Critical Minerals and the Water–Environment Nexus: Challenges and Pathways for Sustainable Extraction

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The rapid acceleration of the global energy transition has placed critical minerals at the center of economic, technological, and geopolitical transformations. Minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earth elements, and copper are indispensable for renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, digital infrastructure, and energy storage technologies. International institutions including the International Energy Agency (IEA), the United Nations (UN), and the European Union (EU) increasingly describe these resources as the backbone of decarbonization pathways [1]. However, the expansion of critical mineral extraction raises profound environmental concerns, particularly regarding water consumption, water pollution, ecosystem degradation, and social inequalities. While these materials are essential for achieving climate goals, their extraction paradoxically introduces new sustainability challenges that must be urgently addressed through integrated governance, technological innovation, and circular economy approaches.

sustainable extraction of minerals

The demand for critical minerals has grown exponentially over the last decade, driven primarily by clean energy technologies. According to the IEA, the deployment of renewable energy systems and electrification technologies is expected to multiply mineral demand several times by 2040, particularly for lithium, cobalt, and nickel used in batteries [1]. This surge in demand implies a significant expansion of mining activities worldwide, often in environmentally sensitive and water-scarce regions. Indeed, recent analyses indicate that at least 16% of global critical mineral extraction sites are located in areas experiencing high or extremely high water stress, where competition for water resources is already intense [2]. This spatial overlap between mineral resources and water scarcity constitutes one of the most critical environmental risks associated with the energy transition.

Water plays a central role in nearly all stages of mineral extraction and processing. It is used for ore separation, dust suppression, slurry transport, cooling systems, and chemical processing. Consequently, mining operations can require vast quantities of water, often exceeding local availability. Lithium extraction, particularly from brine deposits in South America’s “lithium triangle” (Chile, Argentina, Bolivia), is emblematic of this issue. The conventional evaporation method involves pumping large volumes of saline groundwater to the surface, where it is left to evaporate in ponds over several months. This process can require up to 500,000 gallons of brine water per ton of lithium produced [2]. Although brine itself is not potable, its extraction disrupts hydrological balances, potentially leading to freshwater depletion, aquifer mixing, and salinization of surrounding ecosystems.

The environmental consequences of such water-intensive practices are particularly severe in arid regions. In Chile’s Salar de Atacama, one of the driest places on Earth, lithium and copper mining operations have been reported to consume more than 65% of the region’s available water resources [2]. This has led to declining groundwater levels, degradation of wetlands, and significant impacts on biodiversity, including endemic species dependent on fragile desert ecosystems. Moreover, indigenous communities relying on limited water resources for agriculture and livestock have experienced reduced water availability and contamination risks. These localized impacts highlight the broader issue of environmental justice associated with critical mineral extraction, where the environmental costs are disproportionately borne by vulnerable populations.

Beyond water depletion, water pollution represents another major environmental concern. Mining processes often generate large volumes of waste containing heavy metals, acids, and toxic chemicals. These contaminants can infiltrate surface water and groundwater systems through tailings leaks, acid mine drainage, and improper waste disposal. For example, cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been associated with significant water contamination, affecting both human health and ecosystems [3]. Similar patterns have been observed in graphite mining regions in China, where chemical processing has led to water quality degradation [2]. These impacts are exacerbated by weak regulatory frameworks and insufficient environmental monitoring in many resource-rich countries.

The United Nations University (UNU) has emphasized the systemic nature of these challenges, warning that the environmental and social costs of critical mineral extraction are often externalized to vulnerable communities, while the benefits accrue globally through clean energy technologies [4]. This asymmetry raises critical questions about the sustainability and equity of current supply chains. The concept of “green extractivism” has emerged to describe this phenomenon, whereby the pursuit of low-carbon technologies reproduces patterns of environmental degradation and social inequality historically associated with fossil fuel extraction.

In response to these challenges, technological innovation is often presented as a potential solution to reduce the environmental footprint of mineral extraction. One promising approach is direct lithium extraction (DLE), which aims to recover lithium from brine without extensive evaporation. Compared to traditional methods, DLE technologies can significantly reduce water consumption, minimize land use, and decrease the risk of contamination. However, these technologies are still in early stages of development and face challenges related to scalability, cost, and environmental trade-offs, including energy use and chemical inputs [5]. Therefore, while technological improvements are necessary, they are not sufficient on their own to address the broader sustainability challenges of the sector.

Policy frameworks and governance mechanisms play a crucial role in mitigating environmental impacts. The IEA highlights water management as a key priority for sustainable mineral supply chains, alongside greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity protection, and community engagement [6]. Effective governance requires robust environmental regulations, transparent reporting, and inclusive decision-making processes that involve local communities and Indigenous peoples. However, many countries hosting critical mineral resources face governance challenges, including limited regulatory capacity, and lack of enforcement. These issues can lead to environmental degradation, human rights violations, and social conflicts.

The European Union has recognized the strategic importance of critical minerals through initiatives such as the Critical Raw Materials Act, which aims to secure sustainable and diversified supply chains [7]. Nevertheless, the EU remains heavily dependent on imports from regions with varying environmental and social standards. Recent reports have highlighted the risks associated with this dependency, including supply disruptions and ethical concerns related to mining practices. As a result, the EU is increasingly promoting domestic mining, recycling, and circular economy strategies to reduce reliance on primary extraction and minimize environmental impacts.

a coal mine in the United Kingdom

Circular economy approaches offer significant potential to alleviate pressure on natural resources and reduce water consumption associated with mining. Recycling of batteries, electronic waste, and industrial materials can recover valuable metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel, thereby reducing the need for new extraction. Additionally, improving product design, extending product lifetimes, and promoting material efficiency can further decrease demand for virgin resources. However, current recycling rates for many critical minerals remain low due to technical, economic, and logistical challenges [8]. Scaling up recycling infrastructure and developing efficient recovery technologies are therefore essential components of a sustainable mineral strategy.

Water stewardship is another critical dimension of sustainable mining. Companies are increasingly adopting water management practices aimed at reducing consumption, improving efficiency, and minimizing environmental impacts. These include water recycling and reuse, desalination, dry processing techniques, and the use of alternative water sources. Some mining companies have set ambitious targets to reduce water use and improve water quality, reflecting growing awareness of water-related risks [6]. However, voluntary initiatives alone are insufficient, and stronger regulatory frameworks are needed to ensure accountability and compliance.

Furthermore, the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into investment and supply chain decisions is gaining momentum. Investors, consumers, and policymakers are increasingly demanding transparency and sustainability in mineral sourcing. Initiatives such as the Global Battery Alliance’s “Battery Passport” aim to track the environmental and social impacts of battery production, including water use and emissions [9]. Such tools can enhance traceability, improve accountability, and support more sustainable consumption patterns.

Despite these efforts, significant challenges remain. The projected growth in mineral demand implies that even with improved efficiency and recycling, mining activities will continue to expand in the coming decades. This raises concerns about cumulative environmental impacts, including land degradation, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity. Climate change further exacerbates these challenges by altering precipitation patterns, increasing drought frequency, and intensifying water stress in many regions [4]. Therefore, a holistic and integrated approach is required to balance the benefits of critical minerals with their environmental and social costs.

Conclusion

Critical minerals are indispensable for the global transition to a low-carbon economy, yet their extraction poses significant environmental challenges, particularly in terms of water consumption and pollution. The concentration of mining activities in water-stressed regions, combined with the water-intensive nature of extraction processes, creates substantial risks for ecosystems and communities.

Addressing these challenges requires a combination of technological innovation, robust governance, circular economy strategies, and enhanced water stewardship. International cooperation and multi-stakeholder engagement are also essential to ensure that the transition to clean energy is both environmentally sustainable and socially equitable. Ultimately, achieving a truly sustainable energy transition will depend not only on the deployment of clean technologies but also on the responsible and ethical management of the resources that enable them.

References

[1] International Energy Agency (IEA), The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions, IEA, Paris, 2021.
https://www.iea.org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions

[2] World Resources Institute (WRI), More Critical Minerals Mining Could Strain Water Supplies in Stressed Regions, 2024.
https://www.wri.org/insights/critical-minerals-mining-water-impacts

[3] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Mineral Resource Governance in the 21st Century: Gearing Extractive Industries Towards Sustainable Development, UNEP, Nairobi, 2020.
https://www.unep.org/resources/report/mineral-resource-governance-21st-century

[4] United Nations University – Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH), Global Water Security Issues Series: Water, Critical Minerals and the Energy Transition, 2022.
https://inweh.unu.edu

[5] Flexer, V., Baspineiro, C.F., Galli, C.I., Lithium recovery from brines: A vital raw material for green energies with a potential environmental impact, Science of the Total Environment 639 (2018) 1188–1204.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.223

[6] International Energy Agency (IEA), Sustainable and Responsible Critical Mineral Supply Chains, IEA, Paris, 2023.
https://www.iea.org/reports/sustainable-and-responsible-critical-mineral-supply-chains

[7] European Commission, Critical Raw Materials Act, COM(2023) 160 final, Brussels, 2023.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu

[8] European Commission, Study on the EU’s List of Critical Raw Materials – Final Report, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2020.
https://op.europa.eu

[9] Global Battery Alliance, The Battery Passport: Giving an Identity to Batteries, World Economic Forum, 2022.
https://www.weforum.org

Why Solar Energy is the Best Option For Your Home

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Light from the sun can produce energy that powers an entire home. Solar panels use the most powerful but free energy source in nature. Solar energy is a renewable source. It reduces the carbon footprint of your home. Your electricity bills can greatly reduce after installing solar panels. There can be complete riddance from them if solar energy is the sole electricity source.

guide to home solar system

Once that investment is made, you can save a lot on regular expenditures. However, is this the best solution for your home?

Let’s find out if it is the best option for your home among rising electricity prices.

Costs of a Solar Panel?

If you are an environmentally-conscious person, changing your electricity source to solar power is one of the changes you can immediately bring.

It not only reduces cost but can also bring down the carbon footprint while increasing home values. Hence, you can get money when you sell extra power back to the grid.

The installation and maintenance costs are still high enough to reconsider solar power for many. Consider the costs and how much energy it produces after installing it throughout the house.  Compare it with what you would pay for electricity bills for the same amount of energy.

Calculate how many years it would take for the investment costs to pay itself in the saved costs of the electricity. Then decide if the investment is worth it.

Navigate Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

Before you install Smart Solar Energy in Newberg, Oregon, navigate the amount of energy you can save. Carry out a home energy audit to know where you are losing energy and how you can make the use more efficient. For instance, switch your lighting with energy-efficient LED bulbs.

You should also analyze the usage of electronics and appliances. Either replace them with highly efficient products or reduce their usage.

Note the energy use spent on heating and cooling your house. You will also need a significant amount of solar energy to meet that energy usage.

Weatherize your home and use cooling and heating appliances efficiently instead.

Benefits of Solar Panel

Working towards a green home by installing solar panels is not only beneficial to the owner but also for the environment.

A solar-powered home will reduce its carbon footprint. Besides that, it will also eliminate harmful emissions from the house. The market value of your home increases by installing solar panels. In fact, you can also earn money by selling the excess energy the solar panels produce.

Tips for Using Solar Power Effectively

Solar panels have a long lifespan working efficiently, up to 25 years. It is a long-term investment that will be covered in a few years. You also get green, clean energy throughout your home. You will no longer have to worry about power cuts or load shedding.

What Affects The Efficiency of Solar Panels?

If your solar panels are not working properly, external factors can affect their efficiency.

Suitability of Roof

Solar panels install on the roof, so it is essential to understand whether your roof can bear the weight of the panels. Wooden and slate roofs will be too brittle to handle up to 280 kg weight of the panels.

You need to consider the space alongside the weight. The panels need around 30 cm of space. Therefore, the roof should be spacious enough to hold it.

A 4kW solar system contains 16 panels which occupy up to 29-meter square space. Is your roof suitable for providing as much space?

Maintaining the Panels

Solar panels do not require as much maintenance. However, you would want them to work for 25 to 30 years without trouble.

solar panel maintenance

This is why you must routinely call a certified service provider or installer to check the solar panels. On your own end, you can ensure there is no dust, leaves, or branches blocking them.

Location and Angle

Solar panels need sunlight exposure from 9 am to 3 pm. Is the system placed in the most appropriate location where it receives maximum sunlight?

South facing direction is the most suitable for the solar panels ensuring they get maximum sunlight. After all, the angle and orientation of the roof affect the exposure to sunlight.

Solar Panel Size

Calculate the size of solar panels required by considering the size of the roof and your home’s energy requirements. The greater size of the panel corresponds to more electricity generation.

You can also choose efficient solar panels. For instance, monocrystalline panels are more efficient than polycrystalline systems. In that case, fewer solar panels generate more energy, and you will not need many.

Final Takeaway

Installing solar panels in your home is entirely your choice. You should first consider your budget and energy needs and then decide to install these panels. However, know that in the long term, it is an energy-efficient system that will improve the environment for future generations.

Recycling of Aluminium Cans

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Aluminium is a soft, durable and lightweight metal, made from Bauxite ore, which is mined from the earth. Bauxite is converted into alumina, a fine white powder, which is then smelted at over 700°C to become aluminium, which is one of the versatile products universally being used by consumers in a number of applications. The process is expensive and uses huge resources, including energy and fuel. Making cans out of aluminium for storing soft drinks and juices is one of the commonly used phenomenons as it takes five tonnes of Bauxite to make just one tonne of aluminium cans.

aluminium-cans-recycling

Many of the food and drink products we buy are packaged in cans made from either aluminium or steel and both of these materials can be easily recycled after we have finished with them to make either new cans or other allied suitable products.

Aluminium cans are very common in our daily life and is often consumed as  drink containers and later thrown as garbage in bins or being littered on streets and open plots. The good thing is that these cans provide source of food and income to many poor people who resort to collect them from the bins and open areas and sell it to the middle recycling shops in exchange of money. This practice is certainly restricting huge quantities of cans going to municipal landfill sites saving valuable space and is prompting informal recyclable material collection.

In the recycling process, special attention is often given to can ends, as they are typically made from a slightly different alloy than the main body of the can. These ends are designed to be durable and easy to open, and they play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the product during storage and transport. Efficient separation and recycling of can ends help ensure the overall quality of the recycled aluminum.

The aluminium can is the world’s most recycled packaging container. We need to understand that all aluminium cans are 100% recyclable. It can take up to 500 years for aluminium cans to decompose. Aluminium does not degrade during the recycling process, which means it can be repeatedly recycled many a times. Recycling aluminium saves millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases, energy, electricity and fuel for its transportation. Making aluminium cans from recycled materials requires less than 5% of the energy used to make new aluminium cans from Bauxite.

The recycling of aluminium generally produces significant cost savings over the production of new aluminium even when the cost of collection, separation and recycling are taken into account. Over the long term, even larger national savings are made when the reduction in the capital costs associated with landfills, mines and international shipping of raw aluminium are considered.

It is our environmental and social duty to separate aluminium cans from other domestic waste and either give to recyclers or separately discard it at bins, so that it can be easily collected by poor iterants. Before disposal, ensure that the aluminium cans are empty and not soiled and damaged. The collected cans in the Middle East are then taken to a local recycling facility where they are crushed, compacted, baled and later transported and exported to other countries for recycling, where they are milled and remade into new products.

An important fact is that recycling an aluminium can saves enough energy to run a television for three hours. If we throw away two aluminium cans, we waste more energy than is used daily by each of the billion human beings in the developing world.

We need to conserve our environmental resources and practice environmental friendly habits including aluminium can segregation and recycling. Brazil, recycles more than 98% of its aluminium can production, ranking first in the world followed by Japan with 83% recovery rate. Let us strive to make Middle East a recycling heaven and protecting our resources from any kind of pollution.

World Environment Day 2016: Focus on Illegal Wildlife Trade

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world-environment-day-2016World Environment Day, also known as WED, is commemorated annually on 5th June and is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness on the environment and promotes suitable actions. WED’s agenda is to empower people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development, promote an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes towards environmental issues, advocate partnership which will ensure all nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future.

The theme of World Environment Day 2016 is “Fight against the Illegal Trade in Wildlife” or Zero Tolerance for Illegal Wildlife Trade, which refers to the commerce of products that are derived from non-domesticated animals or plants usually extracted from their natural environment or raised under controlled conditions. It involves the trade of living or dead animals, skins, bones/ meat, or other products.

Wildlife trade is perhaps the most immediate threat to animals in many parts of the world. The illegal wildlife trade is estimated to be worth US$50-150 billion/ year. The global illegal fisheries catch is valued at US$10-23.5 billion/year and illegal logging, including processing, at US$30-100 billion/ year. Illegal wildlife trade is now an emerging issue. Today more elephants are being slaughtered than at any time in the past 20 years. Around 25,000 elephants were killed only in 2013 to supply the illegal ivory trade. For the rhinoceros between 2007 and 2013, the poaching increased by 7000% in South Africa.

Wildlife trade is a serious conservation problem. The world is dealing with an unprecedented hike in illegal wildlife trade, threatening to overturn decades of conservation gains. While, the legal wildlife trade is regulated by the United Nations’ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which currently has 170 member countries. Illegal wildlife trade is attracted by high profits and low risks associated with weak governance, corruption, absence of legislations, weak monitoring and lax penalties. International cooperation and mutual legal assistance among countries can help prevent, combat and eradicate such trafficking.

Wildlife trade is a serious conservation problem worldwide

Wildlife trade is a serious conservation problem worldwide

One of the most powerful tools for addressing illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade is awareness and education persuading consumers to make informed choices. Campaigns to change the public opinion are powerful tools for reducing this demand. This includes the people buying the end product as well as shop-keepers, suppliers and manufacturers.

The key to success in the fight against illegal wildlife trade is collaboration among countries and international agencies. Efficient control of transboundary movements of wildlife products requires good information exchange and cooperation, involving importing, exporting and transit countries. Mechanisms need to be enhanced to facilitate rapid exchanges of information between enforcement agencies. We need to understand the damage this illicit business is doing to the environment, economies, communities and security.

There is a need to change habits and behaviour so that demand for wildlife products decrease. World Environment Day 2016 encourages the celebration for all those species which are under threat and taking suitable local and national actions by all stake holders to help in protecting and safeguarding them for future generations. Urgent action is required which can collectively save the illegal wildlife trade. Let us become better stewards of our planet. Our decisions today will shape the world our children and grandchildren will live in.

What are the Popular Sources of Biofuels

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As the world seeks more and more ways to create eco-friendly energy sources, biofuels seem to be the only answer. Over the last few years, biofuels have been praised as being the best alternative to our fossil fuel crazy world. This is because they do not pollute the environment as much as the current fuel sources. Further, they are much cheaper.

biofuel-resources

Biofuels are produced from the following major sources.

Used cooking oil

This is one of the most popular sources of biofuels. Why?

Cooking oil is much easier to find. This is because it is used in a large number of households and other commercial entities that serve food. As such, biofuel companies can get into arrangements on how to collect the cooking oil.

Once it is delivered to the factory, the cooking oil then goes through a chemical process that cleans it and removes all impurities from it. It then goes through further processing until is suitable to be used as a fuel in vehicles and plant machinery.

Used cooking oil, as an environmentally friendly products is also used to produce other environmentally friendly products such as soap and even animal feed.

Corn

Another source of biofuels is corn. Corn is planted in large scale and set aside for the production of fuel. Once harvested and processed, corn produces ethanol.

This corn-ethanol is a popular fuel alternative and one derived from planted crops. Thus, making it the definition of biofuels. As a biofuel, it is clean and has little negative impact on the environment.

However, production of biofuel from corn has been met with a lot of controversy. This is because, the corn used to produce ethanol for fuel, is corn that could have been used as food by someone else. This means that, using corn for biofuel production may lead to large number of populations going without food.

Sugarcane

Sugarcane is a popular source of ethanol. Many sugarcane plantations and factories around the world, in addition to the production of sugar also produce ethanol. For a country like Brazil, one of the largest sugar producers in the world, biofuel ethanol produced from sugarcane is also highly popular in the country.

With the large production of ethanol from sugarcane, Brazil has managed to become an energy independent country. Due to this successful experiment in the country, sugarcane is considered as one of the leading sources of biofuel.

Canola

This is a crop that grows largely in Canada. It produces highly popular cooking oil known as canola oil. Canola oil as a food is popular for its low levels of cholesterol and thus considered among the healthy oils to use in cooking.

Besides cooking, canola is also a popular source of biofuel. It is easily and cheaply converted into a fuel. As a fuel, it has little emissions, thus it is friendly to the environment. It burns more efficiently than common fossil fuels used every day.

Challenges facing the production of biofuels

Availability of land

Biofuels are produced from sources that must be planted in fertile arable land that is also used for food production. As such, many food producers may be unwilling to use the land they use for food production for biofuel production lest they go hungry.

Made from food sources

Another challenge faced by biofuel production is that it is made from food. Corn which is a popular food product for both human and animals is also a popular source of biofuel.

This in turn leads to an increase in food prices as supply reduces due to the use of corn in the production of biofuels.

Conclusion

There are several sources of biofuel. These sources, as the term bio suggests, are also food products. With some chemical manipulation, they will produce high quality ethanol that is an efficient and clean burning fuel.

Used cooking oil is one of the alternative sources of biofuel that is not also a food source. It produces high-quality biofuels that save the environment from the impact of fossil fuels.

الأثر البيئي للتحول من استخدام الأكياس البلاستيكية إلى الأكياس القابلة لإعادة الاستخدام

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تُعتبر الأكياس البلاستيكية من أشدّ أنواع النفايات الصلبة ضرراً. حيث إنها السبب الرئيسي لانسداد المسطحات المائية، ومسبباً للإخلال بالنظم البيئية الطبيعية، وتلوث التربة، ونفوق الحيوانات والطيور. تتحلل الأكياس البلاستيكية إلى جزيئات بلاستيكية دقيقة، وتلوّث مصادر المياه وتدخل للسلسلة الغذائية عبر الحيوانات البحرية للإنسان.

يتم استهلاك أكثر من 5 تريليون كيس بلاستيكي حول العالم سنوياً وهذا يعطي فكرة واضحة عن حجم الخطر المحدق بالبيئة والصحة العامة. ولكن ماهي البدائل المتوفرة للأكياس البلاستيكية؟

يُعدّ استخدام الأكياس البلاستيكية القابلة للتحلل، والقطنية والقنبيّة والورقية من الحلول الممكنة للحدّ من التلوث البلاستيكي، وتقدم الأكياس القطنية – القابلة لإعادة الاستخدام والتحلل الحيوي – حلاً دائماً ومستداماً لمواجهة المشاكل البيئية المتفاقمة. وتعتبر هذه الأكياس خياراً ممتازاً لتكرار الاستخدام على المدى الطويل في التسوق اليومي لأي مستهلك واعي بيئياً.

في هذه المقالة، سنتناول إمكانية التحول من استخدام الأكياس البلاستيكية إلى الأكياس القطنية القابلة لإعادة الاستخدام ودورها في حماية البيئة.

an eco-conscious woman carrying a reusable cotton bag

ما هي الأكياس القطنية القابلة لإعادة الاستخدام؟

إن المادة الخام الأساسية لإنتاج هذه الأكياس هي عبارة عن ألياف من القطن الطبيعي، تتكون من السليلوز شديد القوة مما يمنح هذه الأكياس المتانة والصلابة. وتتوفر هذه الحقائب بأشكال وأحجام متنوعة، ابتداءاً من حقائب التسوق الخفيفة إلى حقائب القماش المتينة. ومن الأنواع الشائعة لهذه الحقائب: حقائب التسوق القطنية، والحقائب العضوية، والحقائب القطنية المعاد تدويرها.

الفوائد البيئية لاستخدام الأكياس القطنية القابلة لإعادة الاستخدام

تقليل البصمة البيئية

بالعادة فإننا نستخدم الأكياس البلاستيكية مرة واحدة فقط قبل أن نرميها وتجد طريقها لمكب النفايات حيث تتحلل إلى جزيئات بلاستيكية دقيقة تبقى لمئات السنين وتلوّث الهواء والماء والتربة إلى الغذاء. من ناحية أُخرى، فإنه بإمكاننا استخدام الأكياس القطنية القابلة للتحول البيئي وإعادة الاستخدام لسنوات عديده، ومن ثمّ نقوم بإعادة استخدامها لمسح الغبار أو أكياس للتخزين أو قطع قماش للتنظيف وما إلى ذلك الكثير من الاستخدامات. فإن هذا الكيس بنهاية عمره الافتراضي، يتحلل إلى سماد عضوي في غضون بضعة أشهر دون التسبب بأي ضررٍ للبيئة.

تقليل الاعتماد على الوقود الاحفوري

يحتاج إنتاج الأكياس البلاستيكية استخدام الوقود الاحفوري والمواد البتروكيماوية، وهذا يُلحق الضرر بالبيئة الطبيعية المحيطة. وبالحقيقة فإن المواد البلاستيكية تساهم بتغير المناخ طوال دورة حياتها. وعلى عكس ذلك، فإن الأكياس القطنية العضوية خالية تماماً من الكيماويات وتساهم بتعزيز الزراعة المستدامة والأخلاقية.

قابلة لإعادة الاستخدام بلا حدود وذات متانة عالية

تُصمم الأكياس البلاستيكية للاستخدام لمرة واحدة بالأساس مما يجعلها قابلة للتمزق بسهولة ويصعُب إصلاحها أو حتى إعادة استخدامها لأغراض أُخرى. بالمقابل، فإن الاكياس القطنية مصممة على أن تُستخدم مئات المرات على مدار سنين طويلة، وكما يمكن غسلها واصلاحها بسهولة وايضاً إعادة استخدامها وتدويرها كذلك. ينسجم استخدام هذه الأكياس تماماً مع توجهات الموضة العالمية الصديقة للبيئة، وتتوفر بخيارات عضوية، أو معاد تدويرها من مصادر تجارية عادلة. وتمتاز هذه الحقائب بقدرتها على حمل الأوزان الثقيلة دون أن تتمزق، وتستخدم بالسفر والتسوق على نطاقٍ واسع. وحالياً تقوم العديد من الشركات – في الأسواق العالمية مثل الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية وأوروبا وآسيا – إلى جذب المهتمين بالبيئة من خلال تخصيص الحقائب القطنية كأدوات إعلانية وتسويقية لعلاماتها التجارية.

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وقبل الختام، لا بُدّ لنا من كلمة تحذيرية

يعتمد الأثر البيئي لاستخدام أكياس القطن على سلوكك، ولضمان الاستخدام المستدام لهذه الأكياس، إتّبع النصائح التالية:

  1. اشترِ حقائب التسوق القماشية بكميات كبيرة لتوفير التكاليف.
  2. أعد استخدامها لمئات المرات على مدار سنين طويلة.
  3. تجنب تجميع أو تكديسها الحقائب القطنية.
  4. اغسل الأكياس القطنية بالماء البارد وأتركها تجف بالهواء.
  5. تستطيع إصلاح الحقيبة القطنية عن طريق الخياطة البسيطة في حال تلفها أو تمزقها.
  6. لا تضعها في حاوية إعادة التدوير أو القمامة، بل قم بقصها واستخدامها كقطعٍ قماشية للتنظيف.

الخاتمة

يُعتبر استخدام الأكياس القطنية في حياتك اليومية وسيلة بسيطة وحقاً فعّالة لمواجهة أزمات البلاستيك المتفاقمة. حيث تقدم الأكياس القطنية حلاً جذاباً للمستهلكين الباحثين عن بدائل مستدامة للأكياس البلاستيكية، تصرف الآن وقم بالتخلص من البلاستيك واستخدم الأكياس القطنية القابلة لإعادة الاستخدام والتحلل الحيوي لإحداث تغيّر ملموس وإيجابي في البيئة.

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.

الاستخدام المسؤول للموارد الطبيعية لترتيب منزلك

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تنظيف المنزل هو روتين يجب القيام به بانتظام بحيث يؤهل إمكانية العيش في بيئة مريحة.  يمكن لبعض الطرق المستخدمة لتنظيف المنازل أن تؤثر سلبًيا على البيئة بطرق مختلفة. لمنع ذلك  يمكنك اتباع طرق صديقة للبيئة. يمكنك التعرف علي من ٦ طرق المسماة بالطرق الخضراء لترتيب منزلك:

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منتجات التنظيف المحضرة في المنزل

منتجات التنظيف منزلية الصنع بمكونات طبيعية مثل عصير الليمون والخل الأبيض وصودا الخبز وزيت الزيتون مثالية لتنظيف منزلك لأنها لا تؤثر سلبًا على البيئة. هذه منتجات آمنة وصديقة للبيئة  ويمكن استخدامها لأغراض مختلفة مثل تنظيف المطبخ والنوافذ والحمام.

إذا كنت تريد التخلص من الحشرات والمخلوقات البكتيرية التي تظهر على الأسطح ، يمكنك التفكير في طرق صديقة للبيئة للقيام بذلك. على سبيل المثال، المدن التي تتمتع بالجمال مدينة سياتل الامريكية التي تتمتع بمناخ دافئ ومحيطي وصيف جاف نسبيا. يمكن للحشرات والمواد الأخرى أن تزدهر في هذا المناخ ، لذا من الضروري إلى إيجاد طرق خضراء صديقة للبيئة للقضاء عليها. طرق العلاج الأخرى التي تستخدم فيها مواد كيميائية يمكن أن تكون خطرة على البيئة، والحيوانات الأليفة، وكذلك على البشر. لذلك يجب علينا دائمًا إعطاء الأولوية لسلامتنا وسلامة البيئة المحيطة بنا.

التجنب من استخدام المنظفات التي تساهم في التلوث

الخيار الآخر للتنظيف  للمنزل الذي لا يؤثر سلبيا على البيئة هو مراعاة المنظفات التي لا تسبب تلوث الهواء. على سبيل المثال ، بدلاً من تنظيف الأرضيات  بمكنسة كهربائية، من الأفضل استخدام المكنسة اليدوية. قد يستغرق ذلك وقتًا طويلاً ، ولكنه أفضل بكثير لبيه خالية من تلوث الهواء.

إستخدم الماء للتنظيف

يمكنك أيضًا استخدام الماء النظيف فقط عند تنظيف بلاط الأرضيات و السيراميك. إذا لم يكن هناك بقع ترابية على البلاط ، يمكنك ببساطة مسحها باستخدام الماء النظيف وتجنب المنظفات الكيميائية والمكونات الصناعية الأخرى لتأثيرها السلبي على البيئة المحيطة مما قد تنتج منها مشاكل صحية في حالة تعرضها للجسم .

إستخدم الصودا لتنظيف السجاد

عندما تكون سجادتك متسخة ، يمكن أن يكون مظهرها غير لايق ، ويمكن أن تنتج أيضًا رائحة كريهة منها. في هذه الحالة يمكنك استخدام صودا الخبز لتنظيف السجادة، وهي خيار مثالي لأنها خالية من المواد الكيميائية السامة. يمكن للصودا أيضًا أن تجعل سجادتك تبدو وكأنها جديدة.

إستخدم الماء المغلي للتنظيف

عند تنظيف الأسطح من مخلفات الزيت مثل طاولات المطبخ والأحواض ، يمكنك استخدام الماء المغلي لأنه الماء المغلي يمكن أن يذيب الأوساخ حتى تتمكن من مسحها بقطعة قماش نظيفة. يمكن أن يساعد استخدام الماء المغلي أيضًا على حل الرواسب التي تساهم في سد نظام الصرف في المطبخ فبدلاً من استخدام المواد الكيميائية التي يمكن أن تكون سامة وتتسبب تأثير سلبي على البيئة.

تنظيف الهواء الداخلي بشكل طبيعي

من الممكن تنظيف الهواء الداخلي بشكل طبيعي عن طريق فتح النوافذ قدر الإمكان. هذا الخيار آمن بدلاً من استخدام معطرات هواء اصطناعية التي يمكن أن تؤثر على البيئة. ولكن يجب عليك أولاً التحقق من عدم وجود رياح قوية يمكن التي من الممكن تنشر جزيئات الغبار داخل المنزل. فتح النافذة سيسمح بنشر ضوء الشمس ونسيم الهواء في منزلك مما قد يجعل منزلك منتعشًا وذلك قد يساهم يمنك الأمراض نظرًا لمدى فائدة ضوء الشمس والهواء الطبيعي.

تكتسب الاهتمامات البيئية اعترافًا متزايدًا في جميع المجالات حول العالم ، لذلك يجب أن نقوم بدورنا تجاه لتأمين بيئة أفضل دورك أيضًا. يمكنك القيام بذلك من خلال اعتماد طرق خضراء لترتيب منزلك. هذه الطرق نظيفة وصديقة للبيئة.

ترجمة:

محمد عدنان النخلي- مهندس كيميائي- مهتم في تفكك البوليميرات إلى موادها الأولية وتحويلها إلى مواد مفيدة، وتقليل المخلفات البلاستيكية في البيئة.

الطرق المتبعه لتخفيف آثار العواصف الرمليه والترابيه

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sandstorm-arabiaالعواصف الرملية والترابية تتسبب في آثار سلبية كبيرة على المجتمع والاقتصاد والبيئة في النطاق المحلي والإقليمي والعالمي. هناك ثلاثة عوامل رئيسية مسؤولة عن توليد العواصف الرملية والترابية – الرياح القوية، وعدم وجود الغطاء النباتي وعدم سقوط الأمطار. المخاطر البيئية والصحية لهذه العواصف لا يمكن التخلص منها  بشكل دائم، ولكن يمكن الحد من الاثار الناتجة من خلال اتخاذ التدابير المناسبة.

مع ارتفاع مستوي الغبار، فإنه يقلل من مدى الرؤية الأفقية التي يمكن أن تؤثرعلي حياة الإنسان بطرق عديدة. حيث ان هذه الجزيئات العالقة تحتوي أيضا علي الملوثات والبكتيريا وحبوب اللقاح التي تسبب تأثيرات سلبية على الصحة مثل الحساسية وأمراض الجهاز التنفسي. كما يحمل الغبار الملوثات التي يحملها الهواء مثل السموم والمعادن الثقيلة والملح والكبريت، والمبيدات الحشرية وغيرها و التي تسبب تأثيرات صحية كبيرة علي الانسان مستنشق الغبار الملوث. الغبار يمكن أن يؤدي الي تآكل المباني وغيرها من البنية التحتية المبنية حيث انه يحتوي علي الكثير من المعادن التقيله والجزيئات الحمضية كما أنه يحتوي على مستوى عال من الأملاح، وخاصة في دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي.

التأثيرات البيئية والصحية

سوء نوعية الهواء – ويرجع ذلك إلى زيادة في احمال الملوثات ودرجات خطيرة من الجسيمات العالقة في الهواء والتي تستنشق اثناء العواصف الرملية والترابية.

زيادة في المخاطر البيئية المتصلة  كالنقل والبناء والصحة.
ترسب الغبار على الاراضي الزراعية يمكن أن يسبب جفاف الأوراق وتؤخر نمو النباتات وتسبب أضرارا بالمحاصيل.

يسبب جزيئات الغبار العالقة في الماء عرقلة تغلغل ضوء الشمس في قاع البحر، وبالتالي يؤثر على دورة الحياة البحرية.

الآثار الاجتماعية

سوء الحالة الصحية نتيجة استنشاق الجزيئات العالقة والملوثات الموجودة بالغبار.

حوادث الطرق وأخطار الطيران بسبب سوء الرؤية الافقية.

تقيد وتأخير لمواعيد الهبوط والإقلاع من الرحلات الجوية وحركة السفن

زيادة في الإجهادات المرتبطة بتلف المحاصيل الزراعية.

الآثار الاقتصادية

الأضرار التي لحقت الهياكل الخرسانية والطرق وحمامات السباحة الخ بسبب ترسب الغبار

التكاليف المرتبطة تنظيف الغبار المتسلل داخل المنزل والمباني وتنظيف المركبات

تكلفة إزالة الرمال من الطرق والمباني

التكاليف المرتبطة بالحوادث، خسارة مادية أو تأخير في الرحلات الجوية، تأخير في حركة المركبات،

التكاليف المرتبطة بتنظيف اجزاء البنية التحتية مثل خطوط الأنابيب المدفونة بسبب الرمال والغبار النفط خلال العواصف

الحد من تأثير العواصف الرملية والترابية

يمكن الحد من الآثارالمرتبطة بالعواصف الرملية والترابية باستخدام عدد من تدابير الصحة والسلامة واستراتيجيات الرقابة البيئية.

العواصف الرملية والترابية على نطاق واسع عموما من الظواهر الطبيعية وأنه غير منطقي لاتخاذ الاجراءات لتلافي ومنع حدوثها ومع ذلك، يمكن أن تؤخذ تدابير الرقابة للحد من آثاره.

عملية انبعاثات الغبار على نطاق ضيق بسبب الأنشطة البشرية يمكن الحد منها باستخدام الطرق الميكانيكية المؤقتة مثل حاجز خرساني، التغطية للمكان، او طبقة مانعه للانتشار علي طريق الحزام الشجري الخ

اساليب السيطره المناسبة من عوامل رفع الغبار مثل زيادة الغطاء النباتي كلما كان ذلك ممكنا.حيث  أنه يساعد في استقرار التربة والكثبان الرملية ومصدات الرياح تعتبر نموذج لذلك.

استخدام الطبيعة ممثله في النباتات والأشجار يمكن أن يقلل من سرعة الرياح والرمال و الانجرافات الحادثه للتربه نتيجة شدة الرياح.

تنفيذ المباني بشكل جيد واختبار اماكن التسريب والتهوية خلال انشاء المبني.

الطرق المتبعه لتخفيف آثار العواصف الرمليه والترابيه

اتخاذ تدابير حذرية اضافية للفئة السكانية الضعيفة مثل الأطفال وكبار السن والمرضى.

استخدام أقنعة الغبار – أقنعة الغبار التي لها المرشحات المساعدة علي تصفية الجسيمات الصغيرة والملوثات. وبالتالي، يجب استخدام القناع خلال العواصف الترابية. وضع منشفة مبللة أو الأنسجة على الأنف والفم وشرب الكثير من السوائل.

تنظيف الوجه، والأنف والفم في كثير من الأحيان لمنع أي غبار يدخل إلى الرئتين ويجب الاستنشاق ببعض الماء عن طريق الأنف لتنظيف الأنف من جزيئات الغبار.

إغلاق الأبواب والنوافذ بإحكام، وسحب جميع الستائر مع وضع المناشف المبللة على الثقوب الصغيرة التي قد تكون مصدر لتسريب الغبار في النوافذ المستديرة

التقليل من الأنشطة في الهواء الطلق والبقاء داخل المنزل.

ترجمه:

هبة احمد مسلم – دكتور الهندسة البيئية. باحث في الشئون البيئية. معهد الدراسات والبحوث البيئية– جامعه عين شمس. مدرس التحكم في البيئة والطاقه داخل المباني.

للتواصل عبر hebamosalam2000@gmail.com

British Coal as a Warning for the Global Energy Transition

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The history of the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain is often portrayed as a linear path of technological progress and economic expansion. Yet this narrative conceals structural costs that, in light of today’s energy transition challenges, deserve rigorous re-examination. The rise of coal in the 18th and 19th centuries formed the energy backbone of modern industrialization, enabling unprecedented growth in production, urbanization, and trade. However, this transformation came with deep and lasting social, environmental, and economic damages, some of whose underlying mechanisms risk being replicated today in the global energy transition, characterized by a heavy reliance on critical minerals whose demand is expected to triple by 2030 and quadruple by 2040. Drawing lessons from this historical period is therefore not an academic exercise, but a strategic necessity.

a coal mine in the United Kingdom

The development of coal in Great Britain was built on intensive exploitation of both natural and human resources, in a context where regulatory frameworks were almost non-existent. Coal mines, particularly in northern England and Wales, relied on a large workforce that included women and children, operating under extremely dangerous and poorly regulated conditions [1]. Accidents were frequent, and occupational diseases, especially respiratory illnesses, developed without recognition or compensation. This situation reflected an economic logic in which maximizing production took precedence over any social consideration, a dynamic that can still be observed today in certain supply chains of strategic raw materials [2].

From an environmental perspective, the massive use of coal profoundly altered British ecosystems. Coal combustion generated high levels of air pollution, particularly in major industrial cities such as London, where smog episodes reached critical levels as early as the 19th century [3]. Beyond air pollution, however, the impacts on water resources were especially significant. Mining activities led to the contamination of groundwater with heavy metals and acids resulting from mine drainage, a phenomenon known as acid mine drainage [4]. Rivers located near mining basins were heavily degraded, affecting aquatic biodiversity as well as domestic and agricultural water uses [5]. This water pollution persisted long after mining activities ceased, illustrating the long-term nature of environmental damage associated with coal.

Moreover, while coal gradually replaced wood as the primary energy source, it paradoxically contributed to maintaining significant pressure on forest resources. Before the widespread adoption of coal, wood was extensively used for heating and metallurgy, already leading to substantial deforestation in Great Britain [6]. The introduction of coal reduced this direct dependence, but the industrial growth it enabled increased demand for wood in other sectors, particularly construction, railway infrastructure (railway sleepers), and structural supports within mines themselves [7]. Thus, coal did not eliminate pressure on forests; rather, it transformed and indirectly amplified it.

Economically, coal-based industrialization generated rapid growth but in a deeply unequal manner. The benefits were largely captured by mine owners and industrialists, while mining regions remained dependent on a single-sector economy, vulnerable to demand fluctuations and structural crises [8]. This lack of economic diversification had long-lasting consequences, as demonstrated by the difficulties faced by coal regions during their reconversion in the 20th century. This model of development—based on extracting and exporting raw resources without significant local value addition—bears striking similarities to the current situation of many resource-rich countries supplying critical minerals [9].

Governance in the coal sector during the 19th century was also marked by a lack of transparency and accountability. Working conditions, environmental impacts, and financial flows largely escaped public oversight, and the first regulatory measures were only introduced after major scandals and significant social mobilization [10]. This delayed response highlights the importance of establishing robust governance frameworks from the early stages of development of any strategic sector in order to avoid irreversible human and environmental costs.

In the current context of the energy transition, these historical lessons are particularly relevant. Low-carbon technologies such as batteries, wind turbines, and solar panels rely on specific materials whose extraction and processing are concentrated in a limited number of countries. Lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements have become strategic resources, and their demand is expected to grow exponentially in the coming decades [11]. This dynamic creates a clear risk of reproducing the imbalances observed during the Industrial Revolution, particularly in terms of economic dependency, environmental degradation, and human rights violations.

benefits of sustainable wood

Early signs of these risks are already visible. In certain regions of Africa and Latin America, cobalt and lithium extraction is associated with precarious working conditions, conflicts over water use, and significant impacts on local ecosystems [12]. Lithium extraction, in particular, requires large quantities of water, which can compete with the needs of local populations and agricultural activities [13]. These tensions echo the water-related conflicts observed in British mining regions during the 19th century, albeit in a different technological and geographical context.

In response to these challenges, it is essential to frame the energy transition not merely as a technological shift, but as a systemic transformation of production and governance models. Principles such as respect for human rights, environmental protection, equitable benefit sharing, financial responsibility, transparency, and international cooperation must be embedded from the outset in the design of critical mineral value chains. This includes developing binding international standards, implementing traceability mechanisms, strengthening institutional capacities in producing countries, and promoting local value addition.

It is also necessary to reduce pressure on primary extraction by advancing circular economy strategies, particularly through material recycling and optimization of resource use. Unlike coal, which was consumed irreversibly, critical minerals offer significant potential for reuse, which must be fully leveraged to limit the environmental and social impacts of their extraction [14]. This approach requires substantial investment in research and development, as well as in waste collection and processing infrastructure.

Finally, international cooperation plays a central role in the success of this transition. Critical mineral value chains are global, and their governance cannot be effectively ensured at the national level alone. Multilateral initiatives are needed to harmonize standards, share best practices, and prevent resource-related conflicts. The history of coal demonstrates that a lack of coordination can lead to destructive competition dynamics, whereas a collaborative approach can foster a more just and sustainable transition.

Bottom Line

The British Industrial Revolution provides a powerful historical precedent for today’s energy transition. It demonstrates that the choice of resources and technologies alone is insufficient to ensure sustainable development, and that the conditions under which they are exploited are equally decisive. As the world embarks on an unprecedented energy transformation, it is essential not to repeat the mistakes of the past. This requires constant vigilance, strong political will, and the ability to integrate social, environmental, and economic dimensions into a coherent long-term vision.

References

[1] International Energy Agency – The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions, IEA, 2021.
[2] The British Industrial Revolution in Global Perspective – Allen, R. C. (2009). Oxford University Press.
[3] Younger, P. L. (2001). Mine water pollution in Scotland. Science of the Total Environment.
[4] Acid mine drainage – Akcil & Koldas (2006), Journal of Cleaner Production.
[5] Blowes, D. W. et al. (2014). The geochemistry of acid mine drainage. Treatise on Geochemistry.
[6] Gray, N. F. (1997). Environmental impact of mining. Environmental Geology.
[7] Lottermoser, B. G. (2010). Mine Wastes: Characterization, Treatment and Environmental Impacts. Springer.
[8] Halliday, S. (1999). The Great Stink of London. Sutton Publishing.
[9] The Industrial Revolution in Britain – Berg, M. (1994). Routledge.
[10] Perlin, J. (2005). A Forest Journey: The Role of Wood in the Development of Civilization.
[11] The Condition of the Working Class in England – Engels, F. (1845).
[12] Mines Act – UK Parliament Archives.
[13] World Bank – World Bank (2020).
[14] United Nations Environment Programme – UNEP (2022).

The Impact of Climate Change on Public Health

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Anthropogenic climate change is adversely affecting our health which is becoming more severe with each passing year. As per conservative estimates, climate change causes more than 150,000 additional deaths per year. Climate change is threatening public health in general. The population of developing countries, arid regions, coastal areas, mountains and Polar regions are the most exposed to experiencing negative health effects associated with climate change. Children and elderly, especially in poor countries, are the most vulnerable groups.

Useful Resource: 8 Majors If You Want to Help the Public

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Heat Wave

Researches confirm that the average temperature will increase in the Middle East up to 2°C by 2050; therefore, the frequency of heat waves will rise. Rising summer temperatures will increase morbidity and mortality caused by cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases. For example, more than 70,000 additional deaths were recorded during the heat wave that affected Europe in the summer of 2003. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to intense heat is linked with fainting, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, and kidney stones.

Greenhouse gases affects the ozone layer causing ozone thinning and decreasing in absorption of harmful rays, which means increasing the concentration of UV rays reaching Earth, and thus an increased risk of skin diseases, skin damage, sun burns and skin cancer.

Natural Disasters and Changing Rainfall Patterns

Rising sea levels will result in relocation of residents of coastal areas which will in turn lead to an increase in the risk of health and psychological disorders.

Climate change affects the basis of health, namely adequate water and food resources; Water scarcity and quality deterioration affects health and hygiene negatively, since both will increase the risk of diseases, especially diarrhea, besides, water scarcity leads to serious health consequences such as drought and famine. Researches indicate that water scarcity will cause a 50% decrease in the basic food production in African countries by 2020, which in turn will increase the prevalence of malnutrition.

Hurricanes, floods and wildfires cause pollution of freshwater sources and increase the risk of water-borne diseases outbreak, as they create conditions favorable to insect vectors, such as mosquitoes and flies, additionally, environmental disaster are known to disturb one basic pillar of health, namely :adequate shelter, the destruction of homes and exposure of people to infectious diseases, such as cholera and dysentery to name two, in addition to placing pressures on social and economic systems that sustain health, which can contribute to poverty and conflict.

Vector-borne Diseases

Disease control is vital for both the health and economic growth of developing countries. Climate change hinders the of elimination of transmission disease, by favoring severe thermo-allergic reactions and deadly disease vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, flies, rodents, snails as well as the shifting in the geographic distribution of these disease vectors. Many dangerous infectious diseases are sensitive to temperature, humidity and rainfall, namely cholera.

Examples of deadly diseases favored by changing of climate, includes malaria and dengue. Climate change affects the geographical distribution and intensity of malaria transmission by favoring its vector “Anopheles” misquotes. The incubation period of the malaria parasite is 26 days at 25 °C, but it is reduced to 13 days at 26 °C.

Observations show an increase of malaria transmission in Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar, Ethiopia and Rwanda. Likewise, heavy rainfall and high temperatures leads to an increase in the transmission of dengue fever. By 2080, an estimated 2.5 billion more people will be at risk of contracting dengue fever worldwide.

Air Pollution

The changing climate is affecting the basic requirements for maintaining health — including clean air. Changing wind patterns contributes to transfer of dust, pollen, bacteria, mold, allergens cause’s respiratory infections and airborne diseases. Intense heat is expected to increase this burden due to the continued rising in temperature.

Moreover, rising temperatures and increasing in ground-level ozone is intensifying the rate and severity of asthma attacks, and causes irritation of the eyes and nose, cough, bronchitis and respiratory infections. In 1998 a scientific study conducted in Riyadh concluded that the dust sandstorms are a major source of respiratory diseases.

Response and Adaptation

The contribution of Arab countries to climate change mitigation is minimal; hence Arab world is facing its significant impacts, especially health threats consequences. Therefore, Middle East nations should take adaptation measures to reduce the health consequences associated with climate change and need to adopt an integrated approach to minimize its devastating effects. Some of the plausible solutions are as follows:

  • Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by switching to renewable energy, increasing energy efficiency, adoption of green building, trees planting, biodiversity protection and integrated sustainable management of land, water and waste.
  • Reduction in vehicles usage by promoting public transportation, cycling and walking. These actions are needed to reduce the emission of carbon, and to bring many health benefits, such as reducing air pollution.
  • Preparing a resilience plan and risk mapping showing vulnerable areas such as arid lands, and crowded cities.
  • Research to assess climate change impact on health in the Arab world.
  • Capacity building and development of health systems and their adaptation to respond to climate change.
  • Increasing public awareness about climate change threats to human health.
  • Facilitating access to information and knowledge and experience exchanging about the disease and the effects of climate change.
  • Ensuring climate justice to the victims of environmental degradation.

Arabic References

  1. Nuwayhid , faith , Joseph Raine , Rima Habib . ” Lethal diseases in a changing environment . ” Afedmag.com. Arab Forum for Environment & Development , Apr. 2010. Web. 10 May 2014
  2. Health: fears of the impact of climate change on neglected tropical diseases . ” Humanitarian news company , 2012.

English References

  1. Based on data from the United Kingdom Government Met Office. HadCRUT3 annual time series, Hadley Research Centre, 2008.
  2. Robine JM et al. Death toll exceeded 70,000 in Europe during the summer of2003. Les Comptes Rendus / Série Biologies, 2008, 331:171-78.
  3. Arnell NW. Climate change and global water resources: SRES emissions and socio-economic scenarios. Global Environmental Change – Human and Policy Dimensions, 2004, 14:31-52.
  4. Climate change 2007. Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Geneva, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007 (Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).
  5. Zhou XN et al. Potential impact of climate change on schistosomiasis transmission in China. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2008, 78:188-194.
  6. Hales S et al. Potential effect of population and climate changes on global distribution of dengue fever: an empirical model. The Lancet, 2002, 360:830-834.
  7. Global health risks: mortality and burden of disease attributable to selected major risks. World Health Organization, Geneva, 2000/
  8. World Health Organization, Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs117/en//.
  9. Maine CDC, Lyme Disease Surveillance Report – Maine 2008, http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/epi/publications/2008-Lyme-disease-Surveillance-Report.pdf.
  10. Supinda Bunyavanich et al., “The Impact of Climate Change on Child Health,” Ambulatory Pediatrics 3 (2003): 44-52.
  11. Center for Health and the Global Environment, Climate Change and Health in New Mexico, Harvard Medical School 2009.
  12. Jonathan A. Patz, “Impact of regional climate change on human health,” Nature 438 (2005): 310-317.
  13. R.S. Kovats et al., “The effect of temperature on food poisoning: a time-series analysis of salmonellosis in ten European countries,” Epidemiology and Infection 132 (2004): 443-453.
  14. David Wood, “Effect of Child and Family Poverty on Child Health in the United States,” Pediatrics 112 (2003): 707-711.
  15. Paul R. Epstein, “Climate change and Human Health,” New England Journal of Preventative Medicine 353 (2005): 1433-1436.

5 Eco-Friendly Habits That Reduce Fly Problems in Stables and Small Farms

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There are over 100,000 stable flies produced in a single pound of wet manure if the conditions are right. This staggering number illustrates why a proactive approach is the only way to keep your animals comfortable. When you focus on these five sustainable habits, you reduce the need for harsh chemicals while achieving better long-term results for your herd.

horses in a stable being bothered by flies

Daily Manure Management Routines

The most impactful habit any stable owner can adopt is a rigorous manure removal schedule. Flies require moist organic matter to lay their eggs, and a fresh pile of manure is the perfect nursery. By cleaning stalls and high-traffic paddock areas at least twice daily, you break the breeding cycle before the larvae have a chance to develop.

It is not enough to just move the waste away from the stall door. True fly control requires composting the manure far from the barn or hauling it off-site entirely.

If you keep your compost pile managed correctly, the internal heat generated by the breakdown process will actually kill fly larvae rather than sustain them. Consistency in this area alone can reduce your fly population by more than half without a single drop of spray.

Maintaining Dry Bedding Environments

Wet spots in a stall are a beacon for stable flies and houseflies alike. Moisture from urine or spilled water creates the anaerobic conditions that flies crave for reproduction. Transitioning to highly absorbent materials like wood shavings or sawdust bedding can significantly lower the moisture levels compared to traditional straw.

Keeping the floor bone dry requires more than just picking up the visible waste. You must strip the wet spots down to the base and allow the area to air out before re-bedding. This habit prevents the “fermenting” smell that attracts flies from miles away.

Strategic use of a natural fly spray for horses provides an added layer of protection during turnout without introducing synthetic toxins into the soil. These botanical options work by masking the scents that flies use to track their targets.

Improving Site Drainage Around Barns

Standing water is often overlooked in fly control, but it is a major contributor to the overall problem. Leaky hoses, overflowing troughs, and poorly graded entrances create mud holes that harbor larvae. Stable flies, in particular, love the mixture of mud and organic debris found at the edges of poorly drained paddocks.

Improving your drainage might involve regrading specific areas or installing gravel pads under water troughs to prevent muck from forming. It is also helpful to check your gutters and downspouts regularly to ensure rainwater is being diverted away from the barn interior. A dry perimeter is a hostile perimeter for a fly.

Planting Fly Repellent Vegetation

Nature has its own ways of keeping insects at bay, and you can leverage this by landscaping with intent. Certain plants contain natural oils that flies find repulsive. By placing these near barn entrances or around the perimeter of the arena, you create a soft biological barrier.

These plants are generally easy to maintain and provide a pleasant aroma for humans while offending the local fly population:

  • Catnip contains nepetalactone, which is more repellent than many synthetic alternatives
  • Peppermint and spearmint thrive in damp areas while blocking insect sensory receptors
  • Lavender provides a calming scent for horses while actively deterring flies

Integrating botanical species like catnip and mint into your farm design is a permanent, self-sustaining way to lower pest pressure. Unlike a misting system, these plants do not require electricity or refills to keep working season after season.

Utilizing Physical Barriers and Fans

Physical exclusion is the most reliable way to keep flies off your horses. This includes high-quality fly masks, sheets, and boots that prevent the insects from ever reaching the skin. In the barn, installing fine-mesh screens on windows and using heavy-duty strip curtains at doorways can keep the interior a “fly-free” sanctuary.

The power of a simple box fan should never be underestimated in a stable setting. Flies are weak fliers and struggle to navigate in winds over 5 miles per hour.

By mounting fans in stalls and grooming bays, you create a non-toxic protective zone. This also helps keep your horses cool during the peak of summer heat, which reduces the stress that often leads to a weakened immune system.

The dark interior of a well-shaded barn is another natural deterrent. Flies generally prefer bright, sunny areas for activity. Keeping your barn interior relatively dim during the hottest parts of the day can encourage flies to stay outside, where they are less of a nuisance to your stabled horses.

Sustainable Fly Prevention Strategies

Transitioning away from heavy chemical use requires a change in mindset. You are no longer trying to kill every fly on the property; you are managing the environment so they choose to be elsewhere. These daily habits build a foundation of health and cleanliness that benefits every animal on the farm.

When these habits become part of your standard operating procedure, you will notice a significant decrease in tail swishing, stomping, and head shaking. It is a long-game approach that pays off in calmer horses and a more pleasant working environment for you.

To learn more about running your operations in an eco-friendly way, stick around on our site and see the other environmental coverage we’ve put together.

How to Prepare Your Home for Loved Ones with Disability

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Preparing a home for living with a disability is not as easy as you think. It requires various considerations to ensure mobility and safety. It is always important to consider the condition of your loved one before setting up your home.

Experts recommend different tips for preparing your home for living with a disability. It is also worth investing a little bit on some features of your home such as lighting, doors, acoustic, floor and aesthetics. These features need specific refinement to make your home more accessible and friendly for people with disabilities.

Below are a few ways to prepare your home for loved ones with disability:

home-remodeling-for-disabled

Plan

Do your research before remodelling or preparing midlands care home for people with disabilities. Consider the condition of the person before the remodelling process. Getting it right is essential as it saves you money and prevents headaches! Take your time. Think it over and over again.

Invest on door and door handles

Remote controlled doors are the best for people with limited hand mobility. Change your doorknobs to handles for easy twisting. You may also consider installing Smart powered doors on most used rooms in the house. Make sure that the door handle is still fully operational in case of a power cut.

The doorways should be 36 inches wide or larger for easy wheelchair mobility.  In addition, it is also essential to include a small peephole on bathroom doors to keep you talking with the person using the toilet.

Allow sufficient lighting

Lighting is vital for safety and comfort. Make sure that hallways, stairwells and other parts of your home are well-lighted for safety purposes. Light switches should be within comfortable reach. Visually impaired individuals need the right level to help them see well.

Sufficient lighting can prevent accidents such as tripping and falling, which is a concern for the elderly. It also allows the carer to respond quickly if accidents occur.

Get an expert to check the acoustics

Noise can bring discomfort to people with dementia and other types of neurological illness. Extreme noise levels may trigger the condition resulting in panic attacks, anxiety, high blood pressure, confusion and increased heart rate.

Sound insulation is an effective way to block noise and also prevent disturbance. A quiet room allows a person with a disability to stay calm and relax while agitated. Get professional help to work on the acoustics in your home to achieve a calming environment. A quiet environment can reduce stress and improve the interpretation of the stimulus in the environment.

Choose the right material for the floor

Hardwood floor is more comfortable to navigate and can even increase the market value of your property. Choose a flooring material that is smooth, firm and relatively non-porous for the wheelchair to transition seamlessly and to prevent slipping, tripping or falling.

bathroom-remodeling-for-disabled

Vinyl or laminate flooring is amongst the best choices because it is not too expensive. If you prefer the ceramic or stone tiles in your kitchen or bathroom, make sure that it is slip-resistant.

Stairs and Lifts Adaptation

Stairlifts, floor lifts and stair climbers are a few adaptations that you can integrate into your stairs to ensure safety and improved mobility. The specifications and features of the stairs and lifts should depend on the physical needs and type of disability. It would be best if you get an expert to inspect your home before doing the stair and lift installation.

The quality of stairs and stairlifts for the disabled should be emphasised to avoid pain, stiffness and other discomforts, which can prevent the person from manoeuvring effectively.

Integrate technology

Smart home technology is a significant advantage for household members with disabilities. It makes them feel less dependent on carers and allows them to move around comfortably. Smartphones, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, motion sensor and voice activation are a smart technology that you should consider for your home. These tools are now available and can be installed easily.

Ensure accessibility

Look for ways to make daily routines easier and more comfortable. Consider the design and height of the furniture to alleviate mobility issues. It is worth hiring an interior designer with expertise in designing homes for the disabled to make sure that everything is in place.

People with disabilities need to feel less dependent on their carers. Delah from Maidforyou stated that ‘improving the features of your home to meet the physical needs of your loved ones with a disability is a way of showing love and care for them’.

Remember to always consider the nature of disability before remodelling your home. Thinking it through allows you to view other possibilities and ways to make their daily life easier and more convenient.

Lastly, get professional help! They are equipped with the most updated tools and knowledge in preparing a home for living with a disability.