A Message on International Youth Day 2016

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The theme of International Youth Day 2016 is ‘The Road to 2030: Eradicating Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Consumption and Production’. Globally the governments and organizations are making efforts in involving the youth in environmental conservation and preservation and assisting them in improving the environmental situation and public health in their own areas, cities and countries.

International-Youth-Day

The International Youth Day is also meant to recognize efforts of the world’s youth in enhancing global society. It also aims to promote ways to engage them in becoming more actively involved in making positive contributions to their communities. The involvement in environmental conservation and decision-making and in the implementation of programs is critical and crucial to the long-term success of a healthier world.

Brief Background

The world youth makes up one sixth of the total population of the world. The UN defines the youth as the age group between 15 and 24 years old. Majority of these young men and women live in developing countries and their numbers are expected to rise with time. In 1998 a resolution proclaiming August 12 as International Youth Day was adopted during the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth. That recommendation was later endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 1999. International Youth Day was first observed worldwide on 12th August in 2000.

Towards Sustainable Consumption

Many global programs and initiatives are now involving and targeting the youth for bringing in the change. Sustainable consumption is an umbrella term that brings together a number of key issues, such as meeting needs, enhancing the quality of life, improving resource efficiency, increasing the use of renewable energy sources, minimizing waste, taking a life cycle perspective and taking into account the equity dimension.

Youth constitutes one-sixth of the world’s population

Sustainable consumption and production maximize business potential to transform environmental challenges into economic opportunities and provide a better deal for consumers. The challenge is to improve the overall environmental performance of products throughout their life-cycle, to boost the demand for better products and production technologies and to help consumers in making informed choices. It involves different stakeholders, including business, consumers, policy makers, researchers, scientists, retailers, media, and development cooperation agencies, among others.

youth-sustainable-development

Youth constitutes one-sixth of the world’s population

Focus on Food Waste

The theme of International Youth Day 2016 is important for food, water and energy consumption as each year, an estimated one third of all food produced, equivalent to 1.3 billion tons’ worth around $1 trillion ends up rotting in the bins of consumers and retailers, or spoiling due to poor transportation and harvesting practices.

Almost 1 billion people go undernourished and another 1 billion hungry. Overconsumption of food is detrimental to our physical and mental health and the environment. 2 billion people globally are overweight or obese. Land degradation, declining soil fertility, unsustainable water use, overfishing and marine environment degradation are all reducing the ability of the natural resource base to supply food.

Need for Coordinated Action

Many activities and events that take place around the world on International Youth Day promote the benefits that young people bring into the world. Many countries participate in this global event, which may include youth conferences on issues such as environment, education and employment.

Other activities include promoting the world’s youth, as well as various sporting events, parades and mobile exhibitions that showcase young people’s achievements. The concerned authorities in the country give high priority to the youth and youth programs and involve them in planning and implementing activities that enhance their awareness on environmental issues and problems.

Many NGOs and community based organizations are working in enhancing the awareness on environmental subjects and problems. Local organizations are targeting not only towards sports, religion and charity but area cleaning and enhancing landscaping have also become a priority. Let the youth work on reducing the food waste, promote recycling and reuse, conserve electricity and water, cleaning and beautifying their areas and teaching others to take care of our planet.

Why is it Important to Reuse and Repurpose Old Clothes?

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Tens of millions of tons of old clothes are discarded worldwide each year. In affluent countries, around 5-6% of the municipal solid waste is comprised of used clothes.  Americans discarded 14 million tons of textiles in 2018, out of which only 15 percent was recycled, while more than 11 million tons of textiles were dumped in landfills across the country. The situation is no different in the Middle East where huge amount of clothes and other fabrics gets accumulated in our homes each year.

reuse-old-clothes

When thrown in communal bins, textile wastes are transported to the landfill site, where it is dumped and buried taking a sizeable area of the landfill space and entailing cost of transportation and handling. Decomposing textiles releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas and a significant contributor to global warming. There are dyes and chemicals in fabric and other components of clothing that can leach into the soil, contaminating both surface and groundwater.

Rash purchases and impulse buying, especially in ‘discount sales,’ are the main reason for un-worn clothing pile up at our homes, which takes up a sizeable portion of our wardrobe storage areas. Another reason of not discarding the clothes is the guilt over wasting money which keeps us from throwing out unwanted clothes. Especially women hoard particular styles of clothes in the hope of a fashion revival.

According to https://insightclothing.co.uk/, The first task is to evaluate what we have been wearing and what we will use and what can be discarded. The second task is to see if these clothes can be altered and re-worn by us or our household members. Next task is to see if these clothes can be re-used or re-purposed for other draping like windows, covers, ventilators etc. Finally the option is to donate these textiles to poor people and charity organizations benefiting the community.

We should try to understand that over 70% of the world’s population uses second-hand clothes. Let these clothes find a new face and bring smile on the faces of less-privileged communities. This act of kindness is not only morally pleasing and religiously satisfying but will also depict that we care for waste, community and the environment.

Many local charities in the Middle East understand this situation and have placed containers and boxes for collection of used clothes from the community. Kindly look for these in your area or donate your used clothing to people who really need them and can wear them with pride during festivals and other occasions.

If the clothing is not wearable, it can be converted into wipes that can be used around the house to clean up spills, dusting, cleaning your car etc. Worn-out textiles can be collected and reprocessed as fibers which can be used as filler in vehicle seats, upholstery, insulation, wipe clothes and rest can go to the landfill.

The clothing materials could be reused, repurposed and upcycled into a wide range of items, such as cloth bags, hats, quilts, etc. based on your creativity and usage. The bottom line is to have a regular clearance of your clothes and check your wardrobe making sure that new purchases are thought out and calculated.

كيفية التجنب من شرب المعادن الثقيلة؟

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تظهر المعادن الثقيلة بشكل طبيعي في البيئة المحيطة بنا. لذا فهي ليست من المواد التي نريدها في أجسامنا. ينتج عن كل من المعادن الثقيلة الشائعة تفاعلات مختلفة داخل الجسم. في بعض الحالات قد تساهم بعض المعادن بالتسمم أو بعض الأمراض. إليكم ما نحتاج معرفته عن المعادن الثقيلة وكيفية تجنب شربها.

hot-water-conservation

الأعراض التي تسببها المعادن الثقيلة إن وجدت في ماء الشرب

ليس من السهل دائمًا معرفة ما إذا كان لديكم معادن ثقيلة في مياه الشرب. تتراوح الأعراض المتعلقة بوجود كميات من المعادن الثقيلة من خفيفة إلى شديدة ، فهي تميل إلى التطور ببطء بمرور الوقت. تشمل بعض الأعراض الشائعة المرتبطة بالتعرض للمعادن الثقيلة ما يلي:

  • الإسهال والغثيان و / أو القيء
  • وجع البطن
  • ضيق في التنفس
  • ضعف عام

أشارت منظمة الصحة العالمية أن الولايات المتحدة هي واحدة من دول العالم التي تحتوي مياهها الجوفية بمستويات أعلى من مادة الزرنيخ. المعادن الثقيلة الشائعة الأخرى التي قد تكون في مياه منزلك تشتمل على كميات من النحاس والكادميوم والكروم والنيكل والرصاص. ترتبط بعض الأعراض بتناول كميات من المعادن الثقيلة.على سبيل المثال،التعرض بوجود كميات من الزئبق في مياه الشرب يؤدي بالتسمم، أو مشاكل في الكلام والسمع أو تغيرات في الرؤية أو تلف الأعصاب في اليدين أو الوجه.

اختبار جودة المياه الخاصة بمنزلك

الخطوة الأولى التي يمكنك اتخاذها لتجنب شرب المعادن الثقيلة التي قد تكون موجودة  الماء هي اختبار المياه للتأكد من خلو المعادن الثقيلة. ستحدد النتائج ما إذا كانت هناك كميات كبيرة من أي معادن ثقيلة شائعة في مياه منزلك. من المرجح أن تتجنب شرب المعادن الثقيلة إذا تواجدت في المياه القادمة إلى منزلك.

تجنب المأكولات البحرية التي تحتوي على مستويات عالية من الزئبق

إذا اتضح أنك تعرضت بتناول كميات أعلى من المعتاد من المعدن الثقيل في مياه الشرب او بعض المأكولات ، فإن اتخاذ خطوات إضافية لتجنب زيادة هذه الكميات قد يكون مفيدًا. المأكولات البحرية هي نقطة انطلاق جيدة. تعد أغلب المأكولات البحرية من المأكولات التي تحتوي على كميات قليلة بالمعادن الثقيلة. في الواقع ، تعد العديد من أنواع المأكولات البحرية مصدرًا موثوقًا للعناصر الغذائية المفيدة.

لكن ما من الأفضل تجنب تناول المأكولات البحرية التي تحتوي على مستويات عالية من الزئبق. وهذا يعني على وجه التحديد تجنب الاستهلاك المفرط لما يلي:

  • سمكة السيف
  • سمك المارلين
  • تونة كبيرة العين و التونة ذو الزعنفة الصفراء

فحص الأنابيب واستبدالها (إذا لزم الأمر)

معظم المنازل التي شيدت قبل عام ١٩٨٠ استخدم  لحام الرصاص لتأمين وصلات الأنابيب. تعاني بعض المنازل أيضًا من مشاكل في وجود كميات من الرصاص والنحاس في خطوط التوصيل المياه. لذا إذا أظهر الاختبار مستويات عالية من المعادن الثقيلة في مياه منزلك ، من الممكن أن تكون قد تسربت من خلال أنابيب المياه. يمكن أن يحدد فحص السباكة الشامل ما إذا كانت المشكلة من أنابيب المياه الخاصة بالمنزل. إذا كان الأمر كذلك، فتحديثات وتصليحات السباكة المناسبة سوق تكون الحل الأمثل لحل هذه المشكلة.

عدم استخدام الأطباق القديمة بشكل متكرر

قد تحتوي أواني السيراميك القديمة على الرصاص. إذا كنتم تستخدمون أطباق قديمة عادةً ، فمن الأفضل استخدامها للمناسبات الخاصة فقط. اختارو الألواح الغير السامة وأواني الطهي والتقديم  المصنوعة من المواد التي لا خطر منها للاستخدام اليومي.

إستبدال موازين الحرارة الزئبقية بأخرى رقمية

قد يبدو من غير المحتمل أن ينكسر مقياس الحرارة الزئبقي القديم ويدخل إلى مياه الشرب المنزلية. ومع ذلك ، من الأفضل أن اتخاذ الحيطة و الحذر واستبدال موازين الحرارة الزئبقية المستخدمة في مطبخك أو منطقة تناول الطعام ، بأجهزة رقمية وحديثه

الحذر في استخدام مبيدات الأعشاب

إذا كنت تعمل بانتظام في حديقة منزلك ، فكن على دراية بأن بعض مبيدات الأعشاب تحتوي على معادن ثقيلة. خصص بعض الوقت لاختيار منتجات لا تحتوي على مستويات عالية من المعادن الثقيلة.

التحقق من محتوى الأدوية

قد يبدو الأمر من غير المحتمل أن يحدث، ولكن بعض الأدوية تحتوي على معادن ثقيلة كمكونات رئيسية. يفضل التحقق من المحتويات المحددة لأي أدوية تتناولون بشكل منتظم. إذا لاحظتم مستويات عالية بشكل غير عادي من المعادن الثقيلة ، فتحدثو إلى الطبيب حول إمكانية التغيير إلى أدوية أخرى تعالج مشاكلكم الصحية ولكن بمحتوى أقل بالمعادن الثقيلة

استبدال الطلاء القديم

من المرجح أن يكون الرصاص قد استخدم قي طلاا المنازل القديمة. وفقًا لوكالة حماية البيئة ، تم حظر استخدام المستهلك الطلاء المحتوي على الرصاص في عام ١٩٧٨. لذلك ، إذا كان لديك منزل أقدم من هذا ولم يتم تغيير الطلاء ، فهذه خطوة من يفضل القيام بها.

هناك طريقة أخرى لتجنب المعادن الثقيلة في مياه الشرب الخاصة بالمنزل وهي استخدام فلتر مياه موثوق. يمكن أن يوفر الفلتر عالي الجودة مياه منزلية أنظف وأكثر صحة وأمانًا للاستخدام للشرب بشكل منتظم. ، أنتم تستحقون مياه الشرب التي لن تؤثر سلبًا على صحتك وتعيش حياة أكثر سعادة. مع الاحتياطات المناسبة  يمكنك تحقيق هذا الهدف والاستمتاع بصحة عالية.

ترجمة

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

Connected Vehicles – Enabling Green Transport

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Connected vehicles technology is a wireless-based technology which enables vehicles (light as well as heavy) to instantly communicate with each other, through an onboard installed device that receives warning signals ahead of time about road closures, pile-ups and other potential hazards related to weather conditions. Connected vehicle aims to enable safe, inter-operable networked wireless communications among vehicles, the infrastructure, and passengers’ personal communications devices.

connected-vehicles

The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) defines this revolutionary technology as achieving “cleaner air through smarter transportation.” DOT, in coordination with major automakers and other public and private sector innovators, has been working to advance vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communications technology to help prevent traffic crashes before they happen.

The network captures real-time data from equipment located on-board vehicles (automobiles, trucks, and buses) and within the infrastructure. The data are transmitted wirelessly and are used by transportation managers in a wide range of dynamic, multi-modal applications to manage the transportation system for optimum performance.

Advantages of Connected Vehicles

An important role of this system is to mitigate environmental impacts of using roads and highways as it generate as well as capture environmentally relevant real-time transportation data and use this data to create actionable information to support and facilitate “green” transportation choices. The system focuses on improving air quality, reducing GHG emissions and decreasing fuel consumption. Connected vehicles technology is a good tool to mitigate climate change and achieve emissions reduction targets.

Through connected vehicles, drivers will have advance information about traffic congestion etc. which will enable people to reschedule, postpone, cancel or carpool their trip. Informed travelers may decide to avoid congested routes, take alternate routes, public transit, or reschedule their trip — all of which can make their trip more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly.

People can also shift to public transportation which will result in fewer GHG emissions caused by significant reduction in fuel consumption and less traffic congestion thus enhancing the air quality. The traffic agency can also introduce a fine “pricing policy” in heavy traffic areas. Connected vehicles technologies promote eco-driving by advising drivers to minimize fuel consumption or directly control engine brakes without requiring the driver’s intervention.

Potential in the Middle East

Connected vehicles have the potential to solve transportation woes and ease traffic mobility in major Middle East cities like Jeddah, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Dubai which are plagued by heavy traffic volumes. Moreover, deployment of this technology will enable people to take a real-time situation decision and maintain sustainable traffic practices.

In addition, connected vehicles will be a handy and efficient tool to mitigate environmental impacts of the rapidly growing transport sector. Moreover, connected vehicles, ranging from cars to trucks can relay important safety and mobility information to one another which may help in saving lives, preventing injuries and easing traffic congestion.

Solid Waste Management Challenges in GCC

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The challenges posed by solid waste to governments and communities are many and varied. In the GCC region, where most countries have considerably high per capita waste generation values, the scale of the waste management challenge faced by civic authorities is even bigger. Fast-paced industrial growth, recent construction boom, increasing population, rapid urbanisation, and vastly improved lifestyle coupled with unsustainable consumption patterns have all contributed to the growing waste crisis in the GCC.

waste-management-GCC

Among the GCC nations, United Arab Emirates has the highest municipal solid waste generation per capita of 2.2 kg (which is among the highest worldwide) followed closely by Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain. The total urban waste generation in the GCC has been estimated to be around 150 million tons per annum, with MSW being the second largest stream after construction wastes.

Key Challenges

A look at the composition of municipal solid waste in GCC nations suggests that it is largely decomposable and recyclable. However, at present waste disposal into landfills/dumpsites remains the widely practiced method. In countries such as Kuwait and Bahrain where limited land is available, this doesn’t seem to be most prudent option. At present, waste management sector is facing multiple challenges in the form of:

  1. Lack of clear reliable framework by which the solid waste sector is administered from the collection, transformation to disposing or treatment phases
  2. Absence  of effective and comprehensive legislative frameworks governing the solid waste sector and the inadequate enforcement mechanisms, which are no less important than the legislation themselves
  3. Management activities of MSW are considered public services
    which are directly controlled by governmental institutions. Such management arrangement is considered weak as it lacks market mechanisms, and in this case economical incentives cannot be used to improve and develop the MSW management services
  4. Inadequate human and organizational capacities and capabilities
  5. Scarcity of accurate and reliable background data and information on the status of solid waste such as rate of generation of different solid waste constituencies, assessment of natural resources and land-use,   and transportation needs, scenarios of treatment, growth scenarios of solid waste which are linked to several driving forces. Needless to say, data and information are the crucial elements for developing MSW management system including the adequate monitoring of the sector.
  6. Inadequate waste strategies/management infrastructure:  In most GCC countries existing waste handling capacities are insufficient. Presently recyclable recovery rate is low. Further, in the absence of local recycling facilities, there is no alternative except to dump the otherwise recyclable material at landfills.
  7. Waste recycling is expensive: Though recent years have seen an increase in the number of waste recycling facilities the economics of recycling is still not very favourable. In many cases recycling waste is expensive compared to buying the product which can be attributed to lack of recycling facilities.
  8. Under developed market for recycled products: Insufficient demand for recycled products in the local market is another reason, which has hampered the growth of the waste recycling industry.
  9. Public attitude: Economies in the GCC countries are oil dependent due to high reserves of fossil fuels. For several decades alternatives such as solar and wind were not considered and oil was the easier option.  Recently and due to drop in oil prices more consideration is given to renewable sources. Similarly waste was mainly landfilled as it was the easier choice, yet due to known complication with such treatment, more suitable measures were considered. Therefore there is the need for an effective comprehensive “education and awareness” program in regards of these two issues

The Way Forward

GCC urgently requires an ambitious sustainable development agenda with waste management (minimisation, reuse and recycling) among its main priorities. Waste has a range of environmental impacts, on air, water, and land and also is a major economic drain, especially on city budgets. It is estimated that 50% of a city’s budget is spent on waste management.

The inefficient use of scarce resources reflected in materials discarded and abandoned as waste represents a huge economic and environmental cost borne by society as a whole.

Material-Recovery-Facility

GCC urgently requires more recycling facilities, like this MRF in Sharjah

Management of solid waste is a serious challenge faced by most modern societies. But waste is not only a challenge: it is also a largely untapped opportunity. Proper waste management presents an opportunity not only to avoid the detrimental impacts associated with waste, but also to recover resources, realise environmental, economic and social benefits and take a step on the road to a sustainable future.

The benefits arise when waste is treated as a resource, a resource that can be recovered and put to productive and profitable use. Products can be reused and the materials that make them up can be recovered and converted to other uses or recycled.

The Problem of Used Lead-Acid Batteries

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Lead-acid batteries are widely used on a mass-scale in all parts of the world.  They act as power sources in a wide-range of equipment and appliances used by households, commerce and industry. Lead-acid batteries finds wide application in all modes of modern transport including cars, trucks, buses, boats, trains, rapid mass-transit systems, recreational vehicles etc.

During power-cuts, lead-acid batteries provide emergency power for critical operations such as air-traffic control towers, hospitals, railroad crossings, military installations, submarines, and weapons systems. All automotive batteries and 95 percent of industrial batteries are lead-acid secondary cells.

Lead-acid-battery

Harmful Impacts of Batteries

Lead-acid batteries contain sulphuric acid and large amounts of lead. The acid is extremely corrosive and is also a good carrier for soluble lead and lead particulate. Lead is a highly toxic metal that produces a range of adverse health effects particularly in young children.

Exposure to excessive levels of lead can cause damage to brain and kidney, impair hearing; and lead to numerous other associated problems. On average, each automobile manufactured contains approximately 12 kilograms of lead. Around 96% lead is used in the common lead-acid battery, while the remaining 4% in other applications including wheel balance weights, protective coatings and vibration dampers.

In the developing world, more than 3 million die each year due to lead contamination from processing of used lead-acid batteries, with South America, South Asia and Africa being the highest affected regions.

Collection Strategies

The most common and most efficient method for the collection of lead-acid batteries is through the battery retailer where a discount is given against the purchase price of a new battery provided the customer returns the used battery. In some countries a deposit has to be paid when a new battery is purchased and is only returned to the customer when the battery is returned to the retailer for recycling.

In several parts of the world, reconditioned lead-acid batteries are offered for sale. In the Caribbean islands there is a thriving second-hand automobile trade and thousands of used Japanese cars are imported into the region every year to be broken up for spares. Many of these vehicles have a used lead acid battery, which is removed from the vehicle and shipped to Venezuela for recycling.

An informal collection mechanism is through rag-pickers who scavenge for discarded materials that can be reused or recycled. Rag-pickers scour waste dumps, strip abandoned vehicles and wrecks and even collect batteries that have been used for standby power in domestic houses.

Recycling Methods

Lead is highly toxic metal and once the battery becomes inoperative, it is necessary to ensure its proper collection and eco-friendly recycling. A single lead-acid battery disposed of incorrectly into a municipal solid waste collection system, and not removed prior to entering a resource recovery facility for mixed MSW, could contaminate 25 tonnes of MSW and prevent the recovery of the organic resources within this waste because of high lead level.

lead-acid-batteries

Recycling of used lead acid batteries is a complex process

Recycling of used lead-acid batteries, provided it is done in an environmentally sound manner, is important because it keeps the batteries out of the waste stream destined for final disposal. Lead from storage batteries placed in unlined landfills can even contaminate the groundwater. Given the issues mentioned, sourcing high-quality battery parts is also crucial. Companies like Source One Parts Center provide essential components ensuring longer battery life and sustainability. Recycling prevents the emission of lead into the environment and also avoids the energy usage associated with manufacturing lead from virgin resources.

Obtaining secondary lead from used lead-acid batteries can be economically attractive, depending upon the market price of lead. Recovery of lead from batteries is easier and requires significantly less energy than producing primary lead from ore. Recycling also reduces dispersal of lead in the environment and conserves mineral resources for the future when undertaken in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.

Parting Shot

It is to be noted that recycling of used lead acid batteries is not a simple process that can be undertaken in small scale enterprises. Infact lead-acid battery recycling is regarded as one of the worst polluting industries worldwide. Certain control measures should to be taken to prevent adverse impacts to people and the ecology. With exponential rise in consumption of lead-acid batteries, it is imperative on all Middle East nations to put together a viable strategy to tackle the problem of used lead-acid batteries.

10 Different Types of Art to Help Celebrate Nature

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Nature has always been a powerful source of inspiration and muse for artists throughout history.

With countless forms, colors, and textures available in the natural world, creative individuals have found various ways to express their appreciation. They’ve also managed to show their fascination by transforming their experiences into captivating works of art.

In this article, we’ll explore ten different types of art that allow for unique opportunities to celebrate nature, from painting beautiful landscapes to creating intricate botanical illustrations.

types of art to celebrate nature

10 Types of Art That Celebrate Nature

Here are 10 incredible types of art that celebrate nature and encapsulate its unquestionable mystique. So let’s dive in and get inspired by the beauty that surrounds us every day!

1. Landscape Paintings

One popular way to celebrate nature is through landscape painting. This art form captures the beauty of the natural world from serene landscapes like mountains. You can either create your own masterpieces or purchase original artwork from talented artists from online art galleries like Singulart.

2. Botanical Illustrations

If you have an affinity for plants, botanical illustration might be the perfect choice for you. These detailed drawings and paintings focus on depicting various plant species in a scientifically accurate manner while highlighting their intricate details via accurate descriptions.

3. Wildlife Photography

For those who enjoy capturing moments in time, wildlife photography is an excellent way to celebrate nature’s inhabitants in their natural habitats. This artistic medium involves patience and skill but ultimately rewards with beautiful images of animals going about their daily lives.

4. Nature-Based Sculptures

Sculpture is another art form through which you can pay homage to nature. Nature-based sculptures may incorporate natural materials such as wood, stone, and metal or may depict elements of the natural world, like animals or abstract representations of organic shapes.

5. Environmental Art

Environmental art serves both as an artistic expression and a mode of activism, focusing on issues related to nature conservation or environmental issues such as pollution. Some environmental artists use ephemeral materials found in nature as part of their installations.

6. Eco-printing and Dyeing

A more hands-on approach to celebrating nature might involve eco-printing and dyeing textiles using natural pigments extracted from plants themselves! This method not only allows for creative expression but encourages sustainable practices by relying on renewable resources.

Ramadan and climate change crisis

7. Floral Designs

By arranging flowers in a visually appealing manner, floral design offers an attractive and fragrant way to celebrate nature. Whether you’re creating bouquets or simply sprucing up your home, this art form allows for endless creativity and showcases the beauty of plants.

8. Nature Journaling

Combining doodling, sketching, writing, and more in a purposeful journal dedicated to observing nature allows you to explore the outdoors while documenting your experiences. This introspective practice can be therapeutic while fostering a deeper connection with nature.

9. Ceramics Inspired by Nature

Create functional items like mugs, bowls, or sculptures through ceramics that draw inspiration from natural forms such as plants or animals. Working with clay materials provides a tactile experience that connects the artist directly with Earth’s components and the natural world.

10. Bonsai Art

Bonsai art involves meticulously cultivating miniature trees through pruning and shaping techniques over time. The resulting miniature landscapes reflect a harmonious balance between human intervention and natural growth—an ultimate celebration of our relationship with nature.

Conclusion

There are endless ways to embrace and celebrate the beauty of nature through an array of artistic mediums. Whether you’re a seasoned artist looking for new inspiration or a nature enthusiast eager to incorporate creativity into your daily life, the possibilities are boundless.

أفضل أماكن الإقامة الفندقية في الكويت.. لقضاء عطلة صيفية مذهلة مع أحبائك

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عطلة صيفية تظل عالقة في الأذهان هو كل ما نتمنى تحقيقه عند التخطيط للسفر بصحبة الأهل والأصدقاء! لذا نحن خططنا لك جولة سفر الى دولة الكويت التي لديها الكثير لاكتشافه وتجربته سواء من مواقع تاريخية أو مناظر طبيعية أو حتى مغامرات مثيرة لمحبي التشويق والاثارة. بالاضافة الى أنها تمتلك عدد من الفنادق الساحرة التي تأخذك إلى عالم آخر بكل ما تحمله الكلمة من معنى!عند حجز فنادق الكويت لقضاء إجازتك الصيفية القادمة ستشعر بالراحة والاسترخاء في غرفتك أو جناحك الشخصي المصمم بأجمل الديكورات والاثاث، ناهيك عن الخدمات والمرافق الترفيهية من حمامات سباحة رائعة وغرف ساونا وبخار للحصول على قسط من الاستجمام بعيدًا عن ضغوطات الحياة.

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بالتأكيد هذا هو ما نحتاج إليه في عطلتنا الصيفية بعد فترة عمل طويلة مليئة بالضغوطات والتحديات المتعبة! عليك الاستراحة الآن والتخطيط لرحلتك إلى الكويت للاستمتاع بالإقامة في أحد فنادقها الفاخرة. اطلع فقط على مجموعة الفنادق التالية واختر الفندق الذي يحلو لك واحجزه على الفور لعطلة صيفية مذهلة.

فندق ومنتجع جميرا شاطئ المسيلة – الكويت

واحد من فنادق الكويت الساحرة التي ستتمنى الاقامة فيها حقًا! يتمتع مكان الاقامة هذا بتصنيف 5 نجوم، ويقع في منطقة شاطئ المسيلة، للاستمتاع بمنظر البحر الرائع والرمال البيضاء الناعمة، أما الغرف والاجنحة فأنها مزينة بالديكورات الخشبية الأنيقة والأثاث الراقي الفاخر.

الاضافة الى أنه يقع في قلب الكويت مما يجعله قريب من مواقع الجذب الشهيرة هناك مثل: حديقة حيوان الكويت وتبعد حوالي 13 كم عن الفندق، ومركز الكويت العلمي والاكواريوم ويبعد مسافة 9 كم عن الفندق، وبيت المرايا الذي يبعد 12 كم عن مكان الإقامة هذا، ومواقع سياحية أخرى تستحق الاكتشاف. هيا استعد لحجز غرفتك أو جناحك الشخصي في واحد من اجمل فنادق الكويت، لقضاء عطلة مذهلة تضمن لك الراحة والرفاهية في آنٍ واحد. وإليك فيما يلي مزايا وخدمات الفندق:

  1. يوفر مجموعة من الغرف الفاخرة والمريحة.
  2. وحدات الفندق جميعها مكيفة.
  3. توفر بعض الغرف المواجه للشاطئ، إذا كنت ترغب في الاستيقاظ صباحًا على هذا المنظر البانورامي الساحر.
  4. جميع الغرف تضم  تلفزيون بشاشة مسطحة، وماكينة تحضير الشاي والقهوة، وخزنة، بالإضافة إلى حمام خاص مزود بلوازم استحمام فاخرة.
  5. تحتوي شقق الفندق على مطبخ تم تجهيزه بالكامل مع غرف معيشة.
  6. يوفر الفندق العديد من اختيارات الطعام للنزلاء ومن هذه الاختيارات: الأطباق الايطالية الشهية.
  7. يوفر غرف ساونا وسبا.
  8. مركز لياقة بدنية متكامل ومجهز بأجهزة حديثة.
  9. يتيح للنزلاء الاستمتاع بالسباحة في مسبح الفندق في الهواء الطلق المنعش.
  10. يوجد مكتب استقبال يعمل على مدار الساعة.
  11. خدمات الانترنت المجاني متاحة في الغرف وفي جميع أركان الفندق.
  12. خدمات توصيل النزلاء من وإلى المطار متاحة بالفندق.
  13. يوجد موقف سيارات مجاني.
  14. خدمة تحويل العملات متاحة بالفندق، وصراف آلي.

فندق سانت ريجيس الكويت

إذا كنت من عشاق الكلاسيكية والفخامة، احجز إقامتك في فندق سانت ريجيس المذهل خلال رحلتك في الكويت! واحد من الفنادق الملكية حقًا الذي يتمتع بتصنيف 5 نجوم في موقع استراتيجي نابض بالحياة!

غرف وأجنحة الفندق واسعة ومجهزة بأحدث وسائل الراحة، ومزينة بتصميمات وديكورات أنيقة ناعمة تجعلك تشعر بالاسترخاء والهدوء في غرفتك.

فضلًا عن قرب الفندق من بعض الأماكن السياحية الشهيرة في الكويت ومنها: متحف الكويت الوطني وبرج التحرير اللذان يبعدان مسافة 1.4 كم عن الفندق، وحديقة حيوان الكويت الممتعة لقضاء يوم عائلي مميز ويفضل بينها وبين الفندق حوالي 7 كم فقط وبيت المرايا والمركز العلمي وغيره.

مكان اقامة ساحر ومميز حقًا يستحق التجربة! انتهز رحلتك الى الكويت ولا تفوت حجز احدى غرف سانت ريجيس! تعرف على خدمات ومرافق الفندق في السطور القادمة:

  1. يوفر غرف أنيقة وفاخرة لا يمكن مقاومتها.
  2. وحدات مكيفة.
  3. يوفر غرف عائلية مميزة.
  4. جميع الغرف تضم تلفزيون بشاشة مسطحة وقنوات فضائية مختارة لتسليتك.
  5. شاهد أجمل الإطلالات البانورامية الساحرة على المدينة من شرفة غرفتك.
  6. قائمة اختيارات متنوعة من الطعام تقدم كل يوم للنزلاء.
  7. يوفر حمام سباحة واسع في الهواء الطلق.
  8. يوفر خدمات الساونا والجاكوزي لنزلاء.
  9. يوفر مركز لياقة بدنية على أعلى مستوى.
  10. يوفر قاعات للاجتماعات والحفلات.
  11. استمتع بتصفح الانترنت من غرفتك أو من أي مكان بالفندق مجانًا.

فندق فور بوينتس باي شيراتون الكويت

فندق رائع ذو أجواء صيفية جميلة! يتمتع بتصنيف 4 نجوم ويقع في شارع فهد سالم في حي مدينة الكويت. يتميز بالديكورات الهادئة الناعمة مع لمسة عصرية أنيقة تراها في المفروشات والاثاث الراقي.

يوفر خدمة ممتازة من قبل جميع طاقم العمل لراحة النزلاء، بالإضافة إلى قضاء أوقات مليئة  بالمتعة والتسلية في المرافق الترفيهية  الرائعة لنزلاء الفندق.ومن أماكن الجذب التي تحيط بالفندق: متحف الكويت الوطني وبرج التحرير اللذان يبعدان مسافة 1.3 كم فقط عن الفندق، وحديقة الشهيد التي تبعد 3 كم عن الفندق، وبيت المرايا والمركز العلمي. وللتعرف أكثر على ما يوفره الفندق من خدمات ووسائل راحة، اقرأ الآتي:

  1. غرف مريحة وأنيقة لراحة النزلاء.
  2. وحدات الفندق مكيفة.
  3. الغرف العائلية المميزة والمجهزة لجميع أفراد عائلتك في انتظارك.
  4. جميع وحدات الفندق تضم تلفزيون بشاشة مسطحة مع قنوات فضائية حديثة، وخزانة، وآلة تحضير الشاي والقهوة، وحمام خاص مزود بلزازم استجمام فاخرة.
  5. يضم حمام سباحة.
  6. يضم مركز لياقة بدنية وغرف ساونا وبخار.
  7. إتاحة خدمات الواي فاي المجانية.
  8. استمتع بتناول أطباق ومأكولات عالمية ومحلية مختارة.
  9. توفير خدمات نقل من وإلى المطار.
  10.  موقف سيارات مجاني للضيوف.

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فندق ومنتجع موڤنبيك البدع – الكويت

منتجع فاخر ذو تصنيف 5 نجوم مواجه للشاطئ، مناسب للعائلات نظرا لتوافر العديد من الأنشطة الترفيهية الممتعة. بالاضافة الى قرب فندق ومنتجع موفينبيك من سوق السالمية لقضاء وقت ممتع في التسوق والتنزه وشراء هدايا تذكارية رائعة بمناسبة احتفالات رأس السنة.

اليك مزايا الفندق الرائعة التي يوفرها للضيوف الكرام، كي يحظوا باقامة مثالية خلال عطلتهم:

  1. جميع غرف الفندق أنيقة.
  2. جميع وحدات الفندق مكيفة.
  3. يضم الفندق أجنحة وشقق.
  4. توفر الغرف اطلالة مذهلة على الشاطئ.
  5. جميع الغرف تضم تلفزيون بشاشة مسطحة، وماكينة تحضير الشاي والقهوة.
  6. يضم الفندق غرف عائلية.
  7. يوفر الفندق قوائم طعام متنوعة للنزلاء.
  8. يضم الفندق 5 مسابح خارجية في الهواء الطلق.
  9. يضم منتجع صحي فاخر لضيوف.
  10. يضم الفندق ملعب ونادي للأطفال.
  11. يضم مركز لياقة بدنية مجهز بأجهزة رياضية حديثة.
  12. توفير خدمات نقل من وإلى المطار مقابل تكلفة اضافية.
  13. اتاحة خدمات الواي فاي المجانية في جميع أنحاء الفندق.
  14. توفير موقف سيارات مجاني.

فنادق رائعة بكل المقاييس لن تجعلك تحتاج لشيئ آخر! استعد الآن لرحلتك الى الكويت للاقامة في أجمل فنادقها التي تضمن لك قضاء عطلة صيفية مليئة بالمرح والمتعة والاسترخاء أيضًا. هيا حجز تذكرتك وابدأ في حجز فنادق الكويت من القائمة السابقة لاجازة ولا أروع مع أحبائك.

How Websites and Online Businesses Can Become More Environmentally Friendly

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You may assume that it’s only the factories and manufacturing units that need to worry about becoming environmentally sustainable and friendly, but in reality, almost every aspect of our life has the potential to be more cautious of releasing harmful elements into the environment or simply affecting it negatively.

Recently, more and more research has been invested into how businesses can become environmentally friendly, even though they are completely hosted online. Websites and online businesses have the potential to significantly reduce their environmental impact by adopting environmentally friendly practices.

Ways to make websites and online businesses greener

In this blog, we’re going to take a look at some of the several ways in which you can achieve this too – let’s get started!

1. Green web hosting

Choose a web hosting provider that runs on renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power. Look for hosting companies that have carbon offset programs or are certified as green hosts. This way, you’ll indirectly be supporting a service provider which is taking great efforts in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, and have a large impact in the long run.

2. Optimize website performance

Ensure your website is optimized for speed and efficiency. This includes optimizing images, minimizing code, and reducing unnecessary server requests. A faster website consumes less energy and reduces carbon emissions. If you’re looking to start your own business, then you can consider using a web service provider like NameHero which is known for its speed, power, and reliability. At the end of the day, your business is going to need a service provider that’s reliable and won’t cause too many glitches or disturbances to the business.

3. Use energy-efficient servers

Virtual private servers (VPS) or dedicated servers tend to be more energy-efficient than shared hosting. Consider using energy-efficient hardware and cooling systems to minimize power consumption. This way, you won’t be taking up much electricity and the heat you generate will be much less as well.

bitcoin-renewable-energy

4. Implement caching

This isn’t commonly known and is a slightly unknown practice, but you can utilize caching techniques to reduce server load and improve website performance. Caching reduces the number of requests made to the server, resulting in energy savings.

For instance, if you have a site that’s constantly slow and buggy, you should consider using these tips and tricks to speed up your site and also make it more energy efficient.

5. Enable server-side compression

All this means is that you will need to compress files on the server side to reduce the amount of data transferred between the server and users. This reduces bandwidth requirements and energy consumption, while also preventing the server from being slow.

6. Minimize JavaScript usage

Excessive JavaScript usage can lead to increased power consumption by devices accessing the website. Optimize and minimize the use of JavaScript to reduce energy consumption. There are many alternatives that you can use instead.

7. Efficient content delivery

Utilize a content delivery network (CDN) to serve your website’s static content from servers located closer to the end-users. This reduces the distance data travels, resulting in lower latency and reduced energy consumption.

8. Streamline website design

Design your website with a focus on simplicity and efficiency. Minimize the number of elements, use clean code, and optimize CSS to reduce the website’s overall energy footprint. Another benefit of this is that your site will automatically be easier to load and will not require as much time in design and code to make it shippable. The best part about this is that many users actually prefer a minimal site, instead of excessively designed sites.

 

9. Encourage remote work

If you have a team working on-site, consider promoting remote work options. This reduces commuting-related carbon emissions and office energy consumption. Thus, your entire business can be run online and you won’t have to worry about producing much physical waste or consuming too many resources simply to commute to office and work there.

10. Emphasize digital over physical

Encourage digital downloads, online transactions, and electronic communication instead of physical products or documents. Minimizing paper usage and shipping reduces environmental impact.

11. Adopt sustainable packaging

If you sell physical products, choose sustainable packaging materials that are recyclable or biodegradable. Avoid excess packaging whenever possible.

12. Carbon offset initiatives

Consider participating in high-integrity carbon offset programs or invest in renewable energy projects to offset the environmental impact of your online business.

13. Educate your audience

Raise awareness among your customers and website visitors about the importance of environmental sustainability. Encourage them to adopt eco-friendly practices and provide information on how your business is striving to be environmentally responsible.

Top Tips For Balancing Your Social and Academic Life

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Balancing school and friendships may seem easy on the surface. However, it gets challenging as school becomes more demanding and our friends’ needs evolve. It is normal to feel like you give more time to one than the other. But the best balance can be obtained by planning your time.

Sometimes we find ourselves giving away our social or academic life due to poor timing and planning. Your social and academic lives are equally important, and thus, you should find a way to allocate an equal amount of time for all of them. Being distracted by friends can affect your studies, while limiting your asocial life can cause loneliness and burnout. So, below are a few simple tips to help you find this balance.

how to maintain social and academic life

Carry Out Joint Studies

Friends not only offer emotional support, but also they can be instrumental in helping us achieve our goals. Therefore, it is essential to keep them close. One of the best ways to keep your friends closer is by creating a study group or conducting joint studies. In addition, you can organize library days, form a book club or hold group discussions.

Having your friends as your study partners will give you the motivation to study, and you will still keep them close and spend more time together. You can also help each other out with assignments to reduce the need for seeking paper services.

Create Schedule

Creating a schedule helps you keep up with some aspects of your life or activities that you could have otherwise ignored due to lack of time. When creating your schedule, ensure you spare some time for your social life. Then, you can use the break in the schedule to find your friends and bond with them.

Once you plan your schedule, you will not feel like your social life is eating into your academic time since every activity will be spelled out. Sometimes we might feel guilty hanging out with friends while we have pending assignments. However, learning how to stick to your schedule would be best.

Also Read: Simple Study Tips That Can Transform Your Grades

Create Healthy Friendships

Overbearing friendships can cause stress and anxiety since you constantly feel pushed to do things you do not want. So ensure you find friends who understand and support you. For example, a good friend will not feel bad when you take a rain check on a meet-up to complete a pending assignment. A healthy friendship involves helping each other in and out of school and understanding each other’s limits. So if you feel your friends are overbearing, it is time to create new connections.

high-school-study

Join a Club

Joining a club helps you broaden your social circle with like-minded individuals. Finding a club that carries out activities you love will help you meet people with similar passions, and it can be easy to relate. For example, joining a math club will help you sharpen your mathematical skills as you make friends and socialize. In addition, school clubs often work around a fixed schedule, which will help you easily fix it in your planner.

Seek Professional Advice From an Academic Advisor

Sometimes finding the balance can be overwhelming, especially if you are under pressure from school. If you notice that you are struggling, ask for help from a professional academic counselor. They will help develop a suitable schedule that will favor your social and academic life.

Failing to find a balance will be detrimental to the different parts of your life. Staying in school without friends can sometimes cause loneliness and depression, and sometimes giving too much time to friendships can derail your studies, thus the need to find a balance.

Self-Discipline

Through self-discipline, one can prioritize without being carried away. Also, self-discipline means working within your limits so that you do not give in too much to friendships or focus on studies that you forget about the social aspect. Therefore, it will be much easier to take charge of your relationships and studies simultaneously.

Take-Home Point

Students often find it difficult to incorporate studies and entertainment into their schedules. It often feels like socializing hurts academics, and focusing on studies means limited to no socializing time. However, to eliminate such sentiments, it is essential to allocate time for everything.

Friends play a vital role in helping us thrive academically and socially. Thus, as much as you may want to focus on your studies, it is also essential to keep your friends close. Creating healthy bonds where you support and understand each other is vital to balance social and academic life.

Starvation in Poor Countries – A Pandemic Deadlier than Covid-19

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The world has been propelled on a fast track journey of dealing with Covid-19 across the developed world where the pandemic has created chaos and mayhem of astounding proportions. The faint light that gave hope was the fact that this was happening in the developed regions of the globe where people do have access to health services, adequate housing, well stocked warehouses, communications networks, financial assets and funds (even if diminishing under economic stress), and so forth. Now Covid-19 has reached into the areas which the learned persons write of as informal settlements.

The Onslaught on Vulnerable Masses

Let us be real, just as Covid-19 is real. The virus seeks out human beings regardless of their social status or financial assets. Humans means everyone. Now Covid-19 is smashing through the neighbourhoods of the poor, villagers, slums, refugee camps, migrant camps. These are all people that if they are luckily, have a subsistence life style. This lifestyle functions on a daily basis of hand-to-mouth. We work, we eat. We cannot social distance, there is no physical space for that. We cannot wash our hands all day, we have to walk to fetch our water or there is a limited supply of water in our community, and that is not clean. We quarantine, we die before Covid-19 gets to us.

Pandemics are desperate situations, but Covid-19 only kills a small percentage, Starvation is our pandemic and it threatens every man, woman and child on the Earth. We are all destined to die.

coronavirus-pandemic-africa

In the developed world, the infection rates are declining, and the severe lockdowns that were imposed are slowly being eased. This is good. It is positive for the developed world. But for us, on the other side of the globe, the backside of the world, the Covid-19 is only making its way through our neigbourhoods and villages. The death toll due to starvation will far exceed that of the Covid-related deaths in the developed nations.

This is not belittling the staggering death tolls of the nations with advanced technology, medical services, infrastructure and even charitable organizations that are feeding their poorer people. But our numbers will be catastrophic because we cannot eat.

The Danger for Africa

Let us discuss the African continent – Sub-Saharan nations, in broad terms. Trying to implement social distancing so as to flatten the curve of the infection rate are not viable options. Population densities are too great and living conditions are too poor. The healthcare systems are so limited and deficient that such an outbreak of Covid-19 will cripple services over night. There is not just a shortage of medical equipment but also medically trained healthcare workers.

What kind of shortage, in 2013, it was ascertained that there were 14 healthcare workers per 1000 people in Europe while in Sub-Saharan African nations there were only 2.2 healthcare workers. As for equipment, developed nations did not have adequate supply of ventilators. The developing nations have far less. It is reported that Nigeria has less than 500 ventilators for a nation over 206 million people.  The Central African Republic (CAR) has three ventilators for a population of under 5 million people. That is a ventilator per 400,000 Nigerians and 1 per 1.6 million people in CAR. The governments of these African nations do not have the financial operation capacity of the developed nations to take action of pandemic proportions. In addition, the weak leadership and corrupt authoritarianism have also weakened the nations.

covid19-africa

Every Sub-Saharan nation is resilient.  Nigeria and other west African nations have been well tested with the Ebola virus. But this time the threats looming over the continent are deadly hunger and deadly infection. These two threats will also weaken the social structure further with potential civil unrest and violent protests. These threats are not short term but could be prolonged for much longer time frame of years.

The Rough Road Ahead

Future productivity of these nations could be significantly affected in terms of labour and capital. Job losses could be even more precarious in the future especially with nearly 50 percent of the population being under the age of 30 years. The social structure of society could be weakened further with increases in domestic violence, increases in earlier pregnancies and marriages, and with even less access to education for the younger generations.

The economic prospects could also be very dim with nations unable to meet corporate and sovereign debts because of very substantial foreign investments on the past decades. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have acted on request, and secured suspended debt payments by the poorest of developing nations. Nations such as China have offered medical donations.

The economic measures that need to be extended by the developed nations to help undergirth these developing nations is critical for a global survival scheme. Without private and public support from the developed nations, these nations could spiral downwards very easily. This will require major changes in the mindset of the commercial – economic sectors to devise viable solutions or options that can be made available to developing nations.

Bottom Line

This current pandemic is a crisis of global proportions with the potential to totally devastate sectors of the developing world. It will require a concerted, cooperative approach, with a new, holistic vision towards the whole international community so as to avoid a massive humanitarian tragedy. It is already a crisis across the globe, and every nation is striving to salvage the level of social and economic attainment that existed pre-Covid-19. If the whole globe cannot restabilize, the developed world will also suffer from a significant kickback from the less developed nations if they fail to restabilize.

It sounds a message of doom and gloom, but human beings are very resourceful, creative and innovative. Everyone just needs to focus their mind on global unity.

Future of Urban Transportation in Saudi Arabia

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Transportation sector has played a prominent role in the socio-economic development of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. However, there are a wide range of current and future issues which should be tackled to ensure sustainable development in the country. More than 75% of the total population of Saudi Arabia lives in urban areas. Given the worldwide trends and statistics on urban population growth, many have regarded the 21st century as the urban century, understanding the prominence and importance urban areas have played and will continue to play in the future.

Therefore, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia must focus its attention in the re-planning and re-designing of existing cities in order to absorb the pressure of increasing urban populations, in a manner that will improve environmental sustainability and energy efficiency. In re-fitting urban areas of Saudi Arabia for expected expansion, the future of urban transportation will be a much needed but thoroughly thought-out strategy to ensure the cities’ lifelines are able to cope with the needs and demands of the increasing urban population.

transportation-saudi-arabia

Prevalent Scenario

Accordingly to a 2014 article published in The Peninsula Times, Saudi Arabia had 15.9 million licensed cars at the end of 2012. The article also mentioned that an analysis by Al-Eqtisadiah (a Saudi newspaper) estimated that the number of cars was expected to increase to 18 million in 2014. Therefore if we were to do a ‘rough’ calculation using the projected number of cars for 2014 and the total population of persons in 2013, then for approximately every two persons there is one licensed car.

For urban areas, a ‘rough’ calculation using the 2010 urban population figure and the ‘roughly’ calculated ratio of one licensed car to approximately every two persons, means that if at present, over 22.9 million people live in the urban cities, then there is a high probability that there are over 11.4 million licensed cars in the urban areas of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The reality that such figures exist in the Kingdom for licensed cars in urban areas, solidifies the importance of reviewing present modes of urban transport. Such modes of urban transport must be seen as energy efficient, compact, aesthetically pleasing, safe, reliable and environmentally-sustainable. A key area in applying such type of urban transport is through the urban public transportation system. This can be done through the implementation of urban mass transit systems, for example, bus and extensive rapid railway systems. Such systems will encourage the city inhabitants to forego personal vehicles for public transport.

Fortunately, the Kingdom is well on their way in this regard, having an already functioning public bus and railway system. These two public systems are governed under two separate organizations, Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company, and Saudi Railways. Saudi Arabian Public Transport Company has an inter-city and inner-city bus system, while Saudi Railways is responsible for passenger railway transport in the Kingdom. The railway organization has many projects in the pipelines and is working on implementing their Master Plan, which speaks of the creation of a railway for urban transportation, Urban Transit.

Future Outlook

Even though the Kingdom is in the process of planning to implement extensions of those transport systems on a larger scale for urban areas, that type of infrastructure will take a number of years to complete. In the interim, simpler alternative modes of public transport, which can bring about positive changes to the country’s urban transportation sector, can be installed and implemented. One such alternative is a bike –share system. Although it is seen as child’s play, bikes have traditionally been used for transport.

However, with a bit of innovation and creativity, bike-shares having smart and green technology have popped up all over the world, in many of the mega-cities with huge success. In the case of Saudi Arabia, new city developments and economic zones can easily incorporate such a system into their plans and designs. The bike-share concept can also be incorporated on university campuses and other large-scale development centres throughout the Kingdom.

There are numerous advantages to a bike-share, such as improved health, air quality, urban environment and urban aesthetics. The Kingdom can successfully create its own version of a fashionably green urban bike-share system but it will require support from all stakeholders, especially the city dwellers.

Aside from the current usage of the public transport system, a lot more can be done to promote and encourage modes of public transport, as well as other initiatives to ‘nudge’ the urban population to reduce the number of personal cars in cities. One such initiative could be, ‘Use Public Transport Day’ or ‘Car-pool Day’.

Another approach to ‘nudging’ urban residents to reduce the need for cars, can be through the installation of pedestrian zones or pathways, where the entire roadway of a certain part of the city is free of cars, allowing for a better flow of pedestrian traffic. These along with many more examples, can be found in case studies on cities like Mexico City, Copenhagen, Malmo, Curitiba and Vancouver.

Conclusion

Prioritising and revitalising urban transport in Saudi Arabia is indeed a requirement as the urban population increases. It is encouraging to see Saudi Arabia taking strides to increase modes of urban transport for cities. However, the Kingdom needs to implement short and medium term strategies that will get the urban population to begin transitioning from conventional modes to environmentally-sustainable modes of transport. The needs of future urban populations are what should be considered by traffic and transportation planners, not future projections of the number of cars.

We must begin to think of the future needs of the population, in particular the urban population, for more proactive solutions to emerge in the transportation sector in Saudi Arabia, especially in big cities like Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam.