5 Places Where You Can Use Cable Railing to Improve Home Style

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People nowadays prefer to have a sustainable lifestyle and a green way of living and choosing eco-friendly items has become a norm. Therefore, you can find that people are using cable railing of stainless steel while taking up any kind of home improvement project.

It is nowadays very common to see stainless steel railings in many different homes. Also, stainless steel can be quite durable and strong.

The following are a few places where people prefer to use cable railings while considering home improvement.

1. Balcony and terrace

Most of the home has a balcony area, where you can have a railing option. Not only this will offer safety, but also cable railing can offer a secure and versatile structure for opening up this space.

cable-railing

In case, your balcony is large enough for hosting dining, then such railing can be an ideal option for creating an unobtrusive barrier, and also you will be able to soak up surrounding garden areas.

In most modern homes, cable railing is used for getting an outstanding view of the scenery, and with such a unique idea; it can provide a beautiful transition to all your indoor and outdoor areas.

2. Outside decking

Perhaps this area is the most popular place where cable railing can be incorporated because it can create quite an uninterrupted feel for your garden area. With this option, you can make maximum use of the exterior space during summer.

You can also think of creating dining alfresco to enjoy its distinctive aesthetics. Your cable railing needs low maintenance, as they are easy to clean and will keep it looking untouched all year round.

This kind of railing will be able to withstand various weather conditions and yet will look as if it is just installed.

3. Internal staircases

Even for your internal staircases, cable railing will provide very stylish solutions. In your home, railings are a very important part to provide safety features to the staircase, but that should not be the reason to use a material that will not work with your original interior design.

While innovating, often the staircase gets lower priority, but putting a little change into this area will open up space and can create light pockets to offer a contemporary look.

4. Poolside railing

Those who have built a swimming pool in the backyard, putting barriers usually are necessary for keeping everyone safe. You can have several options for incorporating barrier, but few may need lots of maintenance.

For offering a chic poolside feature, you can use cable railing. Not only cable railing of stainless steel will provide unobtrusive elements around your pool, but also it will offer a style to properly match your garden themes.

It can also be easily installed and maintained although it can be near water; it may not affect the appearance of the metal.

5. Entrances and pathways

For creating an ultimate curb appeal, cable railing of stainless steel is ideal for having striking entrance-ways. You can easily incorporate into your landscaping of front garden areas and your beautiful floral arrangements will not be disturbed at all.

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

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Sustainability is important everywhere, and it is especially urgent in places with rapidly growing populations that are more prone to lower water scarcity.  The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s hot and dry climate puts cities at risk. However, MENA’s water-scarce cities produce a ton of wastewater that can potentially be treated to accommodate their water needs.

wastewater utilization

What is Sewer Mining?

Sewer mining is when wastewater is harvested and treated to remove contaminants and separate certain chemicals so that it can be reused. It is typically sourced and treated locally. It can reduce the demand for potable water by offering a localized, alternative source for non-potable applications.

The sewer mining system is composed of two main units — a membrane bioreactor and a reverse osmosis unit. They are joined together into one compact system that makes them easier to transport. These units work together to filter wastewater and make it safe to use for agriculture, landscaping, irrigation or possibly drinking water.

Sewer Mining in MENA

The MENA region is the most water-stressed region worldwide. It is a good contender for sewer mining due to its overabundance of available wastewater and the growing need for clean water, especially in its cities.

Using Sewer Mining to Fight Water Scarcity

MENA has many water-scarce cities with untapped potential. Untreated wastewater could poison the existing fresh water if left where it is. This could further endanger public health and add to the water crisis.

However, the growing populations in MENA’s cities produce enough wastewater that, if properly utilized and thoroughly treated, could help combat the water scarcity issue. The potential to transform a pollutant into a valuable commodity is appealing to many researchers and stakeholders.

Challenges of Treating Wastewater

Regulations and laws currently in place are not adequate to force cities to convert their wastewater. Some laws even put restrictions on wastewater treatment or aspects of it that hinder the process. There are also no clear incentives for treating wastewater — unless there is a money-based incentive, the job will likely not get done.

A disconnect between different industries within the cities also accounts for the lack of opportunities for wastewater treatment. If industries do not work together to provide their own assistance in this crisis, then solving the problem will be more difficult.

Pipes within the cities’ sewer lines may be weak or broken, considering that wastewater is contaminating some freshwater. A solution would be to use trenchless sewer repair, as opposed to repairs that require digging up half the land to fix the pipes. Trenchless sewer repair involves releasing an epoxy resin into a pipe that builds a new one inside it. This technique eliminates hefty construction jobs and decreases the contamination of clean water.

Cultural barriers and distrust in cities also play a role. Many people think reusing wastewater is unsanitary or will cause health issues. To make a real change, it is important for everyone to understand how the treatment can successfully get rid of harmful contaminants and be on board with the idea.

Potential Benefits of Utilizing Wastewater

Treating and using wastewater could increase the amount of water available for MENA’s water-scarce cities’ growing population. Wastewater can be used on a farm to irrigate and fertilize the soil, and it contains many nutrients that can help plants.

Wastewater contains carbon that can be converted into methane, which could potentially produce electricity for a large number of houses. When using it for energy, consider the environmental impacts of whichever energy method is chosen. Solar and wind energy solutions are more sustainable options.

Forestry, agriculture and landscaping are other industries that can utilize wastewater. Providing treated wastewater to all of these companies can limit water scarcity in MENA’s cities and provide an economic cushion for the city’s industries.

The Danger of Water Scarcity

Water scarcity is not just an issue in the MENA region. It is a global concern. Pollution is poisoning many known water resources, and climate change is causing other sources to dry up. Population growth, as seen in the MENA region’s cities, is happening in many regions worldwide, which is only making water scarcity worse. The amount of water on the planet cannot compete with the demanding thirst.

Negative effects of this water loss are numerous, spanning environmental and social consequences. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Limited drinking water
  • Disease outbreaks and other health risks
  • Stunted crop growth
  • Wetlands disappearing
  • Increased pollution concentration
  • Damages to entire ecosystems
  • Economic hardships
  • Conflicts between communities or nations

Reusing resources with untapped potential, like wastewater, is the key to a more sustainable future. It can significantly contribute to urban resilience, especially in regions prone to droughts.

wastewater treatment plant

Case Studies of Sustainable Wastewater Treatment

Technology exists to remove harmful chemicals and extract usable nutrients from wastewater. Wastewater treatment is most successful when it can be done sustainably and within closed-loop systems. In Massachusetts, a facility is using a photovoltaic system to manage wastewater from commercial and residential off-put. Photovoltaic systems are solar-powered, so they can reduce atmospheric pollution.

California is also struggling to meet drinking water demands due to droughts in the region, which affect over 2 billion people annually. To combat this issue, the Orange County Water District is generating millions of gallons of drinking water a day to serve residents.

Utilizing Wastewater

Wastewater is a largely untapped resource, especially in MENA’s water-scarce cities. To be more sustainable, it is important to look for ways to reuse waste so that it does not sit there and accumulate while populations suffer. Proper regulations and supportive professionals are needed to make sewer mining doable in these cities, especially so they get their investment in the sewer mining system back. Teamwork, like in many environmental issues, is the solution.

How Device Trade-In Fuels Sustainable Progress

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Upgrading tech is easy. The harder part is figuring out what to do with the old stuff once you’ve moved on. Most people hold onto it without any real reason, not because they need it, but because tossing electronics in the trash feels wrong. And it should. Every device that gets made comes from materials pulled out of the ground, and many of those are in finite supply.

That’s why trade-ins are such a great option. A buyback program is one of the few ways the average person can directly cut down on e-waste. A phone or computer you don’t use anymore still has components that can be repaired, reused, or recycled in ways that save energy and resources.

trade-in program for mobile phones

The Bigger Problem We’re Trying to Fix

Electronic waste is growing faster than any other kind of waste. Millions of tons are thrown out every year, and only a small part of it gets recycled the right way. A lot of the rest gets sent to places that don’t have the tools to process it safely, so it ends up burned, buried, or taken apart by hand, and that poisons the soil and water around the people who live there. The damage doesn’t stop there either, as the pollution spreads and lingers long after the devices are gone.

Trade-in programs help slow that cycle down. When old phones get refurbished and reused, less have to be built from scratch. That saves on materials, manufacturing energy, and the shipping that comes with global production. It may not be a perfect solution, but it’s one that makes a visible dent in a growing problem.

What Trade-In Programs Do

When a company like RakeRock buys used electronics, each item goes through testing to see what can be salvaged. Devices that still work get refurbished for resale, and ones that can’t be fixed are taken apart so their batteries, displays, and processors can go toward other repairs. What’s left over gets recycled through certified facilities that recover valuable metals and safely process what can’t be reused.

Phones and other electronics often contain copper, gold, lithium, and other elements that take an enormous effort to mine and refine. Reusing those parts reduces the need for new materials and lowers the overall footprint of manufacturing.

ways to reduce e-waste

Convenience Makes It Work

The biggest reason trade-ins succeed is because they’re easy. You don’t need to create a post, find a buyer, or argue over prices. You get a quote online, ship your device with a prepaid label, and get paid once it’s inspected. That simplicity is what makes people follow through instead of putting it off. Most of us mean to recycle our old electronics but never get around to it because it feels like a hassle. Trade-in programs remove that barrier by doing all the work for you.

Turning Reuse Into a Routine

You don’t have to wait until you’ve collected a pile of outdated gear to do something with it. Instead, make it part of your upgrade process. When you replace something, send the old one out right away. You’ll clear space, get a quick payout (which reduces the financial hit of your new purchase), and keep the materials in motion instead of letting them sit around losing value. If it’s something you haven’t used in years, it still might have life left in it for someone else.

A cracked screen or bad battery doesn’t mean the whole device is useless — those are often the first parts replaced during refurbishing.

The Bigger Shift

Trade-ins are part of a larger cultural shift in how we think about technology. For decades, the tech world pushed constant replacement: newer, thinner, faster. Now, the conversation is starting to change. More people are realizing that reuse is progress, and the future of sustainable tech is about making sure innovation doesn’t leave a mountain of trash behind.

How Professional Cleaning Services Are Reducing Their Environmental Impact

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Many cleaning businesses are changing how they provide their services, and they are trying their best to meet changing environmentally-conscious standards. They are using safer and less toxic cleaning solutions and evolving methods that have a reduced environmental impact.

business premises being cleaned by a professional cleaner

Natural Cleaners to Replace Toxic Ones

One of the biggest and most widespread changes we are seeing in cleaning companies across the world is the changeover from toxic chemicals to natural, safe ones. It is the man-made chemicals that are tough on the environment and that create a large carbon footprint, but the ones made from naturally occurring elements are safer for people and are not dangerous for the environment.

Cleaning companies are replacing parabens, phthalates, chlorine, and other toxic components with lemon juice, baking soda, and vinegar. These can sometimes have a strong smell, but they don’t leave behind a toxic residue and do not contribute to environmental decay.

This is happening on a very wide scale and is making such a difference. Businesses and homeowners that hire cleaners with these eco-friendly practices are reporting that they have safer environments where the air is easier to breathe, and they are reporting fewer allergic reactions to cleaning chemicals as well. They feel safer having kids and pets around areas that have been professionally cleaned.

Instead of volatile organic compounds being released into the air, inert components are used, and the result is transformative. People feel better, and surfaces are being cleaned every bit as well as before. This is one change that is generally easy to make and that also makes quite a difference.

Reducing Water Usage

Water is one of our most valuable resources. It is difficult and expensive to create clean, potable water, so many cleaning companies are finding ways to reduce their water usage. This leaves more of this necessary natural resource for others to use and saves valuable resources that are expended to produce clean water.

Cleaning companies in Philly and other places are cutting down on water use in a multitude of ways. They are using buckets of water instead of making use of running water. They are using water bottles instead of hoses, and so forth. They are ensuring that there is no unnecessary waste of water, and they are taking measures to protect this valuable resource.

This is especially important during times of drought, where there is little water available, but cleaning still needs to be done. Is your cleaning company using water carefully and conservatively or are they being wasteful? You can always ask them about their green practices and if they are making smart use of resources.

Less Waste in Packaging

How many disposable items does the average cleaning company use when cleaning a home or a business? It could be a lot depending on how large the property is that they are cleaning as well as the kind of cleaning practices that they engage in. They may be burning through disable scrubbing pads and cloths as well as packaging for cleaning chemicals, and the amount of plastic and paper that is used in a single cleaning can be tremendous.

Not every cleaning company is so wasteful, though, and there is a big trend in the right direction that is seeing many cleaning services opt for reusable items instead of disposable ones. That’s a very healthy trend, because it means not only is the packaging not being tossed but also the cleaning tool itself is not being tossed. That is conservation of multiple items for a single cleaning service.

It can be difficult for companies to break out of their old habits and to change their ways to be more environmentally conscious, but we are seeing more and more companies adopt sensible wastage practices so that fewer items are being thrown away and more items are being reused. Companies that do this are often able to pass their savings onto the customer, since it costs them less in the long run to use reusable items that last for a long time.

rug cleaning innovations

Using Energy Efficient Equipment

This is another environmentally conscious change that can take some work to implement but that really pays off for the environment over time. When cleaning companies use energy efficient cleaning tools and methods, they are conserving energy, saving the environment, and helping their clients have a positive environmental impact.

Think about the amount of energy used to run a pressure washer or to run multiple loads of laundry. Think about how much energy is used to run a powerful vacuum cleaner or a suction machine used to clean carpets. These tools were built in the past to simply be as powerful as possible so the work could be done as quickly as possible. Now, companies that design the machines are thinking about how they can be energy conscious.

Many cleaning companies are switching over and are gradually changing out their energy hungry machine for energy conscious ones. They are using less energy and still get their clients’ homes and businesses clean. Be sure to ask your cleaning company about the kind of cleaning tools they use. Ask them how important it is to them to conserve energy and to be efficient with their resources.

Finding the Right Cleaning Company

Because professional cleaning is such a competitive industry right now, there are lots of choices for you to pick from. That means that you can find energy conscious and environmentally conscious cleaning companies if you take the time to look. Spend some time comparing different cleaning services in your area and each out to them and ask them questions about the services they offer.

You can find a cleaning company that really does care about the environment and that makes an effort to save energy and save you money. If you want to do your part to protect the environment and you want your home or business to be clean as well, you can accomplish both by hiring the right cleaning service.

Biodiversity Conservation in Jordan: Perspectives

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Jordan is situated at the center of unique biota, representing the biodiversity of dry lands. The natural ecosystems in Jordan support human activities in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, tourism, traditional and pharmaceutical health products, traditional medicine and many others. These ecosystems are also important for their intrinsic value, and for protection of overall environmental quality.

The Levant states in general, and Jordan in particular, went through changes during the past two centuries from various anthropogenic activities. These changes are threatening the natural ecosystems, which have been destroyed to make way for agricultural, industrial, or housing developments. Species biodiversity have been severely affected, with many facing extinction. Rare and endemic plant and animals are endangered.

biodiversity in jordan

Biodiversity in Jordan

Despite its relatively small size, Jordan is highly rich in biodiversity. The country is divided into four different bio-geographical zones – the Mediterranean, Irano -Turanian, saharo-Arabian and Sudania. These zones are key elements in supporting biodiversity, containing three major ecosystems – terrestrial, marine, and wetland.

Biodiversity in Jordan has been seriously threatened in recent years. Natural areas and wildlife has been severely affected due to rapid urban growth resulting from population growth, large-scale migration and rapid industrial expansion has led to depletion of natural ecosystems. Agriculture, animal-grazing, construction and other human activities has led to soil erosion, desertification and fragmentation of the land and reduction or extinction of wildlife. Furthermore, the increasing stress on limited water supplies has led to overexploitation of water resources and a decline in its quality and general decline in biological systems.

The agricultural expansion has led to ecological changes in two ways: decrease in population of some species due to alteration of their natural habitat, and over-exploitation of water resources. For some species, the lack of water has forced the animals to move or die, although for others it has increased their population. Rampant use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers has contaminated soil and water resources while reckless use of heavy agricultural machinery on marginal arid lands has encouraged soil erosion.

Overgrazing is widely recognized as harmful to ecosystems as it may lead to desertification, which increases atmospheric dust; such dust creates a health problem for both humans and wildlife. Furthermore, overgrazing is harmful for soil microorganisms on which the health of the entire ecosystem depends upon. Desertification and deforestation causes the land to deteriorate rapidly. Although Jordan is committed to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), illegal hunting and trapping is still common which is threatening a host of wildlife species. Traffic and vehicular movement is increasing rapidly in Jordan which is also reading to soil erosion and death of animals.

Roadmap for Biodiversity Conservation

Jordan is working toward more profound strategic policies and actions to meet the requirements of the Convention on Biological Diversity. At the national level, the goal is to raise public awareness about nature as related to the conservation of biodiversity, and to direct national concern in different sectors about the conservation and management of Jordan’s natural habitat in a sustainable way. Decision makers in Jordan should be more aware of the threats facing biological diversity and the degree of its deterioration.

An important development is a multidisciplinary approach that uses geographic information system (GIS) analysis. The plan should involve many stakeholders, including the government, specialized nongovernmental organizations, local communities, and representatives research initiations and universities.

As a response to the urgent need for conservation of biodiversity in Jordan, I suggest the following solutions:

  • Rehabilitation of damaged ecosystems in order to promote biodiversity and solving causes of poverty and unemployment – Poverty is both a cause and a consequence of biodiversity degradation: poor people are forced to put urgent needs before the long-term quality of the biodiversity.
  • Designing water supply models and monitoring water quantity and quality for plant and animal biodiversity. To reduce pressure from the growing urban demand, a long-term water solution will require fundamental changes in national water policy and adoption of a large-scale management by the Jordanian government.
  • Coordinating implementation of the plan between the local communities, government agencies and the private sector. It is important to involve local communities in decision making regarding hunting, water use and grazing.
  • Implementation of comprehensive plan, guidelines and national and international policies for sustainable development of arid areas, preservation of biodiversity, and adoption of strategies to prevent harmful practices such as overgrazing or over extraction of water.
  • Establishment of separated areas for biodiversity conservation, off-limits to grazing and other activities, and the monitoring of biodiversity in those areas.
  • Addressing the problems faced by farmers, such as crop selection. There is currently a lack of information on alternative crops that are tolerant to water stress and water-saving irrigation techniques. Livestock owners need services such as grazing reserves and infrastructure for marketing milk and other products.
  • Land use plans are essential for conservation of biodiversity of Jordan, there is an urgent need to encourage shifting the rural pressure to none fertile land, also new trends should be adopted to minimize reduction in forested land and reforest cleared areas.
  • Establishment of more natural reserves to give Jordanians beautiful places to visit and preserve Jordan’s beauty for future generations. A network of protected areas for ecosystems species and genetic resources preservation must also be established.
  • Introduction of sustainable systems for farming, include disease control and crops that help to regenerate soils. Appropriate support and encouragement to farmers to adopt new policies and new practices, such as water-saving irrigation techniques and plantings of sustainable crops such as date palms or honey production.

Jordan is committed to study its biodiversity to conserve its natural resources and ensure the sustainable use of its resources. It is also hoped that Jordan Biodiversity study will be the basis for cross-cultural cooperation and exchange, resulting in scientific integration between Jordan and the rest of the World. The result of applying there principle across several areas will be a visible recovery and improvement of Jordan’s ecosystem. Additionally, new jobs will be created as part of the conservation efforts.

biodiversity in jordan

A biological survey is necessary to monitor changes in the Jordanian ecosystems.  National guidance is required, as well as national and international funding for these activities. Appropriate development organizations should encourage research in ethno-biology to identify plant and animal species used by local people, which will prevent species from being irretrievably lost.

As human induced environmental change continues, society is facing an increasing array of pressing environmental challenges. Answers to these complex challenges must be informed by coordinated, long-term interdisciplinary research. The LTER sites (Long term ecological research sites) are poised to address a set of new initiatives to be pursued in response to these environmental challenges.

Considering that one third of the land mass surface of the earth is classified as arid land, knowledge of the composition of their bio-communities and of how these communities are affected by landscape sustainability measures will find wider application in landscape sustainability programs and contribute to future global policies. Government and specialized environmental NGO involvement is essential for the success of these measures.

نبات الالوفيرا – النبات المعجزة

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نبات الالوفيرا من النباتات المنتشرة قديماً خلال القرنين الثامن عشر والتاسع عشر ميلادياً،وهو نبات معمر عصاري (أوراقه تحتوي كميات كبيرة من الماء) يمكن أن ينمو إلى طول يصل إلى 4 أقدام، أوراقه قاسيه رمحية لحمية وتنمو لتصل إلى 36 بوصة طول ،أما مادة  الهلام السميكة الموجود في الجزء الداخلي من الورقة فهي المادة الأكثر شيوعاً في الاستخدامات المختلفة والهامة جداً حيث يوجد أكثر من 300 نوع منها واستمرت خصائصها العلاجية لأكثر من خمسة الاف سنة .وقد عاد الباحثين والعلماء تسليط الضوء في الوقت الحالي على هذا النبات لفوائده الكثيرة فعند قطع ورقة الألوفيرا يستخلص منها مادة الهلام (الجيلي السائل) فهذا الهلام يحتوي على أكثر من (75) مادة غذائية مختلفة وعلى (200) مركب فعال و(20) نوع من الأملاح المعدنية و(18) نوع من أكاسيد الألمونيوم و(12) نوع من الفيتامينات.

a commercial aloe vera farm

أما أصل تسمية نبات الالوفيرا فهي تقسم الى جزئين فكلمة ( Alloeh ) أصلها  كلمة عربية ومعناها مادة مرة ولامعة وكلمة ( Vera) فهي كلمة أصلها لاتيني وتعني الحقيقة . والموطن الجغرافي لنبات الالوفيرا الأصلي حسب ( REYNOLDS 1986 ) فهو الجمهورية السودانية كما تجد أصول لهذة النبتة في المكسيك، الولايات المتحدة الامريكية في ولاية فلوريدا، ولاية اريزونا، ولاية تكساس ،برغواي، البيرو، شبه الجزيرة العربية في منطقة الحجاز ومدينة أبها في المملكة العربية السعودية وفي مدينة حضرموت في اليمن ،وجمهورية مصر العربية، جنوب افريقيا، كينيا ،نيجيريا، وغيرها من دول بحر الابيض المتوسط .

بلغت قيمة سوق استخراج الالوة فيرا العالمي حوالي 1,60 مليار دولار أمريكي في عام 2018 ومن المتوقع أن يتوسع بمعدل نمو سنوي مركب بنسبة 7.6 ٪ خلال فترة التوقعات واستحوذ قطاع مستحضرات التجميل السوق عام 2018 بنسبة 41و9% من حصة السوق العالمية ومن المتوقع أن يسجل قطاع المستحضرات الصيدلانية معدل نمو سنوي مركب قدره 7.5 ٪ من عام 2019 إلى عام 2025

aloe vera market

معلومات مهمة عن النفط الاخضر

  • تعد منطقة آسيا والمحيط الهادئ منطقة بارزة وتمثل 30.6 ٪ من حصة السوق العالمية في عام 2018 .
  • تعد الصين والهند من أكبر مصادر الدخل في منطقة آسيا والمحيط الهادئ.
  • الهند هي سوق مستحضرات التجميل الأسرع نموًا في العالم. 

ما الذي جعل الالوفيرا هذه القيمة التسويقية؟

القيمة الغذائية

  1. تحتوي على 75 مركب A،B ،B1 ،B2 ،B3 ،B6 ،B9 ،تحتوي على فيتامين E,C
  2. تحتوي على أنزيمات مساعدة على الهضم وتفكيك الدهنيات والسكريات وترميم الجلد ومنع الالتهابات الجلدية
  3. تحتوي على 20 نوع من الاملاح بينها الكالسيوم والمنغنيزيوم والمنغنيز والزنك والكلور والسيلينيوم والصوديوم والحديد والبوتاسيوم والنحاس وهي ضرورية لتحسين عمل الأنزيمات ومضادات الأكسدة
  4. تحتوي على الكربوهيدرات المعقدة(أسيمانان) الذي يسمح بوصول العناصر الغذائية إلى الخلايا وتغذيتها وتنقيتها من السموم ويقوي جهاز المناعة ويقلل الالتهابات ويعمل على تحسين توزيع الأوكسجين في الجسم
  5. تحتوي على سكريات أحادية: مهمة في تنشيط الجسم وتقوية جهاز المناعة وتنظيم الكولسترو

الصناعات الدوائية والعلاجية / الالوفيرا

تشير معظم  الدراسات والأبحاث الى ان جل صبار الالوفيرا قد يكون فعالاً في علاج الصدفية، قشرة الرأس، والحروق طفيفة ، بالاستخدام الموضعي كعلاج لبعض الحالات الجلدية، وهو مفيد أيضاً في علاج القروح الناجمة عن هربس الأعضاء التناسلية عند  الرجال وهناك أيضا أدلة قوية على أن عصير الصبار(وتسمى أيضا عصارة latex ) و التي تؤخذ عن طريق الفم هي ملين قوي.وفي فترة من الزمن كان  يتم بيع  عصير الصبار في الصيدليات  في كثير من البلدان العربية بدون وصفة طبية كعلاج للإمساك.

الصناعات التجميلية

إن العديد من النباتات والأعشاب الطبية تتميز بفوائد صحية وجمالية كثيرة ويستخدم مستخلص كثير منها في الصناعات التجميلية، وينفرد نبات الصبار  من بين الك النباتات دون غيره بخصائص صحية وتجميلية رهيبة، على وجه الخصوص فيما يتعلق بالبشرة والشعر ، فالهلام المستخلص من نبات الصبار يحتوى على فيتامينات ومعادن وأحماض أمينية أساسية وثانوية ومركبات فعالة أثبتت نتائج فعالة فى تحسين حالة البشرة وصحتها وحالة الشعر وكثافته ولمعانه

الاولوفيرا والحدائق والمنازل والمكاتب

يشكل زراعة صبار الالوفيرا في الحدائق والمنازل والمكاتب تحفة فنية تعطي المكان رونق وراحة نفسية ويتم زراعة صبار الالوفيرا بشكل كبير في نظام  الحدائق الصخرية  والحدائق المختلطة والأماكن العامة لجماله وأوراقه الزاهية وحسب الظروف البيئة المتوفرة . حيث يمكن استخدامه في التصاميم  البستانية والتنسيقات المختلفة  لإضافة لمسة خضراء جميلة.وميزة صبار الالوفيرا المريحة انه  يمكنه العيش في اماكن تحت اشعة الشمس مباشرة او في الظل (تحتاج الى 8 ساعات ضوء مباشر) كما لا تحاج الى كميات كبيرة من مياه الري ويتحمل الجفاف  ولا تحتاج الى تسميد  و/ أو يمكن تسميدها مرة واحدة في السنة حسب نوع التربة.

فوائد المادة الهلامية (جل) وزيت الالوفيرا

حسب الدراسات والابحات المختلفة وعلى مدار سنوات وما تشير اليها حسب الاستخدام في حالات معينة  ومعرفة تأثيرها بشكل موضعي او تناول جل الصبار عن طريق الفم حيث يمكن استخدام في بعض الحالات  ولا يوجد له آثار جانبية مثل :-

  1. مطهر للجروح وتسريع التئامها عند وضع الجل مباشرة على الجروح
  2. مضاد للحكة والحروق
  3. مضاد للالتهابات دون اثار جانبية مثل قرحة الفم
  4. يعمل على تحفيز نمو الخلايا وتكاثرها
  5. تقوية جهاز المناعة عند شربة او خلطه بالماء
  6. احد أنواع الأغذية الملينة مثل مكافحة الإمساك
  7. مرطب طبيعي للبشرة والجسم وتحسين مظهر التجاعيد وملمس البشرة
  8. وفوائد أخرى بالقضاء على البكتيريا والفيروسات وغيرها من الفوائد
  9. مقوي لبصيلات الشعر

هل يمكن ان تكون  الألوفيرا مضرة؟

لكل نبات او منتج زراعي آثاره الايجابية والسلبية إذا ما تم استخدامه بطريقة غبر صحيحة، فبالرغم من  أن استخدام جل  صبار الألوفيرا موضعياً على البشرة يعتبر آمن، فهناك احتمالية  حدوث تهيج في الجلد أو تحسس لبعض انواعه وارد  ، لذا يمنع استخدام هذه النبتة لعلاج الجروح أو الحروق الشديدة او ممن لديهم حساسية  بشكل عام.

كما يجب تجنب تناول او استخدام جل صبار الالوفيرا خاصة عن طريق الفم للنساء الحوامل والمرضعات والاطفال دون سن 12 سنة والاشخاص الذين يعانون من امراض مختلفة  اومزمنة مثل الاضطراب الكلوي، أمراض القلب، البواسير، التهاب القولون التقرحي، الانسداد المعوي، داء السكري والمرض الكلوي المزمن.

وذكرت بعض المراجع العلمية أنه من بين الآثار السلبية المحتملة للألوفيرا: ضعف العضلات، مشاكل الكلى، وجود دم في البول، الإسهال، الغثيان أو آلام في المعدة وانخفاض البوتاسيوم.

أما عن طريقة إستخدا جل الالوفيرا فينصح باستخدامه على فترات متباعدة وشراء المنتجات التجارية من علامة موثوقة ومعروفة لضمان سلامة وجودة المنتج.

طريقة زراعة صبار الالوفيرا

تعتبر الصباريات والعصاريات من أسهل النباتات زراعة نظرا لكثرة الفسيلة (النبتة الصغيرة بجانب النبتة الام) التي تظهر وتتكاثر وبالتالي بمكن أخذ هذة النباتة على ان تحتوي على الاقل اربع اوراق وزراعتها ونخلط جزء من التربة مع جزء من الرمل مع وضع حصى بأسفل الاصيص حتى يساعد في تصفية المياع ولا تصاب النبتة باي امراض او حشرات او  فطريات مثل المن والبق الدقيقي  والبقع الوداء والعثث  وعفن الجذور ويمكن تجنبها كلها بالعمل على ترك التربة تجف فترة مناسبة وفي حال الاصابة الواضحة يتم التخلص من الجزء المصاب والعمل على رعاية النبات بشكل افضل ولا يتم اللجوء الة المبيدات الكيماوية الا للضرورة القصوى لما لها من آثار سلبية على صحة الانسان والحيوان والبيئة.

الخلاصة

يعتبر نبات صبار الالوفيرا من المشاريع الاقتصادية ذات الجدوى الاقتصادية الجيدة والتي يمكن انشاؤها في حديقة المنزل او على الشرفة أو في اي مكان محدود ولا تحتاج الى عناية ورعاية كبيرة عدا عن امكانية بيعها مباشرة لمحبي الصباريات وإهدائها الى الاصدقاء في مناسبات جميلة وتزيين الحديثة او المكتب بها بطريقة جذابة.

المراجع

  • نباتات الزينة وتنسيق الحدائق، الحديقة المنزلية،الدكتور جواد راضي المصري،عمان،الاردن،2008.
  • نباتات الزينة الداخلية وكيفية العناية بها،المهندس بشار لطف،دمشق،بيروت،1992.
  • المرشد الوجيز في أمراض النبات،إصدار الجمعية العربية لوقاية النبات،د.محمود محمد الطاهر ،منظمة الأغذية والزراعة للأمم المتحدة،1990.
  1. https://www.fao.org/family-farming/detail/en/c/1619082/
  2. https://www.aoad.org
  3. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.14676486.1986.tb00958

Things to Know About Recycling of Fluorescent Light Bulbs

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All fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury. In fact, the standard fluorescent bulb has about 20 milligrams of mercury. It is clear that these lamps must be managed properly to protect human health and the environment. The risk of leaving mercury deposits in landfill is high; therefore, recycling seems the most conscientious and environmentally safe recourse. A comprehensive fluorescent light bulb recycling strategy will not only help in environment protection but can also promote new business growth and job opportunities.

broken cfl bulb

An analysis of the lighting industry shows a trend shifting from the usage of incandescent lights bulbs to fluorescent bulbs and LEDs. Incandescent bulbs use more energy, are more costly and are less effective than fluorescent bulbs in the amount of artificial light they produce as fluorescents produce more lumens than incandescents.

Usage of fluorescent light bulbs, however, is not entirely without risk because they contain mercury, a chemical compound that can have debilitating effects on humans upon prolonged exposure. Because of its unique properties, the most effective way to dispose of mercury-bearing wastes is through recycling.

Continued illegal disposal of mercury wastes continues, resulting in unnecessary exposure to people and the planet; however, a grassroot movement to protect the environment has created momentum to generate a national law prohibiting the disposal of fluorescent bulbs in landfills.

en.lighten Initiative and Middle East

The UNEP/GEF en.lighten initiative was launched in September 2009 as a globally coordinated effort to accelerate the transition to efficient lighting and mitigate climate change, The objective of the initiative is to calculate the potential electricity savings, CO2 emission reductions and the economic benefits that could be realized from phasing out inefficient lighting and replacing them with compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). Around 100 countries were analyzed globally, with 19 hailing from the MENA region.

Countries like Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and Lebanon have announced ban on the sale of all incandescent bulbs by specific target years. Likewise Qatar has already announced plans to phase out use of incandescent bulbs. However, the promotion of CFLs demands a viable strategy to counter broken and disused fluorescent bulbs in order to prevent its harmful effect on the environment and public health.

Recycling Strategy for Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Proper disposal of mercury-contained fluorescent lamps is essential to prevent release of toxic materials into the environment. The manufacturers of fluorescent tubes are responsible for the proper labeling of mercury-containing lamps to alert customers to their hazards.

With the labeling of the symbol “Hg” on each lamp, individuals should recognize these products contain mercury. In United States, fluorescent bulbs and other types of energy-efficient lighting as well as nickel-cadmium batteries, pesticides and thermostats are regulated under the Universal Waste Rule (UWR).

Proper disposal of mercury-contained fluorescent lamps is essential

The UWR allows businesses, government agencies and other generators an opportunity to recycle bulbs and other types of universal waste at the end of life rather than manifesting and disposing of them as a hazardous waste. This can result in significant savings for the business or property owner. Recycling also helps protect our environment from potentially toxic materials.

Many governments and retailers are offering CFL recycling schemes that safely handle the mercury. Private industry has to partner with government to develop a plan to eliminate fluorescent light bulbs from the landfills.

To further encourage recycling, the cost of fluorescent light bulbs recycling should be initially absorbed by the manufacturers, who in turn, may pass the costs to the consumers. The consumer can then return the spent bulbs to their purchase point of origin. This has worked in other recycling sectors, and it can also work with mercury-containing devices such as fluorescent lamps.

Unlocking Climate Finance and Investments in Jordan

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The Paris Agreement called for parties with greater financial resources to provide financial assistance to those with fewer and more vulnerable resources. Because large-scale investments are required to significantly reduce emissions or adapt to the adverse effects of climate change, climate finance is required for mitigation and adaptation.

climate finance in jordan

While almost all Arab States submitted their Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) by their Paris Agreement, only 11 provided cost estimates of their financial needs to implement their initial or updated NDCs. According to the UN ESCWA, Arab States received a total of USD 34.5 billion in climate finance over the period 2010 to 2020. This amount is equivalent to less than 6 percent of the financing needs of the Arab region for the coming decade as per the NDCs financing.

Jordan was among the first to publish its updated NDC, which included commitments to reduce GHG emissions and improve climate resilience through 2030. Jordan’s macroeconomic GHG emission reduction target has been increased from 14% to 31%, based on a USD 7.5 billion action cost that includes only mitigation; adaptation-related investment projects will need additional financing, primarily in the energy, solid waste, wastewater, transportation, industry, agriculture, and forestry sectors.

Jordan, for its part, has emphasized support for climate change actions as an integral part of its growth in its Economic Modernization Vision 2033. A climate change regulation was previously enacted in 2019 to serve as an overarching, multisectoral legal instrument that establishes general principles and institutions for climate-related actions. This demonstrates Jordan’s supportive organizational capacity for climate governance and investment, allowing it to gain more traction and attention from development partners, investors, the private sector, and donors.

While Jordan has a well-developed upstream enabling policy and institutional framework, as well as relevant plans, major issues are preventing Jordan from unlocking climate finance and investment, both of which are critical for securing the necessary financing to implement the plans.

First, a lack of well-prepared and investment-ready bankable projects limits increased investment in climate projects. The capacity of government institutions to structure a project and the quality of project documentation continue to stymie the development of projects capable of obtaining the necessary financing. This pipeline is undefined and requires a proper problem statement. It must also be developed with climate-responsive and sustainable economic growth in mind.

Second, there is limited knowledge of available international and national climate finance sources derived from public, private, and alternative sources of financing to support climate change mitigation and adaptation actions. Their conditions and eligibility criteria are also important considering the wide range of financing institutions and instruments that can be mobilized.

Third, there is a lack of initiative and entrepreneurial spirit from Jordanian start-ups and businesses to create innovative high-tech climate solutions. Transforming Jordan’s ecosystem into a regional and global source of inspiration for the development of low-carbon technologies is crucial, however, massive funding is needed to achieve this goal.

solar panel maintenance

Going forward, the first step would be to develop an investment-ready pipeline of climate projects. To improve the identified climate change project financing opportunities, information about each project should be gathered directly from relevant sectors to ensure that the project’s quality is high enough to have the best chance of success. The nature and scope of the problem or opportunity that the proposed project will address must be described. It should also transparently and explicitly demonstrate the project’s climate context, whether it is related to GHG mitigation or adaptation to climate change. Furthermore, it should evaluate and present financing options for project structuring under PPPs and blended use of financial resources, including climate finance.

Furthermore, identifying and mapping available financing sources will help mobilize and scale up climate finance from a wide range of public and private, bilateral and multilateral, including alternative sources, and will advise on any available synergies between the available financing instruments and windows. This approach will help to understand who finances what and how well finance aligns with policy objectives. It also identifies investment barriers, potential incentive mechanisms, and a baseline for tracking progress in mobilizing resources.

Thirdly, Jordan should work to establish a climate innovation and technology fund that will serve as a hub for ClimaTech (similar to Cyber and FinTech) startups and innovative technologies while also attracting major global climate investors. This would help to expand the role played by the private sector in raising climate change awareness and launching innovative and sustainable climate action solutions. This could be accomplished by presenting ideas in various fields, such as clean energy systems, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable mobility and transportation, environmentally efficient water infrastructures, and initiatives promoting a circular economy. This would positively affect economic growth, raise national income by exporting products and services, and attract global investors to invest in Jordanian startups.

introduction to greenhouse gardening

Jordan has a great opportunity to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) supporting climate change and sustainable development and that can be a substantial source of external financing. Therefore, it should develop a clear program for mobilizing climate investment and finance, including a pipeline of projects, an analysis of funding sources, and a mapping of pipeline propositions to potential investors/funders for adaptation, as well as an innovation portfolio to ensure that Jordan attracts the needed financing which would contribute to meeting climate commitments.

Education for Sustainable Development: Key Challenges

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The basic aim of ‘Education for Sustainable Development’ is to nurture an individual who is capable to solve environmental challenges facing the world and to promote the formation of a sustainable society. The first challenge is to have an ethos in schools that openly and enthusiastically supports the development of ESD (Education for Sustainable Development).

This is partly down to the curriculum the school follows, but is mainly as a result of the interest and effort shown by senior management in promoting integration and whole school engagement; a critical element being teacher training. It is also down to the expectations that are put upon schools by education authorities when it comes to ESD.

education and sustainable development

With trained and motivated teachers, it is far easier to inspire and motivate students. Teachers can often use the environment as a vehicle for teaching certain concepts in their own specific subject. Once teachers have decided that this is something they feel is worthwhile, they will increasingly find ways to do so.

Using environmental issues in student learning shows students the bigger picture, which can significantly improve motivation. By letting pupils know why the work they are completing is important, and showing them where it fits in on a local and global scale, you’re enabling them to see its value.

Another challenge is being able to bridge the gap between what happens at home and what is taught in schools. For example, if a child is learning about recycling at school, but parents are not open to supporting their learning by adopting recycling practices at home, then the child, especially at a young age, receives very conflicting messages.

Schools are busy places and there are increasing pressures on teachers within the workplace. These can create additional challenges such as gaps between awareness and understanding; motivation to and knowledge of how to become more sustainable; individual to collective empowerment; finding time; budget restraints; linking infrastructure change to mind set change and whole community engagement.

However, with a more directed focus and commitment towards ESD in schools, children generally need very little motivation to care for their environment. You just have to give them a voice and they are away! The problem often comes from adults not understanding the bigger picture about caring for the long term future of the planet.

gardening by children

Strategy for GCC Countries

When it comes to education for sustainable development among locals and expats in the GCC, it can be categorized into three major components:

The physical change: looking at how schools, households and businesses can reduce their waste, water and energy and focus on more sustainable resources in general.

The mind set change: this is all about raising environmental understanding, awareness and action programmes throughout the school and business communities through workshops, cross-curricular activities and presentations, so that everybody is on the ‘same page’, as well as giving students and employees a voice. This leads to a fundamental change in attitudes and the choices people make.

Learning to respect others and appreciate the environment, as well as giving back to society: this is focused around the opportunities to learn beyond the workplace and home, and connect back to nature, as well as help communities in need. In a nutshell, it about being more caring.

environmental-education

Partnerships and action orientated behaviour within all 3 parts are crucially important to their success. Environmental awareness in itself is not enough, simply because awareness without leading to meaningful action and behaviour change goes nowhere.

Role of Technology and Social Media

The greatest role it can play is through the spread of information and ideas, as well as the sharing of good practice within the GCC. Sometimes the hardest thing is to know where to start and how to become motivated, and certainly both can help. Also technology can help to source important resources for teachers. Bee’ah’s School of Environment, which I have been recently developing new online resources for, is a very good example of how well this can work.

Why Mangroves in the UAE Remain at Risk and How Restoration Can be Improved

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The UAE, as a country, has many hidden treasures, such as the mangroves. Their function is carbon sequestration and not oxygen production. The type of mangroves found in the UAE is called Avicennia marina, and they are often found in the Gulf region. They chose this particular location due to its salty and subtropical shallow waters. In the past two decades, mangroves have faced immense threats as coastal development has rapidly increased in the UAE (Haseeba, 2025).

Mangrove map for the UAE

Fig 1. Map of the UAE with a layer of all mangroves present (MOCCAE, 2022).

The Vulnerability Problem

One of the main threats to UAE mangroves is the development of man-made islands. To create a man-made island, land reclamation is done by dredging. Dredging is done by deep excavating the target areas, which remove various sediments and create a thicker layer of habitable land reclamation. This process can kill young mangrove seeds. Mangrove roots are broken and accumulate on the water surface, which stops sunlight from reaching different marine species underwater in deeper depths (Paleologos et al., 2019).

Concerns about mangrove ecosystems have risen in the UAE due to coastal developments on Saadiyat Island and Lulu Island, both of which are located in Abu Dhabi. It was a reasonable cause of concern as land reclamation can alter tidal flows and sediment transport, which are vital for the health of mangroves.

Currently, there is limited mangrove monitoring as the UAE mainly thrives off of specific industries such as real estate, oil, and trading. With limited funding, scientists are less likely to research environmental topics that would have minimal impact. The lack of awareness also contributes to less citizen science being undertaken by civilians.

How current mangrove restoration methods are holding us back?

In the UAE, coastal soil disturbed by construction or pollution often becomes compacted, preventing water from seeping into the ground. This lack of water infiltration disrupts the waterlogged conditions that mangroves need to grow and thrive. Nutrients are also removed due to this, making it harder for natural regeneration to take place.

The UAE is known for taking mangrove restoration seriously. However, planting seeds does not always lead to success, especially when sites are selected without fully considering the necessary growing conditions. Even if most criteria are met, missing just one or two key factors—like tidal flow or soil salinity—can significantly affect mangrove survival, as these trees are highly sensitive to environmental changes.

For example, in a 2023 pilot project near Al Dhafra, thousands of mangrove seedlings were planted in a coastal zone that lacked consistent tidal flooding. Despite initial optimism, the survival rate dropped sharply within months, highlighting how poor site selection can lead to wasted resources and discourage future efforts.

Fig 2. GEEMMM map of mangroves in 2010 and 2020, Ras Al Khaimah, Killilea, M., & Burt, J. (2023).

Figure 2 shows how mangrove cover in the UAE has changed over the years, based on a 2023 study. However, accurately measuring mangrove areas has been difficult. Sometimes, nearby land vegetation was mistakenly counted as mangroves, or mangrove areas were reduced when land vegetation was removed. These issues make it challenging for scientists to identify the exact extent of mangrove cover.

How Mangrove Restoration is Improving

Remote Sensing

In the UAE’s new project to plant 50,000 mangrove seedlings, they will be using remote sensing to monitor progress. Dendra’s drone technology will be used by the Environmental Agency, as they have the means of accurately planting mangrove seeds using their automatic seed dispersal system. The drones are also equipped with AI, making it very useful for seed health tracking and monitoring disturbances for further research.

Site Specific

In Umm Al Quwain, a restoration project by Environmental Agency found that soil with more nutrition and clay were able to retain water from high tide and help mangrove seedlings to germinate. As a result, this location has become a model for selecting future restoration zones with similar soil profiles.

mangroves in the UAE

Long-Term Sustainability

Ecosystem recovery depends on long-term sustainability goals. In the UAE, nature-based solutions are being implemented in erosion-prone areas like Umm Al Quwain, Al Dhafrah, and Abu Dhabi’s Eastern Mangrove Lagoon, as outlined in the Mangrove Restoration Guidelines. Advanced technologies such as deep learning models like UNet++ are being studied to monitor mangrove growth and integrate this data into global climate platforms. This helps policymakers and environmental authorities track carbon sequestration and align restoration efforts with national carbon neutrality goals.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Amid the golden shores of the UAE, mangroves rise as symbols of resilience and renewal. These coastal forests breathe life into the land—shielding it from erosion, nurturing marine biodiversity, and capturing carbon for a cleaner future. Restoring mangroves isn’t just planting trees; it’s planting hope. Every seed sown is a step toward harmony between nature and progress.

References

  • Haseeba, K.P., Aboobacker, V.M., Vethamony, P. et al. Significance of Avicennia Marina in the Arabian Gulf Environment: A Review. Wetlands 45, 16 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13157-025-01899-8
  • Source : Open Data – Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), 2022, Last Updated : 26/09/2022
  • E K Paleologos et al 2019 IOP Conf. Ser .: Earth Environ. Sci. 344 012020 – (Coastal development and mangroves in Abu Dhabi, UAE)
  • Killilea, M., & Burt, J. (2023). Mapping the Growth of Mangrove Forests in the United Arab Emirates from 2010 to 2020 (Policy Paper No. 67). Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research.
  • ESRI, 2020- https://gis.moccae.gov.ae/server/rest/services/Biodiversity/Biodiversity1/FeatureServer
  • Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Emirate Nature – WWF, 2024. EAD6735_MANGROVE-INITIATIVE-GUIDELINES_v10b.pdf

التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي كأداة للتخطيط ودمج مفهوم الاستدامة في التنمية في الأردن

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يسعى الأردن لإيجاد وصفة خاصة به للتخطيط المستدام، حيث يتم حاليا تطبيق ريادي لمفهوم التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي (Strategic Environmental Assessment)  كأداة للتخطيط وإدارة المناطق التنموية والمناطق الاقتصادية الخاصة. التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي هي عملية منهجية لتقييم الآثار البيئية للسياسات والاستراتيجيات المقترحة أو للمخططات الشمولية للتأكد من تضمين وادراج كافة الاعتبارات  البيئية بالتوازي مع الاعتبارات الاقتصادية والاجتماعية خلال المراحل المبكرة من التخطيط من قبل صناع القرار.

باستخدام نموذج فريد من نوعه، أعدت المملكة الأردنية الهاشمية دراسة التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي (SEA) وخطة الإدارة البيئية الإستراتيجية (SEMP) لمنطقة البحر الميت التنموية والتي تم اعلانها كمنطقة تنموية في عام 2009 لجذب الاستثمارات  النوعية ذات القيمة المضافة وللمساهمةفي توزيع المكاسب الاقتصادية والتنموية على المجتمعات المحلية المحيطة بها. على الرغم من أن الدول الأعضاء في الاتحاد الأوروبي لديها أنظمة راسخة للـ ((SEA، إلا أن هذا التطبيق والتجربة الأردنية تم تصميمها لتتوافق وتعكس خصوصية منطقة البحر الميت التنموية حيث أدرجت جوانب محددة وخاصة في تلك الخطة لتقديم هذا المشروع كنموذج إقليمي / دولي في مجال دمج مفهوم الاستدامة. أهم الفوائد الرئيسية لـ SEA ما يلي:

تعزيز استدامة الموارد الطبيعية

الحد من الأخطاء المكلفة في مرحلة التخطيط

المحافظة على الوقت والمال

تبسيط إجراءات تقييم الأثر البيئي للمشاريع

تعزيز المواءمة بين المخططات الشمولية

تعزيز استراتيجيات التنمية

تحسين كفاءة القطاع العام، و

تعزيز المصداقية في صنع القرار

المخرجات  الرئيسية

للعديد من السنين، أولى الأردن القضايا البيئية أهمية خاصة والدفع باتجاه كسب التأييد ووضعها على أجندة مختلف الجهات ذات العلاقة، من مؤسسات حكومية، القطاع الخاص، ومؤسسات المجتمع المدني. في حين أن هذه الجهود قد نجحت في بعض القطاعات، فإنه ليس سرا أنها لم تنجح تماما في العديد من الجوانب الأخرى. هنالك جدل واسع حول أن السياسات والخطط البيئية بذاتها ليست كافية عندما يتعلق الأمر بمساواتها بالاحتياجات التنموية الاقتصادية والاجتماعية. الفقرات التالية تسلط الضوء على الدروس المستفادة من التجربة الأردنية في التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي لمنطقة البحر الميت التنموية:

لا ‘مفاجآت’ بيئية للمطورين / المستثمرين

إن الهدف من تبني عملية التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي هو ضمان دمج واعتماد الاعتبارات البيئية خلال المراحل الأولى من إعداد الخطط الرئيسية والبرامج التنموية لتعزيز التنمية المستدامة. إن عملية إعداد أو تعديل المخطط الشمولي يجب أن تنفذ في موازاة مع عملية تقييم الآثار البيئية المحتملة بحيث يتم دمج القضايا البيئية في المخطط بشكل تكاملي خلال عملية الإعداد منذ البداية.

الأمر الذي بدوره يؤدي إلى على عدم ظهور أي “مفاجآت” بيئية لفريق إعداد المخطط الشمولي، وعدم وجود “مفاجآت” تنموية لفريق التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي، وبالتالي عدم هدر موارد مالية إضافية على التصاميم التي تواجه تحديات بيئية. فإن النتيجة الرئيسية للتقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي ستكون مخططات شموليه تحترم القدرة الاستيعابية البيئية للمنطقة، وبالتالي تجنب أو تقليل أو التعويض عن الآثار البيئية الكبيرة المحتملة من المشاريع الاستثمارية.

توجيهات واضحة لبرامج التنمية

إن التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي وخطة الإدارة البيئية الإستراتيجية تتضمن  تفاصيل كافية للاسترشاد بها خلال إعداد المخطط الشمولي ومشاريع التنمية. حيث أنها توفر الأهداف البيئية المحددة التي يتم استخلاصها من الأهداف الوطنية والاعتبارات الخاصة لأي منطقة تنموية. إن إشراك كافة الشركاء وأصحاب المصلحة في عملية إعداد التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي يعتبر من أحد عوامل النجاح الرئيسية. حيث يجب تحديد المجموعات الرئيسية والمؤسسات، والمستثمرين الأجانب، والوكالات البيئية والمنظمات غير الحكومية، وممثلين عن القطاع العام، بالإضافة إلى الجماعات التي يحتمل أن تتأثر من الآثار البيئية المتوقعة من تنفيذ المخطط الشمولي ويجب إشراكهم والتشاور معهم خلال عملية الإعداد. ونظرا للطبيعة الفريدة لمنطقة البحر الميت فقد تم تنظيم وعقد العديد من المشاورات وعلى كافة المستويات بما في ذلك الوزراء المعنيين.

الحكم الرشيد ومشاركة القطاع الخاص

إن عملية التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي تضع عبء حماية البيئة على كاهل الحكومة خلال الاعداد. الا انه ومن خلال خطة الادارة البيئية الاستراتيجية المقترحة، يتم تعريف أدوار ومسؤوليات الإدارة البيئية بوضوح المترتبة على  الجهات التنظيمية والرقابية، والمطورين والمستثمرين، فضلا عن بعض المنظمات غير الحكومية. إن التنسيق المؤسسي ومبادئ الحكم الرشيد يتم تغطيتها عادة في الاتفاقات التعاقدية ومذكرات التفاهم لضمان التنفيذ السليم.

اضافة الى ذلك، فقد تم إعطاء الصفة القانونية لكل من دراسة التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي وخطة الإدارة البيئية الإستراتيجية استنادا للإطار التشريعي للمناطق التنموية، والذي يعتبر اول بادرة أو محاولة من نوعها في الأردن تجعل التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي متطلبا قانونيا للحصول على الموافقات والرخص اللازمة على المخطط الشمولي والمشاريع اللاحقة. طوال عملية إعداد وتنفيذ الدراسة SEA وSEMP، اكتسبت الجهات التنظيمية الحكومية ، والخبراء الاستشاريين والمخططين والمطورين والمنظمات غير الحكومية العديد من الخبرات والكثير من المعرفة.

تجاوز حدود الامتثال البيئي

نظرا للطبيعة الحساسة لبيئة منطقة البحر الميت، تم تجاوز المتطلبات التنظيمية في منطقة البحر الميت وتم اعتماد ودمج  تدابير إضافية للاستدامة البيئية خلال عملية التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي  واعداد خطة الإدارة البيئية الإستراتيجية. فعلى سبيل المثال، تعزيز كفاءة استخدام الطاقة بنسبة 30٪ وكفاءة استخدام المياه بنسبة 20٪ سيجعل من منطقة البحر الميت التنموية مقصدا حقيقيا للسياحة المستدامة في العالم. إن تلك التجربة الريادية يجب أن تكون بمثابة نموذج وطني يحتذى به من قبل الآخرين لتحقيق الأهداف الوطنية لقطاع المياه وأهداف كفاءة استخدام الطاقة ليس فقط على المستوى الوطني بل على مستوى المناطق (المحافظات).

تعزيز الشراكات

توفر الدعم وضمان الاهتمام من قبل الجهات الحكومية ضروري لجعل التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي وخطة الإدارة البيئية الإستراتيجية حقيقة وواقع. إن العناصر التالية: المياه والصرف الصحي والنفايات الصلبة وعناصر البنية التحتية للطاقة هي عناصر حاسمة لنجاح وتحقيق الأهداف البيئية المحددة. يجب تكثيف الجهود للبحث عن آليات التمويل المبتكرة والتي تهدف إلى التحول الى البنى التحتية “الخضراء” التي تعزز استدامة الموارد وتخفف الآثار البيئية في المنطقة بما في ذلك اليات  الشراكة بين القطاعين العام والخاص.

الجاهزية الوطنية، والتوعية، وبناء القدرات

من الواضح أن المعرفة والمهارات اللازمة لإعداد التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي وخطة الإدارة البيئية الإستراتيجية تختلف قليلا عن تلك اللازمة لإعداد دراسات تقييم الأثر البيئي للمشاريع الفردية. حيث تشترط الإجراءات الوطنية ومنذ ما يزيد عن عشر سنوات من كافة المستثمرين والمشاريع الكبرى إجراء دراسات تقييم الأثر البيئي واتخاذ الإجراءات والتدابير اللازمة قبل منح الموافقة البيئية. ومع الزمن أصبحت الشركات الاستشارية التي تقدم هذه الخدمة أ تستخدم نموذج تقييم الأثر البيئي مع نسبة ضئيلة أو معدومة من التطرق لموضوع التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي وخطة الإدارة البيئية الإستراتيجية والأدوات الأخرى المتعلقة بدمج الاستدامة البيئية.

لوحظ خلال جلسات التشاور المتعلقة بالتقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي وبحضور العشرات من ممثلي المنظمات غير الحكومية والخبراء الوطنيين، أن الغالبية العظمى لا تزال تميل نحو النظر الى الامور من مفهوم  تقييم الأثر البيئي على مستوى المشاريع الفردية وبدون توسيع البحث في  الآثار القطاعية والاستراتيجية على مستوى الخطة / السياسة / المخطط الشمولي. اما الجهات التنظيمية  فهي بحاجة إلى مراجعة واعتماد التقييمات البيئية الاستراتيجية مع ضرورة وجود نظره أكثر إستراتيجية وشمولية حول الآثار المحتملة.

الاستنتاجات

بدأ تطبيق التقييم البيئي الاستراتيجي في الأردن بالتوسع إلى مناطق وقطاعات تنموية أخرى، وهذا سوف يغير من طبيعة التخطيط في المملكة إلى الأفضل وسوف يضع الأردن في موقع رائد على المستوى الإقليمي في مجال تعميم المنظور البيئي والتخطيط المستدام. من الممكن  تصميم  نهج مشابه لتقييم آثار الاستدامة البيئية من خطط التنمية المجتمعية الحضرية / القطاعية واقتراح دلائل ارشادية لتعزيز الامتثال بل وتجاوزه نحو تنمية اكثر استدامة في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال افريقيا.

ترجمة: مها الزعبي, طالبة دكتوراه( كلية التصميم البيئي –  جامعة كالجري, كندا)

Reasons To Choose An Energy Efficient Temperature Sensor

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Energy efficiency is a buzzword for appliances and home devices these days. Everyone wants to do their part to save the Earth and cut down their utility bills at the same time. Saving energy in your home or office is as easy as swapping some of the current products you’re using with more efficient ones. One slight but significant change you can do is to get energy efficient thermal imaging devices.

Here are the reasons why you should choose energy-efficient temperature sensors:

1. Save Energy

The primary advantage that this energy-efficient temperature sensor has over other similar items is that it requires minimal energy to perform its task. This thermal imaging apparatus has a lot of functions and does them all without consuming too much power.

It facilitates energy conservation in your house or office. You can then redirect the conserved energy for another purpose. It allows you to sense temperature remotely, according to its environment. The device can also detect radiation and expresses it through infrared light.

Typically, the product has a screen that uses various color ranges to show temperature changes. This feature is valuable for homes and work environments that have low visibility. Plus, it does its job amid smoke, fog, smog, and haze.

2. Save Money

Another significant benefit of installing energy-efficient temperature sensors is saving money by cutting down on your utility bills. Because these products consume less energy, your home or office won’t need as much electricity to power everything in it. Thus, you decrease the monthly cost for this particular expense.

While you may not reap the monetary rewards right away because the reduction of the bills can appear trivial by looking at it month by month, you’ll notice more savings in the long run.

Aside from installing energy-efficient temperature sensors, you can save money in your home or office by:

  • Being diligent in using less energy – While almost all people are dependent on appliances these days, it may be beneficial for you to manually execute some chores. Instead of using your dryer, you can hang-dry your clothes or wash your dishes by hand rather than putting them in the dishwasher. Also, remember to turn off the lights and appliances when you aren’t using them.
  • Replacing your light bulbs – If you still have the old incandescent light bulbs, you ought to replace them with energy-efficient ones. There’s a wide variety of products in the market today, so you just need to take your pick according to your preferences. Although they have a more considerable price tag off the shelf, you can save money in the long run.
  • Investing in smart power strips – Phantom loads are a significant source of energy waste. It occurs when appliances or devices are in standby mode. This means that they’re plugged into a power source, but they’re not being used.

If you find that unplugging them constantly is a hassle, you can purchase smart power strips, which shuts off the power to these electronics automatically during times of inactivity.

  • Sealing Air Leaks – Air leaks can make your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system work extra hard because they cause your home or office to be unable to achieve the desired temperature. Make sure that you seal areas where wind can seep in or out, such as windows, vents, and doors, to weather-proof your property.

3. Save the Earth

Opting for energy-efficient temperature sensor for your home or office can help you conserve energy. This, in turn, can minimize the energy that’ll be sent to your property.

If everyone does their part and promotes energy conservation in their residences or workplaces, the exploitation of natural resources, like gas, oil, coal, and water may be mitigated. These products aid in the quest for sustainable development.

Moreover, choosing energy-efficient devices and creating a smart home can reduce your carbon footprint. With this, you do your part in lessening the amount of pollution that’s emitted by your property.

4. Help the Economy

Energy efficiency also has a collective benefit. It helps the government save on resources that are used for harnessing energy from various sources. As mentioned above, energy conservation allows people in-charge to redirect conserved energy to more essential purposes.

Conclusion

An energy-efficient temperature sensor not only provides you with accurate readings, but they also help you conserve energy that you can use for other purposes. You save money on utility bills, which can add up to significant amounts in the long run.

Choosing energy efficiency for your home or workplace can also save the Earth by reducing the exploitation of natural resources. Lastly, you help the government lessen the resources spent on harnessing said energy.