنسبة للجنوب العالمي

على الرغم من أهمية نموذج كاربونيفا على مستوى العالم، إلا أن قيمته تبرز بشكل خاص في المناطق المعرضة لتغير المناخ، مثل الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا. ففي هذه المناطق، يُهدد تغير المناخ الأمن المائي، وإنتاج الغذاء والاستقرار الاقتصادي، مما يجعل التكيف أولوية ملحّة، يقدم كاربونيفا بديلاً لنماذج المناخ التي تُعطي الأولوية لأهداف خفض الانبعاثات دون معالجة مواطن الضعف المحلية ومن خلال دمج التخفيف ضمن أهداف التكيف والتنمية، فإن كاربونيفا يدعم استراتيجيات مناخية تتسم بالمسؤولية العالمية والجدوى المحلية. وبالنسبة للدول التي تواجه الجفاف والإجهاد المائي وتحولات الطاقة في آن واحد، فإنكاربونيفا يوفر رؤية متكاملة تربط بين نشر الطاقة المتجددة وبناء القدرة على المقاومة وإدارة الكربون.

نحو تنمية إيجابية للمناخ

في نهاية المطاف، يُغيّر نموذج كاربونيفا طموح العمل المناخي، فبدلاً من الاقتصار على تحقيق نتائج “منخفضة الكربون” أو “صافي انبعاثات صفرية”، فأنهيفتح المجال أمام أنظمة المناخ الايجابية لتُحسّن بشكل فعّال القدرة على الصمود، وتُعيد تأهيل النظم البيئية، وتُثبّت دورات الكربون. ولهذا التحوّل آثارٌ على تصميم السياسات، وأولويات الاستثمار والحوكمة. فهو يدعو إلى تكامل للمؤسسات، وتخطيط شامل للقطاعات، ومؤشرات تُراعي القدرة على الصمود والفوائد المشتركة إلى جانب الانبعاثات. كما يدعو إلى مناهج شاملة تربط العمل المناخي بسبل العيش والعدل والاستدامة طويلة الأجل.  في عالم لم تعد فيه المخاطر المناخية مجردة، يُقدّم نموذج كاربونيفا إطاراً موحداً للتعامل مع التعقيدات وتوجيه الانتقال نحو مجتمعات مرنة، ومنخفضة الكربون، وقادرة على التكيف.

ترجمة: ماجدة هلسه

أردنية متعددة الإهتمامات، لديها من الخبرة ما يقارب السبعة وعشرون عاماً في مجال المالية والإدارة في المؤسسات المحلية والدولية، وتعمل ماجدة حالياً مع التعاون الدولي الالماني كموظفة مالية. ومع ذلك كله وعلى الصعيد التطوعي، فإن لديها شغفاً كبيراً بالترجمة في كافة المواضيع والمجالات، وقد بُني هذا الشغف بالخبرة الشخصية والعملية على مدى هذه السنين.

Note: The original English version of the article is available at this link.

Solid Waste Management in Saudi Arabia

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Saudi Arabia has been witnessing rapid industrialization, high population growth rate and fast urbanization which have resulted in increased levels of pollution and waste. Solid waste management is becoming a big challenge for the government and local bodies with each passing day. With population of around 29 million, Saudi Arabia generates more than 15 million tons of solid waste per year. The per capita waste generation is estimated at 1.5 to 1.8 kg per person per day.

More than 75 percent of the population is concentrated in urban areas which make it necessary for the government to initiate measures to improve recycling and waste management scenario in the country. Solid waste generation in the three largest cities – Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam – exceeds 6 million tons per annum which gives an indication of the enormity of the problem faced by civic bodies.  

Waste Management Scenario

In Saudi Arabia, garbage is collected from individual or community bins and disposed of in landfills or dumpsites. Saudi waste management system is characterized by lack of waste disposal facilities and absence of tipping fees. Most of the landfills are expected to reach their capacities within the next 10 years. Recycling, reuse and energy recovery is still at an early stage, although they are getting increased attention. Waste sorting and recycling are driven by an active informal sector. Recycling rate ranges from 10-15%, mainly due to the presence of the informal sector which extracts paper, metals and plastics from municipal waste.

Dumping of wastes in deserts is a common sight in the Middle East

Recycling activities are mostly manual and labor intensive. Composting is also gaining increased interest in Saudi Arabia due to the high organic content of MSW (around 40%).  Efforts are also underway to deploy waste-to-energy technologies in the Kingdom. All activities related to waste management are coordinated and financed by the government.

Government Initiatives

The Saudi government is aware of the critical demand for waste management solutions, and is investing heavily in solving this problem. The 2017 national budget allocated SR 54 billion for the municipal services sector, which includes water drainage and waste disposal. The Saudi government is making concerted efforts to improve recycling and waste disposal activities.  Recently the Saudi Government approved new regulations to ensure an integrated framework for the management of municipal wastes. The Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs will be responsible for overseeing the tasks and responsibilities of the solid waste management system.

However, more serious efforts are required to improve waste management scenario in the Kingdom. A methodical introduction of modern waste management techniques like material recovery facilities, waste-to-energy systems and recycling infrastructure can significantly improve waste management scenario and can also generate good business opportunities. 

Conclusions

Strong legislations, financial support, public awareness, modern technologies and stakeholders’ participation should be the key in transforming Saudi Arabia into a ‘green’ nation. A strong political commitment and unflinching public support is mandatory for implementing a sustainable waste management strategy in the country.