Solar Energy in Saudi Arabia: Perspectives

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Saudi Arabia, the epicenter of global oil industry, has been showing keen interest in solar energy in recent years. Saudi Arabia has one of the world’s highest solar irradiation in the world, estimated at approximately 2,200 thermal kWh of solar radiation per m2. The country is strategically located near the Sun Belt, in addition to plentiful availability of empty stretches of desert that may accommodate infrastructure for solar power projects.

Vast deposits of sand can be used in the manufacture of silicon PV cells which makes Saudi Arabia an attractive location for solar industry. “The resource is stunning; land is abundantly available; the transmission grid system is relatively new, highly resilient and capable of accommodating intermittent loads; and the creditworthiness of KSA is unbeatable as demonstrated by response to the nation’s first ever international bond offering”, explains Paddy Padmanathan, CEO of ACWA Power, one of the world’s leading solar developers.

Another important driver for solar energy deployment in Saudi Arabia is astonishingly high per capita primary energy consumption, four times higher than the global average. The total energy consumption in the Kingdom is rapidly rising at a rapid rate of 6 percent per annum which also presents a strong case for diversification of energy sources.

Slow Progress Yet Ambitious Goals

Despite its tremendous potential, solar energy sector in Saudi Arabia is still in early stages. “Saudi Arabia is yet to turn its huge solar potential into reality”, says Makio Yamada, Research Fellow at King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies (Riyadh). In 2012, the government unveiled plans to invest more than $100 billion in clean energy projects till 2030 in order to generate 41GW, a third of its power requirements, from renewable resources, primarily solar energy.

However, the government drastically scaled back the program in January 2015 and set a more realistic renewables target 14% of current generating capacity (9.5GW) by 2030.  “The installed solar capacity is less than a fifth of that in the UAE which can be attributed to institutional fragmentation and lack of effective collaboration between relevant state and semi-state organizations”, adds Yamada.

The newly launched Vision 2030 document puts forward a strong regulatory and investment framework to develop Saudi solar energy sector, financed in part by $2 trillion sovereign fund. “Vision 2030 highlights renewable energy as a strategic priority for Saudi Arabian economy which would help in economic diversification away from oil revenues, increasing energy security, diversify energy mix, free up oil for export, enhance regulatory framework, and support development of renewable energy industry, thus paving the way for a low-carbon economy in the Kingdom”, say Eaman Abdullah Aman, a Saudi energy expert and writer.

Infact, Saudi Arabia’s long-term goal is to become the leading exporter of solar energy in Middle East and Vision 2030 is expected to play a key role in realizing this objective. “What makes Vision 2030 and King Salman Renewable Energy Initiative different from previous programs is that they represent the highest level commitment to renewable energy ever seen from the Kingdom”, emphasizes Nada.

Under the King Salman Renewable Energy Initiative, the government will review the legal and regulatory framework for private-sector investment in order to encourage public-private partnerships and promote local manufacture. “The new targets and strategy outlined in Vision 2030 and National Transformation Plan is very much in sync with fuel mix trends around the world”, observes Padmanathan.

Winds of Change

The first renewable energy initiative from the Saudi government was the establishment of King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KA-CARE) in 2010, which is the official agency in-charge of promoting clean energy in the Kingdom. One of its major achievements has been the establishment of 3.5MW PV project at the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center. 

Saudi Arabia’s long-term goal is to become a leading exporter of solar energy

Saudi Arabia’s first competitive global tender for utility-scale solar power projects was recently launched – two 50 MW solar power plants at Al-Jouf and Rafha. Though current installed solar capacity in the country is a measly 25MW, world’s leading solar energy companies are already active in the local market, mainly due to the promise and potential of Saudi solar sector. “We already have two pilot projects in place: the first is solar-powered irrigation project at Al-Jouf while the other one is a carport solar power plant for the Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Company (SADAFCO) in Riyadh”, informs Ahmed Nada, Vice President and Region Executive – Middle East at First Solar.

In addition to solar PV, concentrated solar power (CSP) is an interesting option for Saudi Arabia due to its strong dependence on desalination plants to meet its water requirement. Waste heat of a CSP plant can be used to power seawater desalination projects. In 2015, Saudi Electric Company selected CSP to produce electricity with 550MW Duba 1 project, an integrated Solar Combined Cycle Power Plant located near Tuba. The plant, still in tendering phase, is designed to integrate a parabolic trough unit of around 20 to 30MW. 

Outlook for the Future

Due to its regional dominance, Saudi Arabia can play a vital role in the proliferation of solar energy in the entire Middle East. “The Kingdom needs to urgently move forward with its renewable energy plans and start the production of solar energy on a large-scale”, says Padmanathan. “The current focus is on increasing levels of efficiency, reducing subsidy and slashing government expenditure and on doing things that truly add value”, he adds.

“Vision 2030 target suggests that the country will grow its renewable energy capacity in increments, taking advantage of future cost declines and efficiency improvements, while also leaving the door open for emerging technologies”, says Nada. Under the new leadership of King Salman, the country is making a concerted effort to develop its renewable energy sector. “The reorganization of stakeholders and decision makers on energy policy and renewables, under one umbrella, should accelerate KSA’s renewable energy program”, observes Nada. The government restructuring in May 2016 placed necessary administrative functions under the newly-created super-ministry, the Ministry of Energy, Industry, and Mineral Resources which will eventually pave the way for implementation of solar projects.

However, there are several critical areas which Saudi Arabia should tackle for a smooth transition to renewables-focused energy mix. “Saudi Arabia should take a consultative approach on its renewable energy policy framework by leaning on capable, credible industry partners to share their expertise which will help the country avoid the steep learning curve that other markets have faced”, explains Nada. Lenders and financiers are an integral part of any industry, and they should be properly informed about green financing. “It will be particularly important for banks and lenders based in the Kingdom to better understand the solar energy industry, ensuring that they’re comfortable with providing competitive financing for the program”, stresses Nada.

It is also essential to adapt solar energy systems to meet specific energy-intensive applications. “Saudi Arabia could provide long-term solar energy targets for certain, energy-intensive industrial sectors such as cement, steel and petrochemicals”, says Nada.

Lastly, a well-trained and performing workforce is crucial for the development of solar market. “Saudi Arabia needs to invest wisely in technical education to overcome the skills mismatch between schools and the labour market and ensure the supply of rightly-trained human resources to the solar industry”, stresses Yamada.

Ramadan: A Catalyst for Green Living

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The true meaning of Ramadan is to take care of our body, soul, people, surrounding and ecosystems. The month of Ramadan is a golden opportunity to make a real shift towards ‘green living’ that is environmental friendly, non-polluting, non-wasteful and aim towards conservation of natural resources. During Ramadan, let us create awareness on use of resources, think and act positively towards our environment and change our unfriendly habits which are impacting our ecosystem.

Let us seize this opportunity to adopt a model for a green and environmentally responsible behavior that addresses urgent environmental issues.

green-ramadan

Ramadan witnesses an over-consumption of meat, vegetables and fruits together with drinks, juices and syrups. We become more extravagant in terms of using food and resources. So, let us be patient on these consumptions, eat healthy and organic food in manageable quantities. Let us grow vegetables and fruits at our available land/ space. Use food items judiciously and avoid any wastage.

Let us be away from our routine habits that pollute our air, soil and water resources. Let us be aware of our wasteful habits which are affecting the environment and our future generations. We need to understand that any mismanagement of our precious available resources will be having an irreversible impacts on our ecology and for our future generations. Let us make concerted effort to encourage and embrace “green” practices, especially during Ramadan.

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Ramadan presents the perfect opportunity to recharge our spiritual batteries for the year. It is a time to seek forgiveness for our misgivings and to reflect upon the signs of creation from Allah. As human beings, we have a duty as stewards over this planet, and it is our responsibility to ensure that the resources and environment are used in a sustainable manner.

Let this month not only harness our mental and physical ability but also be a turning point fosr respecting our resources and environment. Some basic thoughts are:

  • Support and utilize local produce.
  • Plan food usage with no wastage.
  • Reducing the water usage, especially during making ‘wadoo’/ ablution. Be vigilant that the tap is closed. Any dripping should be eliminated to conserve precious water.
  • Generating less quantity of waste especially food waste. Support & practice recycling and reuse.
  • No littering especially in common areas, commercial and religious places and shopping areas.
  • Minimum or no use of plastic bags. Using less paper and stationery.
  • Switching off appliances after use like lights, ACs, fans, heaters, iron etc.
  • Using electrical appliances like washing machines, iron, vacuum cleaner and dishwashers in off peak hours.
  • Eliminate use of disposables plates, cutlery, cups, containers etc. Avoid using Styrofoam containers and plastic cutlery.

Green Marketing: How To Improve Your Sales Performance

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The sales performance of your company should be improved for your business to grow. Whether you are trying to increase your LinkedIn connections or other social connections, building connections is vital in every business. You could be having a great product and a great team but without making sales, your business will ultimately fail. For this reason, you need to come up with green marketing strategies that will help your business improve your sales performance. Some strategies have been formulated by Linkhouse to help you accomplish that, and they include the following:

1. Make sure you generate enough leads

Generating leads is probably one of the most difficult processes of the sales process. Also, it is the first step in the process. As a business, you must decide how many prospects you need in the funnel at a time in order to achieve your sales goals. Not every prospect will buy and you need to know how many calls you need to make one sale. For instance, you may realize that when you make ten calls, you can make one or two sales. If you want ten sales then you must make a hundred calls.

green-business

2. Show the benefits of your products to your prospects

After getting a prospect from the leads, you want them to buy. Prospects don’t care about the contents or the technology used in making the product. They buy the benefits of the products; hence show them the benefits of your products and you will make sales.

3. Know your target customers

You have to define your customers clearly. Know their age, gender, religion, place of residence, level of education and income among other factors. This information will help you get the right leads and prospects hence saving yourself time and money. Make generous use of AI tools for customer engagement.

4. Define the problem that your product solves

Sometimes identifying the problem that your product solves may be difficult. It is necessary, therefore, that your sales people attend a sales coaching class to be taught to identify the problem being solved. If your product does not solve any problem, making sales becomes an uphill task. Prospects may not know if a problem exists and, therefore, it is your duty to educate them and persuade them to buy the product.

5. Learn to handle objections and rejection

Many people fear objections in the sales process. The good thing is that anyone can be trained to handle any objection so you don’t have to fear. Common objections include: not having money, time and having a similar product among others. If you own a business then it is good you train your sales people on how to handle these common objections.

Also, not everyone you talk to will yes to your product. In fact, a bigger percentage of your prospects will say no to you. You, therefore, need to be prepared to hear the no and move on to the next prospect.

6. Learn to negotiate

You should know how to negotiate with your buyers so that you can persuade them. Good negotiators are well prepared; know how to ask the right questions and exercise patience. This skill will help you to identify or create a win-win situation so that both you and your buyer are happy.

7. Follow up

Money is in the follow-up. Very few prospects will buy your product the first time they learn about it. However, when you follow up, you show them that you are there to serve them; you are dependable, you believe in your product and that you do not just want their money. This strategy may help you sell more products. If you have many prospects but your sales are low, develop this skill of following up and your sales will dramatically increase.

8. Ask for referrals

This is one effective way of generating leads, yet it is usually ignored by many people. Here you simply ask your satisfied customers to refer someone they know to you. They may refer some people and they buy, hence you gain; or they may refuse to refer people to you, you still lose nothing.

These green marketing strategies have been tested over and over again and they have shown results. You just need to apply them effectively and your sales performance will soar.

EV Battery Recycling Methods for the Middle East

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Following global transitions, the Middle East is witnessing a significant shift towards sustainable transportation, with electric vehicles (EVs) becoming more popular and widespread. This transition is driven by the global commitment to reduce carbon emissions and adopt more sustainable energy solutions. However, with the rise of EVs comes the serious challenge of managing used batteries. Developing proper recycling methods to reduce waste and recover valuable materials from EV batteries is very important.

EV battery

This article explores EV battery recycling in the Middle East, including existing initiatives, recycling methods, challenges, and prospects.

Why EV Battery Recycling is Important

EV batteries, mainly lithium-ion, have a lifespan of eight to fifteen years. However, they are considered used at around 70-80% capacity. As EVs become more popular, the region faces a challenge in reducing the waste of increasing numbers of used batteries. Without proper handling, these used batteries can lead to environmental hazards, including water and soil contamination from the metals inside them.

On the other hand, efficiently recycling used batteries can recover valuable metals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel and reduce the need for new mining operations. This, as well as simply reusing used batteries in other industries, supports the circular economy and reduces waste.

Methods for EV Battery Recycling

Pyrometallurgy (Smelting)

Traditional method involving high-temperature processing to extract valuable metals such as cobalt, nickel, and copper. It is highly effective for these metals, excluding lithium. It also requires high energy consumption and results in high carbon emissions. This could be an option for the Middle East, with improvements in energy efficiency and emission control.

Hydrometallurgy (Chemical Extraction)

Chemical solutions are used to dissolve battery materials and recover the metals. This method requires lower energy consumption and generates less pollution. It also recovers more lithium than smelting. For the Middle East, this could be the ideal solution, with the only challenge being managing the chemical waste.

EV battery recycling

Direct Recycling

This method maintains the structure of cathodes inside the batteries, allowing them to be reused in new batteries. It reduces the need for mining, has a low environmental impact, and is more cost-effective for battery manufacturers. This could be a great solution for the Middle East to produce new batteries locally and import less.

Second Life Applications

Most used EV batteries are still at around 70-80% capacity when deemed inadequate for EVs. These can be repurposed for solar energy storage, grid stabilization, or backup power generators for homes. This solution is excellent for the Middle East as it is affordable and sustainable, and many countries already invest in solar energy projects.

EV Battery Recycling Initiatives in the Middle East

A few countries in the Middle East have started addressing the challenges of EV battery recycling, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The UAE has taken a big step towards establishing a sustainable EV battery life cycle with two main initiatives. The Beeah project, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and the American University of Sharjah, plans to develop the first recycling plant for used EV batteries.

The second is the Witthal Gulf Industries’ project, which, in partnership with Kezad Group, will establish a lithium battery recycling plant with a capacity to process 5,000 tons of battery waste annually. These efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and divert EV batteries from landfills align with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 goal.

Saudi Arabia also plays an essential role in the EV battery supply chain through its Lithium Processing Agreement. In 2021, they became the first country in the Middle East to establish battery-processing capacity by signing an agreement with EV Metals Group to build a battery chemicals complex in Yanbu Industrial City. In 2022, the Saudi EV brand Ceer was announced with a goal of producing 500,000 EVs by 2030. These, along with several other efforts, show the kingdom’s commitment to being a key player in the supply chain and life cycle of EV batteries.

Challenges in EV Battery Recycling

The Middle East is facing several challenges in establishing EV battery recycling infrastructure, including:

  • Technological limitations: some recycling methods require technologies and expertise that are still developing in the region.
  • Economic feasibility: the high costs of the recycling processes discourage investors.
  • Regulatory frameworks: policies and governance regulations are still in development and may lead to inconsistencies in the industry.
  • Public awareness: the public is unaware of the importance of recycling EV batteries, which can result in difficulties with collection and recycling.

Future Prospects and Recommendations

To overcome these challenges and establish a sustainable life cycle for EV batteries in the Middle East, the following strategies can be applied:

  • Invest in research and development: this can lead to tailoring cost-effective and efficient recycling technologies for the region.
  • Develop regulatory frameworks: clear policies and regulations provide more structure and encourage compliance and standardization.
  • Foster partnerships: public-private collaborations help join resources and expertise, accelerating the achievement of a shared goal.
  • Enhance public awareness: educational campaigns promote participation and compliance of the public.

Conclusion

The Middle East is transitioning towards more sustainable transportation solutions, and addressing the challenges that come with them is increasingly important. EV battery recycling initiatives are emerging in countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, showing their commitment to developing a circular economy. By investing in technology, developing regulatory frameworks, and fostering collaborations, the region can pave the way for a sustainable life cycle for EV batteries and contribute to global environmental goals.

References

https://www.beeahgroup.com/beeah-recycling-uae-ministry-of-energy-infrastructure-and-american-university-of-sharjah-to-launch-uaes-first-ev-battery-recycling-facility/

https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/how-saudi-arabia-and-morocco-are-shaping-the-ev-battery-supply-chain

https://source.benchmarkminerals.com/article/how-saudi-arabia-and-morocco-are-shaping-the-ev-battery-supply-chain

5 Most Environmentally Friendly Colleges in the United States

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Education is only effective when it is combined with real change that impacts the world we live in. Selecting a college to study in can be a bit challenging as there are a plethora of factors you consider before choosing the best option. Some of these factors are education quality, study-life balance, healthy competition between students, co-curricular activities, and more. One other essential factor that a lot of people fail to consider is how environmentally friendly the university is. How can a college be environmentally-conscious, you may ask? To begin with, having many plants on campus and following eco-friendly practices for day-to-day college activities are some ways to do the same.

top 5 environmentally friendly colleges in the USA

Climate change impacts everything, and educational institutions are not exempt from taking responsibility for making the world better. Existing in harmony with nature ensures that we all have a healthy and hopeful future. Students need an environment where they feel safe and connected to nature to perform as well as they can in their academics.

Here are the top 5 environmentally friendly colleges in the United States

1. Colorado State University

Known as a very eco-friendly university in the United States, Colorado State University was the first ever university campus to get platinum status in the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System. Other than this, the campus has taken initiatives to introduce eco-friendly projects such as a food scrap and waste reduction program. This program managed to reduce the number of leftovers at college events and prevent food wastage. The project also aims to provide students with access to healthy food whenever and wherever.

Apart from this, Colorado State University has aimed for 100% carbon neutrality before the end of this decade. The campus is one of the best sustainable and eco-conscious colleges in the whole country and is an excellent place to pursue your on-campus or online environmental science degree. This is an excellent example of the initiative the modern educational institution can partake in to manage its impact on the environment.

2. University of Virginia

A worthy recipient of the Green Ribbon Schools award given by the U.S. Department of Education, this university has worked hard over the last decade to make its campus a sustainable and harmonious environment for humans. The initiative recognizes schools and universities that practice sustainable habits and invites them to an exclusive ceremony where they receive the award and much-needed media attention. The University of Virginia ranks among the top 10 law schools in the US, according to LSAT experts, TestMaxPrep.com. With such a great green initiative by the university, it certainly makes it one of the finest campuses to study law.

The University of Virginia encourages and promotes sustainability among students and faculty members. They do this using diverse programs such as the Recycling and Waste Diversion program, the Green Workplace program, and the Green Labs program. These projects do an essential job of informing and educating students to minimize the amount of waste they create in their daily lives.

This college and other “green” institutions like to make their students understand the need for eco-friendly living. They often do it by adding some assignments associated with the environment and its protection. There are so many eco-friendly projects conducted at the university that many students think, “I would love it if someone could write my college research paper for me.” If that is your thought process, you can always contact a professional writing service. Their experts can write some essays for you to reveal some of your academic pressure.

3. Green Mountain College

As its name implies, Green Mountain College is an efficient and sustainable education leader in the country. The university was one of the first campuses in the United States to be awarded the reputed EPA Energy Star Campus recognition award. This recognition boosted the campus’ eco-friendly goals and pushed it in a greener direction.

Green Mountain College wants to convert to using renewable energy completely and be 100% carbon-neutral by 2030. Being very student-forward, the university’s sustainable actions are led by its graduates and students.

One of its notable eco-friendly projects, the college’s biomass facility, was created and designed by students themselves and continues to be maintained the same way. Apart from learning essential things such as writing tips and marketing skills, the students at Green Mountain College learn to love and be one with nature early on in life.

4. Arizona State University

Known as a pioneer and industry leader among other eco-friendly colleges, Arizona State University launched its impressive “Carbon Project” to eliminate as much of its carbon emissions as possible. To do this, the campus planted more trees inside the university and allowed departments to shift to using electric vehicles.

environmentally-friendly college

The campus also began adopting carpool arrangements for its teachers and students and urged everyone to use sustainably-produced products. The university also often collaborates with ethical companies that practice fair trade labor practices. The college’s administration has always encouraged its students to take up eco-friendly and environment-based research projects to raise awareness and educate themselves.

5. The University of North Carolina

Another well-known environmentally-conscious college with the intent of attaining complete sustainability, the University of North Carolina intends to accomplish the following three goals:

  • No waste sent into landfills
  • Zero greenhouse gas emissions
  • Minimal usage of water and resources

In addition to this, the campus has invested a lot of resources in minimizing waste and constructing buildings that are energy efficient. It motivates its students and teachers to use transportation options that are friendlier to the environment. Unity among teachers, staff, students and the local community allows the university to take small steps towards sustainability that help them reach bigger goals. The campus also hosts numerous events to raise awareness about the preservation and conservation of the environment.

Conclusion

Every college wants to be green, but not all of them can achieve their goals effectively. To truly achieve complete harmony between nature and modern life, a campus must provide students with a conducive environment that keeps them close to nature. The colleges mentioned above are following essential sustainability practices to mitigate the effects of global warming. So, if you want to study at a university that cares about global well-being and ecology, the colleges on our list are worthy candidates for you.

5 Effective Ways to Improve E-Waste Management and Recycling

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Arguably, e-waste is fast becoming the defining issue of our age. Sure, plastics are a huge problem, and the true impact of our plastic production and consumption is only now coming to light. However, recent shifts in attitudes towards single-use packaging and other forms of non-recyclable plastics seems to be making some traction, and across the globe people are beginning to wake up to the destructive consequences of our reliance on plastics of all types.

ewaste-mobiles

The increase in electronic waste, however, shows no sign of slowing. Current estimates suggest that around two-thirds of the world population own a smartphone, with the average device thought to last around two to three years. That’s around 5 billion devices in circulation, and those numbers are growing year on year.

Smartphones may well be the most visible piece of the e-waste puzzle, but today, we are literally surrounded by tech at every turn. From the computers and laptops we use for work to the TVs and Bluetooth speakers we use to unwind. And let’s not forget, we are on the cusp of a new revolution in tech that is set to bring even more devices into our homes and offices—the Internet of Things.

Each of these highly complex products contain multiple materials that defy easy disposal or recycling. Additionally, many of the components within tech devices may be toxic when left to decompose in landfill, with lithium-ion batteries being particularly harmful to the environment. It is clear then, that both businesses and individuals need a better approach to e-waste management.

In this article, we will take a look at how you and your business can begin to improve e-waste management and recycling.

1. Buy Less

This statement is true for almost any type of product or resource. Buy less and make it last. Of course, the fast-paced nature of the tech world is always pushing you to purchase the latest models. However, when your devices are working perfectly well, do you really need the latest upgrade? Will it make your office run more smoothly? Will it increase sales or customer engagement.

Often, new devices bring diminishing returns if you keep up with the very latest trends. Why not hold onto your tech for just a little longer, or only replace it when it is broken. Maximising a products usefulness is the first step to minimizing electronic waste.

2. Donate Old Devices

If you must replace devices with the latest models, ensure that old devices and equipment that is still functioning is not left to gather dust or just dumped. Just because your FinTech company requires the fastest processors and latest software doesn’t mean that NGOs and other poorly funded organisations do.

Ewaste-Management

3. Check for Manufacturer Recycling Programs

Today, responsible companies are increasingly offering e-waste recycling programs specifically designed for the devices they manufacture. This provides two benefits: Firstly, since the companies who manufactured the devices have the tools and knowledge to disassemble them correctly, more resources can be recycled and reused.

Secondly, many manufacturers such as Apple, provide attractive device buyback programs to businesses and individuals on new products. It’s a win-win situation for everyone.

4. Embrace the Cloud

Cloud computing has come a long way in recent years. Today, cloud storage in particular is already cheaper and more efficient than terrestrial storage. Additionally, SaaS generally requires minimal tech to run and little to no maintenance on the IT side. This allows you to cut down on new physical devices, such as servers or other storage options, and rely more on cloud-based solutions that centralize tech and prioritize sustainability.

5. Ensure E-Waste is Correctly Sorted and Tracked

When prevention is not an option, and in particular when devices are no longer functional, proper recycling is critical to ensure e-waste is kept out of landfill. Whether for small, regular collections or larger one-offs, companies such as RTS can help provide you with transparent services designed to let you track and monitor your e-waste at every stage of the journey—ensuring more of the e-waste you or your company creates is properly and responsibly recycled.

Climate Change Impacts on Public Health: Perspectives for Arab World

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Climate change is not only affecting the economies of Arab world but also having detrimental impacts on the very fabric of society, through threats to public health and livelihoods. Climate change in the Arab world is also exacerbating social inequalities, hitting the rural poor the hardest.

This is not a reason for complacency amongst the wealthy urban classes. Basic humanitarianism aside, history suggests that physical hardships can breed wider unrest: a body of evidence suggests that poor harvests caused by a major Icelandic volcanic ash cloud in 1783 triggered no less an event that the French Revolution.

climate-change in GCC

Extreme weather events and spread of diseases

With the Arab world already plagued by endemic unemployment and high inequality, it would be easy to see how global warming could play a significant role in socio-economic development and future political and geo-political events.

There is no doubt that, globally, we are seeing a much higher incidence of extreme weather events than seen since record-keeping began. Aside from a few nay-sayers, the scientific consensus is that climate change is causing extreme weather events such as heatwaves, droughts, floods and cyclones. It is putting increasing pressure on crops and crop yields, both through more extreme temperatures and increase in insect attacks; it is creating a fertile environment for the spread of epidemics.

Impacts on public health

Climate change is adversely affecting our health which is becoming more severe with each passing year. The human catastrophe caused by violent sandstorms is not limited to the recent tragic events in India. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) acknowledges that sandstorm dust is a major source of respiratory diseases in a number of countries, particularly in the Middle East & North Africa.

sand-dust-storm

MENA region has been regularly witnessing extreme weather events in recent years

Climate change is impacting on wind patterns, which in turn is contributing to the transfer of dust, pollen, bacteria, mold and other allergens, in the air, especially in extreme heat. Morocco and Algeria have experienced unprecedented pandemics and outbreaks of diseases such as tuberculosis and scabies that were, until recently, considered things of the past.

Well-established infectious diseases such as malaria and dengue are again on the prowl, and various new diseases, such as Rift Valley Fever and Horse Plague, are emerging.

Time for action

Research has shown that the average temperature in the MENA region will increase by around 2 degrees Celsius by 2050 in parallel with a depletion of the ozone layer protecting us from cancer-inducing higher levels of ultraviolet. These sobering facts should goad us into action.

While it may be too late to prevent much of climate change occurring, we are not yet too late to mitigate its worst impacts. Individuals, corporations and governments all need to accelerate programmes to minimize further worsening climate change, alongside introducing adaptation measures to reduce the health consequences associated with known climate change impacts. MENA governments need to do much more to incentivize the reduction in greenhouse gas and particulates emissions. We are well-placed to benefit from the advances in solar power and battery storage technologies – in our cars, our businesses and in our homes.

Crop biodiversity needs to be fostered; alongside programmes to ensure heat and drought-resistant crops are being planted in high-risk areas. Sustainability needs to be embraced at every level in society – from building design and manufacturing processes to end-of-life recycling. Medical sector also needs to be prepared to deal with changing patterns as a result of climate change, to avoid significant negative impacts on vulnerable communities.

Conclusion

Climate change is a world problem, but Arab countries will be amongst the worst affected, if we don’t act now. It should therefore be a top priority on our governments’ agendas to protect their citizens before it is too late.

Energy Efficiency Implementation in GCC’s Residential Sector: Actions and Technical Requirements

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The huge existing stock of residential units in the GCC region, and the expected growth in residential construction projects, convey different challenges at the time of energy efficiency implementation. New developments require the definition and the enforcement of standards to be included at the design process; while owners and users of existing units require motivation and financial strategies to implement different levels of energy efficiency actions.

A set of actions and requirements have been identified to improve energy efficiency in residential buildings, these include core management actions and specific technical requirements; and are defined for new developments and for already existent residential units.

New developments

New developments have the advantage of being able to incorporate energy efficiency features from the design, including improved building techniques, careful material selection and installation of control features that convey into lower energy requirements during the lifetime of the unit. Seven management actions have been defined for the achievement of energy efficiency in new residential units. Most of these actions must be initiated by the administration (or government) and then reach momentum with the developers.

Awareness raising implies communicating to the public the need for being less oil dependent and motivating such transition trough economic incentives and taxes. These steps also require the administration to design and enforce minimum building standards and to support the availability of service providers, suppliers and materials in line with the defined standards. A great example in some countries of the Gulf are the strict requirements for imports, manufacturing and installation of air conditioning.

Actions and technical requirements for energy efficiency implementation in the residential sector – New Developments

During the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the units is where the energy efficiency tasks are implemented and where specific adherence to technical requirements is due. The main categories of such requirements are included within the building envelope and building orientation, mechanical and electrical features, HVAC systems and thermal insulation. Minimum standards for these categories have been already defined within the Building Codes of some countries.

For the lifetime usage of the residence, other aspects are to be taken into consideration. Amongst these we find the acquisition of energy efficient home appliances such as refrigeration units, freezers and water heaters. It is also important the exclusive use of LED lighting, the inclusion of daylight control systems and even the consideration of PV systems. Equally important are the maintenance, monitoring and verification tasks to ensure that the design efforts reflect in energy savings during the occupancy of the building.

Existing residential units

Implementation of energy efficiency measures in existing residential units has an added level of complexity due to the cost involved and the additional work required. Core management actions for energy efficiency implementation of existing residential units. It is very important to motivate current owners and users to make the transition pointing out their personal and financial well-being from the modifications.

The odds for energy efficiency implementation increase when financing schemes for capital investment, that will be offset by future savings, are made available and broadly communicated.

Every housing unit differs in performance and needs; therefore, a basic energy audit is required to identify the opportunities for each situation. According to the resources available and the desired outcome, the opportunities are then selected for implementation. Three levels of interventions or technical requirements have been defined and grouped from ease of implementation and lower cost to more costly and efficient options.

Actions and technical requirements for energy efficiency implementation in the residential sector – Existing Units

The first level interventions include housekeeping, such as behavioral changes for switching off unnecessary lights and appliances, repairs of air leaks and filtration, and basic weatherization of the unit shell. It is important to run maintenance on air conditioning systems and regular cleaning and replacement of filters. Installation and proper setting of thermostats and LED lighting retrofit are other easy but effective measures.

Second level interventions include the replacement of energy inefficient appliances (i.e. refrigerators and freezers) and the installation of at least standard efficiency cooling systems. Building features shall be adjusted for minimum adherence to the building code.

Third level interventions are higher in cost but greater in savings. These include the implementation of a high-performance cooling system which can save up to 35%, and insulation of walls and roofs with close to 25% in energy savings. Other interventions include daylight control systems, and windows and door replacements to add shading features, glazing or adjustment of the dimensions window to wall ratio.

المبيدات الزراعية الكيماوية

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عمل الإنسان منذ عصور قديمة على إفساد البيئة التي يعيش فيها وأخل بتوازنها وجلب لنفسه مخاطر ومشاكل عديدة لم يقدر على تحملها ، من جراء كثرة الملوثات مثل نفايات المصانع والمنازل والمزارع ومخلفات المدن والمواد البلاستيكية ووسائل النقل والمبيدات والأسمدة …وتعتبر المبيدات الزراعية من أهم وأخطر ملوثات البيئة فهي مواد كيميائية سامة تستخدم لمكافحة الآفات وتؤثرعلى العمليات الحيوية للعديد من الكائنات الحية ، وهي أيضاً سامة للإنسان والحيوان.

وقد أحدث الإنسان تغييراً في التوازن البيئي في مناطق عديدة، بإستغلاله لها واستثماره لأرضها، فعدد الحيوانات التي تعيش في المناطق إنقرضت بسبب الإخلال في التوازن، وأصبح يتزايد على نطاقات واسعة، وهذا السبب الأصلي في وجدود الآفات المعروفة.ولكي يبني توازناً جديداً، ويقاوم الحيوانات والنباتات الضارة، إنصب إلى إستخدام بعض المنتجات الكيماوية التي تتزايد كميتها وتزداد خطورتها يوماً بعد يوم. ولا يوجد مزارع إلا ويعرف حجم الخسائر التي تسببها دودة القطن، وأسراب الجراد…. وغير ذلك من الآفات .

قديماً فكَّر الإنسان في وسيلة للحد من مخاطر تلك الآفات على النباتات مستخدماً في سبيل ذلك وسائل مختلفة، فكان يستخدم نبات العنصل للقضاء على الفئران،كما كانت مكافحة أسراب الجراد تتم بطرق بدائية، لم تحقق المرجو منها إلا في حالات خاصة عندما تكون أعداد تلك الأسراب محدودة،كما كانت تستخدم بعض مشتقات النباتات الطبيعية،ومع التطور تم اللجوء إلى إستخدام مخلوط بوردو الذي يتركب من كبريتات النحاس والكلس الحي والماء، ومستحضرات تتضمن الزئبق والرصاص والكبريت،وتتصف هذه المواد بترسباتها الخاملة التي يمكن لها أن تتراكم في التربة ملوثة إياها لتُغسل فيما بعد إما بالأمطار أو بواسطة الري بالمياه،محمولة إلى المياه الجارية والأنهار مؤدية إلى موت الأحياء المائية.وقد بدأ إستخدام المبيدات الكيماوية في الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية عام 1967 حينما استخدم مركب أخضر باريس الزرنيخي لمكافحة خنفساء كولورادو ثم استخدم هذا المبيد مع الكيروسين لمكافحة العديد من الآفات الحشرية.

ورغم إختلاف الآراء حول النواحي السلبية والإيجابية للمبيدات الكيماوية، مازالت تعتبر حتى يومنا هذا ضرورية لتطوير الإنتاج الزراعي وحمايته بزيادة مردود وحدة المساحة المزروعة، أو التوسع في الأراضي القابلة للزراعة لزيادة الإنتاج في المساحة المزروعة، وقد أخفق في هذه المواجهة تارة ونجح تارة أخرى للحاجة الماسة للمعرفة بخصائص المبيدات الكيماوية الفيزيائية والكيميائية والبيئية والسمية … ومن الطبيعي أن هذه الخصائص غير معروفة لدى بعض المزارعين، ولكن يتوجب على الفنيين والأخصائيين الإلمام بها والقيام بتقديمها كنصائح وإرشادات إلى المزارعين للعمل على استخدامها بشكل علمي سليم من أجل ضمان عملية المكافحة للقضاء على الآفات الزراعية التي تصيب النباتات وبطرق آمنة بيئياً.‏

تُعرف المبيدات الكيميائية بأنها عبارة عن مواد كيماوية تستخدم لمكافحة الآفات الزراعية أو أي نوع من الكائنات الحية التي يمكن أن تشكل آفة على المحاصيل الزراعية، ويضعها العلماء في مجموعات وهي المبيدات الحشرية ، المبيدات الفطرية ومبيدات الأعشاب، بالإضافة إلى مبيدات القوارض، مبيدات الديدان الإسطوانية والرخويات ومبيدات العناكب. والمبيدات الزراعية بصورة عامة مركبات سامة وخطرة ويجب إستعمالها بحذر وعند الضرورة فقط بعد استنفاذ كافة أساليب الوقاية وطرق المكافحة الزراعية ويعتبر تعبيرLD50 مؤشراً على سمية المبيد وخطورته وتعني: جرعة المبيد مقدرة بالمليغرام لكل كغ من الوزن الحي التي يمكن أن تؤدي إلى موت 50% من حيوانات التجربة التي تتعرض لها وغالبا ما تكون مقدرة على الجرذان للجرعات المأخوذة عن طريق الفم.

أما الآفة الزراعية فهي أي كائن حي يصيب الإنسان أو ممتلكاته (من نباتات أو حيوانات) وتسبب له الضرر، فالحشرات من الآفات وكذلك الميكروبات(بكتيريا وفطريات وفيروسات) والحيوانات والطفيليات والطيور والقواقع والقوارض مثل الفئران وكذلك النباتات التي تنبت في غير مكانها تعتبر آفة أيضاً.

وبنظرة مستقبلية متفائلة يجب العمل على الحد والتقليل من إستخدام المبيدات الكيماوية والتوجه إلى إستخدام برامج الإدارة المتكاملة للمحاصيل ومنها المكافحة المتكاملة للآفات وتعتمد على استخدام الأعداء الحيوية والمواد الطبيعية (مفترسات،طيور،متطفلات،فرمونات جاذبة،وغيرها) المتوفرة  في الطبيعة أو التي تتجه حالياً كثير من الشركات إلى إكثارها وإنتاجها بشكل إقتصادي.

أما الأسر وأصحاب العلاقة بإستخدام هذه المواد الكيماوية الخطرة فيجب العمل على قراءة التعليمات الواردة على الملصقة بدقة عند شراء أي مبيد كيماوي وعدم ترك المبيدات قريبة أو في متناول الأيدي للكبار والصغار ومحاولة عدم إقتائها بكميات كبيرة قدر الإمكان في المنازل والحدائق، حيث يتوفر في الأسواق عبوات بكميات 200مل أو 100مل بمعنى يمكن إستخدامها والتخلص منها مباشرة بطريقة آمنة بيئياً.

كما ندعو الدول للإلتزام بما هو وارد في الإتفاقيات الدولية المتعلقة بالمواد الكيماوية ومن ضمنها المبيدات مثل إتفاقية روتردام،استوكهولم، بازل، ومونتريال والقرارات التي تصدر عن هذه الإتفاقيات وعما يصدر من قبل منظمة الصحة العالمية WHO ومنظمة الأغذية والزراعة للأمم المتحدة FAO  حفاظاً على صحة الإنسان والحيوان والبيئة.

كيف يتغير سعر البيتكوين مقابل الدولار وأين يتجه في المستقبل

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شهدت البيتكوين تطورًا كبيرًا منذ إطلاقها عام 2009، حيث أصبحت واحدة من أكثر الأصول الرقمية جذبًا للمستثمرين والمضاربين. ومع تزايد الاهتمام العالمي بالعملات الرقمية، أصبح قياس سعر البيتكوين مقابل الدولار مؤشرًا رئيسيًا لحالة السوق واتجاهاته المستقبلية. فلا يكاد يمر يوم دون أن يتابع المستثمرون والمتداولون التقلبات السعرية للبيتكوين، التي قد تشهد ارتفاعات وانخفاضات حادة خلال فترات قصيرة. لكن ما الذي يحدد قيمة هذه العملة؟ ولماذا تُقاس بالدولار الأمريكي؟ وما التوقعات المستقبلية لمكانتها في النظام المالي العالمي؟

bitcoin vs dollar

لماذا يقاس البيتكوين بالدولار الأمريكي؟

رغم أن البيتكوين عملة لا مركزية وغير مرتبطة بأي حكومة أو بنك مركزي، إلا أن قيمتها غالبًا ما يتم حسابها بالدولار الأمريكي. يرجع ذلك إلى عدة أسباب:

  1. الدولار كعملة مرجعية عالمية: يُعتبر الدولار الأمريكي العملة الاحتياطية الأولى عالميًا، حيث تُسعَّر معظم السلع والأصول المالية به، بما في ذلك الذهب والنفط. وبالتالي، أصبح الدولار المعيار الأساسي لقياس قيمة البيتكوين أيضًا.
  2. السيولة العالية للدولار: يتمتع الدولار بسيولة كبيرة، مما يسهل عمليات التداول بين البيتكوين والعملات التقليدية الأخرى.
  3. اعتماده في منصات التداول: معظم منصات تداول العملات الرقمية تستخدم الدولار كوحدة قياس أساسية لعرض أسعار البيتكوين.
  4. الاستقرار النسبي: على الرغم من تقلبات الدولار أمام العملات الأخرى، إلا أنه يُعد أكثر استقرارًا مقارنة بالبيتكوين، ما يجعله خيارًا منطقيًا لقياس قيمتها.

العوامل المؤثرة على سعر البيتكوين

يتأثر سعر البيتكوين بعدة عوامل رئيسية، أبرزها:

  1. العرض والطلب: كما هو الحال مع أي سلعة أو أصل مالي، يعتمد سعر البيتكوين بشكل أساسي على العرض والطلب. كلما زاد الطلب، ارتفع السعر، والعكس صحيح.
  2. التغيرات الاقتصادية العالمية: الأزمات المالية، التضخم، والسياسات النقدية تلعب دورًا كبيرًا في تحركات البيتكوين. فعلى سبيل المثال، عندما يفقد الدولار أو العملات التقليدية قيمتها بسبب التضخم، يتجه بعض المستثمرين إلى البيتكوين كملاذ آمن.
  3. التشريعات الحكومية: تؤثر قرارات الحكومات بشأن تنظيم العملات الرقمية بشكل مباشر على سعر البيتكوين. فعند فرض قيود صارمة، مثل الحظر الذي فرضته الصين على تعدين البيتكوين، شهد السوق انخفاضًا حادًا. وعلى العكس، فإن اعتراف الدول بالبيتكوين كأصل قانوني يعزز قيمته.
  4. اعتماد المؤسسات المالية: مع تزايد اهتمام الشركات الكبرى مثل Tesla وMicroStrategy بشراء البيتكوين، أصبح لهذه الاستثمارات تأثير كبير على السوق.
  5. التطورات التقنية: أي تحسينات في تقنية البلوكشين، أو ظهور ابتكارات تجعل البيتكوين أكثر أمانًا وسهولة في الاستخدام، يمكن أن تزيد من قيمته السوقية.

تأثير الاستثمارات المؤسسية على البيتكوين

في البداية، كان البيتكوين محصورًا في مجتمع من الأفراد والمضاربين، لكنه الآن أصبح محط أنظار المؤسسات المالية الكبرى. فقد بدأت شركات مثل Grayscale وFidelity وBlackRock في تخصيص أجزاء من محافظها الاستثمارية للبيتكوين، مما أدى إلى ارتفاع قيمته واستقرار السوق.

كذلك، بدأت صناديق التحوط والبنوك الاستثمارية في تقديم منتجات مالية مرتبطة بالبيتكوين، مثل العقود الآجلة والصناديق المتداولة في البورصة (ETFs)، مما سمح للمستثمرين التقليديين بالمشاركة في سوق العملات الرقمية دون الحاجة إلى امتلاك البيتكوين فعليًا.

البيتكوين كأداة تحوط ضد التضخم

أحد الأسباب الرئيسية التي دفعت المستثمرين لشراء البيتكوين هو استخدامه كأداة للتحوط ضد التضخم، ونظرًا لأن المعروض من البيتكوين محدود بـ 21 مليون وحدة فقط، فإنه يُنظر إليه على أنه أصل نادر، تمامًا مثل الذهب.

في السنوات الأخيرة، ومع ارتفاع معدلات التضخم في العديد من الاقتصادات الكبرى، زاد الإقبال على البيتكوين كوسيلة لحفظ القيمة. فقد رأينا كيف ارتفع سعر البيتكوين خلال فترات الأزمات الاقتصادية، حيث لجأ إليه المستثمرون لحماية أموالهم من تآكل قيمتها.

هل يمكن أن يصبح البيتكوين عملة عالمية؟

رغم شعبيته المتزايدة، لا يزال البيتكوين يواجه العديد من التحديات التي تعيق تحوله إلى عملة عالمية معتمدة على نطاق واسع، ومن أبرز هذه التحديات:

  1. التقلبات السعرية الحادة: يصعب على الأفراد والشركات استخدام البيتكوين في المعاملات اليومية بسبب تغير قيمته بسرعة.
  2. التحديات التنظيمية: الحكومات والبنوك المركزية لا تزال مترددة في تبني البيتكوين رسميًا نظرًا للمخاوف المتعلقة بغسل الأموال وتمويل الأنشطة غير القانونية.
  3. قدرة الشبكة على معالجة المعاملات: رغم التحسينات المستمرة، لا تزال شبكة البيتكوين تعاني من بعض القيود فيما يخص سرعة معالجة المعاملات ورسوم التحويل. 

مستقبل سعر البيتكوين مقابل الدولار

التوقعات بشأن مستقبل سعر البيتكوين مقابل الدولار تختلف بين المحللين، حيث يرى البعض أن البيتكوين قد يصل إلى مستويات غير مسبوقة خلال السنوات القادمة، بينما يحذر آخرون من احتمال حدوث انهيارات سعرية جديدة.

تشير بعض التوقعات المتفائلة إلى أن البيتكوين قد يتجاوز 100,000 دولار في المستقبل القريب، مدفوعًا بتزايد الطلب المؤسسي والاعتراف الرسمي به من قبل الحكومات. في المقابل، يحذر بعض الخبراء من أن اللوائح الصارمة أو التغيرات الاقتصادية المفاجئة قد تؤدي إلى انخفاضات حادة في السعر.

لكن بغض النظر عن هذه التوقعات، يبقى سعر البيتكوين مقابل الدولار واحدًا من أهم المؤشرات التي تتابعها الأسواق المالية، حيث يعكس تطور سوق العملات الرقمية ومستوى ثقة المستثمرين به. وبينما تستمر التقنيات المالية في التطور، يبقى السؤال مفتوحًا: هل سيكون البيتكوين مستقبل المال، أم أنه مجرد أصل استثماري مؤقت؟

Solid Waste Management in Jordan

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Jordan is an emerging and stable economy in the Middle East. The growing industrialization and high population growth rate has led to rapid increase in solid waste generation in the country which has, in turn, put increasing pressure in waste management infrastructure. Around 2 million tons of municipal waste is generated in Jordan each year with most of it diverted to unsanitary landfills and dumpsites. Improper solid waste disposal is leading to public health risks, adverse environmental impacts as well as socio-economic problems. 

Solid Waste Generation

The predominant fraction in Jordanian MSW is organic matter which makes up as much as 60 percent of the solid waste stream. Being a relatively modest Middle Eastern country, the per capita waste generation In Jordan is 0.9 kg per day. Municipal waste in the country has steadily increased from 1.5 million tons in 2000 to about 2 million tons in 2012 which is posing a serious challenge to municipalities in big cities like Amman and Aqaba.

Amman accounts for almost half of the total solid waste generated in Jordan. The Greater Amman Municipality has the duty to collect, transport, and dispose the waste to Al Ghabawi landfill site which is considered to be the largest landfill in Jordan serving Amman and 10 other major cities. In the coastal city of Aqaba, a private company collects and transports the waste to the landfill operated by common services council. There are 21 working landfill sites in Jordan, out of which 7 are closed landfill sites.

Apart from MSW, an annual amount of 1.83 million cubic meter of septic and sewage sludge from treatment of 44 million cubic meter of sewage water is generated in greater Amman area. The potential annual sewage sludge and septic generated in Amman alone is estimated at more than 85,000 tons of dry matter.

State of the Affairs

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. Municipalities do not have enough funds to setup modern waste collection infrastructure, recycling facilities, waste disposal systems and waste to energy plants. Source-segregation is not practiced in the country and mixed waste is collected and dumped without any treatment.  Recycling, both formal and informal, is at early stages due to lack of trained manpower and modern machinery.

The role of private sector in solid waste management is also limited, except some pilot projects. In 2009, the government initiated Amman solid waste management project that aims at strengthening the operational, financial, and environmental performance of municipal solid waste management. Greater Amman Municipality is also planning to build two waste transfer stations in the northern and western areas of the city.

Rusaifeh Landfill Project

The Government of Jordan, in collaboration with UNDP, GEF and the Danish Government, established 1MW Biomethanation plant at Rusaifeh landfill near Amman in 1999.  The plant has been successfully operating since its commissioning and efforts are underway to increase its capacity to 5MW. The project consists of a system of twelve landfill gas wells and an anaerobic digestion plant based on 60 tons per day of organic wastes from hotels, restaurants and slaughterhouses in Amman. 

Al Ghabawi Landfill Project

Al Ghabawi landfill is the first of its kind in Jordan as it is designed and constructed with gas collection systems with financial assistance from the World Bank. The project operation is the first municipal carbon finance partnership in the Middle East. The electricity generated from landfill gas will be delivered to the national grid, displacing electricity produced by grid connected power plants that traditionally use heavy fuel oil. The Al Ghabawi landfill, comprising of three cells, started receiving waste in 2003. Cell 1 has reached full capacity. Cell 2 is constructed, operational and is being filled with waste. Cell 3 is planned to be constructed during 2013. Currently the site receives about 3,000 tons of waste per day but LFG recovery system is yet to be implemented. 

الصحة المناخية – مصطلح جديد وضرورة

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لا ادري ان يصح إطلاق تعبير ” الصحة المناخية” لكنني استوحيته من دراستي الجامعية حيث تخصصت بالصحة البيئية ومن بعدها ماجستير العلوم البيئية. فكما ترتكز الصحة البيئية على دراسة تأثير البيئة على صحة الإنسان وتأثير الإنسان على البيئة. فإن ايضا الصحة المناخية أعني بها تأثير التغير المناخي على صحة الإنسان وعلاقة الإنسان بتغير المناخ.

يؤثر تغير المناخ على نوعية مياه الشرب والمأوى الآمن وكمية الغذاء ونقاوة الهواء وفي نفس الوقت إن زيادة تلوث الهواء يؤدي إلى زيادة حدة تغير المناخ. وتأثير المناخ على الصحة يختلف بين البلدان والبلدان النامية والجزر هم الأكثر تأثرا والأقل قدرة على الاحتمال. حسب منظمة الصحة العالمية فإن تكاليف أضرار تغير المناخ على الصحة سيبلغ بين 2-4 مليارات سنويا بحلول عام 2030. كما أفادت المنظمة أن من المتوقع أنه نحو 250000 وفاة إضافية سنوياً  بين عام 2030 و2050 من جراء الإجهاد الحراري والإسهال  وسوء التغذية والملاريا.

كما افادت احدى الدراسات الامريكية ان تغير المناخ يؤدي إلى مشاكل في الصحة العقلية وخصوصا زيادة الاكتئاب. وشهدت مؤخرا الهند وبنغلادش ونيبال والولايات المتحدة أعاصير وفيضانات مدمرة أدت إلى الكثير من الوفيات والنزوح الداخلي عدا عن تدمير الممتلكات. صحيح أن تغير المناخ ليس السبب الرئيسي لكنه أدى إلى جعل هذه الظواهر الطبيعية أكثر فتكا وما ينتج من وفيات وأمراض جسدية ونفسية وخصوصا ما يعرف باضطراب كرب ما بعد الصدمة هو نتيجة تغير المناخ.

وإحدى مضاعفات تغير المناخ هو الجفاف مما يزيد من نسبة الأمراض المترافقة مع قلة المياه وتراجع النظافة الشخصية كما تزيد نسبة الأمراض المنقولة بالمياه. وقد أظهرت دراسات متعددة بين أوروبا والكويت  عن زيادة الأمراض والوفيات الناجمة عن الأمراض التنفسية والأمراض القلبية وازدياد حالات انحباس البول في فترات الطقس الحار.

وإحدى مضاعفات تغير المناخ هو الجفاف

كل هذه الدراسات يجب أن ترفق بخطوات جدية لوقف تغير المناخ وازدياد حرارة الأرض. يجب علينا الضغط على الحكومات للتحول من الوقود الأحفوري إلى الطاقة المتجددة.  بناء القدرات وتطوير الأنظمة الصحية وتكيّفها و استعدادها للاستجابة لتغيّر المناخ. كما يجب القيام بأبحاث ودراسات على صعيد المحلي وتبادل الخبرات مع البلدان الأخرى والدخول في شراكات مع مختلف الجهات الحكومية والغير حكومية المحلية منها والإقليمية والعالمية. ومن أهم أساليب حماية الصحة من تأثيرات المناخ هو التوعية بمخاطر التغير المناخي وتسهيل الحصول العامة على المعلومات.ويبقى الامل بتظافر الجهود لحماية صحة الانسان و لمحاربة تغير المناخ. فنعم والف نعم لحياة آمنة.