Taking Steps to a More Environmentally-Friendly Home Life

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Climate change is a fact, it’s manufactured, and the effects will only grow more pronounced. Although most of the harm from human activity is caused by a few major corporations, this is still an impossible situation to adapt to without individual action. To this end, more minor changes around the home can help us all play our parts to both mitigate waste and adapt to coming changes.

It’s time to try a new approach, and with the options of the modern world, these changes can be easy to implement, and highly advantageous. So while we don’t recommend jumping in with both feet without first looking, consider a slow approach, and you might be surprised to see just how much is achievable.

Learn and Work from Home

Remote learning isn’t always possible, but the benefits for the environment can be immense when it is.. Learning a language like English using a web service is one example, where online tutoring for all ages, from children to adults, is cheaper and greener. In addition, learning this way implies no travel, it often requires no extra technology, and it can be just as or more effective than learning the traditional way.

online education

The same advantages apply to work, where extra elements like paper-saving techniques can also be most easily implemented. At home, you have a lot more flexibility in making rules, and your practices can be infinitely greener than those developed by an old-fashioned company several decades ago.

Adjusting Your Home Environment

Speaking of changing your environment, there might also be untapped potential around your house available for aspects as simple as heating changes. Adjusting your home environment doesn’t mean turning your heat off and struggling in the cold, but instead adapting to slightly lower temperatures at certain times. Sleeping, for example, can be more accessible in the cold, and since you’re under the blankets anyway, a heater is wasted.

While making these changes can be accomplished manually,  some simple solutions are also made possible through smart home technology. This technology can schedule heating, lights, and cleaning and ensure that human forgetfulness is eliminated from some key energy-wasting areas. This tech has come a long way in the last few years, so it’s not as expensive as you might think.

Futuristic Smart Home

Re-Examine your Appliances

Not all home appliances are created equal and this applies most to old or outdated ones.. Before the push for greener standards, old machines around the house were often enormous energy sinks. Whether through nostalgia or simply not noticing, we can tend to keep these running longer than we should.

When making a replacement or an upgrade, be sure to check out the Energy Star ratings of the products first. An Energy Star certified system could use 25% less energy and 33% less water than a regular device for things like washing machines. Compared to much older systems, the saving can be even more pronounced.

lowering-home-temperature

Individually, even the most minor changes matter. Compounded over many small changes and years, consistent efforts can make a significant difference. Whatever situation you’re in, consider which of these above changes might be right for you, and you could soon start your journey towards a greener life. It can make a difference.

The Role of Transformative Green Hotels in Sustainable Tourism

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The global tourism industry is significantly shifting towards sustainability, driven by rising environmental awareness and a demand for responsible travel. Hotels, as significant components of the tourism ecosystem, are at the forefront of this transformation.

The recent opening of IHG’s voco Zeal Exeter Science Park in the UK marks a pivotal moment, showcasing the potential of net-zero carbon operations in hospitality. This groundbreaking hotel, powered entirely by renewable energy and designed with sustainable materials, sets a new model for eco-conscious accommodations.

sustainable hotel

As travelers become more environmentally conscious, integrating green infrastructure and sustainable practices into hotel design and operations is not merely an ethical choice but a crucial step toward a resilient and responsible tourism sector.

The Rise of Green Hotels: A Response to Climate Change

Traditional hotels often have a considerable environmental footprint, contributing significantly to carbon emissions through energy consumption, water usage, and waste generation. Research published in Nature Climate Change estimates that tourism contributes approximately 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, with accommodations playing a substantial role.

However, a growing awareness of climate change and its impacts is compelling travelers and the hospitality industry to seek more sustainable alternatives.

A 2023 report by Booking.com indicated that 76 percent of travelers globally want to travel more sustainably over the next year, highlighting a clear shift in consumer preferences. This demand is fueling the rise of green hotels, which are designed and operated to minimize their environmental impact through various strategies, from energy efficiency to waste reduction.

The transition to green hotels is not merely a trend but a necessary evolution to mitigate tourism’s environmental consequences and ensure the industry’s longevity.

Innovative Energy Solutions in Green Hotel Design

At the heart of the green hotel movement lies a commitment to innovative energy solutions. Energy consumption is one of hotels’ most significant environmental impacts, accounting for a large portion of their operating expenses and carbon footprint. Green hotels are tackling this challenge by implementing various strategies to enhance energy efficiency and transition to renewable energy sources.

Solar panels are becoming quite common on modern hotel rooftops, generating clean electricity and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Many green hotels also invest in advanced building management systems that optimize heating, ventilation, and cutting-edge air conditioning or HVAC systems based on occupancy and weather conditions.

The selection of energy-efficient appliances and lighting, such as LED lighting, also plays a crucial role in minimizing energy demand. Collectively, these measures contribute to substantially reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, opening the door for a more sustainable hospitality model.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that energy efficiency measures in buildings could sufficiently reduce global energy demand by 2040 to 10 percent lower than in 2022, even as the world economy expands, underscoring the potential impact of these technologies in the hotel sector.

Optimizing Energy Efficiency with High-Efficiency Transformers

In green hotels’ intricate energy infrastructure, high-efficiency transformers play a pivotal role in ensuring dependable power distribution. While traditional oil-filled transformers have been widely used in hotels, the shift towards sustainability calls for more eco-friendly alternatives.

Transformers filled with natural ester fluids derived from renewable vegetable oils offer enhanced fire safety due to higher flash and fire points. They are also biodegradable, reducing environmental risks associated with potential leaks. These eco-efficient transformers contribute to a hotel’s sustainability goals by aligning with green practices and enhancing the hotel’s reputation among eco-conscious travelers.

The selection of high-efficiency transformers is crucial in green hotels striving for optimal energy performance. Even as renewable energy is the norm among green hotels, a balance of sources is often more practical. Traditional sources requiring an oil filled transformer still have their place. Such transformers, known for their robust performance and longevity, can contribute significantly to energy savings in hotel operations.

When properly maintained, these transformers ensure minimal energy loss during voltage conversion, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the hotel’s electrical grid. Advanced transformers are indispensable for green hotels aiming to minimize their environmental footprint, power consumption, and operational costs by reducing energy waste and ensuring a reliable and stable power supply.

The U.S. authority Department of Energy (DOE) has established energy efficiency standards for distribution transformers to reduce energy losses. According to the DOE, these standards are expected to decrease electrical losses by approximately 8 percent for liquid-immersed transformers, 13 percent for medium-voltage dry-type transformers, and 18 percent for low-voltage dry-type transformers.

The Energy Mix Required for an Energy-Efficient Ecosystem

To create an energy-efficient ecosystem, green hotels must integrate a diversified energy mix that reduces reliance on fossil fuels and enhances overall sustainability.

  • Renewable Energy Integration: The installation of on-site renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, significantly lower a hotel’s carbon footprint. For instance, the voco Zeal Exeter Science Park operates entirely on renewable and solar energy.
  • Energy Storage Solutions: Battery storage systems ensure a steady power supply by storing excess energy generated during peak production periods for use during times of low generation.
  • Smart Grid Technologies: Implementing smart transformers and grid technologies improves energy distribution efficiency, accommodates fluctuations in renewable energy generation, and optimizes energy use.
  • Energy Efficiency Measures: Reducing overall energy consumption requires using energy-efficient appliances, LED lighting, and advanced HVAC systems.

By integrating these components, green hotels can establish a resilient and energy-efficient infrastructure that minimizes environmental impact while maintaining operational excellence.

Sustainable Architectural and Interior Design in Green Hotels

Beyond energy efficiency, the physical design of green hotels plays a crucial role in their sustainability. Thoughtful architectural planning and interior choices can significantly reduce environmental impact and improve energy performance.

  • Passive Design Strategies: Utilizing natural ventilation, solar orientation, and thermal mass in hotel architecture reduces the need for artificial heating equipment and cooling systems, leading to substantially lesser energy consumption.
  • Sustainable Building Materials: Using recycled, reclaimed, and locally sourced materials decreases the carbon footprint associated with construction. Bamboo, recycled steel, and repurposed wood are increasingly popular options in green hotel development.
  • Green Roofs and Living Walls: Incorporating live vegetation into the building’s design helps with insulation, reducing energy demand for heating and cooling while improving air quality and aesthetic appeal.
  • Water Conservation Features: Smart water systems, such as rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and low-flow fixtures, minimize water waste and reduce dependency on municipal water supplies.
  • Eco-Friendly Furnishings: Sustainable furniture and decor made from responsibly sourced materials, non-toxic paints, and biodegradable fabrics contribute to a healthy indoor hotel environment while reducing environmental impact.

Take Action: The Future of Sustainable Hospitality Starts Now

The hospitality industry is critical in shaping a greener, more sustainable future. Green hotels are reducing their environmental impact and setting new standards in energy efficiency, architectural innovation, and guest experience.

By adopting advanced technologies, renewable energy sources, and sustainable design principles, hotels can drive meaningful change while maintaining profitability.

You can be part of this transformation as a traveler, investor, or hotelier. Choose eco-conscious accommodations, support sustainability initiatives, adopt sustainable travel alternatives and advocate for greener hospitality practices. The future of travel depends on our choices today—let’s build a more sustainable tourism industry together.

Microplastics – A Threat to Food Production at the Base Level of Photosynthesis

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Microplastics are everywhere and we need to know the impacts of these tiny plastic particles. These tiny particles are in our water, our food, in the air, in the soil, in the plants. Everywhere is anywhere and anywhere is everywhere.

microplastics and food production

What are microplastics? Broken down plastic objects and items that are randomly discarded or disposed of in approved manner. The plastic particles are less than 5 millimeters requiring a microscope to view the particles. Even smaller particles are referred to as nanoplastics.

Because the globe is so ensconced in the use of plastics domestically, in industry, medical equipment and applications, industrial usage, and even in agricultural activities such as crop grain and fruit and vegetable harvesting. These microplastics are everywhere. Not only are the plastics impregnated in our environment, they are a real threat to animals and humans, even to the point of threatening respiratory and cardiovascular health issues. At the other end of the human activity spectrum, plant production and food sources are also impacted at the photosynthetic cell level.

Food production is already in the news highlights because of ever-increasing population growth trends resulting in food security concerns and issues. Not to mention the impact from the changing weather systems that are drastically affecting production capacity and add to the stress of global food security.

Now, it is coming to light that the fundamental process of photosynthesis and the rate of this critical and vital process in natural food production across the global is being impacted.  The photosynthesis rates are being reduced due to microplastics present in plant structures.

In a recent publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2025, it has been revealed that microplastics are a direct threat to global food security. The threat by microplastic particle pollution is at the photosynthetic level in plant production. There is a significant reduction in photosynthesis in three significant food production arenas, namely in terrestrial plants and in algae in both fresh water and marine environments.

The global reduction in photosynthesis capacity is estimated between 7-12% due to the presence on microplastics in the plant materials. This in turn impacts the annual plant crop and seafood production capacity in million metric tons (MT). Crop production is estimated to currently have an annual loss of between 110-360 MT while seafood production could have a loss of between 1-24 MT.

plastic trash on a beach in the UAE

This highlights the urgency for adoption of more aggressive microplastic mitigation strategies. As well as building these factors into global food security predictions and planning schemes. More extensive investigation into how these microplastic components is entering the food chain systems at a most fundamental level is an area to monitor with both urgency and great concern.

In the meanwhile, individuals need to more proactive in monitoring their personal usage of plastics with regards to food storage and water filtering systems in the home. For the latter, it might be preferable to revert back to carbon-based filtration systems, and certainly to move to non-synthetic systems.

Our environmental issues are everyone’s concern. It needs participation in monitoring and adopting new technology in all possible areas of concern in order to manage these invasive threats to our global survival.

Future of Smart Sustainable Cities in the Middle East: Case Studies from NEOM and Masdar City

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The techno-urban phenomenon we now call a smart city became widespread in the 2010s. Many metropolises worldwide have risen to the challenge of several interconnected global shifts, driving new developments that set the latest benchmarks for truly smart and sustainable living.

However, some cities go beyond merely meeting expectations — they redefine them. NEOM and Masdar City in the Middle East are among the most ambitious pioneers, reshaping urban living through intelligent design aimed at minimizing the negative impacts of modern cities while creating ideal model communities for the future.

neom project

Redefining Urban Movement

Today, traffic congestion is worsening in the world’s major cities. Even as road expansions are implemented, they fail to meet the ever-growing demand for efficient transport systems. In Japan’s largest cities, train rush hours are so extreme that commuters are literally pushed into train cars to accommodate the overwhelming number of passengers. Airports resemble bustling marketplaces rather than streamlined transit hubs and highways often look more like parking lots than efficient roadways.

According to TomTom’s Traffic Index, the world’s most congested city, Barranquilla, Colombia, requires nearly four hours to travel just six miles during rush hour, causing residents to lose at least 126 hours per year in traffic. In contrast, Thousand Oaks, California, in the United States, takes just 18 minutes to cover the same distance. Today, 1.475 billion cars pollute the earth’s roads. If you include motorcycles in the mix, the additional 600 million bikes equals a total of 2.075 billion vehicles.

Urban design and policy are critical in making transportation more efficient. Masdar City prioritizes pedestrian-first urban planning, encouraging sustainable alternatives such as walking and cycling over car-dependent transportation. The city was built with no private cars in mind, instead relying on its Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system — a driverless, electric vehicle network that minimizes congestion and pollution. This zero-emission transport system knits different parts of the city while preventing the traffic issues common in conventional urban areas.

Meanwhile, NEOM’s THE LINE takes transportation efficiency to an even greater level. Spanning 170 kilometers, the city is designed without cars or roads, relying solely on a high-speed rail system that enables an end-to-end journey in just 20 minutes. This radical reimagining of mobility not only reduces carbon emissions but also enhances accessibility and convenience, setting a new global benchmark for urban transportation.

A Commitment to Net-Zero Emissions

The world’s annual energy consumption has reached an alarming 580 million terajoules, equivalent to 13,685 million tons of oil. Both NEOM and Masdar City are pioneers in attempting to reduce their environmental impact through optimized building design and sustainable energy solutions.

Masdar City is a global leader in clean-tech innovation, operating one of the largest solar photovoltaic plants in the Middle East, which generates 17,500 megawatt-hours of clean power annually. Additionally, the city’s smart infrastructure incorporates optimized natural lighting and passive cooling design, reducing energy demand even in the harsh desert climate of the UAE. As a result, buildings in Masdar City consume 40% less energy and water than conventional structures.

NEOM, on the other hand, is committed to achieving 100% clean energy across all sectors, with ambitions to expand its impact worldwide. At Oxagon, NEOM is constructing the world’s largest carbon-free green hydrogen plant, set to integrate up to 4 GW of solar and wind energy to produce 600 tonnes of carbon-free hydrogen annually by the end of 2026.

A People-Centric Approach

One of the criteria of smart cities isn’t just focusing on technology. It’s being people-centered. It must be designed with an emphasis on its residents’ well-being. In Masdar City, the integration of technology has allowed smart cities to prioritize people’s needs. The green parks within the city highlight the importance of interaction with green public spaces and the lack of private cars also makes it pedestrian-friendly.

However, NEOM’s urban city development, THE LINE, takes the quality of life higher for its residents — by incorporating zero-gravity living where humans live amidst conserved nature. This radical approach addresses both population explosion and environmental challenges at once. It’s also on the way to creating a 5-minute city where its nine million inhabitants are provided equitable access to amenities and services, all within a few minutes. Eliminating commute stress allows residents more free time to engage in leisure activities and family and social interactions.

masdar smart city

Future-Proofed Cities

The increasing ocean and atmospheric temperatures bring more disastrous events, making disaster-resilient smart cities necessary to ensure the safety of their inhabitants. Its innovative design allows for its infrastructure to adapt to climate conditions such as extreme heat, droughts, floods, dust and sandstorms. Additionally, it also aims to reduce its contributions to the heating planet. Masdar City’s net zero goal by 2050 makes it an eco-oasis blueprint for other sustainable cities to follow suit.

Meanwhile, climate change was influential in the design of the ambitious Line City. NEOM envisions a city that represents a self-sustaining model metropolis fit for resilient urban living. Its ambitious goal is to provide an ideal year-round climate for its residents, combining the best possible balance of sunlight, shade and natural ventilation.

Leading the Future of Sustainable Urbanization

NEOM and Masdar City offer a glimpse into the future of smart, sustainable cities and what man can do with technology at their disposal. With their innovative approaches to infrastructure, transportation, energy and governance, these cities set a precedent for urban development worldwide. They not only showcase the potential of renewable energy but also demonstrate how sustainability and human-centric design can coexist.

As climate change and rapid urbanization challenge the world, cities like NEOM and Masdar City provide a roadmap for the future — one where technology and nature harmonize to create smarter, greener and more liveable spaces for all.

Solar Inverter 101: A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Inverters

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In recent years, climate change and environmental degradation have called for a large-scale shift to clean and renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, across India. As a result, today, solar power systems are being installed in industries, factories, workplaces, households, and public places.

If you’re also planning to switch to solar energy, first, it is important to understand all the essential elements of solar power systems. And one such key component is a solar inverter which this comprehensive guide will discuss, so keep reading to know more!

what is a solar inverter

What is a Solar Inverter?

As we discussed, a solar inverter is a crucial part of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Its primary role is to convert the Direct Current (DC) produced by the solar panels into Alternating Current (AC). This is an important step in the solar power generation process as electrical appliances, including televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, and heavy-duty equipment like industrial machines, require Alternating Current (AC) to function.

While converting DC into AC is a solar inverter’s primary job, its secondary role is to transfer the excess energy produced by the solar panels to the local electricity grid or solar battery, depending on the type of PV plant. Additionally, solar inverters are also used to monitor the solar power system’s performance, and they even provide essential data that can be utilized to fix any technical issues.

Types of Solar Inverters

Now that we know how solar inverters function, let’s look at their different variations:

1. On-Grid/Grid-Tie Solar Inverter

An on-grid solar inverter, also commonly known as a grid-tie inverter, is designed for on-grid solar plants. This means that the inverter operates by staying connected to the local electricity grid, and any excess power is sent back to the grid through net metering.

A grid-tie inverter is best suited for those looking to reduce their monthly utility bills. However, it is vital to invest in an inverter with an anti-islanding feature for maximum safety.

2. Off-Grid Solar Inverter

As the name implies, an off-grid solar inverter works independently of the grid, and they are also referred to as stand-alone inverters. Since this inverter type is used with off-grid solar plants, they transfer excess energy to the solar battery, which is generally stored for backup during power cuts and at night.

Off Grid House

However, off-grid inverters are best suited for remote areas with no access to grid electricity and frequent electricity outages.

3. Hybrid Solar Inverter

A hybrid solar inverter is designed for hybrid solar power plants, which are a combination of both grid-tie and off-grid solar plants. This means that the solar inverter functions by staying connected to the grid, but excess energy can be stored in the solar battery for later use.

Although the hybrid model is still gaining traction in India, it is one of the most efficient and pocket-friendly ways to utilize solar energy.

Therefore, when it comes to a solar inverter’s technology and type, the decision largely depends on the type of solar plant you install. Additionally, it is crucial to invest in high-quality, high-performance, and efficient solar inverters, as they are nothing short of an investment. So, it is best to buy an inverter for reputable and reliable solar solution providers like Luminous.

Alimenter les écoles à l’énergie solaire: investir dans l’éducation et l’environnement de façon éclairée

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L’énergie renouvelable s’est largement intégrée au mix énergétique mondial, et on assiste à un virage vers des sources d’alimentation pour maisons et commerces plus propres et plus fiables. L’énergie solaire, notamment, est en première ligne de la révolution renouvelable, à travers les panneaux solaires pour toit et les technologies subséquentes disponibles partout, que ce soit votre domicile, votre lieu de travail ou votre établissement d’enseignement.

Les écoles du pays ont vite compris qu’il était essentiel d’adopter l’énergie solaire afin de réduire leur empreinte carbone, de réaliser des économies et de fournir des conditions d’apprentissage optimales. Voici pourquoi il est pertinent d’investir dans l’énergie solaire à l’école afin de renforcer l’éducation et l’environnement.

solar powered school

Les écoles solaires en plein essor

Combien d’écoles y a-t-il dans votre quartier ? Vous tomberez sûrement sur une ou deux écoles tirant leur électricité de panneaux photovoltaïques dans un avenir proche, si ce n’est pas déjà le cas.

Selon une étude réalisée par l’organisation non lucrative Generation180, un élève américain sur neuf est scolarisé dans une école dite « K-12 » (de la maternelle au lycée) alimentée par l’énergie solaire. Ces dix dernières années, le nombre d’écoles alimentées à l’énergie solaire a quadruplé, 800 écoles ayant installé des systèmes photovoltaïques au cours de l’année scolaire 2022-2023. Grâce à cette vague d’énergie renouvelable, Generation180 a estimé que les écoles américaines évitaient ainsi l’émission de 1,7 million de tonnes de dioxyde de carbone (CO2) par an.

Les subventions, programmes et incitations publics ont favorisé l’adoption de l’énergie solaire dans le secteur de l’éducation. Par exemple, le gouvernement américain a aidé à compenser le coût initial des générateurs solaires, ce qui a permis aux écoles d’installer des panneaux solaires à faible, voire zéro coût. Grâce à un soutien continu, de plus en plus d’écoles pourront profiter d’infrastructures à énergie renouvelable.

Les avantages d’alimenter les écoles à l’énergie solaire

Les écoles sont souvent les premières victimes des défis financiers, des coupes budgétaires aux réductions aux baisses de financement par le gouvernement. En conséquence, les établissements scolaires peinent à entretenir leurs locaux et à fournir équitablement possibilités d’apprentissage et soutien éducatif. Voici quatre raisons pour lesquelles l’énergie solaire représente un investissement éclairé pour les écoles de votre région.

1. Économies de coût

Les écoles américaines dépensent plus de 6 billions de dollars dans l’énergie chaque année. C’est plus que les dépenses consacrées aux ressources éducatives et programmes scolaires essentiels. Dans cette nouvelle ère de la technologie, l’utilisation d’outils numériques à l’école représente une grande partie de ces dépenses.

L’énergie solaire favorise une consommation d’électricité moindre, ce qui permet aux écoles d’allouer davantage de ressources aux choses plus importantes. Par exemple, elles pourront investir dans de nouveaux systèmes de ventilation, augmenter le salaire des enseignements pour favoriser la rétention du personnel ou maintenir des programmes populaires ou nécessaires.

Ainsi, la commission scolaire Tuscon Unified School District d’Arizona compte économiser 43 millions de dollars sur deux décennies grâce à l’énergie renouvelable. De son côté, la commission scolaire de Batesville School District, en Arkansas, consacre ses économies issues de l’énergie solaire à une augmentation annuelle du salaire des enseignants de 9 000 $.

2. Une énergie fiable

Vous avez sûrement fait l’expérience d’une coupure de courant pendant une forte tempête ou une panne de réseau. Imaginez un peu l’impact sur l’éducation. Les écoles alimentées à l’énergie solaire n’ont pas à s’inquiéter de telles perturbations, puisque l’énergie renouvelable les rend moins dépendantes du réseau et fournit ainsi un approvisionnement en électricité plus constant.

Grâce à la batterie de secours, les écoles peuvent stocker le surplus d’énergie quand la lumière du soleil ne suffit plus. Le stockage d’énergie solaire pourra notamment servir à éclairer les réunions parents-professeurs ou les évènements sportifs du soir.

3. Un impact environnemental moindre

Selon l’Agence d’information sur l’énergie des États-Unis (U.S. Energy Information Administration) les écoles de la maternelle au supérieur consomment 72 millions de tonnes de CO2 par an, c’est-à-dire l’équivalent de 18 centrales à charbon. Sans compter, bien sûr, les émissions des services de transport scolaire.

Les écoles alimentées par l’énergie solaire contribuent à la réduction de l’impact environnemental du secteur de l’éducation, grâce à l’énergie propre et renouvelable émise par le soleil. De même, les écoles réduisent leur utilisation d’énergies fossiles et donc leur génération de gaz à effet de serre.

Certaines commissions scolaires choisissent également l’électrification des flottes de bus. En octobre 2024, la ville de New York a installé des panneaux solaires sur le toit de 12 bus scolaires, afin de remplacer les modèles de bus diesel de l’entreprise First Student dans le dépôt de Malta Street. Les bus stationnés utilisant la technologie V2G (du véhicule vers le réseau) conservent également l’énergie excédentaire pour la vendre au district en bas de besoin.

4. Opportunités éducatives

Les écoles solaires représentent une opportunité d’apprentissage unique pour les élèves. Ils y acquièrent une expérience pratique qui les aide à comprendre les problématiques environnementales et les innovations en matière d’énergie renouvelable essentielles.

Ce programme scientifique encourage les élèves à développer un esprit critique et des aptitudes en résolution de problèmes afin de faire face à des enjeux concrets, ce qui leur ouvre des perspectives de réussite, d’innovation et de durabilité dans leur vie future.

Les écoles ouvrent la voie vers l’adoption de l’énergie solaire

De nombreuses écoles américaines ont déjà fait de l’énergie solaire leur première source d’énergie. Leur décision d’investir dans l’énergie renouvelable leur a permis d’améliorer les conditions des élèves, du personnel et des locaux. Voici trois écoles qui ouvrent la voie vers un avenir solaire.

solar schools

L’école primaire d’Arlington en Virginie

Discovery Elementary School (« L’école primaire de la découverte ») a ouvert ses portes en 2015 et accueille 650 élèves de la crèche au CM2. Il s’agit de l’une des premières écoles à énergie zéro de la côte Est : elle consomme 66 % moins d’intensité énergétique que la moyenne du district.

Grâce à ses 1 700 toitures photovoltaïques générant environ 500 kilowatts d’énergie propre sur site, cette école vise l’objectif zéro net. La commission scolaire réinvestira ensuite les économies issues de la réduction d’énergie à des fins éducatives.

L’école primaire Richardsville de Bowling Green au Kentucky

L’école primaire Richardsville de Bowling Green est la première école publique à zéro émission nette du pays. Le système photovoltaïque de Richardsville génère 10 % plus d’énergie qu’elle n’a besoin pour son fonctionnement. L’école revend l’énergie excédentaire aux entreprises de services locales, et les économies réalisées sont réinvesties dans des besoins pédagogiques.

L’école King Open/Cambridge Street Upper à Cambridge, dans le Massachusetts

L’école King Open/Cambridge Street Upper à Cambridge est la première école du Massachusetts à recevoir le label Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design v4 Platinum. Grâce à ses 3 600 toitures photovoltaïques, cette école consomme 43 % moins d’énergie que les autres écoles du Massachusetts et 70 % de moins que l’école américaine moyenne.

Comment aider à financer les investissements solaires dans le secteur de l’éducation?

Vous jouez un rôle essentiel pour permettre aux écoles de votre district d’avoir accès à une énergie propre, fiable et économe. Commencez par soulever la question lors des réunions de conseil, renseignez-vous sur les subventions et les incitations du gouvernement en matière de projet photovoltaïque et envoyez des candidatures au nom des écoles.

Compte tenu de l’importance et des avantages de l’énergie solaire dans le secteur de l’éducation, vous pourrez peut-être également obtenir des financements ainsi :

  • Demandez des dons aux commerces, organisations non lucratives et groupes communautaires locaux en vue d’installer des panneaux photovoltaïques.
  • Collectez des fonds via des campagnes de financement participatif (crowdfunding) en sollicitant l’engagement des parents, des alumni et des membres de la communauté.
  • Proposez aux grandes entreprises de vous parrainer : nombre d’entre elles cherchent à soutenir des projets d’énergie renouvelable pour atteindre leurs objectifs en matière d’environnement, de société et de gouvernance.
  • Organisez des activités et des évènements de collecte de fonds, comme des enchères ou des marches marathon.

Ces initiatives sont simples mais efficaces. Vos efforts peuvent faire toute la différence dans l’intégration de l’énergie solaire et de la durabilité dans les écoles de votre région.

Investir dans l’énergie solaire, c’est investir dans l’éducation

Les écoles alimentées à l’énergie solaire offrent bien plus que des économies d’énergie. Elles permettent aux élèves de recevoir la meilleure éducation possible, de façon progressive et ininterrompue, tout en redirigeant les financements vers de meilleurs professeurs et de meilleures ressources. Participez au changement de votre quartier avec ces options écolos.

Translator: Cécile Lamhene

Cécile Lamhene est une traductrice indépendante de l’anglais vers le français. Après un master en traduction juridique, économique et technique à l’université de Lille, elle se spécialise dans le développement durable dans la région MENA et s’intéresse entre autres à l’agriculture, à l’élevage, à l’ingénierie, à l’énergie et à la gestion de l’eau.

Note: The original English version of the article is available at this link.

Trash Talk from Doha

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recycling-dohaOn arriving a few years ago from a town in the UK that boasts a university course in waste management, and a very efficient weekly recyclable waste collection from our houses, I was a bit shocked, like many Europeans by how difficult it was to recycle in Doha. Having had the moral obligation to recycle drummed into me since I was quite young, I felt guilty throwing away all my waste into one bin, destined to fill up a huge smelly hole in the desert, where it would take a long time, if not forever to biodegrade.

The Real Picture

I was determined to find a place to recycle and was happy when I found out that the park of Dahl al Hammam, just 5 minutes’ drive from my villa, had 7 different large recycling banks. These have to be emptied into trucks daily, due to their enthusiastic filling, mostly by Europeans who make the effort to come from many different compounds that are further away than my own. Waste materials can be sorted into two banks for paper and cardboard, two banks for metal and plastic, two banks for glass and another one for second hand but good quality clothes for charity. 

I have been trying to determine over the last four years if all our conscientious efforts to sort, collect and transport our preciously gathered waste materials have been in vain or not. Are they actually taken to factories where they are recycled into new products or not? I see a lot of small recycling bins in educational institutions, which seem to be more of an experiment to observe human behaviour, and to get people to start separating the things they throw away, rather than a real improvement in recycling. Often all separated waste from these is taken away and put in one bin, and then taken to the normal landfill!

I asked a security officer in Dahl al Hammam, and he reassured me that the materials from the banks are indeed taken to the sorting plant in Al-Messaieed. I am still a little unsure.  In Al-Mesaieed there is a very large Domestic Solid Waste Management Centre (DSWMC). The plant has been online since 2011 and of the waste they receive, 95% is recycled or converted into energy.  Organic material is composted at what is the world’s largest composting plant; plastics and metals recycled and other material incinerated, with the heat generated used to produce 40 MW of electricity. However this $550M plant by 2013, two years after its opening, had already reached its processing capacity of 2300 tonnes daily, for sorting rubbish.

Gravity of the Situation

In 2012 a staggering total of 871000 tonnes of solid household waste, or 28 000 tonnes per day were produced by Qatar, a rise of 7% from 2011, increasing at a rate exceeding Qatar’s Government expectations and preparations. The per capita generation of waste in Qatar of 1.6kg to 1.8kg each day is about four times that of Hong Kong and is one of the highest globally. Besides this it has been estimated that 5000 tonnes of waste are produced daily by industry and construction. In 2011 only 8% of waste was recycled.

To cope with the challenge of waste management, Qatar urgently requires more projects like Domestic Solid Waste Management Centre (DSWMC) at Al-Mesaieed

To cope with the challenge of waste management, Qatar urgently requires more projects like Domestic Solid Waste Management Centre (DSWMC) at Al-Mesaieed

Qatar unfortunately has the second largest ecological footprint on the planet, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature’s report in 2014, a substantial contribution to this is the damage to ecosystems and the carbon footprint incurred through all its imports. Being a small peninsula on the edge of the hot and usually arid Arabian Desert, Qatar has to import nearly everything that it needs from far and wide. It would like to be more independent and resilient and is working in that direction. The fall in the price of oil earlier this year, and therefore in the income of Qatar, has added pressure now to reduce expenditure, and to better balance the books. 

The Way Forward

One way it can fulfil these aims is to become more efficient in its use of resources. If it can reuse many of the materials from the products that it uses, then it will reduce the need to import more goods, thereby cutting costs, carbon emissions and ecosystem damage. This it can do this through applying the famous ‘reduce, re-use, and recycle’ motto. A famous English saying is ‘waste not want not’, which means that if you are not wasteful in times of plenty, and make maximum use of everything, then you will have enough left for times of difficulty. The Holy Quran also says, ‘O Children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer. Eat and drink but waste not through excess, for Allah loves not the wasters’(7:31). The Qatar National Development Strategy 2011-16 aimed to boost waste recycled to 38% by 2016, a definite challenge in the face of rapid development and population increases.

One challenge in Qatar is mixed nature of most of the rubbish. This is partly due to the lack of accessible information about existing collectors of sorted recyclable materials. Another is the insufficient awareness in the most of the population about the importance of not dropping litter, reducing wastage and separating materials. An issue being addressed is the currently insufficient infrastructure to sort and separate mixed rubbish- which represents the majority of rubbish collected today. Also factories that process used materials to improve their quality are rare, and few Qatari industries utilise such salvaged materials as an input. All sectors need to work together concurrently to improve awareness and education, and the sorting, collection and processing of useful materials extracted from waste, to utilise them for the manufacture of new products in Qatar.

To facilitate these, a constantly updated website could be set up to link companies, organisations and institutions, and make them aware of each other’s waste outputs. According to the Qatar Development Bank, the revenue potential from solid waste could be as high as QR 2.24 billion with QR 979.16 million coming from recycling household waste. Hopefully more bright sparks in Qatar will soon spot the great business opportunities available from recycled materials, to help Qatar to be more self-sufficient and reduce Qatar’s ecological footprint.

How Low-Carb Eating Helps You Lose Weight and Save the Planet

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In recent years, low-carbohydrate diets have gained popularity primarily for their weight loss benefits. However, what many people don’t realize is that reducing carbohydrate consumption can also have significant positive impacts on the environment. This dual benefit makes low-carb eating an attractive option for those concerned about both personal health and ecological sustainability.

low-carb diet

Low Carb Diets and Weight Loss Connection

Low-carb diets work by reducing insulin levels in the body. When you consume fewer carbohydrates, especially refined ones like white bread, pasta, and sugar, your body produces less insulin. With lower insulin levels, your body more easily accesses stored fat for energy, leading to weight loss.

Additionally, protein and fat—the macronutrients emphasized in low-carb diets—help you feel fuller longer. This natural appetite suppression often results in consuming fewer calories overall, creating a sustainable path to weight management without feeling constantly hungry

Low-Carb Diets and Weight Loss: A Deeper Dive

Metabolic Advantage

Low-carb diets may offer what researchers call a “metabolic advantage.” When carbohydrate intake is significantly reduced (typically below 50g per day), the body enters a state called ketosis, where it begins producing ketones from fat to fuel the brain and body. This metabolic shift has several advantages:

  • Enhanced fat oxidation: Your body becomes more efficient at burning stored fat for energy
  • Reduced lipogenesis: Without excess glucose, your liver produces less fat
  • Stable blood sugar: Lower insulin levels prevent the blood sugar rollercoaster that drives hunger which is incredible for diabetic individuals, insulin spike.
  • Preserved lean mass: When combined with adequate protein intake, ketosis appears to preserve muscle tissue better than some other weight loss approaches

Hormonal Regulation

Insulin is often called the “fat storage hormone” because it directs the body to store energy, primarily as fat. By reducing carbohydrate intake, especially refined carbs and sugars, you:

  • Lower baseline insulin levels
  • Improve insulin sensitivity
  • Reduce insulin spikes after meals
  • Allow for more consistent fat release from adipose (fat) tissue

Research published in the journal Obesity Reviews demonstrates that even when calories are matched, individuals on low-carb diets often experience greater fat loss due to these hormonal advantages.

Types of Low-Carb Approaches

1. Ketogenic Diet (< 20-50g carbs/day)

The strictest approach, inducing deep ketosis with approximately 70-80% of calories from fat, 15-20% from protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. This approach:

  • Produces the most significant metabolic shift
  • May suppress appetite most effectively
  • Works well for insulin-resistant individuals
  • Requires careful planning for nutrient adequacy

2. Moderate Low-Carb (50-100g carbs/day)

This more flexible approach allows:

  • Greater food variety
  • More vegetable options
  • Easier social adaptability
  • Still provides significant insulin control

The connection between low-carbohydrate diets and weight loss extends far beyond simple calorie reduction. To truly understand why these dietary approaches are effective for many people, we need to examine the biological mechanisms, practical implementation strategies, and the scientific evidence supporting various low-carb approaches.

Environmental Impact of Low-Carb Eating

What’s less commonly discussed is how low-carb eating patterns can reduce your carbon footprint. Here’s how this connection works:

1. Reduced Grain Production

Modern grain agriculture is resource-intensive. Large-scale production of wheat, corn, and rice requires significant water usage, chemical fertilizers, and fossil fuels for farm equipment and transportation. By reducing demand for these crops, low-carb diets can help decrease the environmental burden of industrial agriculture.

2. Less Food Processing

Many carbohydrate-rich foods undergo extensive processing before reaching consumers. Think about breakfast cereals, crackers, cookies, and other packaged goods—all require energy-intensive manufacturing processes. The production facilities themselves generate carbon emissions, while packaging creates additional waste. A low-carb diet typically emphasizes whole, minimally processed foods, reducing this processing footprint.

3. Seasonal and Local Eating

Many low-carb diets emphasize vegetables and proteins that can be sourced locally and seasonally. When you focus on fresh produce and locally raised animal products, you reduce the transportation emissions associated with global food distribution networks. Food miles—the distance food travels from production to consumption—contribute significantly to agriculture’s overall carbon footprint.

4. Reduced Food Waste

Carbohydrate-rich foods often have shorter shelf lives than proteins and healthy fats. Bread molds, fruits spoil, and many starchy foods degrade quickly. When these foods are wasted, all the resources that went into producing them are wasted as well. The decomposition of food waste in landfills generates methane, a greenhouse gas more potent than carbon dioxide. By focusing on foods with longer shelf lives, low-carb eaters can reduce food waste.

Finding Balance for Health and Planet

While a strict low-carb diet can offer these benefits, balance is key. Consider these approaches for maximizing both health and environmental benefits:

  1. Choose quality carbohydrates: When you do eat carbs, opt for those with lower environmental impacts. Root vegetables, for example, generally require fewer resources to grow than grains.
  2. Prioritize plant proteins: While many low-carb diets include animal products, incorporating plant proteins like nuts, seeds, and tofu can reduce your carbon footprint while maintaining a low-carb approach.
  3. Source animal products mindfully: If you consume meat, eggs, or dairy, seek out regenerative and pasture-raised options. These farming practices can actually sequester carbon in the soil rather than releasing it.
  4. Grow your own: Even a small garden can provide low-carb vegetables with zero food miles and complete transparency about growing methods.

The Bigger Picture

Every dietary choice we make has ripple effects, both for our health and for the planet. By reducing carbohydrates, especially highly processed ones, we can potentially address two critical challenges simultaneously: the obesity epidemic and climate change.

As we navigate increasingly complex environmental challenges, finding these win-win solutions becomes essential. Low-carb eating represents one approach where personal health goals align with planetary boundaries, offering a practical way to reduce your carbon footprint while achieving weight loss goals.

The next time you pass on the bread basket or choose vegetables instead of pasta, remember that your choice isn’t just beneficial for your waistline—it may also be a small but meaningful contribution to a more sustainable food system.

How to Protect Green Spaces in the Middle East

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One of the ecological benefits brought by green spaces is its capability to combat urban heat. The increasing urban heat is usually caused by the high number of heat reflective substances that are emerging in the cities. Green spaces such as gardens and parks can significantly reduce heat and promote natural cooling through an efficient ventilation and dynamic absorption. Some green spaces could even help prevent urban flooding, air pollution, and storm water run-off. So, how can we protect these beneficial green spaces in Middle East?

Spread Awareness

Dubai is expected to plant an estimated of 50 million flowers in its public gardens, parks, roadsides. This is to meet the government’s goal of greening more than 8% of their urban environment. A person might find the flowers blooming in their green parks enticingly pretty. And without proper awareness about green space protection, would have plucked it. It might cause damage to the beauty as well as to its entirety.

However, if people are properly informed on green spaces, they will have all the great opportunities to enjoy flower delivery Dubai. This should give people one good reason to conserve the green spaces, enjoy its environmental benefits while having those lovely flowers on your hand.

Proper Education

Lacking academic research and studies about the availability and usability of green spaces in Middle East is one of the reasons for its unpopularity in this region. Despite the health benefits and business viability of green spaces, they can be obstructed by other challenging reasons too.

For example, the pressure to maintain their spaces on water and land resources are limited, thus efforts on green space projects could be restricted also. So, it is important to educate people about the advantages of green spaces. The more people learn about it, the more people will make an effort to protect it.

Sustainable Projects

There had been plenty of ambitious projects aiming to increase protection, awareness, and access towards green spaces in the Middle East. One example is in Qatar, the recent Msheireb Downtown is dubbed to be the World’s First Sustainable Downtown Regeneration Project. The project utilizes the latest sustainable technology to adhere with the topmost standards when it comes to green building.

Award-winning architect, John Avery had worked on wide scale projects in Middle East and had known to link green spaces development to enhance commercial performance. The green spaces will serve as a thread that will connect communities. This makes the place more recognizable and attractive at the same time.

Smart Landscaping

Middle East has such high demand for water but the problem is they have a limit too on its availability. Due to this reason, landscaping companies find innovative solutions to properly maintain the greenery in the area. A US licensed Architect Walter Bone had emphasized the importance of smart design and careful planning in reducing water consumption without compromising the quality of the green landscapes layout.

يتطلب التحول في البيئة المبنية تغييرا في الجانب المتعلق بالطلب من أجل تحفيز التغيير في جانب العرض

It is an architect’s responsibility to analyze and come up with a smart design that could assist in storm water collection and top quality irrigation system. The design will be able to sustain the lacking water supply in the Middle East and at the same time to be able to safeguard the green spaces in the area.

Enhancing the green spaces while protecting and regulating the urban ecosystem could indeed offer plenty of benefits to individuals and the entire community. Urban green parks will also motivate people to use the space for recreation, exercise, and leisure. It will definitely provide them aesthetic benefits while keeping them healthy and fit.

5 Tips to Perform Academic Transcription Quickly and Easily

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Recording lectures, webinars, lessons, speeches are the best method of storing information for future generations. Transcription is used everywhere: professors to watch their lectures, students to refresh their knowledge, employers to show their business projects.

The most profitable and convenient transcription is for students and professors, as this method helps them return to the lectures and understand what point was missed, what should be corrected or what is missing. However, listening to records is the most tedious part of learning.

If you need to notate some information partially, the analysis of many hours of records is a waste of time, accumulating other significant unsolvable problems. Moreover, this approach does not guarantee success. Therefore, we have put together five simple tips on quickly and effectively dealing with this problem. Before we dip you into transcription methods, let’s find out what academic transcription means and why it’s essential.

what academic transcription means and why it's essential

Meaning And Importance Of Academic Transcription

Academic transcription is the conversion of audio or video to text. In other words, academic transcription involves the creation of written documents from an oral recording. Teachers use this method to save thoughts for future scientific publications. In addition, an academic transcription is a good tool for students with disabilities. For example, if a student has a hearing problem, they can view the transcription created by the teacher and not impair academic performance.

Other teachers use transcription to visualize information. Visual perception of data is much better than auditory. It is good that many professors understand this and try to get students as interested as possible in studying the topics of lessons. This is especially true during distance learning when the home environment distracts students from listening to lectures. By wearing headphones and turning on their favorite music, students can immerse themselves in a calm environment and study the materials.

As you can see, the importance of academic transcription for teachers is obvious, but what about students? After listening to the lecture, students can use the professors’ thoughts to create presentations. This will allow them to reveal the topic of the presentation correctly and demonstrate their interest in the teacher’s lectures. In addition, if a student is preparing a text version of an interview for an article, transcription will most accurately convey the speaker’s words.

Successful Ways to Deal With Creation of Academic Transcription

Whether you are a student or a teacher, academic transcription is beneficial to any of you. If you are new to this field or want to speed up the process of creating academic transcripts, check out our five tips!

1. Trust Professional Transcribers

Many of you may think that converting video or audio to text does not take much time or effort. As soon as you start the task, you will be in for a big disappointment. Creating a transcription means that you have to patiently listen to every second of the recording, write down word by word according to the hour marks, try to catch difficult words, and find out their meaning.

In this case, you will have to listen to the recording more than once since you have a great responsibility for the accuracy of the content. You must also learn to understand different accents and not pay attention to background noise, which can completely ruin the memorization of information. Also, don’t forget that we type at a slightly slower speed than we speak. So, transcribing a 10-minute recording can take more than three hours.

After a long listening and noting information, you will be responsible for multi-stage data verification and error correction. It is impossible to make mistakes in transcription, as this will worsen the perception of the material and may completely change the essence of the recording. If you do not have much time and are not ready for this challenge right now, you should trust an experienced transcriptionist.

What are the advantages of academic transcription services? Firstly, you save a lot of time – you will have the opportunity to work on more critical projects. Secondly, the experts have all the necessary skills and complete this task in the shortest possible time. Thirdly, you will receive an error-free paper that you can use immediately after downloading. There is no need to listen to the audio again, correct typos, and follow the content. In addition, by seeking the help of professional transcriptionists, you will receive a template that you can follow when creating your transcription.

2. Control the Sound Quality of Audio or Video Content

If you have plenty of time to create audio transcription yourself and want to learn how to complete the task quickly, the first thing you should pay attention to is the sound quality. Perhaps your current file contains a lot of background noise, different accents, long pauses, which means that the listening time of the recording may increase. Therefore, you must control the sound quality in the future to analyze the sound as quickly as possible.

Here are some tips to help you improve the quality of your audio or video content:

  • When recording your voice, try to be quiet and not talk to other people.
  • Check-in advance the storage of the instrument that will contain the file – you should have enough space to avoid re-recording the sound.
  • Use tools that can record sound and text at the same time.
  • Hold the gadget with the microphone as close to the speaker as possible.
  • Use headphones to hear yourself better.

It is best to perform these methods together. Then you won’t have problems creating transcriptions, and you won’t need any extra help. However, if you have doubts about grammar and the text is required for research, contact a professional editor to avoid falling into the dirt in front of classmates or colleagues.

3. Train Research Skills

No matter the transcription topic, you should interpret difficult words quickly. This will help you answer questions from teachers or classmates who may be confused by unfamiliar words. This is especially true for technical topics, including many facts and terminologies that reveal the content well but are unclear to others.

Here are some tips to help you improve your research skills:

  • Explore the industry. Lectures, webinars, lessons, speeches can be varied and beyond your understanding. If you come across strange words, try to identify the industry that the word is associated with. You will expect words in a similar style next, and the faster you identify the industry, the better you will understand the jargon used by the speaker.
  • Study the topic. This stage is very similar to industry research. As in the previous paragraph, you need to study the topic carefully. Look for synonyms that are associated with the topic – so you can better understand the terms considered in the entry.
  • Explore the geographic area. Sometimes it won’t be easy to transcribe a word due to the speaker’s accent. Therefore, find out what region the person is from. This way, you can identify words with a strong accent or any other slang used in the region.
  • Check the website of the organization where the speaker works. Most often, words come from work in a person’s life. If some abbreviations, organizations, project names are difficult to transcribe, visit the platform where the speaker works. Here you will indeed find transcripts of the words you struggle with.

If none of these methods helped you find the transcriptions to the words, think about Google. This search engine stores millions of words that have been used in various texts. The platform will help you find the phonetic spelling word and its meaning.

4. Prefer Audio Instead of Video

If you need to convert audio to text, any player will open the file of your choice. In addition, you can quickly transfer the file to the player since the audio content does not take up much memory. However, if you have received video content, we recommend not transcribing it in this form. It is better to convert the video to audio in advance and transcribe the material.

Why is video content worse than audio? Video is always heavier than audio. You will need high-speed Internet and a lot of time to transfer the file to the gadget from which you will listen to information. This applies to those files that classmates, teachers, or colleagues can send you.

Install a program on your computer, phone, or tablet that will allow you to convert video to audio. Video conversion can take from a couple of minutes to several hours – everything depends on the size of the file. However, it is much faster than transferring video content to the instrument you transcribe the material.

5. Use the Formatting Tools

After transcribing and proofreading the file, you have to work with formatting. Do not publish documents that do not meet academic standards. Imagine how uncomfortable the text is without headings, paragraphs, and page numbering. What’s more, incorrectly formatted citations can lead to plagiarism, which will significantly reduce your academic reputation.

To save time on formatting, we recommend using the appropriate tools. It can be Google Docs or Word. Both programs automatically generate a bibliography from the sources used to write the document. Every time you add a new citation to a document, the tools add that source in the correct format: APA, MLA, Chicago, Harvard, etc.

Also, in the programs, there are functions thanks to which you can automatically build indents, headings, fonts that correspond to the chosen style. Therefore, your document will exactly correspond to the standards put forward by the educational institution.

Conclusion

Academic transcription is complex, but you can speed up the process using proven methods. We have provided you with five practical ways to help you not only improve your typing skills or transcribe words faster but also create accurate and high-quality transcripts. Regularly making academic transcriptions will positively affect your reputation and allow you to refresh your vocabulary. We wish you good luck!

A Glance at Carbon Finance

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The main objective of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is to promote sustainable development in developing countries and to allow industrialized countries to earn emissions credits from their investments in emission-reducing projects in developing countries. A particular CDM project cycle involves a wide range of transaction costs which may include the following:

  • Project identification and selection: Costs incurred by project developers and potential investors in identifying prospective projects.
  • Project development and baseline determination: Information costs related to the preparation of a project concept note providing relevant information on project baseline, expected additional emission reductions and corresponding costs.
  • Project validation: The process of independent evaluation of a project activity on the basis of the project design document.
  • Project approval: Projects need to be approved by the host government.
  • Project registration: Registration is the formal acceptance by the relevant international bodies of a validated project as a CDM project activity.
  • Project implementation: Monitoring and enforcement costs of contracts during construction, start-up and operation phase.
  • Project monitoring and reporting: Measurement of data for the determination of actual GHG emissions.
  • Project certification: Written assurance by a designated operational entity that, during a specific time period, a project activity achieved the emission reductions as verified.
  • Transfer and use of emission permits: Transactions costs at that stage include reporting of transfers of emission permits to dedicated registries.

Financing Requirements of CDM Project

Any CDM project requires a tremendous amount of administrative work which makes carbon finance a complicated undertaking. The administrative cost per project falls in the range $90,000 to $150,000 and completion of the associated processes takes about 12 months. Projects therefore have to be on a scale large enough to benefit.

During the early stages of planning a project, the chances of the project not proceeding (for example because the necessary permits cannot be obtained), and therefore not generating any future revenue, are significantly higher. Therefore, although the costs associated with the planning stage (typically in the hundreds of thousands of dollars) are much lower than construction costs, the risk is much higher and different forms of finance are required.

The largest costs associated with a CDM project are incurred at the construction stage, where even a relatively small engineering project can cost several millions of dollars. At this stage, for a commercially viable project, lenders and investors will only provide finance on the expectation that, on completion of construction and commissioning, the project will go on to generate revenue.

Depending on the type of financing, the project sponsor will have to present different kinds of data and documentation to the lender at different stages. For example, for project financing, a minimum requirement for international banks is a business plan which includes at least feasibility studies, financial statements and financial projections. For corporate finance on the other hand, relationship banks may be more focused on collateral and long-term client relationships.

Types of Carbon Finance

In general, there are three forms of finance that can be used to develop projects: grants, loans (debt) and equity. Most projects will incorporate a varying mix of two or more of these sources of finance.

A grant is an amount of money provided by a third party to a project, person or organization that contributes to the objectives of the third party. In general, grants are provided to projects that are commercially marginal, and they do not need to be repaid (provided the stated purpose of the grant funding is achieved). Grants are typically provided by government organisations and only cover a percentage of project costs; other forms of finance are also therefore required.

A loan or debt is an amount of money provided by a third party to a project, person or organization that must be repaid either during or at the end of its agreed term, plus interest over the period of the borrowing. The majority of loans to projects are provided by banks.

Equity financing is a typical financial instruments used by companies to improve profitability. Equity may be provided by project sponsors or third party investors. Equity providers will wish to ensure that the project produces a return on their investment as set out in the business plan or prospectus. Some of the major sources of equity are venture capital funds, private equity funds and share issue via stock market. As carbon market mature, investments in CDM projects promise higher return on investments. Any project that delivers the best in terms of return on capital will get a priority in the use of equity capital for investors.

Mezzanine finance bridges the gap between equity and bank debt. As a hybrid product, mezzanine shares characteristics with both bank debt and equity. A mezzanine investment can be structured in various forms. Mezzanine pricing typically comprises two distinct elements. The first is a current yield that the mezzanine investor contractually receives and so is similar to interest on bank debt. The second component can be a warrant or option on the ordinary shares, or some other mechanism that provides an interest in the equity of the business.

A Guide to Control Mosquito Invasion

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Mosquitoes are the most dangerous creature, not only for us humans but also for our pets. Ticks and the diseases they carry have been responsible for killing more human lives as compared to any other war history. Even today, they transmit many diseases, including malaria, kill around three million people and infect another more than two million people every year. Many others are dying with other major mosquito-borne diseases, including encephalitis, yellow fever, filariasis, and dengue.

mosquito-control-measures

Along with human beings, this teeny tiny creature is making our pets’ lives terrible too. As pets also love to go out with us in the summer evenings to play and enjoy. We all know how much summer season is full of fun and excitement, not only for us but for our cats and dogs too. But when they spend more time outside, they are at a greater risk of mosquito bites, and it can be quite dangerous. And if you are living in a warm area, then this risk can be even more severe.

Luckily as compared to the past few years today, there are hundreds of ways to overcome this mosquito problem. And prevent yourself and pets from mosquito bites. So in this blog, you will find some cost-effective, easy, and profitable hacks to make your place mosquito-free.

1. Fix Your Doors and Screens

The first and foremost thing you need to repair is your windows, doors, and screens that allow this tiny creature to invade your place. And if you don’t have an installed window screen, then you should first install them before taking any other step.

You don’t need them for every window you can simply install them to those windows you often open. Today most homes come with the screens but in the older homes window and door screens could be missing. So if it is you can install them on your own.

2. Invest in Professional Pest Control Service

Controlling mosquitoes in the summer season is not as easy as most of us think. You cannot control them by just installing the blinds or screens. For this, you need to hire a professional service to make your place mosquito-free.

These days unlimited pest control companies are working around you to make your home mosquito-free. You can even visit a professional pest control company which make sure to protect your home against mosquitoes with their organic repellent without using harmful chemicals. You can even visit https://nativeshield.com/mosquito-control/; they make sure to protect your home against mosquitoes with their organic repellent without using harmful chemicals.

3. Keep Gutters Unclogged and Clean

Watery places around your home are the most favorite spots for this teeny tiny creature for breeding. So you have to remove stagnant water and also make sure the gutters of your home are working well. They should not be clogged and should be clean. Click here to know why homeowners should hire professional gutter cleaners.

4. Keep Your Swimming Pool Chlorinated and Clean

We know you love swimming in summer, but with this, you also need to keep your pool clean and chlorinated to prevent mosquito breeding. And if you are even going on vacation, make sure to chlorinate your pool; otherwise, when you get back, a veritable mosquito hatchery welcomes you with their irritating buzz.