Stepwells for Secure Water Supplies – Rediscover an Ancient Technology

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Stepwells are a remarkable and well-proven traditional water management practice, used in the Indian sub-continent and the Middle East, that deserves wider recognition and use. In this article, we will discuss the history and evolution of stepwells.

Stepwells and steptanks have stairs leading from ground level to the bottom of a pool of water.[1] Stepwells cut into the rock or with a masonry or impermeable construction might better be known as steptanks or cisterns. The more important stepwells are porous and linked to the groundwater (aquifer).

chand baoli rajasthan

To build this kind of system the soil or rock type, depth to groundwater, and construction materials had to be within acceptable ranges. Water seeps from the groundwater through the porous rock and subsoil into the well during dry times. When the pool level rises during the rainy season water from the well helps recharge the groundwater. They can be found in India, Pakistan[2] and Bangladesh[3], and other parts of South Asia and the Middle East.[4],[5]

groundwater level of stepwell

Stepwells are most common in arid or semi-arid regions where the rainfall varies dramatically by season and year and the depth to groundwater rises and falls.[6] In the area mentioned in the figure below, the depth to groundwater increased 13 meters in one year. The water level would fall even further during long term droughts and recover during intense wet periods with more powerful monsoons.

stepwells and rain variability

Stepwells (baori, baoli, bawri, bavadi, बावड़ी vav, اسٹیپ ویل, kalyani) come in almost any shape imaginable, from trenches to troughs, L’s, circles, circular shafts and inverted pyramids.[7] Most had many sets of steps while others had just one. The many flights of stairs enabled many users to fill their pots with water at the same time during peak use. The women who carried the water would have been very strong  with daily stepsercise. They usually carried 15 liters (15 kg) of water or more in pots on their heads. A stacked doubled set of pots could make 20 liters or more. A mother and eldest child could carry enough water for a household on minimum use with just one trip.[8] With extreme care or severe shortage 4–6 liters per person day may suffice.[9],[10]

women in stepwell

The purpose and ownership of the stepwells varied widely. Some were private, but most were public. First and foremost they provided a secure source of water to drink. Studies have shown that Indian women in rural areas without stepwells can make up to six trips for water a day, requiring 16 kilometers of walking every day.[11] Stepwells could eliminate the effort and risk involved in getting water from a distant spring, river or lake while providing water even during a prolonged drought.

Stepwells were installed in forts to resist sieges and others provided water for caravans on trade routes. Water could also be used to a limited extent by farmers, perhaps just on kitchen gardens. Stepwells were involved in many religious ceremonies (Hindu and Muslim) and cultural events. During the heat of summer the stepwells could provide relief, in some cases people were allowed to wash or swim. Many also provided space for sitting or sleeping in the cool air deep in the well. The wells also provided a place for women to meet and talk, and they must have been alive with children, women, the elderly and travelers.[12]

Thousands of stepwells were once in use in India and many thousand remain, often abandoned.[13],[14] Most were created to collect water during the torrential monsoon rains and then to maintain a water supply into the dry months or years.[15] Many are still in use today.[16] Most were less than 15 meters deep but some were 30 meters or more.[17] The depth to groundwater in Bengaluru City shows the fluctuation that could occur depending on the monsoon rains.[18] Many stepwells were fed by rainwater catchments or nearby waterways. Water from stepwells fed primarily from the aquifer would be filtered through the rocks, clean and safe to drink. They helped keep communities alive during prolonged droughts.

stepwell with water

Stepwells represented a large investment of labor and materials. They required considerable skill in design and construction; but used simple materials that could be used and maintained with available resources. The design and engineering for many was done by experts and the work itself called for skilled masons and stepwell specialists.[19] Many stepwells were funded by women. Stepwells resist, but are not immune, to earthquakes and floods.

One of the most magnificent stepwells is the Chand Baori in Abhaneri, Rajasthan. Look at it on Google Earth 7.0073° N, 76.6065° E.[20] (figure 10) It was built by King Chanda of the Nikumbha Dynasty between 800 and 900 AD and was dedicated to Hashat Mata, the Goddess of Joy and Happiness.[21] Its 13 terraces of stairs reach a depth of 30 meters. This stepwell was made of porous volcanic rocks and stones, which allowed water to seep through the rocks and maintain the well. The upper walls are very steep (close to 80°) and the lower walls are closer to 45°. The well provides almost 15,000 cubic meters of storage. If the well went from full to dry it would provide 5,000 person years of water at 8 liters per day.

chand bawri rajasthan

The magnitude of the work involved is clear. For Chand Baori 15,000 tons of rock and soil were dug and removed. If the Queen’s Pyramid in Giza was inverted it would fit in the Chand Baoli with room to spare. The methods for building step wells would vary by soil and rock type and the function of the well. Paintings show the use of ramps and oxen during similar construction projects at that time, but most of the stepwell labor was probably just people. Even today deep wells are dug and lined with minimal equipment but great effort and skill.[22],[23]

stepwell digging

The engineering skill to dig and line a deep well hole should not be under-estimated. In areas with less stable soils it would have been even harder. In areas with stable soils the excavation could be dug and then the rock or brick walls could be gradually built up and backfilled. The use of water levels would allow for accurate placement. Surveying skills were clearly very good. Many stepwells also included rooms, balconies and sculptures on one side. These would have to be ordered and made so the construction could proceed.

In other cases the stepwell may have been built from the top down.[24],[25] The excavation for the well would be dug to the depth of a man’s height. Then a circular wooden platform or form made of non decaying Semal wood or ceramic, would be placed.[26] A rock, block or brick wall would then be erected around the well. Then further digging would be done under the wooden platform, and when the digging was up to a depth of a man, the wall would be placed and then the platform or form would be lowered again. This is similar in some ways to building a caisson for bridge foundations.[27]

Stepwell builders with construction underway must have worried as the monsoon approached. Heavy rains could flood the work area and destabilize walls. In some cases it appears all the blocks were numbered and could be correctly placed even under some water. To reach greater depths the work could only be completed in a prolonged drought. This may have provided much needed work for people when it was so dry the crops failed.

Stepwells met local needs for water with little harm to the environment. Unlike many advanced technologies that attempt to control ecosystems, stepwells emphasize conservation. The tapered construction of the well makes it clear that water conservation is critical as the water level drops, the pool gets smaller and the hauling of water gets harder.

Climate change adds new challenges and potential value for stepwells. If the groundwater falls too far it will no longer feed a well. In many cases stepwells offer an essential water source. They have been neglected while most people have access to a water tap, but these modern water systems are under stress. Increasing variability of rainfall and drought presage growing problems in many dry lands.

A 10 to 15 per cent increase in monsoon precipitation is predicted for some areas of India, but more worrisome is a simultaneous precipitation decline of 5–25 per cent in drought-prone central India and a sharp decline in winter rainfall in northern India.[28] The stepwells act as buffers to these climate changes and extreme events. Resurrecting old stepwells[29] and building new stepwells and stepped tanks would be a very wise investment.

Recognizing this the Rajasthan government, through its flagship program Mukhyamantri Jal Swavalamban Abhiyan, has taken initiatives to make villages self-sufficient in water by reviving the non-functional rainwater harvesting structures.[30] The Bansilalpet stepwell restoration was very impressive, with 2,000 tons of debris removed.

Stepwells could also be of value for rainwater harvesting systems in developed countries, providing a hedge against social and environmental disasters. Houses being built in some areas in Australia now must have a rainwater harvesting system and cistern.[31] This makes sense, but there are advantages for doing this kind of work at the neighborhood scale with stepwells.[32] Stepwells can provide a check on flooding while saving a vital resource.

With thanks for many suggested readings, comments and permission to use images

References

[1] Piplani, M. and Kumar T.. Stepwells: Reviving India’s cultural and traditional water storage systems. pp. 135—142 In C. Ludwig and S. Valdivia Editors. Progress Towards the Resource Revolution. Part 3 – Water and Regional Aspects. Paul Scherrer Institute, World Resources Forum. (2019).

[2] Osman Baig, A.. The deepest stepwell (Baoli) of Pakistan located at Rohtas Fort. May 5. (2013). http://aliusmanbaig.blogspot.com/search/label/stepwell%20in%20pakistan. Accessed Dec 8, 2024/

[3] Miah, A. H. and Zulfiqar, A. Showly. Into the baolis; stepwells of Bangladesh. Journal of History, Art and Archaeology. 1(2):123–136. (2021).

[4] J. B. Rainwater Harvesting Company. Baoli Water Harvesting. JB Group, Kalamasserry, Ernakulam.

[5] Earis, P. Atlas of Stepwells. 2025. https://stepwells.org/atlas.php?cmbm=1

[6] Singh, A. K., Monitoring groundwater fluctuations over India during Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) and Northeast monsoon using GRACE satellite: Impact on agriculture. Quaternary International. (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2018.10.036    Accessed dec 2, 2024

[7] Lautman, V. India’s Forgotten Step-wells. Merrell (2013).

[8] Upadhyay, B. Gender roles and multiple uses of water in North Gujarat. Working Paper 70. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI)

23534114 (2004) Accessed Dec 18 2024.

[9] Ortega, A., Rybczynski, W., Ayad, S. Ali, W. and Acheson, A. The Ecol Operation. Minimum Cost Housing Group, McGill University. Montreal. 128 p. (1975).

[10] Lee, R. NASA just recycled 98% of all astronaut pee and sweat on the ISS. News. space.com. June 25 (2023).  Accessed Dec 22, 2024.

[11] Barton, A.. Water in Crisis – Women in India. https://thewaterproject.org/water-crisis/water-in-crisis-india-women   Accessed Dec 18, 2024.

[12] Sushant School of Art and Architecture. Story of Stepwells Bawdi, Baoli & Kalyani- The Forsaken Sisters. Sushant University. (2018). https://sushantuniversity.edu.in/blog/story-of-stepwells-bawdi-baoli-kalyani-the-forsaken-sisters-sushant-school-of-art-and-architecture-sushant-university/

[13] Selvaraj, T., Devadas, P., Perumal, J. L., Zabaniotou, A., Ganesapillai, M. A comprehensive review of the potential of stepwells as sustainable water management structures. Water 14: 2665. (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/w14172665

[14] Pickard, B. The tailor-made guide to the stepwells of Rajasthan. (2024) Oct. 20. https://www.tailormadeitineraries.com/post/the-tailor-made-guide-to-the-stepwells-of-rajasthan.   Accessed Dec 4, 2024

[15] Singh, R. B. and Kumar, A. Climate variability and water resource scarcity in drylands of Rajasthan, India. Geoenvironmental Disasters 2:7 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40677-015-0018-5

[16] Lautman (2013).

[17] Risekult.com. Chand Baori. The deepest memory. Focus On, Lost. November 20th. (2014)  http://risekult.com/focus-on/chand-baori-the-deepest-memory

[18]Sekhar, M., Tomer, S. K., Thiyaku, S., Giriraj, P., Murthy, S., and Mehta, V. K. Groundwater level dynamics in Bengaluru City, India. Sustainability 10(1):26. (2018) https://doi.org/10.3390/su10010026

[19] Livingston, M. Steps to Water. Princeton Architectural Press.(2002).

[20] Pahwa, J., Ascents and descents in the 21st Century: restoring Chand Baori. Masters Thesis. 719. (2021). https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/719

[21] Risekult.com.

[22] Jaan, N. 60 Feet Deep Well. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLFl1CC35oQ   Accessed January 8, 2025.

[23] Mahilange, Devid. Step by Step Well Digging by hand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42WpcZUqyy8 (2021) Accessed January 10, 2025.

[24] Stepwells of Ahmedabad. Exhibit. The Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture. The Cooper Union.  Nov. 2-Dec. 4. 2020) https://cooper.edu/architecture/events-and-exhibitions/exhibitions/stepwells-ahmedabad.  Accessed Dec 4, 2024.

[25] https://safetyculture.com/topics/caisson-construction/

[26] Delhi Urban Art Commission. Rejuvenation of Baoli Precincts City Level Projects. Water & Heritage. January (2018). https://duac.org.in/Upload/City%20Level%20Studies/Landscape%20studies/653977352707470.pdf   accessed dec 5 2024

[27] A Tough Place to Work: in a Box, Submerged, Digging out Dirt from a River Bed (1873) https://longstreet.typepad.com/thesciencebookstore/2017/03/brooklyn-bridge.html

[28] Ramesh R., and Yadava M. G. Climate and water resources of India. Current Science 89(5):818–824. (2005).

[29] Ramesh, K. The Journey of Restoring Bansilalpet Stepwell. (2023) Kindle.  https://www.amazon.in/Journey-Restoring-Bansilalpet-Stepwell-ebook/dp/B0BT81HVQM

[30] Azmi, F. T. The ancient stepwells helping to curb India’s water crisis. BBC October 12. (2021) https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20211012-the-ancient-stepwells-helping-to-curb-indias-water-crisis

[31] Select Water Tanks. Water Tank Regulations Queensland. Help & Advice, Select News. (2022). https://www.selectwatertanks.com.au/water-tank-regulations-queensland/

[32] Fenster, D. Water Harvester: An Invitation to Abundance. Arizona Illustrated. AZPM. November 3. (2022). https://tv.azpm.org/p/season8/2022/7/25/212069-water-harvester-an-invitation-to-abundance/ Accessed December 8, 2024

8 Top Reasons You Should Start Using Solar Lights

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Most people are looking for new ways to cut their power bills in today’s age of energy awareness. The advancements in technology come with its advantages, as there are now more and more gadgets that make life easier. Appliances are getting more high tech, but this also means increasing power bills, because of more energy consumption. Appliances can make lives more convenient and comfortable, but not doing anything with the electric bills can also result in financial stress. This is especially true if your home is equipped with a lot of appliances.

With that in mind, there’s no better way to make that switch to a renewable source of energy,  than through solar lights. Until recent times, solar lights are only seen more as an alternative to the common method of lighting. Aside from using these in homes, you can now buy solar lights for parking lots, allowing you to experience more benefits from this advancement. Installing solar lights in different areas of your residential and commercial property allows you to save more money in the long run.

solar-powered-street

It’s becoming more popular, however, with the advancements of today’s technology. It’s not only the businesses that are making this healthier switch but residential homes as well. When you take a good look around you, you’re sure to find quite an influx of solar-related products, such as solar street lighting. As more and more people are using solar lights, you can expect that different variations of this product will continue to exist in the future.

In this article, we will give you some explanations of why you should start switching to solar lighting. Solar lighting is beneficial not only to you but to mother earth as well, for reasons like the following:

1. Eco-Friendly And Renewable

Green energy, one of which is solar energy, is the latest craze in smart homes, but it’s also a way to take care of our planet’s future. In fact, this is more than just a craze or a trend. It’s a lifestyle that will only get even more popular in the coming years.

Solar lights are a very good energy source because the sun is always around and there’s an abundance of solar output for the solar panels to absorb even during the cloudiest days. This means that you’ll never run out of supply, even when you’re going to be using so many more appliances or gadgets. In today’s era of industrialization, dependency on so many more gadgets is often unavoidable. This is unlike the conventional, non-renewable energy source, whereby the more that you use, the higher will be your bill, too.

Because the sun is one of our natural resources, we don’t have to buy it from anywhere else. As a bonus, we can also spend less money and energy instead of importing from somewhere else. In addition, there are no harmful gases from a solar panel. According to Solar-aid.org, solar lights reduce the amount of kerosene that is burnt in lamps, thereby reducing global warming.

One of the main environmental problems is a growing carbon footprint resulting from the use of non-renewable sources of energy production. But, using solar lights, you can make your carbon footprint significantly lower.

Solar uses lower-powered components like LED/CFL lamps, lower-powered electrical, and the like. These materials use less power than typical electrical systems. In addition, LEDs are initially powered from 12 VDC and require AC adapters for normal electrical power. They can function more effectively by generating more light and less energy by using DC power for LEDs.

2. Easy Installation

Solar panels are easy to set up, usually requiring just a few bolts to keep them fixed and a few basic cables. For most installation setups, solar lighting systems provide the solar power system at the top of the pole. It’s ideal that all necessary electrical components are placed at the top of the pole. However, do refrain from trying to do this by yourself. No matter how easy the installation may seem, it’s still best to leave it in the hands of the experts who are well trained and certified in this job.

Nevertheless, low voltage DC power is much easier to handle and safer to work with than typical electric power. Solar can be mounted almost anywhere. Whatever the case, the solar can be installed to power anything as long as there is a sunny spot nearby.

3. Cost-Efficient

One of the biggest misconceptions people have when it comes to solar lights is that its installation is going to be expensive. Most people think that they need thousands, or even millions, of dollars before they can enjoy solar lighting in their properties.

However, this isn’t true because there are now many companies that offer this product. This variety will make it easy for you to find a provider that suits your needs and budget. Some companies might even offer discounts for bulk orders or first-time clients.

Solar lights offer cost-effective lighting solutions as they do not require electricity. This means that after installing solar lights to your property, you won’t have to pay for thousands of dollars for your electricity bills. Solar lights use energy from the heat of the sun and will no longer depend on electrical charges. Over time, this can help you save a lot of money from your electrical bills, without compromising your comfort and convenience indoors.

solar-street-light

You can also calculate cost savings by eliminating the need for grid power trenching, maintenance, repairs, and so on. As long as your solar lights are installed by experts, you don’t have to worry about paying for expensive repairs several times a year.

Both small businesses and large corporations now appreciate the advantages of using solar energy. Solar energy helps businesses save operating expenses. This is especially important for small or new businesses that still have limited financial resources. Instead of paying for expensive electrical bills, entrepreneurs can allocate more financial resources to other facets of the business, such as marketing, customer service, and product development.

Electric power will hike up your company’s overall expenses. By using a solar power system, you can enjoy several years of energy for a much lower cost, allowing you to save for other things.

4. Low Maintenance

You don’t need any eventual technological improvements as soon as you mount your solar street lights. In reality, the price you spend for the first installation is a long-term solution.

HEISolar street lights, for instance, do not need to be replaced occasionally and no routine maintenance is required. So be cautious about buying good solar products. You should choose one that can last for a number of years without giving you any problems.

5. Battery Backup

Many solar light systems today use a battery backup that stores the energy needed to keep the system running for three or more days (the best systems provide backup power for at least five evenings). So, in case the sun doesn’t show itself, you’re still going to have light for a few days.

6. No Electrical Wires

Typical outdoor lighting includes electrical wires. Clearly, these can be a tripping hazard, can be gnawed by an animal, or can be a problem when it starts raining. You won’t have such issues when dealing with solar lights.

Regular silicon wafers, used for photovoltaics (PV) to convert power from insolation to electricity, are not able to endure severe weather on their own but are enclosed behind plastics. Thus, you can rest assured that even if water gets in, the worst thing that will happen is that the lighting will cease to work.

7. Effective In Emergencies

If your town is often hit by strong storms, power outages will also be common to you. Because these happen so suddenly, it’s normal also for you to be least prepared. Especially when you’ve got young children or aging parents at your home, being without a power source can be quite difficult. When a catastrophic situation like a natural disaster happens, nothing is better than solar power, because, during harsh and difficult conditions, it can operate efficiently and does not require electricity.

With solar energy, you don’t get affected by any power outages. Of course, this is given the fact that you’ve also had sunny days enough for you to have stored enough power in your solar panel system. For as long as the sun shines, you’ll have a well-lit home, too.

Final Thoughts

It’s no surprise that lowering your carbon footprint helps the environment. But, as much as you may want to reduce the appliances that you use daily, sometimes, this just isn’t possible. So, you’ve got to look for other workable solutions instead. One of these is by replacing your energy source with a more renewable one. That is, going for solar solutions for businesses and households.

Understanding the reasons for turning to solar lights can, therefore, enable you to save more money while saving the world. If you want to minimize your impact on the environment and be ecologically friendly, you ought to have solar lights on your to-buy list.

Leveraging Microbial Biodiversity for Environmental Protection

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Microbial biodiversity, is a cornerstone of life on our planet. Microbes, including bacteria, archaea, viruses, protozoa and fungi, play critical roles in maintaining ecosystem health, driving biogeochemical cycles, acting as natural recyclers and supporting human life. Recently, the intersection of microbial biodiversity and environmental management has opened new avenues for addressing pressing global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and pollution. By harnessing the unique competences of microorganisms, biologists are developing innovative solutions that are both sustainable and efficient.

environmental application of microbes

Environmental Applications of Microbial Biodiversity

Microbes are a treasure trove of genetic and metabolic diversity. Microorganisms, the first organisms on earth ,have evolved over billions of years to thrive in virtually every niche, from deep-sea hydrothermal vents, to polar ice to arid deserts, their remarkable adaptability and ecological significance make them ideal candidates for technologies aimed at mitigating pollution, producing renewable energy, and restoring ecosystems.

Here are some of the applications of microbial biodiversity in environmental protection:

1. Bioremediation

One of the most well-established applications of microbes is bioremediation, the use of microorganisms to detoxify environmental pollutants. Microbes can break down a wide range of contaminants, including hydrocarbons, synthetic chemicals, and heavy metals, into less harmful substances.

2. Oil Spill Cleanup

A classic example of bioremediation is the use of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria to clean up oil spills. Following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, researchers discovered that naturally occurring marine bacteria, such as Alcanivorax borkumensis, played a significant role in breaking down the spilled oil. By enhancing the growth of bacteria through biostimulation, biologists were able to accelerate the natural recovery of the ecosystem.

3. Heavy Metal Remediation

Certain bacteria and fungi have the ability to adsorb heavy metals, effectively removing them from contaminated water or soil. For example, Shewanella oneidensis, a bacterium, can reduce toxic chromium(VI) to less harmful chromium(III), making it a valuable tool for treating industrial wastewater.

4. Wastewater Treatment

Wastewater treatment plants rely heavily on microbial communities to remove organic matter, nutrients, and pathogens from sewage. Advances in microbial ecology and biotechnology have led to the development of more efficient and sustainable treatment processes.

5. Anammox Bacteria for Nitrogen Removal

Traditional wastewater treatment processes for nitrogen removal are energy-intensive and produce significant greenhouse gas emissions. However, the discovery of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) bacteria has revolutionized this field. Anammox bacteria, such as Candidatus Brocadia, convert ammonium and nitrite directly into nitrogen gas, bypassing the need for intermediate steps. A 2020 study in Nature Biotechnology demonstrated the successful implementation of anammox-based systems in full-scale wastewater treatment plants, reducing operational costs as well as energy consumption by up to 60%.

6. Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs)

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are an emerging technology that uses electroactive bacteria to generate electricity from organic matter in wastewater. Bacteria such as Geobacter sulfurreducens and Shewanella oneidensis play important roles in electron transfer processes, producing a current while simultaneously treating wastewater.

7. Carbon Capture and Climate Change Mitigation

Microbes play a central role in the carbon cycle, and their potential for carbon capture and storage is actively being explored by scientists to reduce atmospheric CO2 levels and mitigate climate change.

8. Carbon-Fixing Microbes

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are photosynthetic microorganisms that can fix atmospheric CO2 into biomass. Researchers are engineering cyanobacteria to produce biofuels and bioplastics, effectively converting CO2 into valuable products.

9. Soil Microbes and Carbon Sequestration

Soil microbes are essential for carbon sequestration, the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon in soil. Practices such as regenerative agriculture and afforestation can enhance the activity of soil microbes, increasing carbon storage. A 2022 review in Science highlighted the potential of soil microbial communities to sequester up to 5 billion tons of CO2 annually, making them a critical component of climate change mitigation strategies.

microbial diversity and environment

10. Plastic Degradation: Tackling the Plastic Waste Crisis

The global plastic waste crisis has prompted researchers to explore microbial solutions for plastic degradation. Certain microbes produce enzymes capable of breaking down synthetic polymers, offering a promising approach to addressing plastic pollution.

11. PET-Degrading Enzymes

In 2016, a team of Japanese researchers discovered Ideonella sakaiensis, a bacterium that can degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common plastic used in bottles and packaging. The bacterium produces two enzymes, PETase and MHETase, which break down PET into its basic monomers.

12. Fungal Degradation of Plastics

Fungi, such as Aspergillus tubingensis, have shown promise in degrading polyurethane, a plastic commonly used in foams and adhesives.

Challenges and Future Directions

While the potential of microbial biodiversity in environmental protection is immense, several challenges must be addressed to fully realize its benefits. These include:

Understanding Microbial Interactions

Microbial communities are highly complex, and predicting their interactions can be challenging. Advances in systems biology and metagenomics are needed to gain a deeper understanding of these interactions and enhance microbial technologies.

Scalability and Implementation

Many microbial technologies are still in the experimental stage and encounter challenges in scaling up for large-scale industrial use. Collaboration between biologists and policymakers is essential to bridge the gap between lab-based research and real-world applications.

Ethical and Regulatory Considerations

The use of GMOs in environmental applications raises ethical and regulatory concerns. Strong frameworks are needed to ensure the safe and responsible use of GMOs in bioremediation, carbon capture, and other technologies.

Conclusion

Microbial biodiversity holds unlimited potential for addressing the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. From plastic degradation and bioremediation to sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation, microbial applications are revolutionizing ecological management. By leveraging the unique capabilities of microbes and advancing our understanding of microbial ecology, we can develop technologies that not only protect the environment but also promote human well-being. As research in this field progresses, the integration of microbial biodiversity into environmental management will play a vital role in creating a more sustainable future.

References

  1. Hazen, T. C., et al. (2011). *Deep-sea oil plume enriches indigenous oil-degrading bacteria*. Science, 330(6001), 204-208.
  2. Shi, L., et al. (2018). *Shewanella oneidensis MR-1: A model organism for microbial metal reduction*. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 84(12), e02119-17.
  3. Kartal, B., et al. (2020). *Anammox-based technologies for nitrogen removal: Advances in process optimization and scale-up*. Nature Biotechnology, 38(6), 673-681.
  4. Logan, B. E., et al. (2019). *Microbial fuel cells: Methodology and technology*. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(7), 3571-3587.
  5. Liu, C., et al. (2021). *Cyanobacteria as a platform for biofuel production*. Nature Communications, 12(1), 1-10.
  6. Lehmann, J., et al. (2022). *Soil microbial carbon sequestration: A nature-based solution to climate change*. Science, 375(6586), 1412-1415.
  7. Yoshida, S., et al. (2020). *Engineering PETase for improved plastic degradation*. Nature, 580(7802), 216-219.
  8. Khan, S., et al. (2021). *Fungal degradation of polyurethane: A promising approach to plastic waste management*. Environmental Pollution, 276, 116706.
  9. Falkowski, P. G., Fenchel, T., & Delong, E. F. (2008). The microbial engines that drive Earth’s biogeochemical cycles. Science, 320(5879), 1034-1039.
  10. Gadd, G. M. (2010). Metals, minerals and microbes: geomicrobiology and bioremediation. Microbiology, 156(3), 609-643.
  11. Kuypers, M. M., Marchant, H. K., & Kartal, B. (2018). The microbial nitrogen-cycling network. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 16(5), 263-276
  12. van der Heijden, M. G., Bardgett, R. D., & van Straalen, N. M. (2008). The unseen majority: soil microbes as drivers of plant diversity and productivity in terrestrial ecosystems. Ecology Letters, 11(3), 296-310.

How to Organize a Great Company Retreat: 7 Important Things to Do Ahead of Time

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Putting together a company retreat doesn’t have to be a challenge. The critical thing to know is that it will boost overall team morale, promote collaboration, and improve your company’s culture.

It is one thing to come up with the idea for a retreat; it’s another to plan out the entire process with attention to detail. This guide will discuss the seven essential things you need to do ahead of time so your company retreat goes off without a hitch.

corporate retreat

Decide If Custom Apparel Is Best For You

If one thing will bring a team together, it could be matching custom apparel. Not only will you create custom shirts or hoodies to foster unity and team spirit, but they can also be a memento for what could be one of your company’s most memorable retreats.

Knowing where to get shirts printed will be something you need to look for. The good news is that Printful has custom t-shirts, hoodies, and other apparel that they can create upon your request.

Define the Goals and Objectives

The best way to ensure that your company retreat is successful is to define the goals and objectives. You want to understand the actual purpose.

Are you looking to brainstorm new ideas with your team? Are you looking to create stronger team cohesion? Or is it something else?

Be decisive about your goals and objectives. This way, you can branch off any ideas based on the goals and objectives that you want to meet.

Choose the Right Location

Next, you want to find out where this retreat can be held. Consider some factors that play a role in deciding which location is best. This includes travel distance, amenities, and the type of environment that will be the best match for your goals and objectives. This can be something out of town, such as a quiet mountain lodge, or in the middle of another city where you can easily travel by car or, if necessary, a quick flight.

Plan the Agenda

You want to put together an organized agenda covering the topics you want to address at the retreat. You want to create a balance between work and play. This is where you can include things such as team-building activities, workshops, and even downtime so you and your team members can informally interact with one another or relax.

Once the agenda is official, please share it with your team so they can plan what to expect and prepare for the retreat.

Budget Accordingly

Planning a retreat will take a lot of work. That’s why it is essential to put together a budget to outline any expenses that may arise. Consider travel, accommodation, meals, activities, and any external facilitators that may require additional spending.

Ensure the budget is clear and outlined so you can make informed decisions ahead of time while avoiding unwelcome surprises that could cost you more.

Make Arrangements and Accommodations for Participants

It’s important to book accommodations and transportation as early as possible. Not only will this save you from last-minute hassles, but it will also remove a significant hurdle when planning this retreat. Also, ensure that you have a final headcount as soon as possible to begin the arrangements and accommodations aspect of the retreat planning.

Communicate Clearly with Participants

Last but not least, you want to ensure that you communicate with all participants who plan to attend the retreat. You want to inform them of the retreat’s goals, agenda, and logistics in advance.

Make sure that you encourage open communication and feedback so you can address any concerns or answer questions so that everyone is on the same page leading up to the retreat itself. You can even create a Gmail account for your business strictly for the retreat so it’s relevant for planning and other purposes.

Final Thoughts

These seven essential things should be noticed as you plan your next company retreat. Be sure to be clear about the goals and objectives and center the planning around them. Also, remember your participants.

Make arrangements to ensure that the retreat will be favorable for them regarding accommodations, transportation, and other needs. Use this guide, and we guarantee that your company retreat will be a success and will be talked about for years to come.

Energy Management for Businesses in the Middle East

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Middle East has been witnessing a rapid increase in energy consumption due to high degree of industrialization, high standards of living and exponential increase in population. Infact, the level of primary energy consumption in the Middle East is among the highest worldwide.  These factors have made businesses in Middle East to realize that effective energy management is not only good for the businesses but also an essential requirement.

energy management middle eastIn recent years, many businesses in the Middle East have come up with dynamic strategies to achieve immediate reduction in energy consumption. This trend towards effective energy management is expected to continue to grow in the region in the coming years on account on changing regulations and growing awareness on energy conservation.

Components of Energy Management Plan

For an energy management plan to succeed, the entire organization including its employees and management team, should be committed to the implementation of energy management strategy whose main elements are:

  • Goal-setting: how much energy reduction do you want to achieve?
  • Number-crunching: how much energy do you consume?
  • Identifying energy-guzzlers: What are major consumption units and what measures can be taken to reduce consumption
  • Technology and automation: Smart metering, schedule-based lighting, occupancy sensors, HVAC control and latest technological innovation provides an active approach to energy management
  • Continuous review and management: Regular performance monitoring is essential to check the progress towards your energy-saving goals.

energy consumption in bahrain

Hurdles to Overcome

​Lack of incentives to reduce energy consumption is a major hurdle faced by businesses in the Middle East. In the GCC region, electricity is usually provided at heavily subsidized rates which fail to provide the motivation to the consumer to reduce energy consumption.

Most of the commercial buildings in the Middle East consume huge amount of energy in the form of HVAC, lighting, ventilation etc., and there is a real need to make such buildings ‘ energy smart’ in the real sense of the word.

Role of Technology in Energy Management

Technology plays a vital role in reducing energy consumption as energy-savings are not limited to power consumption by HVAC, lighting or ventilations, but also encompass optimization of energy use, building infrastructure, supply chain networks, product design, transportation networks etc.

Businesses in the Middle East may strive for energy-smart buildings, smart grid systems and renewable energy sources (like rooptop solar and biogas systems) to improve their long-term sustainability and more effective cost management.

Re-thinking Sustainable Innovation: A New Development Discourse

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The climate change presents a challenge to science and policy makers to articulate a new discourse for  sustainable development. Although, the Middle East, the cradle of civilization, was  a fertile land, it was transformed by modern technology and new models of development into a vulnerable ecosystem.

sustainable-development-jordan

The Paradox

The paradox is that we are witnessing high levels of poverty despite a growth in global GDP. Also, our natural capital is being degraded at an alarming rate. This is evident when we look at global indicators; i.e., the planet has lost half its mangrove in the last century, and about 70% of its total wetlands. These losses are due to urban and agricultural growth.  In essence, pollution, desertification and deforestation can be attributed to a set of policies including free trade agreements and foreign debt owed by less developed countries that make them convert ecosystems into commodities.

For example, the investment of global firms in the developing countries and acquisition of  over 1000 hectares of land in Ghana by international corporations for planting jatropha to produce bio-fuel resulted in disruption in local society and ecology.  But we notice that there  is a shortcoming in the carbon policy that addresses climate change since it allocates more attention and value to present not the future.  We cannot invest on a dead planet and if we view that our Earth is dead, we will kill what is alive.

Reclaiming sacred relationship with Nature

The core climate issue is a conceptual one which stems from a worldview of the Earth as a machine and where humans are viewed as observers and positioned  outside  the domain of Nature. Hence, it is imperative to reclaim our sacred relationship with Nature. Besides, it is insightful to reframe the “climate debate” to embody a new perspective that the the Earth as a living organism and humans are responsible to take care of ecosystems and  species.

We are engaged in the wrong debate with respect to climate and carbon dioxide emissions. The issue is not simply about the temperature of the earth but rather our ecological footprints. Simply said, the indicators for a resilient and sustainable future are underpinned by a shift in consumption patterns, development model and lifestyles.

The healing of the planet can be achieved through changing how we value ecosystems and interact with nature and cosmos.  Realizing that the ecological crisis is simply a moral crisis is a key for change. Besides, re-think sustainable innovation is a matter of mindset and perspective where humans need to recognize that Nature is finite,  living and intelligent. Everything in Nature is connected to everything.

Another issue in climate and ecological crisis is how we value and create money. Paradoxically, lending money is the basis for money creation and money originates as credit to those who will pay it back with interest. This creates misconceptions of the value of nature since it is looked at Nature as a commodity to be utilized for urban development. This economic model is not sustainable and should be re-thought.

What is Sustainable Innovation

Sustainable innovation is about green design of new products and processes. Green accounting in a green economy era calls for a shift in metrics from GDP to ecosystem services and from dependence on fossil oil to a transition to renewable energy including solar and wind.

More importantly, the doom and gloom story does not convey a positive discourse.  It is wise to change our story from fear for human survival to healing and love to Nature and life. It is not inspiring to wait till crisis takes place to force humans to respond.

Circular economy and sharing economy illuminate new positive future that considers new models and principles for sustainability. These include climate funding, zero-pollution, waste-to-energy schemes, energy audit and efficiency, recycling and ecosystem restoration, cleaner production, green chemistry, green university, green procurement and sustainability reporting. All these innovations in products, processes, organization, marketing, and business models are attainable through design thinking, biomimcry and learning from nature.

Conclusion

In sum, the environmental crisis propels us to change our priorities and to view our planet in a holistic manner and to respect  the local needs by thinking of environmental justice.

The Harmful Impacts of Tire-Burning Kilns

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Decorative arts such as woodworking, weaving as well as ceramics and other pottery have a long and honored tradition.  In fact, some of the earliest examples of pottery originated from the Middle East from the time of 6500 BC. In order to meet the ceramic industry’s high energy demand, much of the developing world, MENA in particular, is resorting to cheaper alternatives such as fueling kilns by burning tires and other harmful materials. Though modern technology has led to clean and efficient kiln usage in the developed world, these options come with a high price tag when referring to industrial demands for ceramics and other fired products.

Burning of tires and other rubber materials as a primary source of energy for kilns is particularly concerning.  In other areas of the world, like India, where the concerns lie in the harmful effects of coal-fired kilns, areas like Morocco and other North African countries are dealing with harmful impacts of tire burning. While burning tires does provide an efficient source of energy, the harmful effects of such burning far exceed the benefits.

hazards of tire burning

Scrap tires are used as a supplement to traditional fuels such as coal or wood fuel because of their high heating value. Typically, for each pound of scrap tire rubber burned it equates to 15,000 BTUs of energy and a single tire can burn for up to 50 minutes.  This equates to 25 percent more energy being produced than coal. Regardless of the efficiency, the fumes that are being released from tire burning have been shown to be extremely toxic to human health and harmful to the environment.

Why Tire Burning is Harmful for Public Health?

Open tire fire emissions include “criteria” pollutants, such as particulates, carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur oxides (SOx), oxides of nitrogen (NOx), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). They also include “non-criteria” hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), such as polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, furans, hydrogen chloride, benzene, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs); and metals such as cadmium, nickel, zinc, mercury, chromium, and vanadium.

Both criteria and non-criteria pollutants can cause significant short and long term health effects.  Depending on the length and degree of exposure, these health effects could include irritation of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, respiratory effects, central nervous system depression, and cancer.  The EPA suggests that any unprotected exposure to these emissions be avoided.

Furthermore, uncontrolled tire burning has been proven to be 16 times more mutagenic, meaning capable of inducing genetic mutation, than traditional residential wood combustion in a fireplace, and 13,000 times more mutagenic than coal-fired utility emissions with good combustion efficiency and add-on controls.

Especially troubling is the exposure that children living within these communities are inadvertently being subjected to. Children, fetuses, nursing babies, elderly, asthmatics, and immune suppressed individuals are all much more vulnerable to the pollutants released burning tires. Even a nursing woman can transfer the pollutions she inhales to a baby through the fat in her breast milk. During breast-feeding, infants are exposed to higher concentrations of organic pollutants than at any subsequent time in their lives. Burning tires only adds to that toxic burden.

Saving money on fuel by burning tires should not take precedence over public health. Unfortunately, in small villages and other underdeveloped areas where tire-burning kilns sustain much of the local economy, exposure to these toxins is inevitable with the current practices being employed.

The Huge Environmental Costs of Tire Burning

In addition to the negative effects tire burning has on the health of humans, it also has environmental costs that have not yet been discussed. The three main effects tire burning has on the environment is air, water, and soil pollution.  The air pollution caused from the tire-burning kilns is significant. The black fumes contain heavy metals and other harmful pollutants that linger in the air and can lead to acute to chronic health hazards.

tire dump in Kuwait

A massive fire erupted at Jahra tire dumpsite in Kuwait in April 2012

In terms of water and soil pollution, according to the EPA, “for every million tires consumed by fire, about 55,000 gallons of runoff oil can pollute the environment unless contained and collected”. If uncontained, this runoff can then be carried away by rainwater to local water sources contaminating them.

Additionally, the remaining residue can cause two types of pollution; these are immediate pollution by liquid decomposition products penetrating soil, and gradual pollution from leaching of ash and unburned residues following rainfall or other water entry.

While the burning of tires is not considered recycling, there is an argument regarding whether it is worse to landfill tires or reuse them to recover energy.  While even in the United States the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes that the use of tire-derived fuels is a viable alternative to the use of fossil fuels, there are other factors that need to be considered. Click here to know the environmental benefits of tire recycling.

For instance, in more developed areas of the world, regulations are in place such as the Clean Air Act which minimizes the amount of emissions being released by businesses as well as the fact that technology exists that can help clean and filter the emissions before they are released into the air.

On the other hand, in less developed areas of the world, environmental regulations and technology of this magnitude may not exist thus, exposing those citizens to more of the environmental and health related effects of uncontrolled tire burning.  While many factors contribute to either argument, all in all this particularly issue is under examined and results in the impairment of health and the safety of entire communities in the developing world.

Red Palm Weevil – A Real Threat to Date Palms in Middle East

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A modern day threat to agriculture across the globe is the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus). This creature is native to South Asia but it rather rapidly spreading its wings and crossing the globe. The red palm weevil can completely destroy palm groves, be it coconut, date or palm oil. Over the immediate past 30 years, the red palm weevil (also known as red date weevil) has penetrated over 60 countries and is now reaching the Middle East,  northern Africa, southern Europe and across to the Caribbean.

Emergence of Red Palm Weevil in the Middle East

The weevil began to appear in Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the mid-1980s. Today, date palm farms in the south-west of Saudi Arabia have become infested. By the end of the 1990’s it was found in Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority Territories.

red palm weevil

The red palm weevil has a drastic effect on over 40 different species of palms.  They are equally devastating on the local and global economy causing economic losses in the order of millions of dollars annually. Leading date farmers in this region appreciate the seriousness of the problem.

A Challenge to Detect

The red palm weevil is not easy to spot in the palm grove. The female weevil lays up to 300 eggs inside the trunk of the palm. The eggs hatch within 2-5 days. Then, when the weevil is in the larvae stage, it burrows further into the palm trunk. The weevil is eating and destroying the palm from the inside. The larval stage averages 55 days and then moves into the pupa stage. The adult weevil emerges after 2-3 weeks. So the life cycle is around 4 months.

Because the stages of the life cycle are taking place within the palm tree, it is challenging to detect. By the time the weevil is detected,   it is often too late. This is when the palm is droopy and turning brown.  The droopiness is due to the hollowed out interior of the trunk. The inside of the palm is now a mush with a strong odour which has been described as smelling like baby diarrhea.

Trapping Systems

How have farms detected the presence of these creatures inside their palms? An interesting question as dogs can be trained to identify the foul scent. A well seasoned farmer with experience and acute hearing can hear the weevil gnawing inside the palm trunk. Once detected, the palm can be chopped down and the area placed in quarantine while the remaining palms are aggressively treated with insecticides. It is also possible to set traps impregnated with insecticide, to capture the mature weevil.

Current trapping methods include pheromone traps. Chemical spraying especially of the crown foliage  and stem injection are deployed. Biological controls such as bacteria, fungi and nematodes cannot act aggressively enough to control the weevil infestation. A weevil infestation requires an aggressive and lengthy period of pest management with toxic chemicals to defeat the hardy invader.

Ignorance is Not Bliss

As with many problematic species, people are not aware of the potential threat to the agricultural industry. In South Asia, the weevil is a delicacy to eat. Therefore, people have taken great effort to import the weevil across borders. Border crossing regulations exist but travelers will still try to bring small decorative palm trees across borders not knowing that they might well be already infested with weevil larvae.  As with many introduced species, they thrive in their new environment and rapidly multiply.

date-palm-biomass

Southern California has already experienced the devastating effects of the red date weevil. As the climates in regions across the globe increase and wetter, the environment becomes more suitable to the invasive species.

Time for Action

The global community and FAO are introducing strategies to limit the import of date palms across borders based on a size factor. The present proposal is to ban all imports of palms  that are bigger than 6cm diameter from already known infested countries. But enforcing regulating and handling infestations requires funding and an astute agricultural and customs departments.

Qanats: A Sustainable Water Management Tool For Arid Lands

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Qanats are a remarkable system for managing water without pumps and with minimal evaporation even when water is transferred over considerable distances. A mother well starts the qanat and then an underground canal set at a minimal pitch carries the water for many kilometers until it comes to the surface.

qanat cross section

Some qanats were 70 km or longer.[i]  The sizes of the tunnel and wells vary widely from narrow, barely large enough to fit a person, to substantial. In less consolidated materials the access shafts may need to be much larger. The spacing of the access shafts may be 20-150 m or more. The depth of the access wells can be estimated by looking at the depth of the soil cone deposited around the well and the spacing between wells. The outlet of the qanat may be very simple or elaborate.

qanat

These amazing water systems are dug and maintained with little more than a pick, shovel, baskets, ropes, and considerable courage and skill. Qanat workers, muqannis, worked in very tight spaces. Over generations they have developed an understanding of geology and engineering that enables them to manage the tunnels safely.[ii] To dig the horizontal transport tunnel (canal) carrying water a series of vertical wells are dug to remove material, provide access, and supply fresh air for diggers.

qanat interior

Construction of a qanat is usually performed by a crew of 3-4 muqannīs.[iii]  For a shallow qanat, one worker typically digs the horizontal shaft, one raises the excavated earth from the shaft and one distributes the excavated earth at the top. A fourth may prepare food and tea.

qanat diggers

Evidence suggests they were first used in Persia (now Iran) about 1,000 BCE. One of the most remarkable questions is who dug the first one? It is not intuitive and would have taken remarkable courage (as it does today). This system may have evolved from observations of year round water flow from mine shafts.[iv] Early farmers may have then dug their own shafts or paid miners to dig them. The technology evolved and was spread by the Persians, Romans and Silk Road and then later by the Moors, Arabs, Spanish and others. Mecca had its own qanat at times.

The relationships between land owners, qanat owners, users, and service providers are often complex and intertwined.[v] A qanat was often excavated over a long distance, covering the lands of hundreds of families with unequal shares and rights. The construction and management of qanats also evolved and changed with different rulers over the hundreds of years. Some were built with local resources, but in other cases the government invested in the construction. In many cases tax policy favored building and repairing qanats.[vi] At times a wealthy individual, village or community might invest in a qanat. A water master would often oversee water use and apportion water to users depending on the number of shares they owned or rented.

Around AD 1010, Abubakr Mohammad Karaji wrote a book on the “Extraction of Hidden Waters” discussing the technical issues associated with qanats.[vii]. He hoped to provide guidance for constructing, maintaining and repairing a qanat, how to find a groundwater supply, how to do the sophisticated leveling, etc. This important book wasn’t translated into English until 2011. Abdollah bin Tahir managed to bring together all the clergymen from throughout Khorasan and Iraq to compile a book entitled “Alghani” (The Book of Qanat).

This book took up all the rulings on qanats which could be of use to whoever wanted to judge a dispute over this issue focusing on qanat-related rulings based on Islamic principles.[viii] This was published about the same time as Karaji’s book.[ix] Eventually the understanding of qanats spread around  the world and they were adopted and are still used in many countries.

Qanats are sometimes known as a chain of wells. Other names for qanats include kanat, khanat, kunut, kona, konait, ghanat, ghundat.[x] In Persian, other words for “qanat” are kārīz (or kārēz; كاريز) for smaller distribution canals, kahan, and qanāt (قنات). Called کهن) and Kahn in Balochi; kahriz/kəhriz in Azerbaijan; khettara in Morocco; Galerías, minas or viajes de agua in Spain; falaj in Arabic: فلج) in the United Arab Emirates and Oman; and foggara/fughara in North Africa. In Asia and North Africa kakuriz, chin-avulz, and mayun may also be used. A similar system was found with the puquios of Peru.[xi] This concept may have come from the Spanish in the 1500s, but a good argument can be made that it was invented locally.

qanat wells

For a system with such great efficiency, low cost for tools and operation, and value; (and so many names) the qanat remains little known. In Iran alone there may have been 50,000 qanats with a total length of 360,000 km.[xii] This made it possible to live in areas with little or no surface runoff.

In well-consolidated soil and subsoils test wells could be dug to find a reliable water source. These wells might be only 1 m in diameter, not for the claustrophobic. Once water was found a larger access shaft would be dug. This is considered the “mother” well. Several wells might be linked to feed the start of the qanat. Digging out in the horizontal shaft would have been challenging. By the time Kariji was working the surveying tools were quite sophisticated.

qanat digging

When hauling the debris back and up required too much work a new vertical shaft would be dug. These shafts might be 20-80 m or more apart and were usually not too deep, but parts of the 2,700-year old Gonabad Qanat were dug to a remarkable 300 m. Access shafts would also add fresh air for the workers. In porous soils the bottom of the horizontal tunnel would need a waterproof coating. In weaker soils wood, plaster or stone bracing might be needed for the access shafts and tunnels.

Qanats required maintenance to clear debris and keep flows steady. The debris cones made from all the excavated soil provided some protection from flood waters, but because they were often in alluvial deposits and following stream channels. They would have been vulnerable to very rare but large flash floods.

Qanats provide a low technology way to collect and move water over considerable distances by gravity. These underground aqueducts, built thousands of years ago, suffer almost no evaporation loss. The qanat water was split into a distributing network of smaller underground canals called kariz when reaching villages or cities.[xiii]

Like qanats, these smaller canals were below ground (perhaps 20 steps), and were built in ways that protected them from contamination. They could provide clean drinking water and a relatively steady flow of water. Qanats are ideal for dispersed rural populations and villages with low population density and steady water demand during the year.[xiv]  Larger qanats also supported larger towns and extensive farming. Smaller qanats may service just a couple of fields

An Example: Zarch Qanat[xv]  Length 80 km, greatest depth 90 m

The town of Zārch is located in Yazd Province, Iran. This arid area has low precipitation, high temperatures and high evaporation. There is no permanent river or surface runoff so groundwater is the only resource for much of the year. Seasonal runoff enters the area from the northern foothills of Siyah Kuh mountains. The mother well of the Shur branch is 3 km from Fahraj village in SE of Yazd at a depth of 90 m. It provides about 25 liters/second.

The qanat has three branches, but only the Shur one is operational. The horizontal tunnel is 1.8 m tall and 60 cm wide. The gradient is about 0.5° The qanat provides water for 300 ha of farms. The water is delivered to farmers once every 15 days.  The qanat is owned by the farmers managed by a council. Shares can be rented.

Looking for qanats with Google Earth is instructive. A good place to start is around Yazd, Iran.

Try going to 31° 47.517’N 54° 36.565’E for starters. Several small and large qanats are visible.

In Iran the cool air delivered in the horizontal well is used to cool buildings.[xvi] This enables air cooled by evaporation to be drawn up into the building by out flow from the downwind side, exhaust into the low pressure area  of the wind tower (bâdgir) and pressure on the upwind side. In some cases the qanat flow is used to operate a small water mill to grind flour.[xvii] These were not large but could operate year round with little effort or attention.

qanats

Qanat Tourism –  A Promising Venture

Cities such as Yazd, Kashan, and Gonabad have well-preserved qanats that still serve as functional water sources and cool buildings. They also offer unique tourist experiences.[xviii] A beginning effort is bringing tourists to some of the qanats, including a walk in the horizontal channel, marvel at ancient qanat structures, and the opportunity to witness traditional qanat maintenance techniques. Additionally, some tour operators offer experiential activities such as qanat hiking, where participants trek along qanat routes and discover hidden water sources and natural landscapes.

Qanats are a remarkable and sustainable water management technology that could help revitalize many desert locations around the world. They can help provide drinking water and some irrigation water in arid zones with no surface water and move water without electrical energy, fossil fuel driven pumps, and very low evaporation losses. Classes or workshops taught by the muqannis could help introduce qanats in other areas. Universities might consider adding certificate programs for qanat building and maintenance.

References

[i] Traditional water sources of Persian antiquity. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_water sources_of_Persian_antiquity   Accessed January 20, 2025

[ii] Nasiri, F., Mafakheri, M. S. Qanat water supply systems: a revisit of sustainability perspectives. Environ Syst Res 4, 13 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-015-0039-9

[iii] Qanat. Clean River Trust.

[iv] Semsar Yazdi, A. A. and Askarzadeh. S. A historical review on the qanats and historic hydraulic structures of Iran since the First Millenium BC. pp. 311-322. International History Seminar on Irrigation and Drainage Tehran-Iran May 2-5, 2007. Iranian National Committee on Irrigation, and Drainage-International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. ( 2007)

[v] Kobori, I. Some notes on the diffusion of the qanat. Orient 9:43–66 (1973)

[vi] Saatsaz, M. and Rezaei, A. The technology, management, and culture of water in ancient Iran from prehistoric times to the Islamic Golden Age. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 142: 1-22. (2023)

[vii] Ataie-Ashtiani, B. Simmons, C. T.  The millennium-old hydrogeology textbook The Extraction of Hidden Waters by the Persian mathematician and engineer Abubakr Mohammad Karaji (953 CE–1029 CE) Hydrology and Earth Systems Science.. 24, 761–769, 2020 https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-24-761-2020

[viii] Semsar Yazdi and Askarzadeh (2007)

[ix] Litwin, D. The Extraction of Hidden Waters: 11th century Persian scientist laid the foundations for hydrology and water engineering. Geobites. Jan 26. (2020)

[x] Qanat. Wikipedia

[xi] Proulx, D. A. Nasca Puquios and Aqueducts. Originally published in German in: Nasca: Geheimnisvolle Zeichen im Alten Peru, edited by Judith Rickenbach, Pp. 89-96. Zürich.

[xii] Salih, A. Qanats a unique groundwater management tool in arid regions: The case of Bam Region in Iran. pp. 79-87. In International Symposium on Groundwater Sustainability (ISGWAS), January 2006.

[xiii] Qanat and Kariz. Traditional water sources of Persian antiquity. Wikipedia. Accessed Jan 24, 2025.

[xiv] Motiee H, Mcbean E, Semsar A, Gharabaghi B, Ghomashchi V. Assessment of the contributions of traditional Qanats in sustainable water resources management. Water Resources Development 22:575–588  (2006)

[xv] Zarch Qanat World Heritage Irrigation Structures, ICID_CIID, New Delhi. https://icid-ciid.org/award/his_details/136.

[xvi] One of my students complained that it made for buildings that, for her, were too cool.

[xvii] Yazdi, A. A. S. and Khaneiki, M. L. Barriers and limitations on qanat construction and rehabilitation. pp. 77-97 in Qanat Knowledge. Springer, Netherlands.

[xviii] Raheleh. Exploring Iran’s Ingenious Water Management System: The Persian Qanat. June 15, 2024. Accessed January 21, 2025. https://www.adventureiran.com/persian-qanat/.

5 bonnes résolutions à adopter pour l’environnement en 2025

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À l’arrivée de la nouvelle année, les bonnes résolutions ne servent pas qu’à la croissance personnelle. Il s’agit aussi de l’occasion idéale pour réfléchir aux gestes qui contribuent à une planète plus saine. Faire des choix durables, ce n’est pas forcément changer sa vie du tout au tout : vous pouvez commencer par des petits ajustements qui ont du sens.

Voici cinq bonnes résolutions faciles à tenir qui feront la différence pour 2025 : engagez-vous pour l’environnement sans déranger votre quotidien !

1. Repensez les déchets : réutilisation, recyclage

Prêt à changer vos habitudes ? La bonne nouvelle, c’est qu’il suffit de petits ajustements pour faire une grande différence dans la réduction des déchets. La clé, c’est de repenser vos habitudes et de choisir la voie de la réutilisation et du recyclage. En substituant les emballages en plastique à usage unique par des matériaux réutilisables, vous prenez déjà une première mesure efficace.

plastic bag alternative

Finissez-en avec les plastiques à usage unique

Pour faire simple : les plastiques à usage unique sont omniprésents. Ils nuisent à l’environnement et encombrent les décharges. Pensez-y : plutôt que de prendre une bouteille d’eau en plastique, pourquoi ne pas choisir des contenants réutilisables ? Par exemple :

  • Bouteilles d’eau
  • Tasses à café
  • Serviettes en tissu

Tous ces choix peuvent vous aider à réduire vos déchets. Si tout le monde en faisait de même, l’impact serait conséquent !

Optez pour des contenants en verre ou en métal

Pour stocker la nourriture, pensez à remplacer les contenants en plastique par des contenants en métal ou en verre. Non seulement ces derniers sont plus sûrs, ils durent aussi plus longtemps et ne contiennent pas de produits chimiques nuisibles qu’on retrouve dans certains plastiques. Vous pouvez y emballer vos restes, vos repas et même vos collations à emporter de façon plus durable.

Qu’est-ce que ça change?

Saviez-vous que la décomposition du plastique prend plusieurs centaines d’années ? Le plastique dont vous vous servez aujourd’hui ne disparaîtra pas avant plusieurs générations. Surprenant, n’est-ce pas ? Faites partie de la solution, utilisez des contenants plus écolos. Et puis soyons honnêtes, le verre et le métal sont bien plus esthétiques. Qui refuserait une gamelle aussi chic ?

De nouvelles habitudes écolos

Adopter des habitudes écologiques sans prise de tête, c’est possible. Commencez en douceur avec des sacs de courses réutilisables. Ce geste simple peut avoir des effets significatifs : vous réduisez la demande de sacs plastiques à chaque fois que vous faites les magasins. Il suffit de bien penser à prendre votre sac réutilisable quand vous sortez.

Et n’oubliez pas les serviettes en tissu ! Elles remplaceront les serviettes en papier que vous avez chez vous. Non seulement vous réduirez vos déchets, mais vous ajouterez aussi une touche d’élégance à vos repas. Tous les repas ont besoin d’un peu plus de goût !

2. Modes de transport alternatifs : toujours plus loin

Avez-vous déjà réfléchi au nombre de trajets en voiture que vous faites par semaine ? La réponse pourrait vous surprendre. Chaque fois que vous choisissez de prendre votre véhicule, vous contribuez aux émissions de CO2. D’ailleurs, chaque kilomètre non parcouru évite l’émission de 250 g de carbone dans l’atmosphère. L’impact est considérable. C’est là que les modes de transports alternatifs entrent en jeu. Ces mesures profiteront tant à l’environnement qu’à vous-même.

Les transports en commun : un choix judicieux

Les bus, les trains et les métros constituent d’excellentes alternatives à la voiture. Réduisez votre empreinte carbone de façon significative grâce aux transports en commun. Les avantages ne s’arrêtent pas là. Avez-vous déjà calculé les économies que vous feriez sans les dépenses liées à l’essence et au parking ? Vous pourriez économiser des centaines, voire des milliers d’euros par an.

  • Économies de coût :Les transports en commun coûtent souvent moins cher que l’entretien d’une voiture.
  • Moins de stress :Plus besoin de craindre les bouchons.
  • Prenez du temps pour vous :Lecture, musique, détente.

Soyons francs : les transports en commun ne sont pas très glamour, mais les avantages en valent la peine. De plus, dans certaines villes, les réseaux de transports en commun sont en pleine amélioration. Gardez un œil sur les initiatives locales qui favorisent ce genre de méthodes. Il pourrait être étonnamment facile de s’y mettre !

green living tips for seniors

À pied ou à vélo : des habitudes plus saines

Se fixer des objectifs à pied ou à vélo pour les trajets courts, c’est bon pour la planète et pour votre santé ! Pensez-y, combien de trajets courts pourriez-vous effectuer à pied ou à vélo ? Marchez jusqu’au supermarché au lieu de prendre la voiture. Il s’agit d’un changement minime dont vous pourriez tirer des bienfaits immenses.

Au-delà de la protection de l’environnement, il s’agit aussi d’intégrer une activité physique à votre routine quotidienne : vous vous sentirez mieux et vous économiserez l’essence.

N’oubliez pas : « Imaginez la différence si tout le monde supprimait un trajet en voiture par semaine ! »

Suivez vos économies de carbone

Pour garder une motivation à toute épreuve, suivez vos économies en carbone. Le fait de laisser une trace de vos efforts vous aidera à rester concentré. Utilisez une application ou un journal pour y consigner le nombre de kilomètres que vous économisez en évitant de prendre la voiture ; vous prendrez plaisir à voir le nombre augmenter.

  • Installez une application toute bête pour suivre vos trajets.
  • Calculez le nombre d’émissions de carbone évitées.
  • N’hésitez pas à fêter les paliers : 100 kilomètres de non-conduite, par exemple !

Gardez bien à l’esprit que chaque partie de vos trajets a son importance. En trouvant des moyens uniques de réduire votre bilan carbone, vous faites aussi partie d’une solution plus large. C’est valorisant de savoir qu’on fait la différence, non ?

3. Alimentation durable : mangez en toute conscience

Avez-vous déjà réfléchi aux conséquences de vos habitudes alimentaires sur la planète ? C’est un fait, soit votre alimentation est compatible avec des pratiques durables, soit elle nuit à l’environnement. Compte tenu des préoccupations grandissantes suscitées par le réchauffement climatique, l’adoption d’un régime plus écologique est essentielle. Voici quelques manières stimulantes de changer vos repas pour le mieux.

Essayez des recettes à base de plantes

Les recettes à base de plantes constituent une stratégie particulièrement efficace. En plus d’être nutritifs, les plats végétaliens peuvent être un vrai délice. Avez-vous déjà goûté une bonne soupe aux lentilles ? Ou des pâtes aux noix de cajou bien crémeuses ? Ces plats savent satisfaire votre gourmandise et émettent généralement moins de carbone que les repas à base de viande.

  • Une fois par semaine, commencez par un « lundi sans viande ».
  • Tentez de nouvelles céréales, comme le quinoa, le farro ou l’orge.
  • Ouvrez-vous aux cuisines internationales (indienne ou méditerranéenne, par exemple) qui contiennent beaucoup de plats à base de plantes.

Il vous suffit de quelques changements minimes pour découvrir tout un univers de nouvelles saveurs, le tout en ménageant la planète. Partez à l’aventure avec de nouvelles recettes !

Renseignez-vous sur les fermes locales qui proposent des choix de viande éthique

Si vous optez pour la viande, pensez à vous fournir auprès des fermes locales qui adoptent des pratiques agricoles durables et éthiques. Cela implique de favoriser un élevage respectueux des animaux, sans utiliser des pratiques agricoles industrielles qui nuisent à la terre.

Invitez vos amis et votre famille à cuisiner de façon durable

La cuisine, c’est plus agréable à plusieurs ! Pourquoi ne pas inviter vos amis et votre famille à se joindre à votre mission alimentation durable ? Vous pourriez par exemple organiser une soirée cuisine, où chaque convive apporterait un repas durable à partager. C’est un excellent moyen de créer des liens tout en apprenant comment manger équilibré.

En plus de vous responsabiliser, vous prendrez goût à la cuisine ! Et puis, le travail d’équipe produit souvent de vrais délices en cuisine.

Le lien entre le régime et les émissions de carbone

Chaque repas préparé et ingéré contribue à votre empreinte carbone. L’industrie alimentaire contribue aux problématiques environnementales de façon significative, et vos choix pèsent dans la balance. Saviez-vous qu’augmenter votre consommation d’aliments à base de plantes peut considérablement réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre ?

Autre outil très efficace : la planification des repas. En planifiant vos repas, vous utilisez vos ingrédients de manière plus efficiente et générez donc moins de déchets. Vous aurez également moins tendance à acheter des plats à emporter, ce qui influe sur les déchets plastiques.

4. Faites des économies d’énergie : votre maison, votre impact

Les économies d’énergie, ce n’est pas juste un mot à la mode : c’est un mode de vie qui joue autant sur votre portefeuille que sur la planète. Saviez-vous que des habitudes toutes simples prises dès l’enfance peuvent influer sur votre consommation d’énergie actuelle ? Voici comment vous pouvez faire la différence depuis chez vous.

energy conservation guide

Attention à « l’énergie vampire »

L’énergie vampire, aussi appelée consommation d’électricité en mode veille, désigne l’énergie consommée par les appareils branchés mais éteints. Pensez par exemple à votre téléphone portable, votre télévision ou votre vieux micro-ondes. Mêmes éteints, ils consomment de l’énergie. C’est fou, non ?

  • Éteignez vos appareils :Prenez l’habitude d’éteindre et de débrancher les appareils que vous n’utilisez pas. Créez des rappels si nécessaire.
  • Utilisez des multiprises :Faites-en vos plus fidèles alliées ! Branchez plusieurs appareils sur une seule prise que vous éteindrez une fois que vous aurez fini.

Investissez dans des appareils écoénergétiques

Vous songez à remplacer l’un de vos vieux appareils ? Pensez à investir dans des modèles écoénergétiques. Le coût initial sera peut-être plus élevé, mais vous ferez des économies non négligeables sur le long terme.

Les appareils écoénergétiques sont dotés du label Energy Star. Ils consomment moins d’énergie et feront donc baisser la facture d’électricité. Voici quelques exemples d’appareils écoénergétiques courants :

  1. Réfrigérateurs :Les réfrigérateurs tournent en permanence, cela vaut donc la peine d’investir dans un modèle écoénergétique.
  2. Machines à laver :Elles consomment beaucoup moins d’eau et d’énergie que les modèles classiques.
  3. Ampoules :Les ampoules LED réduisent considérablement votre consommation d’énergie. Elles durent plus longtemps et consomment beaucoup moins de watts.

Intéressez-vous aux sources d’énergie renouvelable, telles que le soleil

Vous voulez passer au vert tout en faisant des économies ? Et si vous choisissiez l’énergie solaire ? Les panneaux solaires exploitent l’énergie solaire pour la convertir en électricité pour votre domicile.

Certes, l’installation initiale peut être coûteuse, mais voyez cela comme un investissement pour le futur. De nombreuses régions proposent même une fiscalité incitative pour compenser les coûts liés à l’installation.

Surveillez votre consommation énergétique

Le fait de surveiller votre consommation énergétique vous donnera une idée plus claire de la situation. Pensez à utiliser des compteurs intelligents ou des contrôleurs d’énergie. Ces outils vous fourniront des données en temps réel sur votre consommation.

En surveillant vos habitudes, vous pourrez repérer les points à améliorer. À quels moments observez-vous un pic de consommation ? En utilisant certains de vos appareils en-dehors de ces heures, vous pourriez faire des économies de coût et d’énergie.

Repérez les aspects à améliorer

Faites un tour chez vous. Identifiez les zones qui pourraient bénéficier de meilleures pratiques de conservation d’énergie. Vos fenêtres laissent-elles passer l’air ? Une meilleure isolation peut vous aider à conserver la chaleur sans abuser du chauffage. Vous réglez le thermostat trop haut en hiver ? Quelques degrés en moins peuvent faire toute la différence.

Quand vous adoptez des gestes pour économiser l’énergie, n’oubliez pas qu’il suffit parfois de petits changements pour obtenir de grands résultats. Apportez une contribution positive à vos finances et à l’environnement, un appareil débranché ou écoénergétique à la fois !

5. Réduisez votre consommation d’eau : Petit pas, bond de géant

L’eau est essentielle à la vie. Pourtant, nombre d’entre nous prennent cette ressource pour acquise. Vous ne le savez peut-être pas, mais vos habitudes quotidiennes gâchent peut-être plus d’eau que vous ne le croyez. Pas de panique ! Il suffit de petits ajustements pour faire une grande différence. Découvrez comment limiter votre consommation d’eau et conserver cette ressource inestimable.

Optez pour un système et une pomme de douche à débit réduit

Vous avez déjà pensé à votre pomme de douche ? Cette dernière consomme peut-être plus d’eau que vous ne le pensez. Vous pouvez faire baisser la quantité d’eau utilisée de façon considérable en choisissant un système à débit réduit. Ces systèmes sont conçus pour économiser l’eau sans pour autant sacrifier la pression. Vous pourrez donc vous rafraîchir tout en économisant plusieurs litres d’eau à chaque fois.

De plus, l’installation de robinets à débit réduit dans la cuisine et la salle de bain constitue un autre moyen efficace d’éviter le gaspillage d’eau. Ce changement très simple peut faire toute la différence.

Ne faites tourner que des machines pleines

ll vous arrive de faire tourner des machines à moitié vides quand vous faites la lessive ? Il est tentant d’utiliser la machine pour quelques vêtements uniquement, mais chaque lavage consomme une quantité d’eau significative. Essayez de toujours charger votre machine à pleine capacité non seulement pour économiser l’eau, mais aussi l’énergie, puisque le lave-linge tournera ainsi moins souvent.

Sensibilisez votre entourage à l’efficience d’utilisation de l’eau

Voilà une idée amusante : pourquoi ne pas partager vos découvertes ? Discutez avec vos amis et votre famille de l’importance de faire des économies d’eau. Parfois, les gens ont seulement besoin d’être encouragés. Partagez vos expériences et même vos techniques pour économiser l’eau. Pourquoi ne pas organiser un atelier collectif ou proposer un défi amusant autour du thème de la conservation d’eau ?

Le fait de sensibiliser votre entourage entraînera un effet domino : ils auront peut-être envie de changer leurs habitudes aussi ! C’est comme planter un arbre : ce geste simple est susceptible de faire pousser toute une forêt d’efforts écologiques.

Objectif 2025

Accueillons cette nouvelle année avec de nouveaux défis, grâce à ces bonnes résolutions à la fois simples et efficaces. Et n’oubliez pas, c’est le progrès qui importe et non la perfection.

Commencez aujourd’hui. Adoptez ces bonnes résolutions durables et assistez à la transformation de vos habitudes. Vos actes comptent. Soyez fier de contribuer à un futur plus écologique. La planète vous remerciera!

Translator: Cécile Lamhene

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

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

رمضان والبيئة… تجربة الشارقة نموذجاً

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البيئة من القضايا المهمة في المناشط الرمضانية وتشكل محوراً رئيساً في الأنشطة المجتمعية والمؤسسية، وتكون في مقدمة أولويات الحوار الاجتماعي في المجالس الرمضانية والندوات الفكرية التي يجري تنظيمها ضمن الأنشطة في شهر رمضان، ويجسد ذلك التوجه الفهم المؤسس في تشخيص البعد الاستراتيجي للقضايا البيئية في واقع الحياة المعيشية وفي منظومة الخطط الاقتصادية والتنموية، وتؤكد موقعها المحوري في الاهتمام المجتمعي.

ويدلل الحوار الرمضاني البيئي أيضاً على مستوى الوعي المتصاعد بضرورة تفعيل جهود العمل الموجه لعملية التحديث المتواتر للاستراتيجيات البيئية التي تواكب المتطلبات العصرية في العلاقة مع النظم البيئية ومنهجيات العمل المؤسس لصون توازنها الطبيعي، والعمل أيضاً في تبني الخطط التنموية الرشيدة وغير الضارة بمكونات النظام البيئي، كما يشير ذلك التوجه إلى الوعي المجتمعي إلى ما يمكن أن تسببه الأنشطة والسلوك غير الرشيد في العلاقة مع النظام البيئي في إحداث المخاطر المخلة بالأمن البيئي لكوكب الأرض.

والمجالس الرمضانية تقليد حضاري وثقافة مجتمعية يحرص الناشطون والمهتمون بالشأن البيئي، على الاستفادة من فاعليتها في التأثير على صناعة القرار البيئي السديد والعمل في إطار أنشطتها على تنظيم حلقات الحوار الرمضانية النوعية في معالجة القضايا البيئية بمشاركة المختصين والمسئولين وصناع القرار أيضاً، إلى جانب نشطاء العمل التطوعي البيئي. ويجري في سياق منهجية الحوارات تبصر الحلول والمخارج المنهجية وتقديم المقترحات ذات الأهمية الاستراتيجية في بناء الخطط التنفيذية في الشأن البيئي، والتي تسهم في صناعة البرامج المؤسسة لتعديل السلوك البيئي وإحداث التحول النوعي في منظومة القانون والإدارة البيئية.

النشاط الرمضاني البيئي جهد مجتمعي ورسالة بيئية مهمة في مقوم تكوينها الاستراتيجي، يمكن أن تسهم في وضع أسس موجهة لصياغة ميثاق للعمل البيئي يرتكز على مقومات رصينة في العلاقة مع البيئة، من الطبيعي أن يشكل مرجعاً لمنهجية العمل البيئي، وإحداث التحول النوعي في القرار البيئي، وفي منظومة الخطط البيئية والتنموية، والارتقاء بآلية العمل الإداري والقانوني في الشأن البيئي.

ويمكن من خلال هذه الأنشطة أيضاً، إيصال المرئيات والمقترحات بشأن الطرق المنهجية في معالجة القضايا البيئية بطريقة ميسرة، إلى متخذي القرار البيئي الذين ندرك حرصهم ومتابعتهم لهكذا أنشطة لتبني القرار البيئي الذي يدعم النهج الايجابي للحد من التجاوزات والأنشطة غير الرشيدة، والحفاظ على معالم النظام البيئي وصون مقومات توازنها الطبيعي.

تجربة النشاط البيئي الرمضاني في الشارقة في الفترة من العام 2000 إلى العام 2011 من التجارب النوعية التي تزخر بها الدول الخليجية، ويحسن التوقف عندها وقراءة أسسها المنهجية في طرح ومعالجة القضايا البيئية وتبصر فوائدها في تحريك سواكن الفهم الاجتماعي البيئي، حيث أكّدت حضورها في الحراك البيئي منذ بدء نشاطها ضمن فعاليات القرية التراثية التي جرى تشييدها على بحيرة خالد العام 2000.

التجربة شهدت تطوراً ملموساً بإنشاء هيئة البيئة والمحميات الطبيعية في الشارقة قرية بيئية متداخلة الأنشطة والفعاليات الاجتماعية والثقافية والبيئية ضمن فعاليات مهرجان رمضان الشارقة، وكان للنهج الإداري المرن والممنهج الذي انتهجه رئيس الهيئة سابقاً (عبد العزيز عبدالله المدفع) أثره الفعلي في التفاعل المسئول لفريق عمل التوعية والتثقيف البيئي في بناء خطة نوعية متعددة المناشط الاجتماعية والبيئية. والقرية البيئية من الأنشطة الرمضانية المهمة التي حظيت باهتمام المجتمع وشمل برنامجها المعرض البيئي المتنوع في معارفه ورسائله البيئية والبرنامج الاجتماعي البيئي.

والبرنامج البيئي للمنتدى الفكري من المحاور المهمة والفعلية ضمن خطة مناشط القرية البيئية حيث جرى تنظيم حلقات حوار ناقشت قضايا المخدرات وأثرها على الأمن الاجتماعي، وترشيد الاستهلاك وحماية المستهلك مسئولية مشتركة، والإعلام وحماية المستهلك، والموارد الطبيعية وحقوق الأجيال، والتطوّع والبيئة، والتوعية والتثقيف الصحي، وتسجيل حلقة نموذجية حول الإعلام وقضايا حماية البيئة.

الندوات الفكرية في الشأن البيئي التي جرى تنظيمها تشكل هي الأخرى أحد معالم تجربة الشارقة للنشاط البيئي الرمضاني، وتركت تلك المناشط أثرها الإيجابي في منظومة العمل البيئي والاهتمام باعتماد أبجديات الإدارة البيئية ومواصفات الجودة البيئية التي دخلت ضمن عدد من المؤسسات الصناعية والإنتاجية. كما ترك ذلك الجهد أثره في الارتقاء بالنشاط المدرسي والمؤسسي البيئي.

الشراكة محور رئيس في إنجاز حلقات النقاش الفكري حيث شاركت في فعالياتها مؤسسات القطاع الحكومي والخاص والمجتمع المدني، كما شاركت في حوارات المنتدى الفكري مجموعة متميزة من المختصين في المجال البيئي، وأكاديميون وممثلو القطاع التعليمي والتربوي وكتاب ومثقفون وإعلاميون، إلى جانب نشطاء العمل التطوعي البيئي. وكان لذلك التنوع أثره في إثراء مخرجات الحوار البيئي وتبنّي الرؤى والمقترحات المنهجية الموجهة لبناء الخطط وآليات النشاط الإداري والقانوني والبحثي، وبرامج التوعية وبناء القدرات البيئية، وذلك محصل مهم ينبغي الاستفادة منه وتعميم فوائده في المناشط الرمضانية.

إن ذلك المنجز يتجسد في الرسائل الموجّهة لإحداث التحوّل النوعي في المراجعة البيئية ووضع أسس ممنهجة لبناء استراتيجية بيئية ترتكز على ثوابت الأسس الحديثة للمشروع الدولي البيئي.

Credit Cards For Bad Credit – Why Everybody Needs to Get One

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If уоu аrе оnе оf thоѕе реорlе whо саnnоt tаkе a brеаk wіth gооd credit ratings аnd аrе wіllіng tо restore аn оbѕсurеd ѕtаtе, thеn bad credit cards аrе rіght fоr уоu. Thеѕе аrе ѕресіаllу designed cards thаt tаrgеt реорlе tо help thеm overcome thе сhаllеngеѕ оf bаd сrеdіt.

credit cards for bad credit

Thе fаѕtеr уоu focus оn hоw tо rеvеrѕе thе ѕіtuаtіоn; It wоuld bе easier tо build thаt impressive сrеdіt аnd start getting gооd credit ѕсоrе ratings. It іѕ vеrу easy tо gеt thеѕе best credit cards for no credit thаt mоѕt mаjоr соmраnіеѕ аrе introducing nеw орtіоnѕ tо аѕѕіѕt wіth negative credit rаtіngѕ. If уоu’vе hеаrd оf “ѕаfе cards”, thіѕ іѕ thе соmmоn nаmе fоr thіѕ card. Whаt уоu wіll bе аѕkеd tо dо whеn уоu visit уоur ѕuррlіеr оr bаnk іѕ tо hаvе a fixed bаlаnсе thаt wоuld bе kept аѕ ѕесurіtу іn a nеw оr еxіѕtіng ѕаvіngѕ ассоunt.

Thе bаnk оr ѕuррlіеr wіll tell уоu thе аmоunt оf thе саѕh balance thаt wоuld bе nееdеd. Thіѕ bаlаnсе wоuld bе thе insurance fоr thе bаnk оr ѕuррlіеr іn thе еvеnt thаt іt іѕ nоt роѕѕіblе tо mаkе mоnthlу рауmеntѕ.

Thеrе аrе ѕоmе рrоblеmѕ уоu nееd tо knоw whеn уоu ѕеlесt іnсоrrесt credit cards:

  • Thе mіnіmum balance thаt thе bank rеԛuіrеѕ tо mаіntаіn
  • Thе amount fоr рауmеnt оf thе іntеrеѕt rаtе
  • Whаt уоu wіll ѕреnd оn tоtаl expenses
  • Thе acceptable сrеdіt lіmіt bаѕеd оn thе cash bаlаnсе

Yоu nееd tо lооk аt thе dіffеrеnt орtіоnѕ bеfоrе dесіdіng whеrе tо buy thіѕ card bесаuѕе ѕоmе соmраnіеѕ mау nоt рау іntеrеѕt. Dо уоur rеѕеаrсh аnd gеt аll thе rеlеvаnt іnfоrmаtіоn іf уоu don’t undеrѕtаnd hоw іt wоrkѕ bеѕt fоr уоu. If thе company allows уоu tо kеер a lоw bаlаnсе іn уоur ассоunt, thіѕ wіll bе rеflесtеd іn thе credit limit уоu wоuld bе allowed.

Thіѕ option іѕ аррrесіаtеd bу mоѕt реорlе аѕ іt рutѕ thеm іn a bеttеr position tо mоnіtоr аnd соntrоl hоw muсh thеу аrе spending; thіѕ іѕ ѕоmеthіng tо fаll bасk оn financially. Thіѕ type оf саrd hаѕ аlѕо proved bеnеfісіаl tо реорlе аѕ thеу саn nоw еnjоу a роѕіtіvе сrеdіt роѕіtіоn. Sоmе people соnѕіdеr іt mоrе lіkе a dеbіt саrd аѕ іt dоеѕ nоt offer thеm thе ѕаmе credit card орtіоnѕ.

It dоеѕn’t tаkе lоng fоr ѕоmеоnе tо gеt a bad сrеdіt rаtіng аѕ іt саn ѕіmрlу ѕnеаk іn іf уоur іnсоmе іѕ consistently lоwеr thаn уоur expenses. Whеn thіѕ hарреnѕ, іt іѕ difficult tо obtain аррrоvаlѕ fоr lоаnѕ оr сrеdіt cards.

Sоmеthіng tо kеер іn mіnd аftеr асԛuіrіng thе wrоng credit саrdѕ:

  • Mаkе ѕurе уоu knоw аll thе committees involved
  • Mаkе ѕurе thаt thе соmраnу thаt registered wіth thе сrеdіt institutions rероrtѕ
  • Mаkе ѕurе рауmеntѕ аrе оn tіmе bесаuѕе tolerance periods саn bе complicated
  • Mаkе ѕurе thе саѕh bаlаnсе іѕ nоt hіghеr thаn whаt уоu аrе offered fоr уоur credit line.

Rеmеmbеr thаt уоu аrе looking fоr fаvоrаblе credit rаtіngѕ thаt уоu ѕhоuld definitely nоt add tо a bad оnе. Wіth ѕо mаnу vеndоrѕ аnd bankers оffеrіng thіѕ орtіоn, іt іѕ vеrу іmроrtаnt tо gеt аll thе information bеfоrе соmmіttіng tо incorrect credit саrdѕ. Thеrеfоrе, іt іѕ essential tо choose this best credit cards for no credit ѕtаtе іn оrdеr nоt tо сrеаtе mоrе сhаllеngеѕ.

Thе fаѕtеr уоu focus оn hоw tо rеvеrѕе thе ѕіtuаtіоn; It wоuld bе easier tо build thаt impressive сrеdіt аnd start getting gооd credit ѕсоrе ratings. It іѕ vеrу easy tо gеt credit cards for no credit thаt mоѕt mаjоr соmраnіеѕ аrе introducing nеw орtіоnѕ tо аѕѕіѕt wіth negative credit rаtіngѕ. If уоu’vе hеаrd оf “ѕаfе cards”, thіѕ іѕ thе соmmоn nаmе fоr thіѕ card. Whаt уоu wіll bе аѕkеd tо dо whеn уоu visit уоur ѕuррlіеr оr bаnk іѕ tо hаvе a fixed bаlаnсе thаt wоuld bе kept аѕ ѕесurіtу іn a nеw оr еxіѕtіng ѕаvіngѕ ассоunt.

Thе bаnk оr ѕuррlіеr wіll tell уоu thе аmоunt оf thе саѕh balance thаt wоuld bе nееdеd. Thіѕ bаlаnсе wоuld bе thе insurance fоr thе bаnk оr ѕuррlіеr іn thе еvеnt thаt іt іѕ nоt роѕѕіblе tо mаkе mоnthlу рауmеntѕ.

Thеrе аrе ѕоmе рrоblеmѕ уоu nееd tо knоw whеn уоu ѕеlесt іnсоrrесt credit cards:

  • Thе mіnіmum balance thаt thе bank rеԛuіrеѕ tо mаіntаіn
  • Thе amount fоr рауmеnt оf thе іntеrеѕt rаtе
  • Whаt уоu wіll ѕреnd оn tоtаl expenses
  • Thе acceptable сrеdіt lіmіt bаѕеd оn thе cash bаlаnсе

Yоu nееd tо lооk аt thе dіffеrеnt орtіоnѕ bеfоrе dесіdіng whеrе tо buy thіѕ card bесаuѕе ѕоmе соmраnіеѕ mау nоt рау іntеrеѕt. Dо уоur rеѕеаrсh аnd gеt аll thе rеlеvаnt іnfоrmаtіоn іf уоu don’t undеrѕtаnd hоw іt wоrkѕ bеѕt fоr уоu. If thе company allows уоu tо kеер a lоw bаlаnсе іn уоur ассоunt, thіѕ wіll bе rеflесtеd іn thе credit limit уоu wоuld bе allowed.

Thіѕ option іѕ аррrесіаtеd bу mоѕt реорlе аѕ іt рutѕ thеm іn a bеttеr position tо mоnіtоr аnd соntrоl hоw muсh thеу аrе spending; thіѕ іѕ ѕоmеthіng tо fаll bасk оn financially. Thіѕ type оf саrd hаѕ аlѕо proved bеnеfісіаl tо реорlе аѕ thеу саn nоw еnjоу a роѕіtіvе сrеdіt роѕіtіоn. Sоmе people соnѕіdеr іt mоrе lіkе a dеbіt саrd аѕ іt dоеѕ nоt offer thеm thе ѕаmе credit card орtіоnѕ.

How to use your credit card responsibly

It dоеѕn’t tаkе lоng fоr ѕоmеоnе tо gеt a bad сrеdіt rаtіng аѕ іt саn ѕіmрlу ѕnеаk іn іf уоur іnсоmе іѕ consistently lоwеr thаn уоur expenses. Whеn thіѕ hарреnѕ, іt іѕ difficult tо obtain аррrоvаlѕ fоr lоаnѕ оr сrеdіt cards.

Sоmеthіng tо kеер іn mіnd аftеr асԛuіrіng thе wrоng credit саrdѕ:

  • Mаkе ѕurе уоu knоw аll thе committees involved
  • Mаkе ѕurе thаt thе соmраnу thаt registered wіth thе сrеdіt institutions rероrtѕ
  • Mаkе ѕurе рауmеntѕ аrе оn tіmе bесаuѕе tolerance periods саn bе complicated
  • Mаkе ѕurе thе саѕh bаlаnсе іѕ nоt hіghеr thаn whаt уоu аrе offered fоr уоur credit line.

Rеmеmbеr thаt уоu аrе looking fоr fаvоrаblе credit rаtіngѕ thаt уоu ѕhоuld definitely nоt add tо a bad оnе. Wіth ѕо mаnу vеndоrѕ аnd bankers оffеrіng thіѕ орtіоn, іt іѕ vеrу іmроrtаnt tо gеt аll thе information bеfоrе соmmіttіng tо incorrect credit саrdѕ. Thеrеfоrе, іt іѕ essential tо choose the best credit cards for no credit ѕtаtе іn оrdеr nоt tо сrеаtе mоrе сhаllеngеѕ.