Why Electric Vehicles Are the Future of the Automotive Industry

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Electric vehicles have come a long way since their invention in the 1830s. What was once a novelty for the Chicago World’s Fair is now a common sight on major highways. With Tesla now modernizing the industry, EVs are more attainable than ever in the world’s market.

Still, high price tags and a lack of charging stations at pit stops keep many car users from making the switch. Of the over 280 million cars in the U.S, only 2 million are fully electric or hybrid vehicles. So why are so many predictions pointing to EVs in the automotive industry?

Electric Vehicles Pros and Cons

In this article, we will explore why EVs are instrumental to the future of the industry and the pros and cons of EV ownership.

Electric Vehicles Pros and Cons

Most conversations on EV ownership start with gas prices and end with charging stations. Yet many fail to explore the true impact of EVs and how initial setbacks to the industry are only temporary issues. A family of EV charging stations already exists at many gas stations along major roads.

With over 200 miles at full charge and portable charging plugs available, the initial fears of EV ownership are quickly rectifying themselves. Still, the benefits of an EV will vary based on location, average mileage, safety features and the make of the car.

Below are the pros, cons, and misconceptions of EV ownership.

Pros

Skipping prices at the pump is the most popular pro for purchasing an electric vehicle. With gas prices always fluctuating, the initial cost of an EV is said to pay itself with the money you save from avoiding gas stations.

The second greatest pro rests in the eco-friendly nature of most EVs. Even hybrids that run on electricity and gas production have more environmentally friendly emissions than a normal gas-powered car. As the world shifts to a more environment-friendly manufacturing perspective, EVs are the natural evolution.

Though many worry about the charging capabilities of cars, a full charge from home can last over 200 miles. This is perfect for community use and short road trips. Utilizing mobile and turbo-charged charging stations can take you even further, with quick charges available in 30 minutes.

Some may worry about the cost of charging your EV at home through an at-home charger or chagrin station. Though a full charge from a depleted battery will take 48 hours to fill, it will only cost you 6$, or a little over ¢10 every kilowatt-hour.

So long as time isn’t a restraint for your commute, the at-home full charge is efficient and cost-effective.

Cons

Tesla is the current king of electric vehicles, servicing high-quality EVs at even higher prices. This makes it hard for other automotive manufacturers to break into the EV world, even if their vehicle can rival a tesla. Though Toyota has earned the #2 spot for EV production and sales, its product output fails to match Tesla.

Like Apple products dominated the early 2000-2010 markets, Tesla’s status as king of EVs creates elitism at a cost. Without true competitors, Tesla can continue to charge an arm and a leg and keep the market inaccessible for the average American.

Additionally, EVs aren’t currently compatible with rural or long-drive use. A fully electric vehicle isn’t feasible for driver-focused commuters in less populated areas if the area does not support local charging stations. Hybrid vehicles can overcome this issue, but overreliance on gas eliminates the benefit of your electric vehicle.

electric car

Looking to the Future

Though their numbers are limited in the current market, the potential behind electric vehicles is extensive. Sources suggest within the next ten years; the EV market will jump from 2 million to over 18 million. Though the growth may not rival the current output of gas-powered vehicles, the steady growth hints at a more EV-friendly world.

With major obstacles such as cost and lack of public charging stations taken care of, the electric vehicle market will finally reach more average American consumers. A surge in hybrid and fully electric vehicles will reduce reliance on fossil fuels, improve air pollution, and lower the average cost of living. Less money on gas can open wallets to invest in new experiences and opportunities in your new electric vehicles.

It may take a few years for the EV to become a true automotive rival. Still, with growing interest, investments, sales, and visibility, the electric vehicle will soon become a common sight during your next road trip.

Also Read: From Vision to Reality – Jordan’s EV Surge and the Road to Sustainability

The Remarkable Dragon Spine Pump

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A Dragon Spine  (water ladder or in Thai rahad) is a low lift pump with sprockets that move a chain of paddles through a slanted trough. Water is lifted as the paddles push the water up the trough. Often sized for one person turning the wheel with push pull handles, but at times up to eight for rotary drives. The pump’s name comes from its resemblance to a dragon’s spine.

dragon spine pump

The Dragon Spine pump has been used for millennia for irrigation and drainage and is still used by farmers in Southeast Asia. The Dragon Spine pump may have been first made during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). Others suggest it was designed or improved by Ma Jun, an inventor and engineer who lived during the Three Kingdoms period (220-280). In any case the Dragon Spine pump has played a significant role in agriculture.

The body of the water lift is a large wooden trough, rectangular or curved, that can hold water and has sprockets on axles at both ends. The chain of paddles fits to the sides of the trough. The foot of the trough is placed in water and then the foot steps or hand bars rotate the drive sprocket. As the chain of paddles rotates water is lifted.

dragon spine pump

On larger Chinese Dragon Spine pumps the upper sprocket is normally driven by a long horizontal shaft which is pedaled by from two to eight people working together. The foot pads are spaced on the drive shaft so that one or more of the operators is applying full foot pressure at any moment, smoothing out the torque and keeping the chain of paddles tensioned and running smoothly. Pumps with three workers are often used for this reason.

dragon spine pump

They can move quite a bit of water. About 1900 F. H. King found that two men standing on crankshaft foot pads could raise water 1 meter (3 feet) at a rate of 2.5 acre inches in 10 hours. This is about 13,000 liters (13 cubic meters) per man in ten hours or 1,300 liters (340 gallons) per person hour. Women as well as men operated the Dragon Spine pumps. The one person pumps use handles to a linkage that convert push pull to turn the drive sprocket (like a steam locomotives piston to drive wheel). Demonstrated in the video https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIsh-B4N9A_/?hl=en.

The Dragon Spine pumps could also be driven by an animal turning a vertical shaft with a horizontal drive from a gear box (like the Persian wheel pump). The Chinese commonly sheltered the draft animal and often the worker with a roof for comfort and long term health and steady work.

dragon spine water pump drive

In 1986 the FAO included design details for commercial models from the Chengqiao Water Lift and Agricultural Tool Plant, Hangjiang Commune, Putian County. The Dragon Spine pump for 2 men with a 3 m long trough had paddles that were  0.25 m tall  x 0.20 m wide and cost of 106 Yuan. A pump for 4 men with a 5.3 meter long trough had similar paddle size and cost 165 Yuan.

Advantages

The Dragon Spine pump is still a useful tool. They can be built and repaired easily at a very low cost. All, or almost all, of the components can be built with local resources. Wood planks traditionally were sawed by hand. The fast growing and strong Paulownia wood was often used. The light weight of the pump made it possible for a woman to move the pump from field to field and then back to the farm and into shelter for the winter.

Disadvantages

The efficiency is constrained by the fit of the paddles in the trough, but there was not much backsplash. These pumps can lift water only a few meters at most. For higher lift as many as eight men might be needed to turn the long chain of paddles.

التأثيرات البيئية لتحلية مياه البحر

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تعتبر عملية التحلية عملية لإزالة الأملاح والمعادن من مياه البحر وتحويلها الى مصدر صالح للشرب. وهذه العملية مفيدة جداً في بعض المناطق التي تشهد طلباً متزايداً على المياه لندرتها والجفاف وازدياد عدد السكان وكذلك زيادة استهلاك المياه. ولأن المحيطات تغطي معظم سطح الأرض فإن توفر مياه البحر يعتبر حلاً مستداماً وطويل الأمد لواحدة من المشاكل التي لن تتلاشى بالوقت القريب.

تم إنشاء 18 ألف محطة تحلية حول العالم بحلول عام 2015، وهذه المحطات تنتج 22870 مليون جالون من المياه العذبة يومياً، ويعتقد الخبراء المائيين أن تحلية المياه – بجانب التكنولوجيا المستقبلية – ستشكل مفتاحاً لبناء مجتمعات مقاومة للجفاف في العالم أجمع.

desalination plant in middle east

ومع أن توفير مصادر مياه نظيفة كان ولا يزال مصدر قلق كبير في جميع أنحاء العالم، إلا أن عملية تحلية المياه تنطوي على مخاطر بيئية متعددة، ويعتمد دور التحلية في الاستدامة على كيفية مواجهة هذه المخاطر ومعالجتها والتأقلم معها. نذكر فيما يلي عداً لا حصراً بعض من هذه المخاطر:

إنتاج المحلول الملحي

أثناء عملية تحلية المياه، يتحول نصف المياه المجمعة إلى مياه عذبة أما النصف الاخر فإنه يتحول إلى محلول ملحي عالي التركيز، وهذا المحلول يحتوي على خليط من العديد من المواد الكيمائية السامة. وتشير الدراسات بأن محطات التحلية تنتج 141.5 مليون متر مكعب من هذا المحلول الملحي يومياً مقارنة ب 95 مليون متر مكعب من المياه العذبة، ولنتخلص من هذا المحلول الملحي فإن الكلفة ستكون عالية وإذا تمت إعادته للمحيط سيكون مضراً ومميتاً للحياة البحرية.

وبالرغم من ذلك إلا أن هذا الخطر والانتكاسة ممكن أن تؤدي إلى خلق فرص اقتصادية جديدة، حيث تعد المخلفات الملحية مصدراُ للثروات المعدنية وبعض العناصر ذات القيمة الثمينة: كالملح واليورانيوم، وبالإمكان إعادة بيع اليورانيوم لخفض تكاليف التشغيل الاجمالية، كما يمكن توفر الملح تجارياً كعامل لإذابة الجليد. يعتقد الخبراء أن هذه المنافع المادية بإمكانها أن تشكل حافزاً لمحطات توليد الطاقة والتوجه إلى استخراجها.

يمكن أيضًا تقليل كمية المحلول الملحي المُنتَج من خلال عمليات تحلية أكثر كفاءة؛ مثل تقنية الأغشية الحديثة، والمتعارف عليها باسم التناضح العكسي وهذه التقنية تتميز بأنها أقل كلفة وتحتاج طاقة أقل وكذلك فإنهاتُنتج محلولًا ملحيًا أقل. وستعتمد ممارسات تحلية المياه المستدامة على التحول من الطرق القديمة مثل التحلية الحرارية التي تقوم بسحب وجر مياه البحر وتسخنها لتصل إلى درجة البخار، ثم تدفع المحلول الملحي المتبقي إلى البحر.

التأثير على الحياة البحرية

من التحديات والمخاوف الأخرى في عمليات تحلية المياه هي الاصطدام و/أو الانحراف أثناء عملية السحب والجر، حيث إنه قد تُسحب بعض الكائنات البحرية كالأسماك وسرطان البحر اثناء سحب مياه المحيط فتصطدم هذه الكائنات وتموت عند حاجز السحب وهذا يسمى علمياً بالاصطدام خلال المعالجة، وقد تسحب أيضاُ كائنات أصغر حجماً مثل بيض الأسماك والعوالق.

وللحد من هذا الخطر فإنه بالإمكان التحول من عملية السحب السطحية إلى واحدة “تحت سطحية” أعمق، وهذا يعني سحب المياه من قاع المحيطات بدلاً من الأعلى، لأن الرمل سوف يعمل كمرشح طبيعي لحماية البيئة البحرية، ويقلل من الحاجة إلى المواد الكيميائية واستهلاك الطاقة أيضاً أثناء المعالجة وبالتالي يخفض التكلفة بشكل كبير وملحوظ.

إن عملية السحب من الباطن الأرضي تحت المياه ليست هي الحل الوحيد لنحمي الحياة البحرية، بل وجد الخبراء طرقاً أٌخرى لتحسين فتحات الشباك الساحبة لتحتوي على ثقوب أدق وأصغر مساحة لتقليل أو منع الكائنات الحية الدقيقة من دخول هذه الشباك، وهنالك خيار أخر يتمثل في خفض سرعة هذه الشباك حيث إن سرعة الاصطدام تزداد وتكون عالية جداً عندما تزداد سرعة الشباك للدرجة التي تمنع السرطانات والأسماك من الابتعاد خلال عملية السحب، وقد قامت وكالة حماية البيئة PEA بتحديد السرعة لأقل أو مساوية 0.5 قدم/الثانية لتعالج وتحل مشكلة التأثير على البيئة البحرية بفعالية أكبر.

seawater desalination brine accumulation

استهلاك الطاقة

يعتبر استهلاك الطاقة من أهم مصادر القلق بجميع القطاعات حول العالم، وعملية التحلية ليست مستثناة من هذا القلق، حيث إن محطات التحلية تستهلك أكثر من 200 مليون كيلوواط/ساعة من الطاقة يومياً على مستوى العالم. وتشكل تكلفة الطاقة ما يقارب 55% من تكلفة التشغيل لهذه المحطات مما يجعلها أكثر عرضة لارتفاع الأسعار في المقابل. تستهلك محطة معالجة المياه التقليدية أقل من 1 كيلوواط/ساعة لكل متر مكعب.

ويذكر بأنه 85% من الدعم الأمريكي مخصص لزيادة الاستثمار الفيدرالي بإعادة البنية التحتية للمياه وهذا يشير الى أن كيفية الحصول على المياه للمستهلك تعتبر بالغة الأهمية.

تشهد محطات تحلية المياه التي تعتمد عملية التناضح العكسي – التي تُنتج أيضًا  كمية أقل من المحلول الملحي – انخفاضًا  كبيرا في استهلاك الطاقة حتى أنها تصل إلى ما بين 3 و10 كيلوواط/ساعة لكل متر مكعب.  إلا أن الباحثين ما زالوا يبحثون عنوسائل أقل تكلفة وأكثر رفقاً بالبيئة لمعالجة المياه. ومن بين الوسائل التناضح الأمامي، الذي يستخدم محلولًا من الملح والغازات لخلق فرق بالضغط. ويقول الخبراء إن هذه الوسيلة بإمكانها أن تطيل عمل أغشية التناضح العكسي وتقلل الحاجة إلى مواد التطهير أثناء المعالجة. وكذلك فإنه يتم تدارس استخدام الطاقة الشمسية كحل لمشكلة استهلاك الطاقة وهنا يستخدم العلماء هذا الحل المستدام كوسيلة لتحسين عملية التحلية، راجيين الوصول لنتيجة أكثر كفاءة لمعالجة مياه البحر وهذه الطريقة تتطلب رأسمال أقل للبدء بالتشغيل والتكامل النهائي.

الخُلاصـــــة

ربما يكون لعملية التحلية عيوباً، كإنتاج المحلول الملحي واستهلاك الطاقة وانتاج النفايات، وتعد هذه العيوب من اهم وأبرز اهتمامات الخبراء، إذ أنهم يحاولون الوصول لطرق فعالة لحل اهم وأكثر مشاكل العالم الحاحاً، الا وهي الحصول على مياه شرب نظيفة. ولحسن الحظ، فإنه يجري حالياً تطوير ودمج العديد من الحلول المبتكرة والجديدة، مثل استخدام أنظمة الترشيح والسحب المطورة، بالإضافة الى استخدام الطاقة الشمسية أيضاً للحد من تأثير عملية تحلية المياه.

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.

Why We Need to Use Technology to Fight Climate Change

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Climate change is a colossal challenge, and it can seem like individual actions won’t be enough to tackle it, or that we don’t have the resources necessary. But neither of those are true. There are many individual actions we can all take that will help change the course of climate change. Many technologies available at both consumer and industrial levels can play a role, from simple things like switching to LED lights to complex processes such as building wind farms for renewable energy.

With so many people consuming our valuable resources, science says humans are a main cause of climate change. Rapid changes in climate due to human activity have been seen since the industrial revolution. There are other contributors to climate change, such as deforestation and land use practices, but our technological development is unquestionably a major contributor as well.

With so many people consuming our valuable resources, science says humans are a main cause of climate change. Rapid changes in climate due to human activity have been seen since the industrial revolution. There are other contributors to climate change, such as deforestation and land use practices, but our technological development is unquestionably a major contributor as well. Exploring innovative solutions like direct air capture becomes crucial in mitigating the impact of human activities on the climate and working towards a more sustainable future.”

Given that our technologies are not going anywhere, the best thing we can do with them is harness the full extent of their possibilities to mitigate the harm to the planet we have already created. And, at our current point, we need to use everything available to us in the fight against climate change; we’re running out of time.

Let’s look at some of the ways technology can help us fight climate change.

1. Carbon reduction

One of the most promising technologies right now is negative emission tech. It aims to remove carbon from the atmosphere to offset the carbon going into the atmosphere. Of course, there are many ways to reduce how much carbon we put into the atmosphere, like reforestation and changing land-use practices, but those take time, and we don’t have a lot.

Carbon capture technology can help us reach a net-zero state by 2050 (or ideally, by 2030) if it is deployed soon. Currently, in pilot stages are machines that remove carbon from the air and store it underground, and other technologies are in the works.

2. Smart home tech

Remember when we said there were individual actions to take? One of the most promising is to use smart home tech, such as thermostats, lighting systems, utility meters, and leak detectors, to improve the energy efficiency of our homes.

Eventually, these local systems can be hooked up to smart city systems for more effective energy deployment, waste management tracking, and traffic management, among other possibilities. As the capabilities of the Internet of Things develops, both smart home tech and city-wide smart systems will become effective tools in tackling climate change.

3. Information and communication

As climate change progresses, severe weather events are becoming more and more common, and these events are costly and life-changing for many. The better we can do in predicting and managing severe weather, the more our recovery efforts will succeed. This kind of tech, for the most part, doesn’t do anything to change the direction of climate change, but it does help humans deal with the consequences.

Some examples of this tech are satellite systems using solar power and early warning systems via mobile networks. Information and communication technology is also being used to track environmental changes, such as temperature and sea level, to mitigate adverse effects on people and animals.

4. Machine learning and AI

AI is on the leading edge of our technological development and holds great promise for scientists working to better understand and address climate change and its effects. A recent research paper from professionals at Cornell University discusses ten ways AI can help in the fight against climate change. Those include creating low-carbon materials, making transportation more efficient, creating more tools to support individual changes to reduce carbon footprint, and designing more efficient electrical systems.

For researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, building these capabilities is increasingly accessible – consider a machine learning course that takes learners from no-code introductions to hands-on Python and scikit-learn projects, including time-series forecasting, geospatial analysis, and MLOps for deploying models that support climate forecasting, energy efficiency, and environmental monitoring.

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

One of AI’s other significant contributions is that it helps climate scientists build better prediction models so they can learn more about precisely how our actions are affecting the planet and what changes will be most effective. If you want to know about the benefits of green AI, click here.

5. Energy production

Greenhouse gases are, of course, produced in large part from our reliance on fossil fuels, which means a paradigm shift in energy production and use is in order if we’re to effectively address climate change. Wind farm tech is already taking hold, but there’s still much to be explored with solar power and how to efficiently store the energy generated from solar panels. Another promising line of investigation is nuclear power, which can produce carbon-free energy. We’re not there yet, but there are companies exploring how to do this safely, such as General Fusion in Canada.

Another type of tech in the works for energy production is the smart grid, which would be able to route energy efficiently and integrate renewable energy systems on a larger scale.

Bottom Line

Climate change is a big problem, but there’s hope on the horizon in the form of new and emerging tech. Although different organizations predict different critical deadlines (2030 and 2050 being the two currently discussed), some are pushing for more aggressive action that uses available technology to its fullest extent. The Environmental Defense Fund, for instance, is calling for a 45% reduction in oil and gas methane emissions by 2025, which they claim is possible due to increased digitization in the industry. Technology, when harnessed, is one of the most powerful tools we have to successfully contend with the crisis we’re facing.

Waste-to-Energy Outlook for Jordan

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A “waste crisis” is looming in Jordan with more than 2 million tons of municipal waste and 18,000 tons of industrial wastes being generated each year at an annual growth rate of 3 percent. Alarmingly, less than 5 per cent of solid waste is currently recycled in Jordan. These statistics call for a national master plan in order to reduce, manage and control waste management in the country. The main points to be considered are decentralized waste management, recycling strategy and use of modern waste management technologies. Currently there is no specific legal framework or national strategy for solid waste management in Jordan which is seriously hampering efforts to resolve waste management situation.

Waste can be converted into energy by conventional technologies (such as incineration, mass-burn, anaerobic digestion and landfill gas capture). Municipal solid waste can also be efficiently converted into energy and fuels by advanced thermal technologies, such as gasification and pyrolysis. Landfill gas capture projects represent an attractive opportunity for Jordan as huge landfills/dumpsites are present in all cities and towns.

A 1 MW pilot demonstration project using municipal solid waste (MSW) through landfill and biogas technology systems was constructed and commissioned in 2001.  The project was expanded in 2008 to about 4 MW.  Jordan plans to introduce about 40-50 MW waste energy power projects by 2020. However, biomass energy projects offer a low potential in Jordan because of the severe constraints on vegetation growth imposed by the arid climate. It has been estimated that animal and solid wastes in Jordan represent an energy potential of about 105 toe annually, but municipal solid waste represents a major fraction with a gross annual production rate of more than 2 million tons.

More than 80% of actual total manure generation is concentrated in 4 northern Governorates Al Zarqa, Amman, Al-Mafraq and Irbid. More than 80% of cattle manure is being produced in three northern Governorates Al-Zarqa, Al-Mafraq and Irbid. More than 80% of poultry manure production is located in 5 northern Governorates Amman, Irbid, Al-Zarqa, Al-Mafraq and Al-Karak. An exception is sheep manure. More than 90% of sheep manure is available in three Governorates Aqaba (40%), Al-Mafraq (25%) and Al-Zarqa (25%).

Conclusion

In Jordan, waste-to-energy can be applied at small-scale for heating/cooking purposes, or it can be used at a large-scale for power generation and industrial heating. Waste-to-energy can thus be adapted rural as well as or urban environments in the country, and utilized in domestic, commercial or industrial applications.

6 Ways You Can Sleep Quicker and Better Every Night

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Sleeping is one of the great pleasures that life gives us and, in addition, it is a vital physiological process to maintain good health. If you have trouble falling asleep, do not miss these tips that will help you sleep better every night. What can you do to sleep better?

Doing physical exercise regularly, avoiding stressful situations, or using a warmer to sleep better are some of the guidelines that will help you get a quality sleep every night.

According to recent research, millions of people around the world suffer from the effects of insomnia, an alteration that, according to experts, could become a global health problem if the appropriate measures are not taken.

good-sleep

Surround yourself with things that make you smile and improve your comfort and guarantee a pleasant sleep with the perfect comforter for you.

If you find it difficult to sleep every night, follow these simple tips and you will be able to fall asleep and rest as your body deserves:

1. Practice physical exercise

Physical exercise is one of the fundamental keys to maintaining good health, but it is also key to sleeping better. And it is that staying physically active throughout the day and doing activities in a moderate way, can help you sleep better and fall asleep faster each night.

In addition, it has been shown that people who walk, swim, jog, or ride a bike on a daily basis wake up less frequently each night.

2. Use the bed only to sleep

Bed is the place we should only go at night, so the rest of the activities you do during the day should be outside of the bed. Watching television, reading a novel, or surfing the Internet are activities that should be done in another part of the house if you want to sleep better at the end of the day. This is part of having good sleep hygiene, a core come of good health.

3. Get yourself a good rest area

The place where you go to sleep every night should become an area that exudes tranquility and relaxation in all its corners, and has a natural feel about it. When you go to bed each night, it is best that the room is completely dark, that it is not too cold or too hot, and that there are no noises that could disturb your sleep.

Make sure that your bedroom is always well organized, and that it does not have too many objects around the bed. Also, it is recommended not to have a television in the sleeping room.

An important factor to improve the quality of your rest is to get a comforter or a quilt, but it will be good to know their differences before choosing the ideal one for you.

4. Limit caffeine intake

Coffee, soft drinks that contain caffeine or tea are the great enemies of sleep. Therefore, if you like these drinks a lot, it is preferable that you drink them during the day and that you avoid them from the afternoon. In this way, you will be able to overcome another of the obstacles that prevent you from sleeping well every night.

used coffee grounds

5. Naps should be short

If you are one of those who cannot do without taking a nap every day, you don’t have to give it up if you have insomnia. The only thing you should try is that this dream is as short as possible. A nap of about 20 minutes each day will do you very well and will not prevent you from falling asleep at night.

6. Avoid sleeping pills

Sleeping pills can be of great help at first, however, after time passes, the body will get used to these types of drugs and you will not be able to fall asleep naturally. For this reason, experts recommend doing without sleeping pills or using them only for very short periods of time.

We suggest a comfortable and functional environment. The inevitable computer, which has become the main tool of every young man, a study area, together with another where he can feel comfortable playing a musical instrument.

How to Reset Your Sleeping Habits

If it turns out that you go to bed at night and don’t fall asleep, but instead think about anything from your homework, to walking the dog the next morning, you may need to “reset” your sleeping habits. Try the following:

1. Get any stressful thoughts out of your mind

Imagine a relaxing scene that involves sleep and build that scene in your mind. For example, suppose in the scene you are lying in a hammock, on the beach, and under the stars. Imagine the sound of the waves. Do you hear other sounds, like the breeze through the palm leaves? What sensations do you have (like the slight sway of the hammock or a warm and gentle breeze)? Is there someone else with you? Concentrate fully on this scene for a bit.

sleep-improvement-guide

2. Try waking up for a short time

Get out of bed and do something relaxing that might make you sleepy, like reading something boring or playing a repetitive game, like Sudoku. Keep the light dim and go back to bed in about 30 minutes (or sooner if you start to feel sleepy).

3. Avoid technology such as phones and television

Bright screens can confuse your brain into thinking it’s time to get up. And anything that stimulates your brain – from a text conversation on your mobile to a video game – can also activate your body into the awake mode.

Getting up for a short time can be helpful if you have trouble falling asleep from time to time or if you ever wake up and can’t go back to sleep. But you are not interested in getting up every night. If you’re having trouble falling asleep, it’s best to train your body to slow down and relax with a pre-bedtime routine that you should apply every night. Doctors call this process “good sleep hygiene.”

Good sleep hygiene includes activities that signal the body that it is time to sleep, such as going to bed at the same time each night, unplugging all technology equipment, and keeping the room dark. It also includes avoiding caffeine or other stimulants for several hours before going to sleep.

It can help you to approach your dream like any other goal: make a plan that helps you focus on that goal and get the results you want!

نصائح لتحسين جودة الهواء في الأماكن المغلقة

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يعتبر تلوث الهواء في الأماكن المغلقة واحدا من أكبر المخاطر على الصحة العامة في جميع أنحاء العالم بسبب تزايد عدد الأمراض المرتبطة بالمباني. وجدت الدراسات أن تركيز الملوثات في الأماكن المغلقة هو أعلى بكثير في الداخل مما هي عليه في المناطق المفتوحة (الخارجية)، وتقارب النسبة مرتين إلى خمس مرات وفي بعض الأحيان مئة مرة أعلى من المستويات في المناطق المفتوحة (الخارجية). وبما أن معظم الناس يقضون 80٪ – 90٪ من حياتهم في الأماكن المغلقة، فإن جودة  الهواء في الأماكن المغلقة لها تأثير كبير على الاستدامة.

indoor air

يؤثر انخفاض جودة الهواء في الأماكن المغلقة على نوعية حياة السكان في المباني، ويؤدي إلى زيادة المخاطر الصحية، وأيضا زيادة المسؤولية على مالك المبنى، حتى انه يقلل من إنتاجية السكان، ويقلل من قيمة المبنى المالية. وبإمكان سوء نوعية/جودة الهواء في الأماكن المغلقة ان يتسبب بحدوث بمرض “متلازمة  مرض المباني”، وهي حالة طبية مرتبطة بضعف الصحة والتغيب المزمن.

ويعود سوء نوعية الهواء في الأماكن المغلقة إلى عوامل عديدة منها على سبيل المثال لا الحصر: عدم ملائمة تصميم المباني، والتهوية غير الكافية، وتدفق الغازات من المركبات العضوية المتطايرة من الأثاث والسجاد والدهانات ومواد التنظيف ومن التنفس البشري. كما تساهم الذرات المتطايرة مثل ذرات القماش والغبار والعث والعفن والبكتيريا وحبوب اللقاح ورذاذ الطيور والحيوانات في سوء نوعية الهواء في الأماكن المغلقة. وتشمل المؤشرات المستخدمة لقياس نوعية الهواء في الأماكن المغلقة : الجسيمات الكلية والمركبات العضوية المتطايرة و الفورمالديهايد وثاني أكسيد الكربون وأول أكسيد الكربون والأوزون (O3) ودرجة حرارة الهواء والرطوبة النسبية. إن تركيز ثاني أكسيد الكربون في البيئة الداخلية أو الأماكن المغلقة هو مؤشر على وضع التهوية إن كانت كافية أم لا.

في منطقة الشرق الأوسط، يعيش معظم الناس في أماكن مغلقة في أجواء ذات هواء مكيّف. مع النمو السكاني السريع، وإزدياد عدد المركبات على الطريق، بالإضافة الى ارتفاع درجة الحرارة، وأنشطة البناء المتزايدة، والعواصف الرملية، فإن تركيز تلوث الهواء في المنطقة  يعد من بين أعلى المعدلات في جميع أنحاء العالم.

وحيث أن الهواء في البيئة الداخلية يعكس أيضا نوعية الهواء في المناطق المفتوحة ونسبة تلوثها فإن انتقال ملوثات الهواء الطلق إلى البيئة الداخلية  يمكن أن يعرض الساكنين فيها إلى أوضاع صحية خطيرة. وبالإضافة إلى ذلك، توجد العديد من مصادر التلوث في الأماكن المغلقة في مواد البناء، ومواد التنظيف، العفن والنمو البكتيري، والرذاذ المتطاير من المفروشات ، والتشطيب والأدوات أو المعدات.

نصائح لتحسين جودة الهواء في البيئة الداخلية

كما أسلفنا سابقا فإن نوعية الهواء في الأماكن المغلقة تتأثر بتركيز تلوث الهواء في الخارج، بالإضافة إلى المصادر الداخلية للتلوث، والتي تكون بالعادة من خصائص البناء أو من عادات سكان هذا المباني. ومن شأن التصميم المناسب للمبنى واستراتيجيات التحكم في النظام الميكانيكي وكذلك تغيير سلوك السكان أن تحسن نوعية الهواء في الأماكن المغلقة وكذلك الصحة والراحة ورفع الأداء والإنتاجية لدى سكان المباني. وللعلم هناك مجموعة من الاستراتيجيات المتبعه لتحسين نوعية الهواء في الأماكن المغلقة:

تصميم مناسب: تغليف البناء، اتجاه البناء، موقع دخول الهواء، وموقع أنظمة التهوية الميكانيكية ، كل هذه العوامل بإمكانها المساهمة في تحسين نوعية الهواء في الأماكن المغلقة. لذان يجب أخذها بعين الاعتبار خلال مرحلة تصميم المشاريع حتى تتم مراقبة المصدر الرئيسي للتلوث في المبنى بأكمله.
تصميم للتهوية الميكانيكية الشاملة: إذا تم تصميم نظام تهوية صحيح فإنه يمكن أن يؤمن إدخال وتوفير الهواء من الخارج بكميات كافية إلى المناطق المغلقة. يتم بالعادة اتباع معايير صناعية  مثل (ASHRAE Standard 62) في معظم أنظمة تقييم المباني الخضراء، لضمان نوعية الهواء في المناطق المغلقة.

في منطقة الشرق الأوسط، يعيش معظم الناس في أماكن مغلقة في أجواء ذات هواء مكيّف

استخدام التهوية ذات النمط المختلط: إن الدمج بين أنظمة التهوية الميكانيكية والطبيعية المستخدمة في المباني، مثل أنظمة التحكم الآلي في النوافذ والنوافذ القابلة للتشغيل، يمكنه أن يساعد في الحفاظ على جودة الهواء في الأماكن المغلقة.
إدارة نوعية الهواء أثناء البناء: خلال مرحلة البناء، يمكن لبعض البكتيريا أن تنمو على مواد البناء بسبب تعرضها للرطوبة، كما يمكن أن يتراكم الغبار والرذاذ بسهولة على مواد البناء إذا لم تكن محمية. لذلك يجب حماية نوعية الهواء من خلال حماية مواد البناء من الغبار والرطوبة.
استخدام مرشحات (فلاتر) الهواء عالية الكفاءة: هذه الفلاتر تقوم بمنع انتقال المركبات العضوية المتطايرة في الهواء الطلق، والغبار، وأنواع الرذاذ والأوزون إلى الأماكن الداخلية. إن استخدام مرشحات (فلاتر) عالية الجودة مثل MERV أثبت بانه الأكثر فعالية في تصفية الغبار في الهواء الطلق والملوثات العالقة.
الصيانه الدورية لمرشحات (فلاتر) HVAC (نظام التسخين، التهوية، وتبريد الهواء): إن استخدام المرشحات وعدم صيانتها وتنظيفها يمكن أن يسبب تهيج الحواس. ولذلك يجب عمل جدول صيانة دورية لهذه المرشحات (الفلاتر).
استخدام المواد ذات الانبعاثات المنخفضة: إن استخدام المواد التي تحتوي على مستوى منخفض من المركبات العضوية المتطايرة مثل السجاد الداخلي والأرضيات المطاطية والمواد الأخرى للأرضيات والسيراميك والأطراف والألواح الجبسية، أو استخدام مواد مانعة للتسرب والمواد اللاصقة الأخرى. هذا إضافة إلى استخدام المواد ذات المستوى المنخفض من الفورمالديهايد، يمكن أن تكون مفيدة.
إجراء عملية تنظيف شاملة للمباني: يساعد التنظيف الشامل للمباني قبل إشغالها بالسكان على التخلص من الملوثات الداخلية فيها ويساعد على استبدال الهواء الداخلي الملوث بالهواء النقي من الخارج.
برنامج التنظيف الأخضر: يكون باختيار مواد التنظيف المصنوعة من مواد منخفضة الانبعاثات وتحديد برنامج تنظيف أخضر للحد من التعرض للتلوث.
شاشات رصد ثاني أكسيد الكربون: تثبيت ودمج شاشات لمراقبة ثاني اكسيد الكربون في نظام التهوية  لتنظيم دخول الهواء النقي وفقا لطلب ساكني المباني. من خلال القيام بذلك، يمكن زيادة تدفق الهواء تلقائيا إذا زاد تركيز ثاني أكسيد الكربون عن مستوى محدد.

ترجمه – ماجدة هلسة

أردنية متعددة الاهتمامات، لديها من الخبرة ما يقارب العشرون عاماً في مجالي المالية والإدارة في المؤسسات المحلية والدوليةوتعملماجدة حالياً مع الوكالة الألمانية للتعاون الدولي كموظفةٍ ماليةٍ في برنامج البيئة و المناخ في الأردن، والذي يعمل لصالح وزارة البيئة في الأردن. ومع ذلك كله وعلى الصعيد التطوعي، فإن لديها شغفاً كبيراً بالترجمة في كافة المواضيع والمجالات، وقد بُني هذا الشغف بالخبرة الشخصية والعملية على مر السنين.

How To Set Up Your Online Store: 5 Crucial Steps

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Market enthusiasts have rightly said not everyone possesses the art of running a business but if you think you can be the one, the recent craze of online shopping has made it easier for you. Now setting up an online business does not cost you your lifetime wealth, time, or even test your technical expertise. The global ecommerce market is expected to reach $4.8 trillion by the end of 2025. So if you are looking for any motivation on how to set up an online store along with your brick and mortar business, now is the time.

steps to launch a sustainable online store

From creating a fusion of your own to selecting from the diverse range of businesses like selling products, dropshipping, warehousing, wholesaling, or even private labeling, eCommerce comes with a pool of options. To further simplify your needs in setting up an online store we have discussed five critical steps while starting a sustainably running online store.

1. Product/Niche Selection Accuracy

In order to begin with how to set up an online store, the foremost step is to find the product or niche which is the soul of your online selling platform. Here you must select the option which is rare or holds a significant touch of your individuality yet meets the demand and supply nature of the market in the longer run.

By choosing the term right niche or right product we mean that your selected option must show your individuality with the spice of uniqueness. As it will ultimately be the reason for your store’s success.

2. Filling The Industry Gaps

Though when you will first step into the ocean of e-commerce retailing you would feel all the right niches are already taken. That’s totally a matter. With the usage of apt keyword research for niche selection, conduction of SWOT analysis, and efforts you can still find the unfulfilled gaps and demands of consumers. And yes, here you’ll rise and begin to serve as a consumer’s hero or their true savior.

In order to be more accurate with findings of industrial gaps you can hop on to:

  • Researching through social media the complaints requests or recommendations of consumers.
  • Hopping on Google trends to contrast or compare the search volume of products.
  • Studying top sellers and finding out what their consumers ate missing or complaining about.

3. Forum Preferences

After the selection of a niche, the most crucial step is to identify which form of eCommerce platform you want in the search of how to set up an online store. To ease the confusion you can also go for eCommerce service providers or builders but before that select which form of eCommerce, you are willing to have. The options include;

  • Buying a domain with the hiring of professional developers to start it from scratch
  • Getting a domain with the option of an open-sourced eCommerce forum
  • Simply purchasing an established online platform

4. Designing The Interface

Though the idea of judging the book by its copper is considered shallow by many, in the case of how to set up an online store you must care about how the online store will give its first impression. That can only be created through designing a picture-perfect yet user-friendly website interface. Make sure your selected layout or theme is the actual depiction of your business’s nature whereas customized forms of layouts may offer you the following options to design the site;

  • Customization of text sizes
  • Addition of branded assets with high-resolution visuals
  • Color scheme configurations
  • Embedment of social media handles
  • Experimentation with listing of products with diverse and creative page layouts

5. Mastering Marketing

Wait, your struggle has just begun as the main task of promoting your website has arrived i.e. marketing the platform. The idea of promotion has become the easiest with the help of marketing your platform through different online channels, PR campaigns, SEO ads as well as social networking advertisements.

Ways to Make Your Business Eco-Friendly

Ads highly help in increasing the visibility of your brand’s content as well as uplifting your revenues. Firstly, you can earn from running ad campaigns through Google Ad revenue. Secondly, you can generate bigger sales as the more the ads will be run around different sites the greater will be the visibility, and the higher will be the number of viewers who are your ultimate potential buyers.

With the higher recommendation of other digital marketing methodologies, you can also opt for blogging, online advertising, and running social media campaigns.

The Bottom Line

The scope of setting up an online business has been increasing with each passing hour with the uncanny indulgence of digitization in mundane lifestyles. Having said that 50% of the time of today’s generation is spent on mobile phones which is a good touchpoint to connect with a variety of interactions all around the funnel.

Setting up an online store is yet another example where one can easily generate higher profits especially if you are following sustainable business practices.

So don’t forget to go green and shine as bright as the queen!

The Link Between Holy Quran and Sustainable Development

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In the Holy Quran, there are many verses which emphasizes the importance of sustainable development, and the responsibility of human beings towards the environment. The mankind has the right to use the environment for getting the essential benefits like water, land, air, minerals etc. But there is no right given to man to damage the environment.

Awareness about Sustainable Development

The public awareness about sustainable development is increasing day-by-day. The people feel the necessity to include religious influence in maintaining the environment. The Holy Quran play a significant role in our lives to fulfill our responsibility as the Khalifah of Allah (viceregent of Allah).

a Muslim reading the Holy Quran

Sustainable development is not a new concept for Muslims. In the Quran, we can find more than 500 verses in which Allah guides us on matters related to the environmental sustainability.

Our Responsibilities

According to Islam, human being is the caretaker or guardian of this environment. The Islamic perspective on sustainable development highlights that our stronger connection to faith can contribute to environmental sustainability. The Quran is a guiding source for Muslims. The Quran repeatedly stresses the significance of environmental conservation, and emphasizes the relationship of the Nature with human life.

Thus, as Muslims, it is our responsibility to utilize the earth responsibly. We should maintain and preserve it honestly. The Quran teaches us to use the precious natural resources judiciously, considerately and moderately. It is very important to pass the environment to future generations in its best form. We have to make use of our natural environment in such a way that it is not degraded and polluted for the coming generations.

Allah says in the Quran:

“It is He who has appointed you vicegerent on the earth…”  Quran 6:165

Every person can share earth’s resources. Allah has also set a scale on all the resources. Our negative actions will produce the side-effects and cause ecological imbalance on Earth.

The Quran tells us

“The servants of the Lord of Mercy are those who walk gently upon the earth…” Quran 25:63

Land Reclamation in Quran

According to the Holy Quran, Allah rewards a person who brings a dead land to life. Land reclamation is highly encouraged in Islam. Preserving the land and its sustainable use is very important because not only human beings but also animals, birds, and other creatures benefits from it. Allah regards this act as a charity in Islam. Infact, Allah says that He offers rewards for planting every sapling.

quran-environment-protection

Protection of Nature

Nature protection is emphasized in our religion. Allah says that all the things that He created on the earth have certain purposes. We should appreciate the wildlife and contribute to the protection of nature.

Water Rights

In the Holy Quran, Allah mentions the word ‘water’ 66 times. Water is very important for us because it has life-giving properties. There is a Quranic verse about water:

“And Allah sends down rain from the skies, and gives therewith life to the earth after its death: verily in this is a Sign for those who listen”…. Quran 16:65

Monopolization of water is not allowed in Islam. Sustainability of water utilization is of great importance. Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) teaches us to use the water properly without wasting it. Quran not only encourages the protection of water but also forbids polluting it.

quran and sustainable development

Environmental Protection

We can only benefit from the environment if we contribute to its conservation and protection. People are ignorant in this regard so this ignorance has resulted in the environmental degradation. There is a need to raise awareness among the people. Muslims should realize that it is their religious duty to protect the environment. Allah, the Almighty, does not allow anyone to cause damage to the earth.

Conclusion

The protection of the natural environment is a religious duty for all the Muslims. We, as Muslims, believe in the sustainable development of our communities, cities and countries. The Muslim community should take the lead in protecting the Nature. It is our duty to raise awareness about environmental conservation and sustainability among Muslims on the basis of Quranic teachings and Hadith.

The Key Features of Net-Zero Homes

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It doesn’t matter where in the world you live, the time has come to realize the importance of building homes that use zero energy. You don’t even have to believe in catastrophic global warming to realize the financial, comfort, and environmental benefits of net-zero homes.

But first, you need to have an understanding of net-zero and zero-carbon buildings and their implications for us all, as well as the elements and features that need to be incorporated into a net-zero home.

Net-Zero Homes and Energy Efficiency

You could say that a net-zero or zero-energy home represents the best in energy efficiency. Essentially, the energy they consume each year is equivalent to the renewable energy they produce, resulting in a carbon-free environment with a net-zero bill. Additionally, zero-energy homes are sustainable, healthy, very comfortable, and, believe it or not, affordable. Often they are smaller in size which adds to affordability.

As the picture above illustrates, a net-zero home will be energy-efficient from top to bottom. It will have:

  • Insulation in the roof and walls that helps to create a thermal envelope that will keep the building airtight. Good insulation will reduce heating needs as well as cooling demands.
  • Good natural ventilation and air filtration that maintains air quality for those living in the house.
  • High-performance windows that filter light and minimize penetration of solar heat. Windows must also seal against drafts, adding to the performance of the thermal envelope. Windows should also be designed for cross-ventilation in summer to make use of natural ventilation and reduce the cooling load.
  • High-performance doors that also help to reduce heat loss.
  • A heat pump and/or solar photovoltaic (PV) panels for water and space heating. Heat pumps also offer an energy-efficient alternative option to air conditioners and furnaces and can reduce electricity used for heating by as much as 50%. A heat pump water heater provides very efficient electric water heating.
  • Low-flow water fixtures in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundries. These operate with high-pressure, producing a consistently strong flow of water that reduces water flow by more than 30% ultimately using less water and reducing the use of hot water specifically.
  • Energy-efficient lighting that uses about 75% less energy than old-fashioned incandescent lighting. The key is to use light-emitting diode (LED) or compact fluorescent lamp (or light) CFL light bulbs.
  • Energy-efficient appliances, including induction stovetops, that use renewable sources of energy and are designed to function with minimum energy.
  • Excellent energy management that optimizes energy use throughout the house.

While net-zero homes are generally new buildings, some upgrades can be done to make older homes more energy efficient, particularly by:

  • Improving wall framing if the house is timber frame
  • Adding insulation
  • Installing solar PV energy systems

In the U.S. and some other parts of the world, it is possible to get energy-efficient mortgages and even loans to cover upgrades to make your home net-zero or at very least more energy efficient.

In terms of cost, a specialist (MEP) engineering firm in Chicago, New York, or whichever city you live in or near to will be able to advise.

International Differences

Different countries, and even different states and areas within countries are moving at a very varied rate towards the World Green Building Council’s goal to have all new buildings net-zero carbon by 2030 and all buildings by 2050. Some will make it, clearly, others won’t. Similarly, some want to and others don’t seem to care.

In the U.S. for instance, California initially took the lead in terms of net-zero buildings although Massachusetts was recently ranked the most energy-efficient state in the U.S. by advocacy group the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE). According to their 2018 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, Massachusetts scored 44/50 while California sored 43.5. At the other end of the scale, Wyoming had an abysmal score of only 4.5/50.

On the other side of the world, the UAE has pledged to be a global leader in sustainability, aiming for new “nearly zero energy buildings” by the end of next year. This means that all new buildings, including homes, will have low energy consumption and they will use renewable energy for most needs. It is also part of a plan to develop a low energy, low carbon economy that will set an example for all the other countries in the Middle East region.

DEWA Headquarters in Dubai is the world’s largest LEED-certified building

Having said that it doesn’t matter where in the world you live when it comes to net-zero, climatic, economic, and other differences do impact on viability. Even traditional design practices and building methods in some regions have a significant influence. For instance, in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region as a whole, energy prices and the costs of trying to implement energy efficiency measures are very real factors.

Researcher Moncef Krarti did a relatively recent study that evaluated net-zero energy residential buildings in the MENA region focusing specifically on the cost-effectiveness of designing residential buildings that would minimize lifecycle energy costs. He concluded that it was vital to reduce energy subsidies in the MENA region, and ultimately eliminate them.

The ACEEE suggests other strategies including more stringent building energy codes and an improvement in code compliance in some states, and to find innovative financing mechanisms to lower up-front costs in others.

International Agreement

While the challenges and success rates vary, it is generally agreed that net-zero homes cost about 10% more to build than those that don’t comply with energy-efficiency requirements.

But with an acknowledgment that buildings are responsible for a very big percentage of the total energy used (40% in the U.S.), it is a fact that zero-energy homes are one of the cornerstones of a globally reduced carbon future that isn’t going to rely on harmful fossil fuels.

Certainly, net-zero is the way to go.

Agriculture, Women and Youth – The Jordanian Perspective

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The theme “agriculture, women and youth” deals with three main axes in the development of different societies and key pillars in sustainable development, especially in developing and rural countries. In general, it is known that Jordan is an agricultural country with excellence and that its water resources are limited because it is one of the most water-stressed countries in the world, which affects agricultural production, and often depends on the import of foodstuffs in a large proportion and in greater defiance of global price fluctuations. However, agriculture provides important employment opportunities, especially in rural and desert areas, and remains a vital sector for achieving sustainable food security.

An Arab woman driving a tractor for farming

Women represent a significant proportion of the agricultural workforce in many countries, ranging from 40-50% of which are employed in agriculture. Women’s contribution to agriculture is not counted economically, despite its great importance in agricultural and food production. Jordanian women have a vital role in agriculture, as they are heavily involved in agricultural activities such as harvesting crops, raising livestock and poultry, and stages of post-harvest transactions such as packaging.

Rural Jordanian women face many challenges in the agricultural sector, including lack of economic and social empowerment with limited access to finance, loans, agricultural training, technology, except about the limited ownership of agricultural land, poor representation in agricultural decision-making, seasonal and domestic work that is not officially recognized. There are still opportunities to improve the status of rural Jordanian women by building capacities and empowering them through training and funding and enhancing their role in decision-making at the farm, community and state levels.

The reality of youth employment in agriculture is limited and the majority of them are averse to working in it because of its traditional image and difficulty and prefer to work in cities or government jobs, which has led to high unemployment rates among young people sometimes exceeding 40%. There is also still an opportunity for young people to modernize the agricultural sector using modern technology, provide financial incentives and support agricultural entrepreneurs, as well as integrate modern agriculture into educational curricula and give a greater role to youth agricultural vocational training.

At present, it is necessary to work on integrating the role of women and youth in the agricultural sector through entrepreneurship by leading innovative and sustainable collective projects, including organic farming, hydroponics, rural agricultural manufacturing, direct sale via the internet, vertical farming. The process of empowering women and youth means supporting the food supply chain and improving nutrition, which is one of the pillars of food security.

women working in an agricultural field

Agricultural technology (AgriTech) has opened the way for young people to apply innovation and entrepreneurship, such as the use of drones, remote sensing and various local and global applications. As for enhancing the role of women and youth in agriculture in Jordan, it consists in providing concessional financing for agricultural projects, designing, implementing and evaluating vocational training programs specialized in modern agriculture, innovation and agricultural entrepreneurship, working on legal and social empowerment to facilitate land ownership, supporting linking small producers to local and international markets, and at the core of all this cooperation between government agencies, the private sector and non-profit organizations to achieve the desired goals, such as the program of the economic and social productivity enhancement project, the agricultural innovation incubators project, and others.

digital tech in agriculture

Bottom Line

Agriculture is a strategic area for empowering women and youth and achieving sustainable development, and the challenge lies in removing barriers and providing opportunities for them to play an effective and influential role in this vital sector. Despite all the challenges, women and youth in Jordan have great potential to lead a new agricultural renaissance. By empowering them, the agricultural sector can be transformed into an effective tool to address unemployment, poverty, achieve food security and sustainable rural development and achieve the vision of economic modernization and the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 .

الزراعة والمرأة والشباب

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يتناول موضوع “الزراعة والمرأة والشباب” ثلاث محاور أساسية في تنمية المجتمعات المختلفة  وركائز أساسية في التنمية المستدامة، خاصة في الدول النامية والريفية .وفي لمحة عامة من المعروف أن الاردن بلد زراعي بإمتياز وأن الموارد المائية فيه محدودة كونه يعد من أكثر الدول فقراً بالمياه في العالم، مما يؤثر على الإنتاج الزراعي ، وغالباً يتم الإعتماد على الإستيراد من المواد الغذائية بنسبة كبيرة وبتحدي أكبر لتقلبات الأسعار العالمية. ومع ذلك فإن الزراعة توفر فرص عمل مهمة خاصة في المناطق الريفية والبادية، وتظل  قطاع حيوي لتحقيق الأمن الغذائي المستدام.

women working in an agricultural field

وتمثل المرأة نسبة كبيرة من القوى العاملة الزراعية  في العديد من البلدان تتراوح بين  40-50% منها القوى العاملة في الزراعة.وتحمل اعباء أعمال غير مدفوعة الأجر  و لا تحسب مساهمة المرأة في الزراعة اقتصادياً، رغم أهميتها الكبيرة في الإنتاج الزراعي والغذائي.وللمرأة  الأردنية  دورها الحيوي في الزراعة فهي تشارك بشكل كبير في الأنشطة الزراعية مثل قطف المحاصيل وتربية الماشية والدواجن ومراحل معاملات ما بعد الحصاد مثل التعبئة والتغليف.تواجه المرأة الأردنية الريفية كثير من التحديات في القطاع الزرعي منها قلة التمكين الإقتصادي والإجتماعي بمحدودية الحصول على التمويل، القروض، والتدريب الزراعي، التكنولوجيا عدا عن محدودية تملك الأراضي الزراعية، وضعف التمثيل في صنع القرار الزراعي،والعمل الموسمي والمنزلي غير المعترف به رسمياً.وما زالت الفرص سانحة لتحسين وضع المرأة الأردنية الريفية بالعمل على بناء القدرات وتمكينها من خلال التدريب والتمويل وتعزيز دورها في اتخاذ القرار على مستوى المزارع والمجتمع والدولة

أما  واقع عمل الشباب في الزراعة تعتبر محدودة وغالبيتهم ينفرون من العمل فيها بسبب صورتها التقليدية وصعوبتها ويفضلون العمل في المدن أو الوظائف الحكومية مما دعا الى إرتفاع معدلات البطالة بين الشباب تتجاوز أحياناً 40% . وأيضاً ما زالت الفرصة سانحة أمام الشباب بتحديث القطاع الزراعي بإستخدام التكنولوجيا الحديثة وتوفير حوافز مالية ودعم رواد الأعمال الزراعيين بالإضافة إلى إدماج الزراعة الحديثة في المناهج التعليمية ومنح دور أكبر للتدريب المهني الزراعي الشبابي.

sustainable agriculture in jordan valley

من الضرورة في الوقت الحالي العمل على  تكامل دور المرأة والشباب في القطاع الزراعي من خلال ريادة الأعمال بقيادة مشاريع مبتكرة ومستدامة جماعية منها الزراعة العضوية، الزراعة المائية، التصنيع الزراعي الريفي، البيع المباشر عبر الانترنت ، الزراعة الرأسية، كما أن عملية تمكين المرأة والشباب يعني دعم سلسلة الإمداد الغذائي وتحسين التغذية وهي احد ركائز الامن الغذائي وقد فتحت التكنولوجيا الزراعية (Agri-Tech)  المجال أمام الشباب لتطبيق الإبتكار وريادة الأعمال، مثل استخدام الدرونز والإستشعار عن بعد والتطبيقات المختلفة المحلية والعالمية.

أما تعزيز دور المرأة والشباب في الزراعة بالأردن فيتمثل في توفير تمويل ميسر للمشاريع الزراعية، تصميم وتنفيذ وتقييم  برامج تدريب مهني متخصصة بالزراعة الحديثة والابتكار والريادة الزراعية ، والعمل على التمكين القانوني والإجتماعي لتسهيل تملك الأراضي، ودعم ربط المنتجين الصغار بالأسواق المحلية والدولية، وفي جوهر كل ذلك التعاون بين الجهات الحكومية والقطاع الخاص والمنظمات غير الربحية لتحقيق الأهداف المرجوة مثل برنامج  مشروع تعزيز الإنتاجية الإقتصادية والإجتماعية ومشروع حاضنات الإبتكار الزراعي وغيرها

في الخلاصة تعد الزراعة مجالاً إستراتيجياً لتمكين المرأة والشباب، وتحقيق التنمية المستدامة،ويكمن التحدي في إزالة الحواجز وتوفير الفرص ليكون لهم دور فعال ومؤثر في هذا القطاع الحيوي .ورغم كل التحديات، فإن المرأة والشباب في الأردن يمتلكون إمكانات كبيرة لقيادة نهضة زراعية جديدة .ومن خلال تمكينهم، يمكن تحويل القطاع الزراعي إلى أداة فعالة لمواجهة البطالة، الفقر، وتحقيق الأمن الغذائي والتنمية الريفية المستدامة وتحقيق  رؤية التحديث الإقتصادي وأهداف التنمية المستدامة 2030 .