10 Overconsumption Facts That Will Make You Rethink Your Purchasing Decisions

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In our consumer-driven society, it’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of buying and accumulating stuff. However, the consequences of our collective overconsumption are far-reaching and often hidden from view.

Here are ten eye-opening facts about overconsumption that might make you pause before your next purchase:

overconsumption facts

1. The average American throws away 81.5 pounds of clothing each year

This staggering amount of textile waste not only contributes to overflowing landfills but also represents a significant waste of resources used in producing these garments. Fast fashion has accelerated this trend, with clothes often being discarded after just a few wears.

2. We use 1 million plastic bags every minute worldwide

Plastic bags are used for an average of just 12 minutes before being discarded, yet they can take up to 1,000 years to decompose. This single-use mentality is a prime example of overconsumption’s environmental impact.

3. The world produces 300 million tons of plastic each year

Half of this is for single-use purposes. Plastic production not only uses valuable resources but also contributes significantly to pollution and wildlife endangerment.

4. 40% of food in the United States goes uneaten

This wastage occurs at all stages of the food supply chain, from farms to retail to households. It represents not just a waste of food but also of the water, energy, and labour used to produce it.

food waste in ramadan

5. The average U.S. household has 300,000 items

This statistic highlights how our homes have become storage units for things we rarely use. It’s a clear indicator of how overconsumption has led to clutter and excess in our personal lives.

6. We buy 5x as many clothes now as we did in the 1980s

The rise of fast fashion has made clothing cheaper and more disposable, leading to increased consumption and waste. This trend has significant environmental and social costs.

7. E-waste is the fastest-growing waste stream in the world

As we constantly upgrade our electronic devices, we’re creating mountains of electronic waste. Much of this e-waste contains toxic materials and is challenging to recycle.

ewaste disposal in UAE

8. The average car is parked 95% of the time

This is a enlightening stat that highlights how we often overconsume even big-ticket items like cars, which sit idle most of the time yet require significant resources to produce.

9. 1/3 of the world’s food is wasted while 815 million people go hungry

This stark contrast emphasizes the inequalities perpetuated by overconsumption and inefficient distribution of resources.

10. If everyone lived like the average American, we would need 5 Earths to sustain our lifestyle

This sobering fact underscores the unsustainability of our current consumption patterns, especially in developed countries.

These facts paint a clear picture of the consequences of our overconsumption. They highlight not just environmental impacts, but also social inequalities and personal implications. By being more mindful of our purchasing decisions, we can start to address these issues.

Consider embracing practices like minimalism, buying second-hand, repairing items instead of replacing them, and focusing on experiences rather than material possessions. Remember, every purchase is a vote for the kind of world we want to live in. By consuming less and more consciously, we can work towards a more sustainable and equitable future for all.

Use of Sewage Sludge in Cement Industry

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The MENA region produces huge quantity of municipal wastewater which represents a serious problem due to its high treatment costs and risk to environment, human health and marine life. The per capita wastewater generation rate in the region is estimated at 80-200 litres per day. Sewage generation across the region is rising by an astonishing rate of 25 percent every year.

Municipal wastewater treatment plants in MENA produce large amounts of sludge whose disposal is a cause of major concern. For example, Kuwait has 6 wastewater treatment plants, with combined capacity of treating 12,000m³ of municipal wastewater per day, which produce around 250 tons of sludge daily. Similarly Tunisia has approximately 125 wastewater treatment plants which generate around 1 million tons of sewage sludge every year. Currently most of the sewage is sent to landfills. Sewage sludge generation is bound to increase at rapid rates in MENA due to increase in number and size of urban habitats and growing industrialization.

Use of Sewage Sludge in Cement Industry

An attractive disposal method for sewage sludge is to use it as alternative fuel source in a cement kiln. The resultant ash is incorporated in the cement matrix. Infact, several European countries, like Germany and Switzerland, have already started adopting this practice for sewage sludge management. Sewage sludge has relatively high net calorific value of 10-20 MJ/kg as well as lower carbon dioxide emissions factor compared to coal when treated in a cement kiln. Use of sludge in cement kilns can also tackle the problem of safe and eco-friendly disposal of sewage sludge. The cement industry accounts for almost 5 percent of anthropogenic CO2 emissions worldwide. Treating municipal wastes in cement kilns can reduce industry’s reliance on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions.

The use of sewage sludge as alternative fuel in clinker production is one of the most sustainable option for sludge waste management. Due to the high temperature in the kiln the organic content of the sewage sludge will be completely destroyed. The sludge minerals will be bound in the clinker after the burning process. The calorific value of sewage sludge depends on the organic content and on the moisture content of the sludge. Dried sewage sludge with high organic content possesses a high calorific value.  Waste coming out of sewage sludge treatment processes has a minor role as raw material substitute, due to their chemical composition.

The dried municipal sewage sludge has organic material content (ca. 40 – 45 wt %), therefore the use of this alternative fuel in clinker production will save fossil CO2 emissions. According to IPCC default of solid biomass fuel, the dried sewage sludge CO2 emission factor is 110 kg CO2/GJ without consideration of biogenic content. The usage of municipal sewage sludge as fuel supports the saving of fossil fuel emission.

Sludge is usually treated before disposal to reduce water content, fermentation propensity and pathogens by making use of treatment processes like thickening, dewatering, stabilisation, disinfection and thermal drying. The sludge may undergo one or several treatments resulting in a dry solid alternative fuel of a low to medium energy content that can be used in cement industry.

Conclusions

The use of sewage sludge as alternative fuel is a common practice in cement plants around the world, Europe in particular. It could be an attractive business proposition for wastewater treatment plant operators and cement industry in the Middle East to work together to tackle the problem of sewage sludge disposal, and high energy requirements and GHGs emissions from the cement industry.

Ratam as Food and Fuel: An Overview

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If you set out to design a shrub for the desert you wouldn’t be amiss in choosing ratam as a model. The desert environment has selected for plant characteristics that are ideally suited to meet the challenge of the driest lands.

ratam as food

Water

To make the most of rare rain events ratam can grow quickly when water is available. Shrubs can reach 3 meters in height and 6 m in spread. Roots can grow to considerable depth to reach soil moisture or groundwater. Roots have to grow fast to keep up with the drying front as the soil dries down after a heavy rain or flood event. Researchers have found roots at 20 m, and perhaps, like the similar shrub mesquite of SW North America, they may reach 50 m. The roots can also extend a long horizontal distance following moisture in dunes.

Nutrients

Ratam fertilizes itself. The deep roots form symbioses with bacteria to fix atmospheric nitrogen in root nodules. This can happen at considerable depth where the soil is damp. Roots benefit from the partnerships with mycorrhizal fungi in (endo) and on (ecto) the roots that help the plant gain water and nutrients. The fine hyphae (filaments) of the fungi can reach into the smallest spaces. They reach out from the plant at the lowest possible energy cost and can include 10 to 100 meters of hyphae per gram of soil.

ratam

A single plant is likely to have hundreds of meters of fungal filaments with potential mineral binding sites exceeding the root surfaces. In one study the most diverse fungal species, with 35 virtual taxa, were found in the Negev desert. The plant leaves and twigs help fertilize the soil. In North America the Tohono O’Odham collected and used similar materials to fertilize the soils for their crops.

Photosynthesis

During photosynthesis in green plants, light energy is captured and used to convert water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into oxygen and energy-rich organic compounds. The photosynthesis needed for energy is carried out by both leaves and stems. When times are tough the leaves drop off and the stem keeps the plant alive. To reduce water use even more the ratam pores (stomata) are hidden within the longitudinal grooves of the stem to conserve water.

Defense

To defend against grazing animals and insects ratam deploys a range of phytochemicals. Studies have shown that these species are very rich in flavonoids (isoflavones) and alkaloids (quinolizidine and bipiperidyl). These chemical compounds evolved to make the seedlings, seeds and shrubs less edible. Camels eat the flowers and pods. The pods are also eaten by rabbits, other animals and insects. Goats and camels will eat the stems if there is no other forage, but may be poisoned if they eat too much. Like honey mesquite, the pods may develop aflatoxins from mold after they are on the ground.

Reproduction

To increase the chance of fostering future generations in such a harsh environment ratam produces many flowers and up to 3,000 seeds per square meter. Ratam blooms between January and April and is an important food for bees and other insects.

The fruit is a short single-seed pod. The seed is yellow, with a very hard coat. When the pods are eaten the seeds are not digested and are excreted in the droppings. The hard seed coat that can otherwise protect the seed for years or decades is thinned by the stomach acid, making it easier to germinate. Flood events also chip and erode the hard seed coat and leave the seed ready to germinate and grow roots quickly after the flood. The roots are likely to grow much faster than the shoots.

Medicine

Ratam’s complex chemicals were used in many traditional medicines and treatments. Various parts of the plant were (and perhaps still are) used by desert Bedouin for treatment of backache, diabetes, stomach ache, worms, infertility, temporary paralysis of the limbs, joint pain, infected skin lesions, syphilis, toothache, sprains and fractures. An eyewash gave relief to sore eyes and throat. Small quantities have been used as a purgative.

Tests have shown the plant phytochemicals are antibacterial, antiseptic and were effective against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Although used as medicine the pods are considered toxic and may provoke hallucinations. Ingesting large amounts of the plant to produce abortions has sometimes led to poisoning and even death. Further studies are warranted to more fully understand the medical applications of ratam.

Sequestering Carbon

Ratam is a good candidate for carbon sequestration. Deep roots last for many years even after a plant dies. The root partner arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi produce glomalin to coat the hyphae to keep water and nutrients from being lost. Glomalin is resistant to microbial decay (lasting at least 10 to 50 years) and does not dissolve easily in water. Sequestration of carbon up to 6.6 Mg/ha at 25% canopy cover was suggested for a comparable plant in the desert of North America.

Ratam can be planted in rows with alley inter-cropping or coppice blocks for fuelwood, honey, and perhaps flowers and pods. Ratam is well suited for use in windbreaks for dust management. Geesing et al. (2000) estimated that with effective planting programs tree planting for semi-arid lands could sequester 6.2 billion metric tons of carbon per year. Much of this could be in agroforestry applications. This is about two-thirds of the world annual emissions.

The Biggest Risk

The biggest threat to ratam was (and is) human use for fuel. The shrub wood has been burned as a firewood and as charcoal. The roots have also been used. A household relying on ratam branches might use 10 kg of shrubs from 1 ha a month. Over more than a thousand years this pressure has reduced the range and availability of ratam. Ratam can be pruned and will regrow with support from the extensive root system. Ratam shrubs could provide 2-15 kg each. With 7 x 7 m spacing 200 ratam per hectare could yield 1-2 tons of wood. Camel and goat grazing continue to diminish rata as well.

charcoal from shrubs

The Future

Ratam would be a good choice for restoration and revegetation in Jordan and similar arid land where it once grew. The availability of seeds and the toughness of seedlings will help. The value for the future in bioenergy, biodiversity, erosion reduction, wind control, and carbon sequestration would make it worthwhile.

Test plots of 100-200 ha with Vallerani plows and ratam seedlings would be a good start. The first step would be to collect, process and store seeds and to grow up seedlings in tall containers to protect tap roots (Stuewe and Sons https://stuewe.com/product-category/treepots-trays/). Deep pipe irrigation could be added for more rapid growth. Ratam harvest could be by hand or, on a large scale, mechanized. A mobile charcoal kiln could turn cuttings into charcoal and minimize transport cost. Or a series of kilns could be built, of stone or earth. The Cottonwood kilns of 1873 were built of earth to supply charcoal to the mines in eastern California. Low cost charcoal briquette making machines might be tested and refined as well.

ratam briquettes

Ratam – an under-appreciated resource

It could help reduce the demand for costly imported fossil fuels and reduce the vulnerability of families to energy shortages and high costs. Ratam can also provide protection and nutrients for crops. If developed on a large scale it could sequester significant amounts of climate changing carbon, while reducing erosion, suppressing dust, and lowering the risk of floods, all while helping to preserve and restore biodiversity.

References

Adam, J. C. 2009. Improved and more environmentally friendly charcoal production system using a low-cost retort–kiln. Renewable Energy. 34(8):1923–1925.

Allen, M. F. 2007. Mycorrhizal fungi: highways for water and nutrients in arid soils. Vadose Zone Journal. 6(2): 291–297.

Aloni, E. and M. Livne. White Broom. https://www.wildflowers.co.il/english/plant.asp?ID=65

Abu-rabia, A. 2014. Ethnobotany among Bedouin tribes in the Middle East. pp. 27–36. In Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the Middle-East. Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World 2. Springer: Dordrecht.

Bainbridge, D. A. 2024. Go Big! The challenge of large scale restoration of the Badiya. EcoMENA. July 18. https://www.ecomena.org/challenge-of-large-scale-restoration-of-badiya/

Bainbridge, D. A. 2023. Deep-Root strategies for propagating and planting seedlings for arid sites. Tree Planter’s Notes. 66(1):87–92.

Bainbridge, D. A. 2020. Carbon sequestration with mesquite (Prosopis sp.) in an agroforestry setting. Temperate Agroforester. 26(4):1–3.

Bainbridge, D. A. 2012. Restoration of arid and semi-arid lands. Chapter 10, pp. 103–114. In J. van Andel and J. Aronson. Editors. Restoration Ecology: The New Frontier, 2nd edition, Blackwell Publishing Ltd: Oxford UK.

Bainbridge, D. A. 2007. A Guide for Desert and Dryland Restoration: New Hope for Arid Lands. Washington, DC: Island Press.

Bainbridge, D. A. 2006. Deep pipe irrigation. Overstory Agroforestry Journal #175. 6 p.

Bainbridge, D. A. and R. A. Virginia. 1995. Desert soils and biota. pp. 59–70. In Latting, R. and P. G. Rowlands. Editors. The California Desert. R. L. Books, Riverside, CA.

Boyd, M. L. and P. J. Cotty. 2001. Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin contamination of leguminous trees of the Sonoran Desert in Arizona. Phytopathology 91:913–919.

Canadell, J., R. B. Jackson, J. R. Ehrleringer, H. A. Mooney, O. E. Sala and E. D. Schulze. 1996. Maximum rooting depth of vegetation types at the global scale. Oecologia. 108: 583–595.

el Bahri L., M. Djegham and H. Bellil. 1999. Ratama raetam W: a poisonous plant of North Africa. Veterinary and Human Toxicology. 41(1):33–35.

Engel, T. and W. Frey. 1996. Fuel resources for copper smelting in antiquity in selected woodlands in the Edom Highlands to the Wadi Arabah/Jordan. Flora. 191(1):29–39.

Fidelibus, M., L. Lippitt and D. A. Bainbridge. 1994. Native seed collection, processing and storage. Restoration Ecology. 2(2):120–131.

Geesing, D., P. Felker and R. Bingham. 2000. Influence of mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) on soil nitrogen and carbon development: Implications for global carbon sequestration. Journal of Arid Environments. 46:157–180.

Gintzberger, G. 1986. Seasonal variation in above-ground annual and perennial phytomass of an arid rangeland in Libya. Journal of Range Management. 39(4):348–352.

Ikubanni, P. P., A. Olayinka, T. S. Olabamiji, A. A. Adediran T. Aniseri, S. Oladimeji. 2020. Development and performance assessment of piston-type briquetting machine. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 445 012005. 1–13.

IUCN. 2005. A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa. IUCN; Malaga, Spain

Hammouche-Mokrane, N., A. J. León-González, I. Navarro, F. Boulila, S. Benallaoua, C. Martín-Cordero. 2017. Phytochemical profile and antibacterial activity of Ratama raetam and R. sphaerocarpa cladodes from Algeria. Natural Product Communications.1934578X1701201211.

Hossain, M. B. 2021. Glomalin and contribution of glomalin to carbon sequestration in soil: A Review. Turkish Journal of Agriculture – Food Science and Technology. 9(1):191–196

Nabhan G. P., E. C. Riordan, L. Monti et al. 2020. An Aridamerican model for agriculture in a hotter, water scarce world. Plants, People, Planet. 2: 627–639. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10129

Nabhan, G. P. 1982. The Desert Smells Like Rain: a Naturalist in Papago Indian Country. San Francisco: North Point Press. 148 p

Nawash, O., M. Shudiefat, R. Al-Tabini, K. Al-Khalidi. 2013. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants commonly used by local Bedouins in the Badia region of Jordan. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 148(3):921–925.

Nur-e-Alam, M., M. Yousaf, I. Parveen, R. M. Hafizur, U. Ghani, S. Ahmed, A. Hameed, M. D. Threadgill and A. J. Al-Rehaily. J. 2019. New flavonoids from the Saudi Arabian plant: Ratama raetam which stimulates secretion of insulin and inhibits α-glucosidase. Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry. 17(5):1266-1276.

Pressvess charcoal kiln. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kfqWdgX3xA

See, C. R., A. B. Keller, P. K. Weber, S. E. Hobbie, P. G. Kennedy, J. Pett-Ridge. 2021. Hyphae move matter and microbes to mineral microsites: Integrating the hyphosphere into conceptual models of soil organic matter stabilization. Lawrence Livermore National Labs-Journal-826549. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1867092

Stone E. L. and P. J. Kalisz. 1991. On the maximum extent of tree roots. Forest Ecology and Management. 46:59–102.

Vasar, M., J. Davison, S. K. Sepp, M. Öpik, M. Moora, K. Koorem, Y. Meng, J. Oja, A.A. Akhmetzhanova, S. Al-Quraishy, V. G. Onipchenko, J. J. Cantero, S. I. Glassman, W. N. Hozzein and M. Zobel. 2021. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities in the soils of desert habitats. Microorganisms. 9(2):229. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9020229.

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Energy Efficiency in MENA – A Tool to Reduce GHG Emissions

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The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is the largest oil-exporting region in the world. Around 85 percent of the greenhouse gas emissions come from energy production, electricity generation, industrial sector and domestic energy consumption. Qatar, Kuwait, UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia figure among the world’s top-10 per capita carbon emitters. Without a change in energy policies and energy consumption behavior, MENA‘s energy-related GHG emissions will continue to grow.

Presently, MENA countries are heavily dependent on fossil fuels to meet their energy requirement which is a major challenge in climate change mitigation efforts. However it also encourages local governments to craft policies and adapt stringent environmental regulations to reduce the GHG emissions.

energy efficiency in MENA

Energy efficency is still not a priority in the industrial sector in Arab world

Energy Efficiency Prospects in MENA

There is a great potential for MENA region to cut the projected GHG emissions growth by adopting energy efficiency programs in commercial industrial and domestic sector. MENA governments need to create a policy environment that rewards energy-efficient choices and encourages innovation through both consumers and businesses.

The Middle East electricity 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.

The MENA region has great ambitious plans and already adapted energy conservation programs aiming to achieve real energy efficiency gains related to environment. An immediate gain of adapting energy efficiency policy is to be seen in elevating consumers’ energy awareness, improving energy products procurement and services, reducing pollutant and saving money.

MENA governments should put energy efficiency at the top of energy policy agenda with a committed goal to reduce GHG emissions through energy efficiency programs. For example, US administration has focused on the importance of energy efficiency investment programs as an engine of economic growth and environment conservation in the United States. According to the former US President Obama, “energy efficiency is one of the fastest, easiest, and cheapest ways to make our economy stronger and cleaner.”

Energy Efficiency Outlook for MENA

There is a wide array of measures which could help MENA countries in promoting and implementing policies to moderate increasing energy demand and reduce pollution in the generating, transmitting, and distributing energy from power plants.  Energy conservation may not yet be a way of life in the Middle East but the rapid changes being seen there are an indicator of what is to come.

Formal energy efficiency programs and voluntary measures combined will help the region to maintain its economic strength in the region. Energy conservation programs in residential, commercial and industrial sectors can significantly reduce carbon emissions and augment energy supply in the MENA region.

middle east renewables industry

Middle East is making a steady change towards energy efficiency and alternative sources of energy.

Across the MENA region, there is a growing interest in renewable energy, such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass, which could enable regional countries to adopt a green economy and cut down on fossil fuel consumption. In the transportation sector there are many energy-efficient adaptations to reduce air pollution and GHG emissions, like public transportation, carpooling, electric vehicles and alternative fuels. MENA countries can adapt new alternatives to fossil fuels such as fuel cells, bioethanol and biogas.

The linkage between energy efficiency adaptations and GHG emissions is crucial in the fight against global warming. Emerging technologies like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) involves the capture of carbon dioxide from power plants and large industrial sources, and then injection into deep underground geological formations for long-term storage. CCS can not only reduce carbon emissions from power generation sector but also expand renewable energy capacity and increase energy efficiency.

Another attractive energy conservation method is Smart Grid which involves modernizing the system of transmitting electricity all the way from generation to end use. Unlike the tradition electricity meters, the smart meters provides consumers with situational awareness about how much electricity are consuming per unit of output.

Smart grid offers an excellent opportunity to modernize power infrastructure, lay the foundation for energy management, provide new employment opportunities and ultimately reduce region’s dependence on fossil fuels.

Smart Grid

Conclusion

The Middle East region has the highest per capita carbon footprint in the world which can be offset by mass deployment of energy-efficient systems. An improved energy efficiency in MENA region (in both supply and use) will help in mitigating the domestic and global environmental impact of energy by reducing both atmospheric particulate matter and GHG emissions.

نصائح صديقة للبيئة لشراء مكيف هواء

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مع تزايد الوعي حول الحفاظ على البيئة وتقليل انبعاثات الغازات الدفيئة، يسعى العديد من أصحاب المنازل إلى تقليل استهلاكهم للطاقة. تعد وحدات تكييف الهواء (ACs) من المستهلكين الرئيسيين للطاقة في معظم المنازل. يهدف هذا التقرير إلى تقديم نصائح أساسية لشراء وحدة تكييف صديقة للبيئة، مما يسهم في توفير الطاقة وحماية البيئة.

أصبح من الواضح لأصحاب المنازل أهمية الحفاظ على الطاقة وتقليل انبعاثات الغازات الدفيئة. يمكن أن تلعب الأجهزة الموفرة للطاقة، وخاصة وحدات تكييف الهواء، دوراً كبيراً في هذا الجهد. يوضح هذا التقرير الميزات الرئيسية والاعتبارات لاختيار وحدة تكييف صديقة للبيئة.

preventive-ac-maintenance

الاعتبارات الرئيسية لوحدات التكييف الصديقة للبيئة

  1. اختيار الحجم المناسب

يعد حجم وحدة التكييف أمراً بالغ الأهمية. إذا كانت الوحدة صغيرة جداً، فستعمل بشكل مفرط، مما يزيد من استهلاك الطاقة ويفشل في موازنة التبريد والتدفئة بشكل فعال.

  1. اختيار وحدة ذات ضواغط ثنائية المراحل

تستهلك الضواغط معظم الطاقة في وحدات التكييف. يعمل الضاغط على طرد الأبخرة الساخنة حتى يبرد المبرد. إذا كانت وحدة التكييف تحتوي على ضواغط ثنائية المراحل، فسوف تعمل على ضغط أقل في الأيام الباردة وأكثر في الأيام الحارة، مما يوفر قدراً كبيراً من الطاقة.

  1. السعي للحصول على أعلى تصنيفات كفاءة الطاقة

تعد تصنيفات ENERGY STAR® أو SEER مهمة جداً في مجموعة متنوعة من الأجهزة. أي وحدة تكييف تحتوي على هذه الشهادات أو التصنيفات ستستخدم طاقة أقل بكثير من الوحدة التي لا تحتوي عليها. في الواقع، يمكن أن تصل كمية الطاقة التي يتم توفيرها إلى 50%. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، من المحتمل أن تحتوي الوحدة على منظم حرارة يمكن استخدامه لضبط درجة حرارة النظام.

air conditioner efficiency

  1. تثبيت منظم حرارة قابل للبرمجة

يعد هذا واحداً من أرخص الطرق لجعل وحدة التكييف صديقة للبيئة. عند توفر منظم حرارة قابل للبرمجة، يمكنك برمجته ليعمل فقط عندما تكون في المنزل ويغلق عند عدم وجودك.

  1. الصيانة الدورية

يعد فحص وصيانة وحدة التكييف بواسطة مقاول محترف أمراً حاسماً إذا كنت تريد أن تظل الوحدة فعالة من حيث استهلاك الطاقة. تتضمن الصيانة التحقق من وجود تسريبات وضمان تدفق الهواء الجيد. إذا كان هناك حاجة إلى فلتر تكييف جديد، فسوف يقدم المحترف التوصية اللازمة.

الخاتمة

توفر وحدات تكييف الهواء الراحة في الأيام الحارة للغاية، خاصة خلال فصل الصيف. ومع ذلك، يمكن أن تكون أيضاً مصدر ضرر بيئي كبير. أفضل طريقة لمنع ذلك هي الاستثمار في وحدات تكييف صديقة للبيئة. يجب أن تساعدك هذه النصائح الخمس في تحقيق ذلك.

ترجمه: هبة احمد مسلم

أستاذ مشارك في الطاقة المتجددة وتدقيق الطاقة – قسم الميكانيكا الكهربائية، كلية الهندسة – جامعة هليوبوليس للتنمية المستدامة

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

Things You Should Know About the Energy Mix in the UK

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We take fuel in our home for granted, rarely contemplating how the energy that lights our rooms, charges our smartphones, and heats our dinners arrives at those switches, sockets, and hobs. But with the world facing a climate crisis, the sources of our power are moving from the coal-smoky shadows into the sunlight, and into the centre of politics.

The energy infrastructure in UK is rapidly evolving to use more renewable resources and emit fewer pollutants, a transformation that is impacting every sector of our economy and that some have compared in its scale to the Industrial Revolution that first delivered power to our homes.

renewable-energy-arabic

Confronting climate change will require we stop taking power from granted and be more aware of the path every kilowatt hour of our electricity took, from a power station or a wind-powered turbine churning in to the North Sea to our lights and devices. And on a more down-to-earth level, you shell out a considerable amount to your energy supplier every year—the average duel fuel household receiving energy from one of the Big Six suppliers paying £1,117 a year—and you might want to know exactly what you’re paying for.

Energy Mix in the UK

The UK meets its energy needs—348 terawatt hours per year in 2017—through a combination of coal, gas, nuclear, solar, water, and wind resources. The percentage of demand met from each resource fluctuates, with windy days seeing a boost to wind power and cold snaps seeing the UK fall back on its coal power stations. You can see a live estimate of the distribution of energy sources on the National Grid Status site.

In the second quarter of 2018, the UK generated 42% of its electricity using natural gas, 31.7% using renewable resources (including solar and wind power), 21.7% using nuclear power, 3% using gas, and just 1.6% using coal—a sharp decline from the 43% of demand that was met using coal just six years ago in 2012.

The exact mixture of energy your supplier is feeding into the grid will vary, with special green energy providers relying exclusively on renewables. Your provider should publish information about their fuel mix on their websites or you can consult this table, breaking down the energy sources of all the UK’s domestic energy suppliers.

From Coal, Sun, and Wind to Electricity

So how does a lump of coal or a ray of sun become the electricity that our lightbulbs, computers, and appliances can use? Let’s take a closer look at electricity generation for the UK’s main fuels.

1. Coal

Pulverised thermal coal is burned in power stations, creating heat that turns water into steam. At high pressures this steam is used to turn turbines connected to electrical generators. The UK has seven active coal-fired power stations, distinguished in the landscape by their mammoth cooling towers. All are slated to close by 2025 as the UK moves decisively away from coal.

2. Gas

The same stuff that runs your boilers and cookers is used to generate electricity, either by being burned similarly to coal to create steam that turns turbines or with a gas turbine, where pressurised gas causes the turbine blades to spin, producing electricity. Voila, volts that can power our gadgets, from the gas that heats our dinners.

3. Nuclear

Heat released by nuclear reactions spins steam turbines, generating electricity. This process is conducted at fifteen reactors at the UK’s seven nuclear power plants.

4. Solar

Solar panels consist of silicon cells, the electrons of which are excited by photons of light delivered by the suns rays, generating electricity. Although the UK is notoriously overcast, as of 2020 we now boast 13.9 GW of solar electricity capacity, both in large solar farms like the 72MW Shotwick Solar Farm in Chester and in panels installed on homes.

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5. Wind

Airflow mechanically turns turbines that produce electricity, on both offshore and onshore wind farms. The UK is a global leader in wind power, home to the world’s largest wind farm, the Walney Extension, where 87 190m turbines spread over the area of 20,000 football pitches off the coast of Cumbria generates enough electricity to power 600,000 homes.

wind-energy

6. Natural Gas

Most British homes use two sources of fuel: electricity and natural gas, which powers boilers and cookers. Natural gas is extracted through offshore drilling, delivered to the coast, and is fed into the National Transmission System, which processes gas and transmits it through a series of pipelines to power stations and to gas distribution companies, which route it to your home and hob.

Swapping To An Off-Grid Life: Essential Things to Know

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A sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle is something more people strive for every day. For some, the answer is to give up the ease of municipal life to go off the grid. While this route is certainly far from easy, the rewards of freedom and a more ethical footprint make the entire struggle worth it.

The Freedom an Off-Grid Life Offers

Most people who choose to go off-grid do so in pursuit of a dream or ideal. Moving away from modern conveniences and providing for oneself off the land offers a desirable lifestyle for the people who choose it.

Living sustainably off the grid can provide homesteaders a sense of pride and self-reliance while making a positive difference in the environment around them. Choosing to swap to an off-grid life can be a matter of ethics or self-discovery.

living off the grid

Others choose to forego modern luxuries like municipal electricity and water to free up their time and energy. A self-sustaining homestead can reduce the costs of living to almost nothing, freeing up a homesteader to pursue whatever their heart desires. For these people, the minimalist off-grid lifestyle offers the opportunity to spend their time on more fulfilling activities than a nine-to-five grind.

The Struggle

Of course, a complete overhaul of one’s entire life will necessarily come with a few growing pains. For a new homesteader used to the conveniences of municipal life, it can be easy to forget how many of life’s luxuries one pays for.

After an entire life of paying for air conditioning, for example, a new homesteader may be surprised to find how challenging it can be to cool a home without electricity.

Getting a drink of water becomes a lot harder when you can’t just turn on the tap, as well. What can be done almost unconsciously in seconds on the grid takes forethought and planning off the grid. First, locating a source to get the water from and finding a way to make it usable, a homesteader may even manage to build their own running water system. Transitioning off the grid means getting acquainted with how much goes into daily survival.

Why It’s Worthwhile

Even with all that’s required to build a self-sustaining, off-grid homestead, most new homesteaders agree that it’s worth it. Living off the grid and creating one’s own web of resources brings with it a sense of self-confidence that’s hard to find any other way. Plus, a sustainable homestead reduces the homesteader’s environmental impact, which is a goal worth having.

Off Grid House

The way to a better life is always just outside one’s comfort zone, and swapping to an off-grid life is no exception. Giving up modern conveniences is a shock for nearly all new homesteaders, no matter how prepared they feel at the outset. There’s almost always something to forget after years of being lulled into a sense of ease. But the freedom of designing one’s own life around their unique dreams and priorities is worth every ounce of struggle along the way.

Everything You Should Know About Landfill Gas

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Landfill gas is generated during the natural process of bacterial decomposition of organic material contained in municipal solid waste landfills or garbage dumps. The waste is covered and compressed mechanically as well as by the weight of the material that is deposited above. This material prevents oxygen from accessing the waste thus producing ideal conditions for anaerobic microorganism to flourish. This gas builds up and is slowly released into the atmosphere if the landfill site has not been engineered to capture the gas.

The rate of production is affected by waste composition and landfill geometry, which in turn influence the bacterial populations within it, chemical make-up, thermal range of physical conditions and biological ecosystems co-existing simultaneously within most sites. This heterogeneity, together with the frequently unclear nature of the contents, makes landfill gas production more difficult to predict and control.

landfilll gas

Composition of Landfill Gas

Landfill gas is approximately forty to sixty percent methane, with the remainder being mostly carbon dioxide. Landfill gas also contains varying amounts of nitrogen, oxygen, water vapour, hydrogen sulphide, and other contaminants. Most of these other contaminants are known as “non-methane organic compounds” or NMOCs.

Some inorganic contaminants (for example mercury) are also known to be present in landfill gas. There are sometimes also contaminants (for example tritium) found in landfill gas. The non-methane organic compounds usually make up less than one percent of landfill gas.

Hazards of Landfill Gas

This gas starts creating pressure within the surface of earth when no exit route is present. Excessive pressure leads to sudden explosion that can cause serious harm to people living in the surrounding areas. Due to the constant production of landfill gas, the increase in pressure within the landfill (together with differential diffusion) causes the gas’s release into the atmosphere. Such emissions lead to important environmental, hygiene and security problems in the landfill.

Accidents due to landfill gas explosions are not uncommon around the world. For example a mishap took place at Loscoe, England in 1986, where migrating landfill gas, which was allowed to build up, partially destroyed the property. Landfills in the Middle East are notorious for spontaneous fires and toxic emissions. Due to the risk presented by landfill gas there is a clear need to monitor gas produced by landfills.

In addition to the risk of fire and explosion, gas migration in the subsurface can result in contact of landfill gas with groundwater. This, in turn, can result in contamination of groundwater by organic compounds present in nearly all landfill gas.

Treatment of Landfill Gas

Depending on the end use, landfill gas must be treated to remove impurities, condensate, and particulates. Minimal treatment is needed for the direct use of gas in boiler, furnaces, or kilns. Using the gas in electricity generation typically requires more in-depth treatment.

Primary processing systems remove moisture and particulates. Gas cooling and compression are common in primary processing. Secondary landfill gas treatment systems employ multiple cleanup processes, physical and chemical, depending on the specifications of the end use.

Uses of Landfill Gas

Landfill gas can be converted to high calorific value gas by reducing its carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen content which can be piped into existing natural gas pipelines or in the form of CNG (compressed natural gas) or LNG (liquid natural gas). CNG and LNG can be used on site to power hauling trucks or equipment or sold commercially. The gas can also be used for combined heat and power generation or industrial heating purposes.

For example, the City of Sioux Falls in South Dakota installed a landfill gas collection system which collects, cools, dries, and compresses the gas into an 11-mile pipeline. The gas is then used to power an ethanol plant operated.

Landfill Gas Recovery Projects in Middle East

The number of landfill gas projects, which convert the methane gas that is emitted from decomposing garbage into power, has seen significant increase around the world, including the Middle East. These projects are popular because they control energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Landfill gas recovery projects collect and treat the methane gas, so it can be used for electricity or upgraded to pipeline-grade quality to power homes, buildings, and vehicles.

Dubai-Landfill-Project

Landfill gas recovery project at Al Qusais Landfill in Dubai

Dubai Municipality has commissioned the region’s largest landfill gas recovery system at its Al Qusais Landfill site. The Al Qusais Landfill is one of the largest sites for municipal waste collection in Dubai receiving about 5,000 tons daily. Construction work for the landfill gas project involved drilling of horizontal and vertical gas wells 22 metres deep into the waste to extract the landfill gas.

The Government of Jordan, in collaboration with UNDP, GEF and the Danish Government, established 1MW landfill gas recovery cum biogas plant at Rusaifeh landfill near Amman in 1999.  The project consists of a system of twelve landfill gas wells and an anaerobic digestion plant based on 60 tons per day of organic wastes from hotels, restaurants and slaughterhouses in Amman.

7 Easy Ways to Make Organic Liquid Fertilizer

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Many organic farmers struggle to find natural ways of enhancing their soil. While organic fertilizers are readily available, it makes more sense to produce them as only then can one be sure of the components used. When produced appropriately, homemade organic liquid fertilizers can be as good as their commercially made counterparts. There are different types of organic liquid fertilizer available. For instance, compost tea is a powerful fertilizer while coffee grounds are said to provide sufficient nitrogen to plants.

A huge percentage of organic fertilizers are made from kitchen waste. However, there are many more things one can convert into potent fertilizer for use in their organic garden rather than disposing them off.

how to make organic liquid fertilizer

Homemade Fertilizers

Organic farmers can make their own organic liquid fertilizer by infusing their components of choice in water for some days. The soluble nutrients then drain in the water solution.

Farmers can choose to terminate the process and utilize the fertilizer in their gardens or even continue if they intend to ferment the component. Some farmers have reported great success from fermented organic liquid fertilizer.

DIY Organic Liquid Fertilizer

Below are examples of organic liquid fertilizers you can make at home:

1. Banana Peels

Banana peels come with loads of potassium. Fertilizers that are rich in potassium are good for flowers and fruit plants. This, however, may not be appropriate for foliage plants such as spinach and lettuce.

Use banana peel organic liquid fertilizer on squash plants and tomatoes. In a mason jar, put the banana peels, fill it with water, and cork it. Allow it to sit for three days and use it on your garden.

2. Eggshell Fertilizer

Eggshells are rich in calcium and contain a small percentage of potassium. Crush them, put in a mason jar, and fill it with water. Let it sit for a week and use the water on your plants. It is ideal for tomatoes and houseplants. Calcium helps prevent blossom-end rot.

3. Vegetable Cooking Water

After boiling vegetables, do not dispose it off. Let it cool then dilute it with water. Use it on houseplants and at the organic garden. To avoid the bad smell, use it all at once. This water is rich in vitamins that the vegetables lose during the cooking process.

4. Epsom Salts

Epsom salts contain sulfur and magnesium. In a gallon of water, add a tablespoon of Epsom salts. Put the mixture in a sprayer and use it on peppers, tomatoes, roses, and onions. Spray them two times a month.

5. Compost Tea

In a bucket, begin by placing compost, followed by water and a lid. Ensure the bucket is not tightly locked. Let it sit for one to two days and pour the water in a different bucket. Dilute it in a ratio of one to ten and use the mixture in the organic garden.

6. Weed tea

Unseeded weeds can be used to make fertilizer. Add grass clippings to make it richer. Grass and weeds contain nitrogen and the water accelerates its breakdown to make the nutrients available.

Place grass and weed clippings in a 5-gallon container and add water. Ensure the water goes slightly above the components, cover and let it sit for three days. Drain the liquid and dilute with water in a ratio of one to ten. Use it to water plants in the organic garden. Put the remaining components in the compost.

7. Droppings Tea

Collect chicken, rabbit, or goat droppings, put them in a bucket and add water until it’s slightly above the droppings. Let it sit for two to three days and drain the water. Dilute it with a one to twenty water ratio and use it to water plants in the organic garden. Droppings tea is rich in nitrogen.

Finally

Ensure that the plants are sufficiently watered before using an organic liquid fertilizer on them. This prevents them from absorbing excess salts. If the plants appear withered for lack of enough water, it is advisable to water them sufficiently first and wait for twenty-four hours before applying the fertilizer.

8 Indoor Plants That Improve Air Quality And Health

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Indoor plants are wonderful for beautifying homes, offices, and other indoor settings. Furthermore, many can enhance air quality by removing harmful chemicals. In turn, people’s health can be improved. In this article, we’ll look at eight plants that can turn your indoor space into a haven of cleaner air and optimal well-being.

But first, let’s briefly explore the impact of poor air quality on health.

indoor plants that will improve indoor air quality

The Impact of Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality on Health

Indoor and outdoor air quality significantly affects health. Poor indoor air, often from dust, mold, toxins, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), can lead to respiratory issues like asthma and allergies. Long-term exposure may even contribute to chronic conditions such as lung cancer or cardiovascular disease.

Outside, pollutants like particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and ozone harm the respiratory system. High levels of these pollutants correlate with increased hospital visits for respiratory infections and exacerbated asthma symptoms.

And at the ESMO 2022 Presidential Symposium, Professor Charles Swanton demonstrated how the particles in the air that contribute to climate change also negatively impact lung cells. In fact, the Lancet Commission on pollution and health states that air pollution causes up to 29% of all lung cancer deaths.

(Incidentally, you may be interested in learning about immunotherapy for lung cancer, which is a therapy that utilizes substances to suppress or stimulate the immune system in order to help the body fight cancer and other diseases.)

Also, recent studies show a connection between air pollution exposure during pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes, including low birth weight. Children exposed to polluted air also risk developing developmental disorders.

Understanding these impacts emphasizes the importance of maintaining good air quality both at home and in our environment to support overall well-being. At home, indoor plants that are known to improve air quality can undoubtedly help.

1. Peace Lily

The Peace Lily, with its unique white flowers and aesthetic charm, is well-known for being one of the best air-purifying plants around. It can remove common harsh toxins found in the home, such as formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, benzene, and ammonia. The lily absorbs these toxins through their leaves. The toxins then travel down to the root and are broken down into the soil.

Furthermore, the Peace Lily helps to reduce the appearance of mold spores in the home. Again, the spores are absorbed through its leaves and then circulated to the plant’s roots and turned into food.

2. Boston Fern

The Boston Fern is a popular houseplant known for its lush, arching fronds. Its feathery leaves make it an attractive choice for indoor decoration. Plus, it is prized for its air-purifying properties. This indoor plant can remove xylene, formaldehyde, and toluene from the air.

Easy to care for (with regular watering and misting), the Boston Fern adds both beauty and health benefits to any indoor space.

3. Areca Palm

The Areca Palm, also known as the Butterfly Palm, is a vibrant indoor plant with long, graceful fronds that fan out elegantly. It enjoys bright, indirect light and consistent moisture without waterlogging.

This palm not only adds tropical flair to interiors. It also improves air quality by removing toxins like xylene, formaldehyde, and toluene from the atmosphere – just like the Boston Fern.

Easy to maintain (with occasional pruning and regular watering), the Areca Palm brings a touch of nature indoors while promoting a healthier living environment.

indoor plants in home

4. Snake Plant

The Snake Plant, which is also often known as Mother-in-law’s Tongue, features tall, stiff, sword-like leaves with vibrant green bands and yellow edges. Its sleek, vertical growth creates a striking architectural look that stands out in any indoor setting.

Renowned for its robustness and ability to thrive in most environments, the Snake Plant makes an excellent air purifier. It removes a variety of toxins from the air, including xylene, toluene, formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene.

5. Devil’s Ivy

Devil’s Ivy, also known as Pothos, has beautiful heart-shaped leaves with vibrant green and yellow variegation. Its trailing vines cascade gracefully, making it ideal for hanging baskets or shelves. This lush plant brings a lively touch to any space.

Of course, it is also a great air purifier for the home or office. It is able to remove toxins like benzene and formaldehyde.

Also Read: Hydroponic System from Plastic Bottles

6. Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera boasts thick, fleshy, green leaves that fan out from a central base. The leaves are often edged with soft spikes and have a gel-like interior. Its compact, rosette form adds a striking and sculptural element to any room.

You’re probably aware of Aloe Vera’s medicinal properties, but were you aware that the plant is also an excellent air purifier? It can remove benzene, formaldehyde, and other harmful chemicals from the air.

Plus, it’s a low-maintenance plant, as it requires minimal watering. So, it’s a good option for those who are new to looking after houseplants.

7. Chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemums display vibrant, multi-petaled blooms in an array of colors like yellow, pink, and red. Their lush flowers range from daisy-like forms to pompom shapes.

While chrysanthemums aren’t as easy to grow as Aloe Vera and some of the other indoor plants mentioned in this article, they are sure to add color to any home or office. Furthermore, it can filter numerous toxins, including benzene and ammonia.

8. Weeping Fig

The Weeping Fig features slender, arching branches adorned with glossy, oval-shaped leaves. Its lush canopy creates an elegant drooping effect, giving it a graceful appearance. This versatile plant enhances any space with its vibrant green foliage and delicate form.

And it is effective at purifying the air from toxins that are commonly found in adhesives and nail polishes. It can remove chemicals like toluene, xylene, and formaldehyde; and thus, create a healthier indoor environment.

Also, the Weeping Fig can be grown both indoors and outdoors.

The Bottom Line

As we have seen, bringing indoor plants into your home isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s also about creating a healthier living environment.

Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or a beginner, there’s a perfect green companion out there for you that will make your space cleaner and more vibrant every day.

4 Myths About Solar Power, Debunked

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Solar power is more than just a trend—with the rising cost of living and climate change being two very real problems in today’s world, affordable, sustainable energy solutions are only becoming more popular.

As with anything in life, solar power has its advantages and its disadvantages. But it’s important to separate the genuine setbacks of solar power from the false myths about this form of energy.

This article debunks 4 of the most common myths you might hear about solar power.

sustainable home building trends

1. Solar Panels Don’t Work in Winter

This comes from black-or-white thinking: believing that solar panels will do a great job in the summer and absolutely nothing in the winter.

Actually, though, solar panels collect solar energy in every season. Yes, you’ll get more solar power when the hours of daylight are longer. But you’ll still be able to supplement your non-solar energy supply in the winter.

2. Solar Power Requires Direct Sunlight

If you live in a region that doesn’t get a whole lot of direct sunlight, you might believe that solar panels won’t work for you.

But solar panels don’t need direct sunlight to work. While full sun is obviously better, any solar power company will tell you that solar panels still store solar energy when the weather is overcast.

3. Solar Energy is Expensive

Many people know that solar power can help you save money in the long run, but a common reason why people don’t install solar panels is that they think the initial investment is too expensive.

However, finance options are available for most solar panel installations, so you don’t have to pay all the money upfront. Plus, the rising popularity of this energy form means it’s never been more affordable.

weatherization strategies for solar panels

4. Solar Power Can’t Be Stored

Some people also assume that solar energy can’t be stored, or that if it can, it doesn’t last long and needs to be used instantly.

However, you can actually store solar energy in any situation, regardless of the temperature or climate. If you want, you could even sell your stored solar energy to the grid or store it in batteries to use later.

Actual Setbacks of Solar Power

Now the myths have been busted, it’s worth knowing about the actual setbacks of solar power.

First, you need a substantial installation area, typically on your home’s roof. While solar panels are becoming more attractive, you might still consider them an eyesore.

Second, the energy production is intermittent. As we highlighted, solar panels store energy in all weathers and seasons. But you’ll still get more solar power if you live in a region that sees long hours of sunlight compared to a region that’s usually overcast.

And finally, even though solar panels are becoming more affordable and can be financed with a loan, they’re still going to require some sort of investment upfront.

how to power a shed with solar energy

Is Solar Power Worth It?

Solar power is worth it if you want to reduce your overall spend on energy in the long run. They’re a sustainable, renewable solution, but they’re not for everyone.

It’s worth speaking to your local solar panel installers and learning about the benefits of solar power in your region before making the investment.

Hydrogen Economy for Arab Countries: Perspectives

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Arab world is facing major sustainability challenges in achieving social, economic and environmental goals. Hydrogen economy can help Arab governments, companies, and citizens to save billions of dollars each year from reduced energy bills and sustainable waste management, while at the same time reducing carbon footprints – a win-win solution.

Extremely arid climate, acute water scarcity, high energy consumption and polluting oil and gas industry present a unique challenge in Arab countries. Almost one-fifth of the Arab population is dependent on non-commercial fuels for different energy uses. All sectors of the economy — residential, commercial, transport, service and agriculture — demands modern energy services.

hydrogen economy

Gaseous emissions from the exploration and burning of fossil fuels is heavily polluting the atmosphere in the Arab world. Waste management has emerged as a major environmental issue with mountains of wastes accumulating in big cities across the Arab world. Compared to other countries, Arab countries are experiencing higher emissions of oxides of nitrogen, sulphur dioxide and volatile organic compounds.

Hydrogen is the Future

Hydrogen can be produced efficiently and may be used as a source of electricity, heat, transportation fuel, specialty chemicals, industrial production and even for drinking water production. Green hydrogen has tremendous potential to generate clean energy which can be off-grid and decentralized or can fed directly into the existing utility grid.

The surplus heat is a by-product in fuel cells during electricity production, and which can be used for industrial application or district heating. Water is an invaluable product of hydrogen production process in fuel cells and can act as a game-changer for arid countries of the Arab world which are facing severe water shortages.

The energy future of the world lies in hydrogen, fuel cells and batteries for electric mobility on the road, on rails, in the air, and on the water. Climate change is taking a threatening and menacing turn and urgent steps are needed to tackle it. New and innovative transportation solutions are required to fight the climate change in the form of electric vehicles.

The Promise of Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles

Electric engines in any vehicle are powered by electricity from batteries or fuel cells, produced by conversion of clean and environmental-friendly hydrogen (and oxygen from the air) in fuel cells, directly onboard the vehicle. After approximately 500 km and more, the hydrogen tank is filled up at a hydrogen filling station, and the journey can be continued. There are significant advantages over the charging time of battery-powered electric vehicles (cars, lorries, buses, trains, boats, ships, or aircrafts). Even batteries can be charged at home or at charging stations in the city within hours.

Urban electric transportation solutions will help to avoid air pollution, in addition to conservation of fast-depleting fossil fuels. In the coming years, we urgently need to set-up the course for the introduction and market launch of different electric vehicles, and as the pre-requisite, the infrastructure in form of hydrogen filling stations for clean and affordable hydrogen gas, or electric charger stations, all over the Arab world.

The fight against climate change

How to escape the climate disaster and how to build a clean and affordable energy infrastructure? The solution is mass deployment of clean energies, CO²-free and low-carbon fuels, especially hydrogen and fuel cells.

Today the world is more active in climate protection than ever before. Air, water and soil, must be protected, any resource consumption should significantly be reduced, and all type of wastes should be reutilized. People need clean, affordable energy worldwide, and Arab world is no exception.

More than 40 percent of the Arab population in rural and urban poor areas do not have adequate access to energy services. It is also noted that almost one-fifth of the Arab population relies on non-commercial fuels for different energy uses.

A Glance at Basic Principles

  1. Water is life, energy and a fuel
  2. Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen
  3. Water changes its state into hydrogen and oxygen and then back to water
  4. Nothing is lost in the world. Everything only changes its status and can be used over and over again: from the solid to the liquid state to the gaseous state This is the hydrologic and hydrogen circle.
  5. Our energy is utilized in the form of oil, gas, coal, or wood; all are hydro-carbon elements and compounds.
  6. Take away the carbon and use only the hydrogen as C02-free energy for universal use

Sustainable urban development

Clean energy, urban transport, urban planning and clean air solutions are important component of climate change mitigation. If these sectors work together, plan at an early stage and develop themselves on the basis of hydrogen and fuel cells, we will see the emergence of sustainable communities in cities of the Arab world.

The architecture of buildings will change significantly, and construction will be simplified with decentralized fuel cells in buildings producing on-site electricity and heat to meet the energy requirements. Thus, buildings will no longer depend on large centralized power plants for their power and heating requirements.

New transport concepts, based on electric vehicles, will make life easier for us, in the form of good health, fast mobility, clean air, less noise pollution and conservation of natural resources. We will experience clean air, no noise and absence of vibration from a car’s internal combustion engine or diesel generators which generate electricity in addition to many buildings.

Futuristic waste management

The production of hydrogen via gasification technologies, by means of the steam refurbishment of all biomass waste, will completely solve the major problem of waste disposal in the Middle East which are currently struggling to manage municipal and industrial wastes. Municipal waste, industrial waste and other wastes are subjected to an advanced thermal conversion process resulting in the production of high calorific value synthesis gas and valuable mineral.

Conclusion

The people of the Arab world should know about the latest solutions and innovations to make a smooth transition to low-carbon economy and hydrogen-based economy.

Note: The full report on Hydrogen Economy for Arab Countries can be obtained by sending an email to info@clean-energy-bonn.org