التنوع الحيوي الغابي في الأردن

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تعاني الغابات في العالم من ضغوطات هائلة, حيث أن تقلص الغطاء الحرجي في العالم آخذ في التسارع بمعدل ينذر بالخطر وبسرعة تتجاوز قدرة الطبيعة على تعويض الخسارة, إن لإزالة الغابات أثرسلبي مباشر وغير مباشر على الأنظمة البيئية مما يهدد الفائدة الإقتصادية والروحية والترفيهية والثقافية التي تقدمها الطبيعة للإنسان, ومن أكثر الآثار المدمرة هي التغير السلبي وغير الرجعي في التنوع البيولوجي بسبب تدمير الموائل الطبيعية لكثير من أصناف الحياه البرية التي تثري النظام البيئي على كوكب الأرض. إن غياب الأشجار سيؤدي إلى تدمير التنوع الجيني مما يؤثر وينتج خسارة دائمة في أنواع نادرة ومختلفة من النباتات والحيوانات والحشرات والمايكروبات.

quran and the natural environment

كما تعتبر إزالة الغابات السبب الرئيسي في تغير المناخ العالمي وكذلك في إنبعاث الغازات المسببة للإحتباس الحراري, أيضاً فأن إزالة الغابات تقلل من جودة التربة مما يسبب تآكل التربة والفيضانات. وعلاوة على ذلك، شهدت المناطق التي أزيلت فيها الغابات زيادة في الجفاف والملوحة في التربة مما أثر على الزراعة سلباً, كما أنها تؤدي إلى حرمان المنطقة من الظلال التي تعمل على تلطيف الجو نهاراً وتحفظ الحرارة والرطوبة ليلاً, هذا الإضطراب يحدث تقلبات أكثر تطرفاً في درجات الحرارة التي يمكن لها أن تكون ضارة للنباتات والحيوانات والتنوع الحيوي بشكل عام, وكل هذه الآثار السلبية والمدمرة لإزالة الأشجار سيؤثر على مستوى معيشة كل مواطن.

الغابات في الأردن

تشهد الأردن تحولات هائلة في كافة المجالات ومنها مجال البيئة، حيث تمثل الصحراء جزءاً كبيراً من مساحتها بينما تمتلك مساحة حرجية محدودة جداً بواقع 0.9٪ فقط من مساحة المملكة, وتمتد من وادي اليرموك شمالاً وحتى مرتفعات الشراه ووادي موسى جنوباً. ومن المؤسف أننا في الأردن فقدنا حوالي ثلث غاباتنا الطبيعية خلال الثلاثين سنة الماضية وبواقع 1.6% سنوياً, ولكي نوقف هذا النزيف ونعيد حالة الإنسجام ما بين الطبيعة والإنسان ينبغي إعادة النظر في المنظومة الغابوية للمملكة.

تعتبر الثروة الحرجية إرثاً وطنياً وثروة من الثروات الوطنية الواجب الإستثمار فيها, فبالإضافة إلى القيمة الروحانية والثقافية والبيئية للغابات، فإنها تخلق فرص إقتصادية عديدة سواء من خلال إيرادات السياحة البيئية أومن خلال المنتجات التي يمكن أن تقدمها الغابة والتي تعتبر أيضاً جزءا من إرثنا الوطني, كما أن القيمة الإقتصادية البيئية المرتبطة بالدور الحيوي للغابة والمتصلة بزيادة نسبة الأكسجين في الجو ومستوى الرطوبة وغيرها لها إنعكاس إقتصادي مباشر, حيث أنها تساهم في تخفيض كلفة التدهور البيئي والتي تصل إلى حوالي 5% من الناتج المحلي الإجمالي للمملكة  وبما يعادل 850 مليون دينار سنوياً.

أنواع الغابات في الأردن

تقدر مساحة الغابات الطبيعية والصناعية والغابات ذات الملكية خاصة في الأردن نحو 378000 و 460000 و 60000 دونماً, وحسب المركز الوطني للبحوث الزراعية فإن هنالك هنالك خمسة أنماط للغابات في الأردن كما يلي:

1. غابات العرعر الفينيقي: تتواجد في البتراء ومنطقة رأس النقب وقمم جبال رم , وتظهر الدراسات أن عمر بعض الأشجار يصل إلى حوالي 700 سنة.  

2. غابات السنديان (البلوط مستديم الخضرة): تنتشر في جرش وعجلون والشوبك ودابوق وضانا ووادي الصفصاف.

3. غابات الصنوبر الحلبي: توجد في محمية غابات دبين وتجمعات ثانوية في عجلون وماحص والفحيص وسوف وزي.

4. غابات الملول (البلوط العقابي): وهي الشجرة الوطنية للأردن وتنتشر في العديد من مناطق المملكة وتصل كثافتها حتى70 %.

5. غابات السيال : وتتواجد في وادي عربة وهي ذو الأصول الأفريقية والتي تسربت أثناء تشكل حفرة الإنهدام.

مشكلات الغطاء الحرجي في الأردن

إن المشاكل التي تواجه الغابات في الأردن هي مماثلة للتي تواجهها بلدان البحر الأبيض المتوسط ​​الأخرى, حيث يعتبر الرعي والتحطيب الجائرين من ألد أعداء الغابات في الأردن حيث أن هنالك ضعف في الوعي العام  بأهمية الغابات ويتجلى هذا الضعف في إعتداءات مناشير المواطنين على  أشجار تصل أعمارها إلى مئات السنين، وهذا الإعتداء لم يكتفي بكافة غابات المملكة بل طال الأشجار على جوانب الطرقات! ومما زاد المشكلة سوءاً هو تجاهل تطبيق القوانين التي تحمي الغابات  مما ساهم في  إنخفاض المساحة الغابوية بشكل كبير في الأردن.

كما تهدد الغابات في الأردن العديد من الأخطار أهمها تعاقب سنوات الجفاف وخاصة مع تأثير التغير المناخي سلباً على الغطاء الحرجي في المملكة, كما تشكل الحرائق مشكلة رئيسية خاصة للغابات الصنوبرية, حيث يقوم أصحاب الملكيات الخاصة الواقعة في داخل حدود الغابات بالتخلص من مخلفات مزارعهم  وحرقها في تلك الغابات مما يسبب في كثير من الأحيان الحرائق. إضافة إلى ذلك فإن الغطاء الحرجي يواجه تهديد المشاريع الكبيرة التي لا تراعي المناطق الحرجية ويعتبر إقامة مشروع دبي كابيتال على أراضي غابات دبين قبل أعوام خير مثال على ذلك.

أهم التدابير لحماية الغابات وإعادة تأهيلها

إن تحويل المأساة إلى فرصة يحتاج إلى رؤية ثاقبة، وإيجاد حل شامل لمشاكل المشاكل البيئية في الأردن بما في ذلك إزالة الغابات ليست مهمة سهلة. إن الغطاء الحرجي في الأردن في تناقص مستمر ولذلك يجب التعامل معه بشكل شمولي لتكثيف الجهود الوطنية على كافة الأصعدة  من أجل المحافظة عليه وزيادة رقعته وإعطائه أهميته الحقيقية. يجب زيادة وعي الناس فيما يتعلق بحماية البيئة وتقوية إرتباط المجتمعات المحلية بالغابات وإشراكهم  في حمايتها, كما يجب تفعيل تطبيق العقوبات على المعتدين على الثروة الحرجية, ومن الجدير بالذكر أن وزارة الزراعة الأردنية ستنفذ مشروع “مراقبة الغابات والمساحات الخضراء” في المملكة إلكترونياً وذلك لوقف الإعتداءات على هذه الغابات.

types of art to celebrate nature

يجب على الناشطين البيئين الإنضمام إلى الجهود المحلية والدولية في التشجير ومكافحة تغير المناخ من خلال إنشاء نموذج للغابات في المملكة, مع التركيز على المناطق الجنوبية من البلاد مثل وادي عربة وصحراء جنوب الأردن. كما يجب تبني مشاريع بيئية تهدف إلى الإستغلال الأمثل للأراضي الصحرواية عن طريق إقامة حزام أخضر لمكافحة التصحر بوساطة زراعة الأنواع النباتية الأصلية والمناسبة لطبيعة المنطقة, وذلك لإعطاء النظم البيئية المهددة فرصة للإزدهار مرة أخرى,كما يجب على هذه المشاريع إشراك المجتمعات المحلية في إدارة وإدامة الغابات التي يجب أن تكون نموذجاً لإستخدام الغابات في الأردن لحماية التنوع البيولوجي في البيئات الجافة .

ومن الجدير بالذكر أن من أهم الطرق لمحاربة التصحر هي التعلم من الأجداد حيث عاش أجدادنا قبل آلاف السنين في قلب الصحراء ولكنهم عرفوا كيفية التأقلم والمعيشة والإزدهار في الظروف الصحرواية, حيث أنشأ العرب الأنباط مجتمعاً مستديماً وفر لنفسه الغذاء والحطب والعلف للحيوانات الأليفة والأهم :المياه  .لذلك يجب تبني الري بحصاد الأمطار وتبني مبدأ مياه السيول النبطي ومرافق حصاد الطاقة الشمسية، كما أنه يجب تنظيم عملية الرعي في المنطقة وإعتماد مبدأ البناء بالطين المستمد من وحي الثقافة العربية  لبناء مرافق الغابات.

Earth Hour – The Making of a Movement

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Earth Hour is a worldwide movement for the planet organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Earth Hour engages a massive mainstream community on a broad range of environmental issues. The event is held worldwide and held towards the end of March annually, encouraging individuals, communities, households and businesses to turn off their non-essential lights for one hour as a symbol for their commitment to the planet

Earth Hour

Making of a Movement

Earth Hour started in 2007 in Sydney, Australia and was conceived by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). On the occasion, 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour to take a stand against climate change. Since then it has grown to engage more than thousands of cities and towns worldwide

In 2008, the Earth Hour became a global sustainability movement with more than 50 million people participating across 35 countries. In March 2009, over 4,000 cities in 88 countries officially switched off their lights to pledge their support for the planet, making ‘Earth Hour 2009’ the world’s largest global climate change initiative.

‘Earth Hour 2010’ was practised in a record 128 countries and territories and more than 6,000 cities joined the global display of climate action with over 1 billion people participating. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Asia Pacific to Europe and Africa to the Americas switched off their lights.

In 2011, more than 5,200 cities and towns in 135 countries worldwide switched off their lights for ‘Earth Hour’ alone, sending a powerful message for action on climate change. It also ushered in a new era with members going ‘Beyond the Hour’ to commit to lasting action for the planet.

In 2018, Earth Hour’s focus is on our connection to Earth and nature. Our planet’s gain is everyone’s gain. Biodiversity – the rich variety of life on Earth – continues to decline year on year. We must urgently prioritise our planet’s biodiversity and nature. #Connect2Earth was created to organise our efforts, allowing us to shed light on topics impacting our planet’s well-being.

Earth Hour 2019 with its campaign #Connect2Earth aims to build mass awareness on why nature is important and create an unstoppable movement for nature similar to when the world came together to tackle climate change.

How do you #Connect2Earth?

Get involved now by starting conversations, sharing your thoughts, and spreading the word about our connection to this place we call home.

Aims and Objectives

Earth Hour is aimed at asking individual, households and businesses to turn off their nonessential lights and other electrical appliances for one hour to raise awareness towards the need to take action on energy conservation and climate change.

The gigantic and overwhelming participation in Earth Hour showed collective display of our commitment to protect our planet. During Earth Hour, people across the world from all walks of life turned off their lights and came together in celebration and contemplation of one thing we all have in common – our planet.

Time for Action

The recent Earth Hour celebrated has gone beyond the hour, so after the lights went back ‘on’ participants were thinking about what else one could do to make a difference. We all now believe that ‘Together our actions add up’.

The awareness created has found enough reasons to join this annual campaign and making energy conservation as a ‘habit’ rather than practising it as an ‘annual event.’ We need to understand that we have a major responsibility of conserving our planet’s resources, since they are fragile, finite and each of us can make a difference if we choose to do so.

As far as Middle East is concerned, energy consumption is rising exponentially due to rapid industrialization and high population growth rate. Infact, the level of primary energy consumption in the Middle East is one of the highest worldwide.  However, the efficiency of energy production and consumption patterns in the region requires significant improvement.

So, let us make a change at individual level which, though it sounds small but cumulatively will add to significant levels in energy conservation by:

  • Turning our computer off when we finish our work and turning the monitor off during our breaks.
  • Turning off any unnecessary and additional lighting at our place of work and at home.
  • Using energy-efficient lights (LED, CFL, etc.).
  • Unplugging the electrical and electronic appliances when not in use.
  • Judiciously using heating and cooling system.

The message is ‘Let us go beyond an hour and do more what we can to reduce the energy consumption and its impact on the environment.’

Plan and participate in the event for a better tomorrow.

Black, Green, Blue, or Grey Carbon: Understanding the Hidden Colors of Climate Change

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Carbon lies at the heart of the planet’s major biogeochemical balances and constitutes an essential thread for understanding climate change, ecosystem degradation, and contemporary ecological transition strategies. Far from being a uniform entity, carbon; manifests itself in different forms and dynamics, often described through color codes black, brown, blue, green, red, and grey, which help to better grasp its origin, behavior in the environment, and its economic, social, and climatic implications. Although simplified, this typology has become established in scientific and policy debates as a pedagogical and analytical tool that facilitates the design of public policies, financial mechanisms, and sustainable management strategies [1].

types of carbon

Black Carbon

Black carbon is mainly associated with fine particles resulting from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biomass, and biofuels. It is a major component of atmospheric aerosols and is characterized by a strong capacity to absorb solar radiation, making it a powerful short-term climate warming agent [2]. Unlike carbon dioxide, whose atmospheric lifetime spans decades or even centuries, black carbon persists for only a few days or weeks, but its radiative impact is particularly intense. It contributes not only to global warming but also to the accelerated melting of glaciers and snow when it is deposited on light-colored surfaces, reducing their albedo [3].

Moreover, black carbon poses a major public health challenge, being closely linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, especially in urban areas and regions that rely on biomass for domestic cooking [4]. Consequently, reducing black carbon emissions is often regarded as a measure with immediate co-benefits for both climate and health.

Brown Carbon

Brown carbon, which is sometimes less highlighted, refers to a specific fraction of particulate organic matter mainly originating from biomass combustion and natural decomposition processes. It preferentially absorbs radiation in the ultraviolet and visible ranges, with optical properties distinct from those of black carbon [5].

Brown carbon plays a complex role in the climate system, as its radiative effects can vary depending on its chemical composition, atmospheric aging, and environmental conditions. It is often associated with wildfires, agricultural burning, and emissions from peatlands, linking it directly to land-use dynamics and landscape management practices [6]. In a context of climate change marked by increasing frequency and intensity of fires, brown carbon is becoming a key indicator of climate feedbacks that are still insufficiently integrated into global models.

Blue Carbon

Blue carbon refers to carbon stored in coastal and marine ecosystems, notably mangroves, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes. Although these ecosystems cover a relatively limited surface area globally, they possess an exceptionally high carbon sequestration capacity, often exceeding that of terrestrial forests on a per-area basis [7].

Blue carbon is mainly stored in sediments, where it can remain trapped for millennia, provided the ecosystem remains intact. The degradation or destruction of these environments leads not only to the loss of essential ecosystem services coastal protection, biodiversity nurseries, nutrient filtration but also to the massive release of previously stored carbon [8].

Recognition of blue carbon has led to its gradual integration into climate policies, particularly within nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and carbon finance mechanisms, although methodological challenges remain regarding its measurement, monitoring, and verification [9].

Green Carbon

Green carbon corresponds to carbon captured and stored by terrestrial ecosystems, particularly forests, grasslands, agricultural soils, and inland wetlands. It is the most familiar form of carbon in nature-based climate change mitigation strategies. Photosynthesis is the main driver of this dynamic, transforming atmospheric carbon dioxide into plant biomass and soil organic matter [10].

Green carbon is, however, characterized by a certain vulnerability, as stocks can be rapidly released back into the atmosphere following deforestation, soil degradation, fires, or land-use change [11]. This reversibility raises critical questions about the permanence of biological carbon sinks and their integration into carbon markets. Nevertheless, green carbon remains a fundamental pillar of carbon neutrality approaches due to its co-benefits for biodiversity, food security, and rural livelihoods [12].

Red Carbon

Red carbon is a more recent and less standardized concept, generally used to denote carbon associated with activities that are highly destructive to ecosystems or that generate social conflicts, such as illegal deforestation, unsustainable mining, or certain carbon-intensive infrastructure projects [13]. It emphasizes the ethical and socio-environmental dimension of carbon flows, highlighting that not all forms of carbon storage or emissions are equivalent from a sustainable development perspective.

Red carbon thus reflects a critical reading of climate policies that focus solely on carbon volumes without considering impacts on human rights, natural resource governance, and the resilience of local communities [14]. This notion is particularly mobilized by civil society organizations and certain academic currents seeking to rebalance the climate debate in favor of environmental justice.

Grey Carbon

Grey carbon, finally, refers to carbon embedded in industrial goods and services, notably through emissions linked to raw material extraction, manufacturing, transport, use, and end-of-life of products. It is closely related to the concept of carbon footprint and life-cycle assessment [15].

Grey carbon is often invisible to the final consumer, as it is emitted upstream in the value chain, sometimes in regions far removed from the place of consumption. In the context of globalized trade, it raises the issue of shared responsibility between producers and consumers, as well as that of carbon border adjustment mechanisms [16]. Reducing grey carbon involves improving energy efficiency, eco-design, circular economy approaches, and the decarbonization of industrial processes, particularly in sectors such as steel, cement, and chemicals [17].

Conclusion

Taken together, these different types of carbon illustrate the complexity of interactions between human activities, ecosystems, and climate. They show that combating climate change cannot be limited to a one-dimensional approach centered on carbon dioxide alone, but requires a nuanced understanding of the multiple forms carbon takes within the Earth system. This differentiated approach opens the way to more integrated policies capable of maximizing environmental and social co-benefits while reducing the risks of counterproductive solutions.

As international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework increasingly recognize the links between climate, biodiversity, and development, the typology of colored carbons could play a growing role in guiding investments, designing economic instruments, and assessing progress toward sustainability [18].

References

[1] IPCC, Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2021.
[2] Bond T.C., Doherty S.J., Fahey D.W., et al., Bounding the role of black carbon in the climate system: A scientific assessment, J. Geophys. Res. Atmos., 118 (2013) 5380–5552. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrd.50171.
[3] Flanner M.G., Zender C.S., Randerson J.T., Rasch P.J., Present-day climate forcing and response from black carbon in snow, J. Geophys. Res., 112 (2007) D11202. https://doi.org/10.1029/2006JD008003.
[4] WHO, Health Effects of Black Carbon, World Health Organization, Copenhagen, 2012.
[5] Andreae M.O., Gelencsér A., Black carbon or brown carbon? The nature of light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosols, Atmos. Chem. Phys., 6 (2006) 3131–3148.
[6] Laskin A., Laskin J., Nizkorodov S.A., Chemistry of atmospheric brown carbon, Chem. Rev., 115 (2015) 4335–4382. https://doi.org/10.1021/cr5006167.
[7] McLeod E., Chmura G.L., Bouillon S., et al., A blueprint for blue carbon: Toward an improved understanding of the role of vegetated coastal habitats in sequestering CO₂, Front. Ecol. Environ., 9 (2011) 552–560.
[8] Pendleton L., Donato D.C., Murray B.C., et al., Estimating global “blue carbon” emissions from conversion and degradation of vegetated coastal ecosystems, PLoS ONE, 7 (2012) e43542.
[9] Howard J., Sutton-Grier A., Herr D., et al., Clarifying the role of coastal and marine systems in climate mitigation, Front. Ecol. Environ., 15 (2017) 42–50.
[10] Lal R., Soil carbon sequestration impacts on global climate change and food security, Science, 304 (2004) 1623–1627.
[11] IPBES, Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, IPBES Secretariat, Bonn, 2019.
[12] Griscom B.W., Adams J., Ellis P.W., et al., Natural climate solutions, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 114 (2017) 11645–11650.
[13] Bebbington A., Williams M., Conflicts over carbon: The political ecology of climate change mitigation, Dev. Change, 39 (2008) 1–27.
[14] Newell P., Mulvaney D., The political economy of the ‘just transition’, Geogr. J., 179 (2013) 132–140.
[15] ISO, ISO 14040: Life Cycle Assessment – Principles and Framework, International Organization for Standardization, Geneva, 2006.
[16] Peters G.P., Hertwich E.G., CO₂ embodied in international trade with implications for global climate policy, Environ. Sci. Technol., 42 (2008) 1401–1407.
[17] IEA, Industrial Decarbonisation, International Energy Agency, Paris, 2022.
[18] UNFCCC, Paris Agreement, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Bonn, 2015.

Is Engineered Wood Flooring Good For The Environment?

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Having become more aware of their lifestyles and the impacts they have on our ecosystem, people around the world are now becoming more environmentally conscious. They are now striving to lead greener lives that leave minimal carbon footprints. Of the many steps taken and the changes that have been made in a bid to save the environment, one of the lesser talked about topics is the use of engineered wood flooring instead of normal hardwood flooring in homes.

environmental benefits of engineered wood flooring

Hardwood vs. Engineered Wood: What’s The Difference?

While hardwood flooring brings a warm and classic feel to homes regardless of the form they take, they are not sustainable. In order to produce them, countless trees are chopped down and forests are made to look barren which consequently fuels the current environmental crisis.

Although similar to hardwood flooring in appearance, Engineered Wood Flooring is made from a range of derivative wood products which are produced by binding or fixing the particles, fibres, strands, veneers or boards of wood together with adhesives or other binding methods to form composite material. While there are different types of engineered wood flooring, here are the most common ones:

Plank Flooring

Mostly used in kitchens and toilets, plank flooring is an imitation of hardwood flooring. You can find this specific type of flooring that comes in strips in a number of styles, each resembling different types of wood, from oak, hickory and more. It is a great option for any home!

Chevron Wood Flooring

Chevron wood flooring gives off a stunning ‘V’ pattern. The ends of the chevron planks are cut at a 45° angle in order for the ‘V’ pattern to be created when installed. Chevron wood flooring makes homes look cosy yet aesthetically pleasing.

chevron-wood-floor

Herringbone Wood Flooring

Herringbone wood flooring is the traditional style of laying parquet blocks. The blocks are a lot smaller than the usual flooring planks and the ends are cut at a 90° angle so that the pattern will stagger rather than create a ‘V’ shape as chevron wood flooring does. When installed, herringbone wood flooring creates a distinctive zigzag pattern that is visually stimulating.

Versailles Panels

Versailles panels are a classic! Owing its name to the stunning Chateau de Versailles in France, Versailles panels consist of squares that are connected together in what appears as an interwoven net of wood strips within a wooden frame, leaving a luxurious impression.

versailles-panels-wood-flooring

Despite the enriched ambience it creates in homes, is engineered wood flooring good for the environment? Compared to hardwood flooring, engineered wood flooring is unquestionably a lot more environmentally friendly.

How Is Engineered Wood Flooring Good For The Environment?

Now let us examine how engineered wood flooring benefits the environment and protect the natural resources.

Healthy forest regeneration

Engineered wood flooring saves certain trees from becoming endangered or extinct. The trees used to make hardwood flooring grow much more slowly than the trees used to make engineered wood flooring.

By making use of smaller trees from well-managed woodlands, engineered wood flooring saves old growth as well as slow-growing trees from becoming endangered or extinct, leaving them all for the future generations to appreciate and enjoy. In fact, demand for engineered wood flooring will encourage forest owners to prioritize healthy forest regeneration.

Its production creates little to no pollutants

The veneer that is used to make engineered wood flooring is sliced rather than cut with a saw. This process produces almost no sawdust, which means that it creates little to no pollutants as by-products and makes use of almost all of the veneer to make the flooring.

It reduces the need for replacement

Although hardwood floors are durable, they are susceptible to damage if they are exposed to too much moisture. If the wooden planks start to wear out, you will need to change them or else they risk further damage.

Engineered wood flooring, on the other hand, can withstand moisture. Not to mention, if a replacement is required, it is easy to remove the planks that are damaged and replace it, which greatly reduces the overall amount of wood you use. Engineered wood flooring is definitely a greener option. If you are in search of the perfect flooring that suits your home and the environment, engineered wood flooring is the best option.

بصمة خضراء… ثلاثية الخطر

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منذ الثورة الصناعية، اعتمد العالم بشكل شبه كامل على ما يُعرف بـ «الوقود الأحفوري» لتشغيل اقتصاده وبناء حضارته الحديثة. الفحم، النفط، والغاز الطبيعي كانت هي العمود الفقري للطاقة؛ منها انطلقت المصانع، وبها توسّعت المدن، وعلى ضوئها أُضيئت البيوت، وتحرّكت وسائل النقل، وتسارعت عجلة الإنتاج. هذه المصادر منحت الإنسان قدرة غير مسبوقة على السيطرة على محيطه وتسخير الطبيعة لخدمته، لكنها لم تكن يومًا مجانية الأثر.

فخلف كل وحدة طاقة ننتجها من احتراق الوقود الأحفوري، هناك كلفة خفية لا تظهر في فواتير الكهرباء أو أسعار الوقود، بل تُدفع من رصيد البيئة والمناخ. هذه الكلفة تتمثل في كميات هائلة من الغازات التي تُطلق في الغلاف الجوي مع كل عملية احتراق، غازات لا نراها بأعيننا، لكنها تتراكم عامًا بعد عام، وتغيّر توازن الكوكب بهدوء خطير.

fossil fuels, GHG emissions and climate change

تُعرف هذه الغازات باسم «الغازات الدفيئة»، وأشهرها ثاني أكسيد الكربون، والميثان، وأكسيد النيتروز. تمتلك هذه الغازات خاصية فيزيائية تجعلها قادرة على امتصاص الحرارة وحبسها داخل الغلاف الجوي. وجودها الطبيعي ليس مشكلة، بل هو ضروري للحياة، إذ يعمل كدرع يحافظ على درجة حرارة الأرض ضمن نطاق يسمح بوجود الماء السائل واستمرار النظم البيئية. من دونها، ستكون الأرض كوكبًا باردًا لا يصلح للحياة كما نعرفها.

لكن المشكلة تبدأ عندما تتجاوز هذه الغازات حدودها الطبيعية. فمع التوسع الصناعي، وزيادة استهلاك الطاقة، والاعتماد المفرط على الوقود الأحفوري، ارتفعت تركيزات الغازات الدفيئة إلى مستويات لم يشهدها الكوكب منذ آلاف السنين. هنا يختل التوازن، وتتحول الآلية التي كانت تحمي الحياة إلى عامل يهددها.

وهنا تظهر المفارقة المؤلمة: فالعالم الذي استفاد من الوقود الأحفوري في تحقيق النمو والرفاه، هو ذاته العالم الذي بات مهددًا بنتائج هذا الاعتماد. فكل مصنع يعمل، وكل مركبة تتحرك، وكل مدينة تُضاء ليلًا، تترك خلفها أثرًا غير مرئي يتراكم في السماء. لم يعد الاحتباس الحراري قضية مستقبلية بعيدة، بل نتيجة حتمية لنمط اقتصادي بُني على فكرة الاستخراج السريع والاستهلاك المفرط، دون اعتبار لقدرة الطبيعة على الاحتمال. لقد تصرّف الإنسان وكأن الغلاف الجوي مساحة لا نهائية تستوعب كل ما نلقيه فيها، وكأن الأرض قادرة دائمًا على تصحيح أخطائنا بنفسها. لكن الطبيعة لا تنسى، ولا تُهمل الحسابات؛ هي فقط تؤجل الرد، وحين يأتي، يكون شاملًا وبطيئًا وقاسيًا في آن واحد.

الاحتباس الحراري هو النتيجة المباشرة لهذا الخلل. عندما تتكدّس الغازات الدفيئة في الغلاف الجوي، يصبح أشبه ببطانية سميكة تلتف حول الأرض، تمنع الحرارة من التسرب إلى الفضاء. ومع مرور الوقت، ترتفع درجة حرارة الكوكب ببطء، لكن بثبات واستمرارية. هذا الارتفاع لا يحدث فجأة، ولا يُشعِرنا بالخطر في يوم واحد، لكنه يتراكم سنة بعد سنة، ويترك آثاره العميقة على كل نظام طبيعي.

وهذا التغير ليس مجرد أرقام في تقارير علمية أو رسوم بيانية في مؤتمرات المناخ. هو تغيّر ملموس في حياتنا اليومية: موجات حرّ أشد وأطول، جفاف يضرب أراضي زراعية كانت خصبة، فيضانات تبتلع مدنًا ساحلية، أعاصير أقوى، وحرائق غابات تتكرر بوتيرة غير مسبوقة. حتى النظم البيئية التي حافظت على توازنها لقرون بدأت تفقد استقرارها. إنه اختناق بطيء، وكوكب يتعب تحت وطأة نمط استهلاك لا يرحم.

reasons for global warming

يمكن تشبيه المشهد بمنظومة مترابطة: الوقود الأحفوري هو الجذور، الغازات الدفيئة هي الجذوع، والاحتباس الحراري هو الثمار المُرّة. ما لم نكسر هذه السلسلة من جذورها، ستواصل النتائج في التفاقم. لا يمكن معالجة الاحتباس الحراري دون مواجهة السبب الأساسي، ولا يمكن الحديث عن مستقبل مستدام مع استمرار الاعتماد على مصادر طاقة تُراكم الخلل بدل إصلاحه.

والتغيير المطلوب ليس قرارًا واحدًا، ولا تقنية واحدة، ولا مسؤولية جهة بعينها. بل هو إعادة تفكير شاملة في طريقة عيشنا: كيف نسافر، كيف ننتج الغذاء، كيف نُصمّم مدننا، كيف نستهلك الطاقة، وكيف نُقيّم مفهوم «التقدّم» نفسه. الاستدامة هنا ليست ترفًا فكريًا، بل ضرورة وجودية تمس حاضرنا قبل مستقبلنا.

قد لا نرى هذه الغازات، ولا نشعر بها مباشرة، لكنها ترى كل شيء، وتؤثر في كل شيء، وتُحاسب بصمت. وكل تأخير في الفهم أو الفعل، يعني أن الفاتورة التي ستدفعها الأجيال القادمة ستكون أثقل، وأكثر قسوة.

3 Eco-Friendly Conference Giveaway Ideas For Your Next Business Event

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For many years, giveaways have been an essential part of business events. These gifts have become a tool for increasing brand awareness. These items help in drawing attention to your company.

In today’s fast-paced world, where businesses are always looking for ways to improve their reputation, eco-friendliness has become one of the key elements in the success of any business event or conference. Businesses are now more aware of their environmental impact and are taking steps to reduce it. This is why eco-friendly conference giveaways have become so important.

eco-friendly giveaways for business events

Ensuring that your giveaways will not have a negative environmental effect helps reduce the causes of global warming. It can also showcase your company’s values.

This article will cover three eco-friendly conference giveaway ideas that can help businesses positively impact the environment while promoting their brand.

1. Printed Paper Bags

Many companies choose to give recyclable or recycled bags. These bags have less impact on the environment while becoming an ideal gift. Yet, if you want to go the extra mile, you can use printed paper bags.

There are many benefits to giving this type of bag. Sponsoring a printed paper bag for conference giveaways is a great eco-friendly alternative to a plastic or leather one. The reason is that it’s often made from cellulose fiber, a renewable natural resource.

Choosing to sponsor a printed paper bag for conference giveaways is a great eco-friendly alternative to a plastic one. This can help to align your brand with eco-friendly messaging, while exposing your logo to lots of people at once in the venue. Good suppliers like Steel City provide you with an account manager to help you design the perfect paper bag for your promotional campaign.

2. Organic Cotton Clothing

Using branded clothing as conference giveaways dramatically helps in promoting your company. But that doesn’t imply that you must choose the less costly and least sustainable clothing. One way to tackle this issue is to choose t-shirts, jackets, sweaters, and polos made from pure organic cotton.

Organic cotton is grown without harmful chemicals and pesticides, making it a more sustainable choice for both the environment and farmers. When companies choose organic cotton clothing as their corporate giveaways, they send a message that they care about the planet and are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact.

Additionally, organic cotton is soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic, making it a comfortable choice for your participants and potential clients. This is particularly important for clothing that will be worn frequently, as comfort can significantly impact the wearer’s overall experience with your brand.

Another benefit of choosing organic cotton clothing is its durability. Your audience will appreciate receiving high-quality items that will last for years to come, and this will also reflect positively on your brand.

And speaking of brand, organic cotton clothing is an excellent way to promote your brand, as the items can be customized with your company logo or message. When your clients and employees wear these items, they will be spreading your brand message to everyone they encounter, increasing your brand’s visibility and reach.

3. Wheat Straw Tea Cup

Whenever wheat grains are harvested, a stalk will be left over. This stalk is called a wheat straw and is generally considered a waste. This is true, particularly in other places where it’s burned. Doing this is terrible as it pollutes the air and harms the public’s health.

sustainable giveaways for conference

On the other hand, wheat straw is a material that can be used as a disposable giveaway. Using this stalk as a gift, you’re choosing a renewable material that can be reclaimed. More so, you can send your clamshell to the nearest commercial composting facility for reusing it.

To add, you can give a traditional tea cup made from wheat straw as a conference giveaway. These tea cups consist of similar types of wheat straw barrel mixed material. It has a wider mouth and is relatively smaller. The cups also come in various colors, such as charcoal, beige, and grey, and you can add your company logo to the cup’s body.

Wrapping Up

Conference giveaways help in showcasing your brand. But it’s helpful if the giveaways you choose are eco-friendly. Fortunately, environmentally-friendly giveaways enable your company to reduce its impact on this phenomenon. Another reason to choose eco-friendly giveaways is that they can show what your company stands for. If your company focuses on caring for the environment, this can send an excellent image to your audience.

Ultimately, this article outlined three sustainable giveaways you can offer to your staff, potential clients, and partners. You can use them as your options to have a memorable and eco-friendly conference event.

4 Effective Tips For An Eco-friendly Home Renovation

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Renovating your home sounds like a great choice for when you need to make your home more functional, comfortable, spacious, and efficient. What is even greater is taking the step to renovating your house with a green viewpoint. This kind of perspective can help your house become more sustainable and also reduce the negative impact on the environment. In this article, we will discuss a few useful tips for a green home renovation:

1. Maximize Your House’s Efficiency

First of all, if you need your house design to be more sustainable, then you must start increasing its efficiency. You can start by inspecting the appliances in your home and see if they are becoming outdated, or if you should replace them with more efficient models. Not to forget the fact that it has to be more functional and efficient.

If you live in Houston, you can find several specialists for remodeling your kitchen. Based on the suggestion of Trifection, renovation professionals that work in kitchen remodeling in Houston, your kitchen is made to suit all your cooking, entertainment, and budget needs. Thus, while renovating, make sure you think of what would look good for your kitchen renovation and at the same time, works efficiently.

2. Design Passively

Passive design is one of the great techniques for having a green and energy-efficient house. It mainly focuses on minimizing the usage of artificial heating, cooling, and lighting. In order for one to have a passive design, you must first know the seasonal weather patterns of their home in order to distribute the spaces in the right position.

For example, in cold climate regions, it is better to have your house openings on the north side of the house so that the winter sun can be directed to the walls and the floor. Thus, the entire space gets heated and you won’t be in need of any artificial heating. Bottom line, the passive design elements will help you get better airflow as well as an efficient thermal mass to your indoor climate.

3. Minimize Construction Waste

The construction industry contributes to 40% of the environment’s pollution. Since you’re renovating using sustainable techniques, then you must consider construction waste and seek ways to minimize it as much as possible. You can simply do so by limiting the harmful materials that you use, such as rubber, bricks, timber, metal, and any other hazardous materials that need to be cleaned up by sustainable skip bins or licensed professionals. Check out this link for dumpster rental to help you with this process.

4. Reuse Water

Reusing water instead of wasting it is one of the green techniques to consider when renovating your house. You can do so through one of these methods:

  • Install a Rainwater Tank: to collect rainwater that can be used for house cleaning chores.
  • Reuse Greywater after Recycling it: to reduce your water consumption and waste.  

Bottom Line

Having an eco friendly home renovation can be very beneficial as it helps you have a more sustainable house and at the same time save the environment. However, you need to make sure you tackle the specifications of every aspect of your house. Once you do so, you can rest assured that your renovated house will be more functional, efficient, and environmentally safe.

The Key Dimensions of Sustainable Development in the Arab World

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Sustainable development is a pattern of growth in which resource use aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come. Arab world is facing major sustainability challenges in achieving social, economic and environmental goals. Extremely arid climate, acute water scarcity, high energy consumption and polluting oil and gas industry present a unique challenge in Arab countries.

There are four major dimensions of sustainable development – social, economic, environmental and institutional. Lets delve into the different dimensions of sustainable development in the Arab world.

sustainable development

Social Dimension

Availability of energy has a direct impact on poverty, employment opportunities, education, demographic transition, indoor pollution and health, and has gender- and age-related implications. In rich Arab countries countries, energy for lighting, heating and cooking is available in the most convenient manner. On the other hand, more than 40 percent of the Arab population does not have adequate access to energy services.

In poor countries, up to six hours a day is required to collect wood and dung for cooking and heating, and this task is usually done by women, who could be otherwise engaged in more productive activities.

Economic Dimension

Modern economies depend on a reliable and adequate energy supply, and developing countries need to secure this as a prerequisite for industrialization. Almost one-fifth of the Arab population relies on non-commercial fuels for different energy uses.

All sectors of the economy — residential, commercial, transport, service and agriculture — demands modern energy services. These services in turn foster economic and social development at the local level by raising productivity and enabling local income generation. Energy supply affects jobs, productivity and development. Electricity is the dominant form of energy for communications, information technology, manufacturing and services.

Environmental Dimension

The production, distribution and use of energy create pressures on the environment in the household, workplace and city, and at the national, regional and global levels. The environmental impacts can depend greatly on how energy is produced and used, the fuel mix, the structure of the energy systems and related energy regulatory actions and pricing structures.

Air quality is a major aspect of the quality of life leading to sustainable development in many areas of the world. Gaseous emissions from the exploration and burning of fossil fuels pollute the atmosphere. Compared to other countries, Arab countries experience higher emissions of oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds. Air pollution control strategies are now being taken seriously, on both regional and national levels, and governments have taken important steps for air pollution control.

air quality in Arab world

Arab region is among the worst performers in air quality

Institutional Dimension

Infrastructure is the backbone of any national energy system. Countries need to monitor the state of their major energy infrastructures to ensure a sustainable energy future. Many countries now depend on major energy infrastructure that are obsolete, inefficient, insufficient or environmentally unacceptable.

The Arab energy market is growing at an accelerating rate due to higher consumption rates in the private, commercial and industrial sectors. This results in the need for a successful implementation strategy that can bridge the gap between the current supply and increasing demand. A smart grid network makes for the ideal bridge where the goals of modernization can meet those of a reliable public infrastructure.

Can Atmospheric Water Generators Resolve Egypt’s Water Crisis?

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Egypt faces an imminent water crisis which could jeopardize the country’s stability and regional dominance. Egypt is currently below the United Nations threshold of water poverty. The current water shortage in Egypt is 13.5 Billion Cubic Meters per year which is expected to continuously increase. According to hydrologists, a country is considered to be facing water scarcity if supplies drop below 1,000 cubic meters per person annually. Egyptian officials state there are currently around 570 cubic meters (150,000 gallons) of water available per person per year. This figure is expected to drop further to 500 cubic meters by 2025.

pollution-nile

The UN is already warning that Egypt could run out of the water (Day Zero) by the year 2025. Furthermore, the river Nile is the main source of water with around 85 million Egyptians depending on it. The river Nile is the backbone of Egypt’s industrial and agricultural sector and it is the main source of drinking water for the population covering 95% of the annual freshwater budget. However, as Ethiopia (a Nile upstream country), plans to start filling its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam by July 2020, this is expected to lower water to threatening levels in Egypt and negatively impact power generation at Egypt’s dam in Aswan which threatens Egypt’s water security.

Water Challenges in Egypt and Conventional Solutions

In addition, some of the major factors that play havoc with water security in the country are water losses due to the failure to rationalize water consumption, uneven water distribution, rising population, misuse of water resources, as well as the consequences of a higher standard of living, growth of industrialization, water pollution, the absence of actual control on factories disposal of hazardous waste materials in water, the increased use of chemicals in agriculture, inefficient irrigation techniques (mud and soil instead of sprinkler and drip irrigation), degradation of watercourses and drainage systems and the deterioration of the current water transmission pipelines, low public awareness of water scarcity and water quality deterioration.

Moreover, climate change effects on Egypt being a downstream river Nile country. Furthermore, challenges in cooperation with upstream Nile basin countries; besides, rising populations and rapid economic development in the upstream countries of the Nile (11 countries). All these factors are decreasing water quantity and quality in Egypt.

Conventional solutions for water resources include agricultural drainage water, desalinated brackish groundwater and/or seawater, and treated municipal wastewater. These resources represent merely 22.2% of the total available water resources and are generally used for agriculture, landscaping, and industry through specialized processes. Desalination is practiced on a small scale at present, mainly along the Red Sea coast.

AWG: A Promising Non-conventional Solution for Water Scarcity

Did you know that wherever air exists, water exists? At sea level, air contains roughly 1% water vapor, and even in the desert, a cubic area the size of a house can contain up to 16 liters of water, according to Harvard scientists.

Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) is a device that extracts water from humid air. Water vapor within the air are often extracted by condensation which is essentially cooling the air below its temperature, exposing the air to desiccants (substances which absorb humidity), or pressurizing the air. AWGs are useful where pure water is difficult or impossible to get because there’s nearly always a little amount of water within the air which will be extracted. In contrast to a dehumidifier, an AWG is designed to render the water potable utilizing two primary techniques which are cooling and desiccants.

Policy Recommendations for AWG Implementation in Egypt

The potential of private sector involvement in water management in Egypt has been acknowledged by the Egyptian Water Policy (EWP) authorities by enhancing the participation of the public and private sectors with other civil society groups and organizations. The EWP sought institutional reform policy in water management by transferring public responsibilities to the private sector to improve the performance of the irrigation and drainage system. Still, the government has to facilitate the flow of funds directed to private water projects whether it be domestic or foreign investments.

The flow of funds is one of the major obstacles circumventing the involvement of the private sector in water projects in Egypt. This will speed up the process for the private sector to engage effectively in solving the water scarcity problem through innovative solutions such as the AWG devices. In addition, investment in research and development will further propel the Know-How in AWGs galvanizing several companies to adopt this sustainable solution. This will not only lower the device’s cost but will encourage the discovery of methods to overcome the challenges related to its use.

The setup and operation of an AWG device, even with a huge scale, is affordable for businesses and some households. However, for the neediest households, public utilities such as schools and hospitals, and small-scale farmers, the AWG solution can be expensive to set up. In addition, the operation of the device may be costly especially if the AWG device model is not solar- powered so it would require constant electricity to run. Accordingly, it is recommended that the government step in to subsidize the setup and operation of this device for vulnerable communities and customers. The former intervention in pricing is essential so as not to transfer the higher price of water to food which can disrupt economic stability.

In addition, for vulnerable people, who are so poor, that if they would have to pay the full costs they could not buy water, this may disrupt social stability. If subsidizing the setup of the AWG device is not feasible then it is recommended that the government adopts a BOS model. The government can buy the devices, operate them, and then sell them with installments to the civil society. This latter option should also be open for private sector companies, accordingly, the government should grant them licenses to undertake the BOS  of AWGs.

Furthermore, the current AWG devices require users to go to the machine, then bring the water back with them. This distribution system makes it difficult for those who are most in need to actually obtain the water generated for their communities which imposes an allocative challenge. It is recommended that given the government’s vision to remain fully responsible for the main infrastructures of the irrigation and drainage system, the government has to create alternative allocation methods to connect the water supply from the devices to end-users. This is another area where public-private sector cooperation can bring about several solutions such as the introduction of either small AWG devices called economic units or big scale devices both of which can serve households, farmers, and manufacturers according to their needs and financial abilities.

Finally, the supply of water in Egypt is about to become more problematic, it will touch the lives of all people.  If all stakeholders do not fully understand the gravity of the water scarcity situation in Egypt and fully cooperate this may jeopardize not only their well-being but their mere Being.

Efficient water management policies can definitely mitigate the severity of the water situation in Egypt but the problem can not be fully resolved without policies that engage the entire society in developing innovative water solutions such as the AWGs.

References

  1. Abdelaziz, O. (2019). ‘The Compliance of Zeromass Device to the Needs of Mandera west’,
  2. Saint Mary University, study prepared for Life From Water.org, Canada Branch, Canada.
  3. Abdin, A. E., Afify, A., & Adel, A. (2011). ‘Comparative analysis of Egyptian water policy and water framework directive’, Options Mediterrannées, A, (98).
  4. Ebrahim, N. (2019). ‘Water crisis builds in Egypt as dam talks falter, temperature rise’, Reuters.com, Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/article/us-egypt-water/water-crisis-builds-in-egypt-as-dam-talks-falter-temperatures-rise-idUSKBN1XG223 (Accessed 11 January 2020).
  5. Dakkak, A. (2017). ‘Water Crisis in Egypt’, Retrieved from https://www.ecomena.org/egypt-water/ (Accessed 23December 2019).
  6. El Bedawy, R. (2014). Water resources management: alarming crisis for Egypt. J. Mgmt. & Sustainability, 4, p.108.
  7. Fanack (2018). Retrieved from  https://water.fanack.com/egypt/water-resources/  (Accessed 30 December 2019).
  8. Fathieh, F., Kalmutzki, M. J., Kapustin, E. A., Waller, P. J., Yang, J., & Yaghi, O. M. (2018). Practical water production from desert air. Science advances, 4(6), eaat3198.
  9. Khalil, D. (2019). Cairo’s Hidden Urban Water Scarcity, commentary-post, Alternative Policy Solutions, American University in Cairo.
  10. Mohie El-Din, M. O., & Moussa, A. M. (2016) Water management in Egypt for facing the future challenges. Journal of advanced research, 7(3), pp. 403-412.
  11. Tripathi, A., Tushar, S., Pal, S., Lodh, S., Tiwari, S. & Desai, R.S., (2016). Atmospheric water generator. International Journal of Enhanced Research in Science, 5, pp. 69-72.
  12. World Economic Forum (2019). Retrieved from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/11/water-crisis-builds-in-egypt-as-dam-talks-falter-temperatures-rise/ (Accessed 23December 2019).

Co-Authored by Noha Farrag and Mohannad Hesham

About the Authors

Noha Farrag

Noha A. Farrag is Assistant Professor of Economics at University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI), hosted in Universities of Canada in Egypt. She is also certified in Human Resource Development.  She formerly coordinated the Internship program between Institute of Law and Economics at Hamburg University and the German University in Cairo.

Mohannad Hesham Abouelrouse

Mohannad Hesham Abouelrouse is the founder of Life From Water Foundation, one of the top 50 international sustainable water solutions companies. Mohannad has extensive experience in strategic planning, business operations, organization and personal development. He is a consultant in several industries and sectors including IT, Digital Marketing, Publishing, Construction, Agriculture, as well as, Nonprofits and Social entrepreneurship.

Pakistan’s Thirst for Water: Towards a National Sustainable Water Policy

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Being the world’s 6th most populous country, Pakistan is home to about 210 million people. The growing population reduces average water availability every day. In 2017, Asian Development Bank reported that the agriculture sector of Pakistan consumes 93% of the water resources and contributes 21% – one-fourth – to the Gross Domestic Product. Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources published a report titled “Water requirements of major crops in Central Punjab,” that has mentioned that over 60% of water is lost in transmission and applications. This implies that the agriculture sector that consumes 93% of water resources wastes two-third of it.

Water scarcity will affect agricultural activities in Pakistan leading to lower yields for a growing population, a matter of food security. Virtual water trade is exploiting our groundwater. Scientific journal “Nature” claims in a published paper of 2017 that Pakistan was the biggest exporter of groundwater in 2010. Wheat, rice and cotton are among the top five water-intensive crops and these are the most cultivated crops in Pakistan.

In a national newspaper, Dawn, it is stated that at the time of independence, per capita water availability was 5 thousand cubic meters, and now it has fallen below 1 thousand cubic meters. Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources has predicted a severe water shortage by 2025 that will leave Pakistan dry if no measures are taken. It is not the first time international and national institutions are addressing water scarcity issues. World Bank issued a report in 2005 named “Pakistan’s water economy: running dry,” but we made no effective water policy.

Pakistan relies on Indus River, a single basin for its freshwater resources. Furthermore, being a semi-arid country, Pakistan receives an annual rainfall of less than 500 mm, most of which end up in a runoff. Groundwater pumping has also crossed the sustainable limit of consumption. According to the State Bank of Pakistan, Lahore is facing an annual reduction of 0.5 meters of the water table for the past 30 years. Urbanization has proved salt on injury as people are moving from rural areas increasing water consumption of limited water resources of urban areas. Wastewater is discharged without treatment, making groundwater unfit for use and biodiversity of water bodies is at stake.

The situation becomes more critical when water scarcity is accompanied by climate change as Pakistan ranks 15th in Global Climate Risk Index. According to the task force on climate change, 0.6°C rise of temperature was observed from 1901 to 2000 in Pakistan. Asian Development Bank writes an increase of 18-32% rainfall in the Monsoon period throughout 1960-2007 and sea-level rise of 1.1mm per year in the past century. Glaciers, a freshwater resource are retreating because of global warming. Rising temperatures and sea levels, droughts, flood events all are contributing to the instability of the country.

There is no single solution to the problem. Multiple strategies must be developed to tackle the problem. Policy reforms and good governance are the biggest challenges. The agriculture sector must be the focus to address water consumption as 93% of water is consumed by this sector. There is a dire need for maintenance of canals to decrease losses and metering infrastructure for pricing the quantity of water consumed. Drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation must be introduced for the efficient use of water.

Rainwater harvesting is an attractive way to store rainwater that can be used for many household purposes other than drinking. Virtual water trade should be given due importance and our focus of exports must be changed from water-intensive products to water-efficient products. Desalination solves water shortage in coastal areas and rising sea levels. It is the need of the hour to find long-term sustainable solutions to the problem or otherwise, its effects will be devastating.

Recommended Reading

  • Climate change profile of Pakistan, Asian development bank report 2017
  • Water sustainability in Pakistan- key issues and challenges, State bank of Pakistan’s annual report 2016-2017
  • Pakistan getting from water, World Bank report 2019
  • Virtual water export dries Pakistan from Daily Times written by M Arshad Rafiq, May 15, 2019
  • Over 60% of irrigation water is wasted from The News International written by Myra Imran, September 24, 2018
  • Pakistan likely to face water crisis from newspaper Dawn written by Zahid Hussain, March 28, 2018

About the Authors

Eza Tahir is a student of M.Phil. in Environmental Sciences at Sustainable Development Study Center, Government College University Lahore. She has completed her bachelor’s degree from Lahore College for Women University, Lahore (Pakistan). She has also participated in environmental awareness campaigns and community service programs to address the environmental issues of Pakistan in collaboration with several international organizations.

Naveed Anwar is an Environmentalist and an active researcher with a special focus on Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Air Pollution, Water Scarcity, and Clean Energy. He possesses master and undergraduate degree in Environmental Sciences along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Laws from the premier national institutes of Pakistan. Naveed is currently teaching and doing research at the Sustainable Development Study Center, Government College University, Lahore. He has published several international peer-reviewed Journal Articles and Book Chapters on the themes and Environmental Policy – Climate Change and Air pollution Mitigation.

A Quick Glance at Plastics Recycling

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Plastic consumption has grown at a tremendous rate worldwide. Plastics now play an increasingly important role in all aspects of modern life. and used in the manufacture of all sorts of items including protective packaging, mobile phones, domestic appliances, furniture items, medical devices etc. Each year around 5 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide with most of them ending up in landfills, dumpsites and water bodies. Due to the rising demand, the global plastic consumption is expected to reach 300 million tons by 2015. Per capita consumption of plastics in the Gulf countries is estimated to be 33 kg per annum which is much above the world average.

Disposal of plastic waste has emerged as an important environmental challenge and its recycling is facing roadblocks due to non-degradable nature. Because plastic does not decompose biologically, the amount of plastic waste in our surroundings is steadily increasing. More than 90% of the articles found on the sea beaches contain plastic. Plastic waste is often the most objectionable kind of litter and will be visible for months in landfill sites without degrading.

Recycling and reuse of plastics is gaining importance as a sustainable method for plastic waste disposal. Unfortunately, plastic is much more difficult to recycle than materials like glass, aluminum or paper. A common problem with recycling plastics is that plastics are often made up of more than one kind of polymer or there may be some sort of fibre added to the plastic (a composite).

Plastic polymers require greater processing to be recycled as each type melts at different temperatures and has different properties, so careful separation is necessary. Moreover, most plastics are not highly compatible with one another. Apart from familiar applications like recycling bottles and industrial packaging film, there are also new developments e.g. the Recovinyl initiative of the PVC industry (covering pipes, window frames, roofing membranes and flooring).

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles have proven to have high recyclability and are taken by most curbside and drop-off recycling programs. The growth of bottle recycling has been facilitated by the development of processing technologies that increase product purities and reduce operational costs. Recycled PET and HDPE have many uses and well-established markets.

In contrast, recycling of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and other materials is limited. A major problem in the recycling of PVC is the high chlorine content in raw PVC (around 56 percent of the polymer’s weight) and the high levels of hazardous additives added to the polymer to achieve the desired material quality. As a result, PVC requires separation from other plastics before mechanical recycling.

Water Diplomacy in the Middle East for Transboundary Water Supplies

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Increased pressure on transboundary water supplies as a result of rising economic and population needs, exacerbated by climate change processes, can have catastrophic consequences in the Middle East. Management of groundwater extraction from transboundary aquifers must involve sharing the amount of accessible water and preserving its quality in order to ensure that future generations will have access to safe groundwater supplies.

Transboundary water movement in the Middle East

The Middle East is afflicted by internal water mismanagement and conflicts. This necessitates not only the building of water governance institutions but also diverse engagement platforms and other water diplomacy techniques.

The negotiations about water management create the need for having water diplomacy that is a dynamic process that seeks to develop reasonable, sustainable, and peaceful solutions to water management while promoting or informing cooperation and collaboration among riparian stakeholders.

Water diplomacy topics are at the heart of discussions and conversations regarding the necessity of peace-building, cooperation between countries, and cooperation regarding transboundary surface and groundwaters: water diplomacy should not be restricted to diplomats and foreign policy experts, it is primarily the responsibility of water professionals who negotiate management agreements for shared water resources, but this should include representatives of NGOs to participate in transboundary water conversations, the involvement of these parts at all levels will help to establish is the most effective format of diplomacy.

According to experts, the sustainable growth of the Middle East and its political stability rely heavily on the region’s countries’ continued access to potable water. There are few recorded instances in which conversations on shared water resources led to prolonged efforts to address the underlying causes of an intrastate or interstate violent conflict.

Water Diplomacy Tracks

More technical professionals and actors in foreign policy need to have access to and be able to participate in transdisciplinary water diplomacy tracks and tools such varied discussion platforms, fact-finding missions, study tours, and joint scientific conferences.

Conventionally (water) diplomacy is seen as high-level interaction and dialogue between nation-states. Diplomacy is now defined according to various tracks which vary in terms of formality, actors involved, and purpose.

  • Formal Diplomacy (Track 1) Official/Formal communication between state actors with the authority and mandate to speak and make decisions on behalf of their governments or institutions.
  • Informal Diplomacy (Track 2 and 1.5) Dialogue between non-officials to build relations, resolve conflict, manage a crisis, or build trust, based on the agreed mandate, roles, and responsibilities. It can include officials in informal roles (Track 1.5), academics, NGOs, faith-based organizations, business partners, media, retired civil servants, and other ‘’insiders’’[1]

Transboundary water in the Middle East

The fact that 82% of wastewater is not recycled in the Middle East presents a tremendous opportunity to meet water demands. The region is anticipated to suffer the biggest economic losses due to climate-related water scarcity, between 6 and 14 percent of GDP by 2050.[2]

1. Israeli-Arab situation

In the Middle East as part of an arid region, groundwater reservoirs are regarded as the most dependable source of water, where the flow in the majority of perennial rivers is very variable due to seasonal fluctuations in rainfall quantity and distribution.

All groundwater reserves in the Middle East, are shared by at least two nations. And it will play a significant part in all peace conflicts. Water agreements are allotment is prominent in the present peace agreement between Israel and Jordan, as well as in the Oslo deal with Palestine.

Jordan-River

Israel and the Palestinians jointly exploit all main groundwater sources in the Middle East, including the coastal Mediterranean and highland aquifers. [3] The transboundary (Arava) Araba alluvial aquifer in the Jordan Rift Valley is shared by Israel and Jordan. The Arava Valley aquifer is shared by Jordan and Israel between the Red and Dead Seas.

Israel and Jordan have struck an agreement to jointly develop this international transboundary aquifer in the future, following a thorough examination of the aquifer’s future potential in terms of its quality and safe supply. This agreement is incorporated into the Israel-Jordan peace treaty of 1994.

However, Syria, Israel, Jordan, the West Bank, and Lebanon all utilize the Jordan River’s resources. The western Nubian sandstone aquifer is located beneath Sinai (Egypt) and the Negev desert.

2. Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic

Implementation of agreements signed between the two countries, especially with regard to shared water in the Yarmouk River Basin. They also agreed to continue a study on the Yarmouk River Basin based on previous studies. Currently, the Joint Jordanian–Syrian Higher Committee is discussing how to make use of the Yarmouk River Basin water and how to protect Yarmouk water against depletion. Talks will also include preparations for winter and storage at the Wadha (Unity) Dam in the Yarmouk River.

The southern Syria Mountain ridge (Jabel Druze) partially recharges the Azrak aquifer, which spans over eastern Jordan.

3. Jordan-Saudi

Jordan and Saudi Arabia both extract water from the Disi aquifer. An agreement was signed between Jordan and Saudi, in 2015 that includes a mathematical model to be upgraded. With annual monitoring of the aquifer regarding existing wells which does not reflect the real picture, minimal changes have been encountered. The agreement includes a buffer zone of 10km on both sides have been agreed upon with the Saudi side. (10 km on each side).

4. Iraqi Turkey Syrian Situation

The river basin that supplies Syria and Iraq, the Tigris-Euphrates, is rapidly drying up. This large region is already struggling to provide for at least ten million people uprooted by conflict. And things could soon worsen; Iraq is approaching a point of crisis.

Both the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers originate in Turkey and flow to the Shatt al-Arab basin in southern Iraq. The Euphrates crosses Syria and Iraq, with Turkey and Syria contributing 90% and 10% to its water flow respectively. On the other hand, the Tigris flows from Turkey to Iraq, with Turkey, Iraq, and Iran contributing 40%, 51%, and 9% of its flow respectively [4]

Also Read: The Retreat of the Tigris River and its Impact on Biodiversity in Northern Iraq

Initiatives

EcoPeace Middle East’s “Good Water Neighbors” initiative in the Lower Jordan Valley is a well-known illustration of a bottom-up method. In this approach, Palestinian, Jordanian, and Israeli mayors and villages collaborate with their transboundary neighbors to rehabilitate their shared water resources.

water-islamic-culture

Academics and water professionals from Turkey, Syria, and Iraq participated in the Euphrates-Tigris Initiative for Cooperation (ETIC) to promote shared knowledge through data exchange and collaborative planning. As these many instances illustrate, the tools of water diplomacy may contribute to the creation of routes across societies for inclusive involvement and strong partnerships in water decision-making – a prerequisite for attaining a water-smart and peaceful global community.

The techniques of water diplomacy can help to the creation of paths between countries for inclusive involvement and strategic relationships in water decision-making, which is essential for attaining a water-wise and peaceful global community.

Suggestions and Solutions

The World Bank (2017) in a study of essential problems regarding water security raised three questions:

  1. Are the region’s water resources managed efficiently and sustainably?
  2. Are water services provided dependably and affordably?
  3. Are risks associated with water being effectively identified and mitigated?

Transboundary basins and aquifers in the Middle East can generate a network of hydrological, economic, and social connections between communities. Governments must work together to manage transboundary water resources. More cooperation is required, particularly to overcome the sensitivity to climate change consequences where water is already scarce.

Economic cooperation is essential. Agriculture, industry, energy, and water supply and sanitation, which rely heavily on water, must collaborate on a transnational level

Data voids must be filled. Governments in the Middle East must quickly enhance their systems for monitoring transboundary waters, particularly groundwater, and exchanging data with other governments as part of cooperation agreements.

Transboundary water management necessitates tackling a number of difficult environmental, socioeconomic, and political challenges that may incur substantial expenses, such as those related with infrastructure construction, the acquisition of monitoring equipment, and the creation of studies.

At various stages of management and development, distinct finance and financing sources may be necessary. Typically, national budgets should pay at least the core costs of joint bodies, mostly for reasons of sustainability. In some instances, national budgets may not be adequate to solve such difficulties, especially in underdeveloped countries where funding may be redirected to other priorities. In these situations, new and alternative procedures could be a viable choice for filling financial shortfalls.

Financial resources are required to fund institutional expenditures such as salaries and office space, as well as program expenses such as the collecting of data and information to monitor the condition and quality of water.

[1] Klimes, M., Michel, D., Yaari, E.A., Restiani, P. (2019). “Water diplomacy: The intersect of science, policy and practice”, Editorial, Journal of Hydrology, March 2019, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.02.049

[2]“World Bank. 2018. Beyond Scarcity: Water Security in the Middle East and North Africa. MENA Development Report. Washington, DC: World Bank. © World Bank. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/27659 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”

[3] Adar, Eilon, Water World, Transboundary aquifers source of conflict or peace https://www.waterworld.com/home/article/16200402/transboundary-aquifers-source-of-conflict-or-peace

[4] Kibaroglu, Aysegul, and Waltina Scheumann. “Evolution of Transboundary Politics in the Euphrates-Tigris River System: New Perspectives and Political Challenges.” Global Governance 19, no. 2 (2013): 279–305. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24526371.