Environmental Sustainability in Qatar: Perspectives

qatar-ghg-emissionsIn recent years, the concept of environmental sustainability is slowly, but steadily, getting prominence, both in the public and private sectors in Qatar. Mounting environmental pressure has led to the development of new initiatives in several state-owned and private companies. As a major fossil exporter and one of the wealthiest countries, Qatar should do its fair share in reducing domestic greenhouse gas emissions and developing strong climate adaptation plans.

Many companies are investing heavily in replacing old turbines, boilers, and furnaces, minimizing GHG and non-GHG emissions, and wastewater discharge. The new companies that were set up in last decade are adopting the best available technologies, and they are on a par of excellence with the global environmental standards. Because of national targets to minimize flaring emissions, all of the oil and gas companies have been marshaled under the national initiative by setting goals, allocating investment and monitoring the yearly changes. So far, this initiative has been remarkably successful. For example, the direct benefit of flaring reduction resulted in savings of natural gas and emissions.

The government should hasten its steps in developing a comprehensive climate policy framework addressing all sectors, with a special focus on energy-intensive industries. The industrial sector is the major contributor to country’s economy and will continue to retain this status for the next several decades. Therefore, the government and the industrial sector must prepare a comprehensive roadmap and strategic framework under the broader climate policy framework, such as “Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy”. The strategy must assess all possibilities of decarbonising the industry and set ambitious goals to minimize GHG emissions for the short and long-term.

In addition, the framework should focus on potential structural changes in the global market, technological dynamics or deployment of disruptive technologies, domestic institutional reforms, and relevant policies that can support decarbonization. The policy should foster the development and implementation of wide-ranging innovative low-carbon technologies, processes, standards, norms and legislations that enable decarbonisation of the sector by 2050. The legislative instruments should include emission caps, internalizing social and environmental costs and taxation on emissions for the industrial sector. This is also echoed in the first Natural Resource Management Strategy.

The government should press ahead with this proposition; expediting the creation of new regulations, developing a strong support system for large and small/medium sized industries and ensuring transparency and accountability. Methane is the second major source of emission from natural gas production and processing facilities. Many companies fail to measure/monitor methane emissions from their facilities. I suggest that the Ministry of Environment undertake a Methane Monitoring Initiative to measure methane emissions from extraction to delivery and also to prepare a standardization method for estimating and reporting emissions from different sources.

The Ministry must create an effective, well-functioning, transparent and less bureaucratic support mechanism for companies (medium/small scale industries or SMEs) that lack technical and financial capacity. There are several piecemeal initiatives started by different companies that are already helping in this direction. However, they are fragmented, lack coherence, monitoring, and reporting. It is important to compile all of the initiatives and develop key performance indicators and analyse the trend. So far, there is only one project accredited under the Clean Development Mechanism (Al Shaheen Oil Field Gas Recovery and Utilization Project, started in 2007). The government should exploit all possible opportunities with regard to reducing emissions and increasing economic savings. These are remarkable achievements and these companies must be recognized for their activities. Likewise, policymakers should capitalize on these efforts and raise the bar and set definitive goals and strict timelines for implementation.

Al Shaheen Oil Field Gas Recovery and Utilization Project is the sole CDM project in Qatar

Al Shaheen Oil Field Gas Recovery and Utilization Project is the sole CDM project in Qatar

According to the Resolution of the Council of Ministers No. 15 of 2011, the respective agencies must propose policies and action plans to reduce GHG emissions and set up a database within the requirements of the UNFCCC convention and Kyoto protocol. Unfortunately, there was no tangible response to this Resolution. So far, Qatar has published only one national communication. Under the initiative of Qatar Petroleum HSE, many companies started to publish their emission data in their annual sustainability report, however, some companies continue to withhold the data. Since it is a voluntary process, there is no incentive for companies to report.

It is strongly recommended that the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME) and Ministry of Energy and Industry (MoEI) issue a joint decree for a mandatory GHG and non-GHG pollution monitoring and disclosure framework. The disclosure framework must include a well-designed surveillance system to ensure transparency and accountability. Additionally, the disclosure framework will be useful in documenting the trend of overall emissions and how the new policies, regulations and technological replacements are shifting the trend. As a result of documenting emission trends, one can notice the effectiveness of energy management initiatives, which provides opportunities and encourage other companies to learn from best practices. Companies that emit more than 25,000 tonnes CO2eq should quantify, verify and publish in a single-window system that can be accessed by other ministries and the public alike.

منهاج النظام التربوي البيئي في المملكة العربية السعودية

تمت مناقشة المادة السادسة ضمن الإتفاقية الإطارية للأمم المتحدة بشأن تغير المناخ, و التي تُعنى بالتعليم البيئي و بالأمور المناخية ,في مؤتمر بون المناخي2013 و التحضيري لمؤتمر الأعضاء في نسخته التاسعة عشر ببولندا. تنص هذه المادة على نشر ثقافة التصدي لآثار التغييرات المناخية بين الشعوب عبر إدراج مواد مخصصة في المناهج التعليمية و إشراك الطلاب في إيجاد خطط و حلول للتعامل مع هذه العوامل المناخية. بالإضافة إلى ذلك يتم عقد ورشات عمل و ندوات لتنمية المعاهد و المدارس المعنية بهذا المفهوم من حيث تبادل الخبرات, و في تسهيل مهمة إيصال المعلومات و نشرها بين شرائح المجتمع.

يقتصر دور التوعية البيئية في المملكة على جهة حكومية واحدة ألاوهي الرئاسة العامة للأرصاد و حماية البيئة, و في عدة جمعيات متعددة غير حكومية-غير ربحية. و التي .لها أثر فعال .في نشر ثقافة الإستدامة البيئية و كيفية المحافظة على الموارد الطبيعية في المجتمع السعودي.

الرئاسة العامة للأرصاد وحماية البيئة

تولي المملكة حاليآ إهتمامآ شديدآ في مجال حماية البيئة. ويأتي ذلك في لائحة النظام العام و اللائحة التنفيذية الصادرة من الرئاسة العامة للإرصاد و حماية البيئة. تأسست هذه الرئاسة في هيكلها الحالي في عام 1401 هجري, و هي تحت رعاية سمو الأمير تركي بن ناصر بن عبدالعزيز. و يندرج في قوائم عملها أجندة تحمي موارد البيئة, أي من مهامها الترويج لطرق حماية البيئة لجميع القطاعات الخاصة و الحكومية. كوضع لوائح خاصة للتخلص من المخلفات الصناعية و البناء بطرق صديقة للبيئة. فلذلك شكلت الرئاسة العامة ما يسمى بالنظام العام بالإضافة إلى اللائحة التنفيذية. تنص هذه اللائحة على أنظمة تحث على حماية الموارد الطبيعية في المملكة و أيضآ تطبيق خطوات بيئية للقطاعات العاملة مع رفع المستوى البيئي في المجتمع و الذي من شأنه تحقيق مبدآ التنمية المستدامة في المملكة. من جهة أخرى تمثل الرئاسة العامة المملكة في المحافل الدولية المختصة في تطبيق مفهوم التنمية المستدامة.

جمعية البيئة السعودية

تأسست هذه الجمعية الغير ربحية في عام 1427 هجري. و تركز كل جودها في تنمية البيئة السعودية والعمل على تحسين أوضاع سكان المناطق والمحافظات التي تعاني مشاكل بيئية وكذلك في إيجاد برامج تنمية مستدامة. إضافة إلى العمل على تنمية العمل التطوعي وذلك بإيجاد قاعدة عريضة من المتطوعين والمساهمة في تعزيز دور القطاع الخاص لخدمة قضايا بيئية في مجالات المحافظة على الموارد الطبيعية والحياة الفطرية.

الجمعية السعودية للعلوم البيئية

و تأسست هذه الجمعية في عام 1427 هجري. بمبادرة خاصة من الأمير تركي بن ناصر مع جامعة الملك عبدالعزيز. و تهدف هذه الجمعية  إلى الرقي بالعلوم البيئية وتنمية الفكر العلمي في مجالات علوم البيئة ، والعمل على نشر الوعي البيئي وتمهيد سبل الاتصال وتبادل الخبرات بين المختصين والمهتمين ، وتقديم المشورة العلمية والنظرية والتطبيقية في هذا مجال لعديد من مجالات التنمية في المملكة.

دور القطاع التعليمي في نشر الإستدامة البيئية

لا شك أن في إدراج مناهج أو مواد في النظام التعليمي عن أهمية المحافظة على الموارد البيئية, بالإضافة إلى وضع أسس قائمة على بناء أساس جوهري بآثار تغييرات المناخ بين الطلاب قد يساهم و بشكل كبير في زيادة الوعي المعرفي بأهمية الحفاظ على البيئة. ناهيك عن التصدي للتحديات الحالية و المستقبلية في ما يخص بمجال تغيرات المناخ و الطاقة في السعودية. و الجدير بالذكر أن أحد الأمثلة الحالية و الواعدة في المجال التربوي هو برنامج مدارس الحس البيئي في المملكة والذي نفذته جمعية البيئة السعودية بالتعاون مع وزارة التربية والتعليم.

ادارة النفايات الصلبه في سلطنه عٌمان

تعتبر اداره النفايات لسلطنه عٌمان قضيه تحدي  بسبب اثارها السلبيه على البيئه والصحه العامه. مع تعداد سكاني يقارب 3 ملايين نسمه فان البلاد انتجت ما مقداره 1.6 مليون طن من النفايات الصلبه في عام 2010.  و يتعدى نصيب الفرد من انتاج النفايات  عن 1.5 كغم يوميا من بين اعلى المعدلات في جميع انحاء العالم. تتميز النفايات الصلبه في عُمان بان نسبه عاليه منها قابله لاعاده التدوير , يعد الورق بالمقام الاول  ويشكل ما نسبته 26% , بلاستيك 12%, معادن 11% و زجاج 5%. و مع ذلك فان عُمان لم تدرك بعد  الامكانيه العاليه لاعاده تدوير نفاياتها. معظم النفايات  الصلبه ترسل  الى مكبات  مرخصه وغير مرخصه لتدفن فيها مما يخلق قضايا بيئيه و صحيه. هنالك العديد من المكبات  التي تقع في وسط الاماكن السكنيه  او بالقرب من  اماكن تجميع المياه  الخاصه بمياه الشرب.

يتميز سيناريو اداره النفايات الصلبه في عُمان  بنقص في مرفق جمع النفايات و التخلص منها . النفايات الصلبه,النفايات الصناعيه , النفايات الالكترونيه وغيرها  تدفن في عشرات المكبات  المنتشره  في جميع انحاء البلاد. تضم عُمان حوالي 350 مكب/مدفن و التي تدار من قبل البلديات. بالاضافه الى ذلك هناك العديد من المكبات غير المصرح بها حيث يتم تفريغ جميع انواع النفايات فيها بشكل مستهتر.

يعد مكب العامرات اول مكب صحي  مصمم هندسيا في عُمان والذي بدأ عمله في اوائل 2011. موقع المكب يمتد على مساحه 9.6 هكتار, ويتكون من 5 خلايه و سعة اجماليه 10 مليون متر مكعب من النفايات الصلبه. كل خليه لديها 16 عمود لرعايه العصاره . كل الاعمده  متصله مع بعضها من اجل تسهيل  حركة العصاره الى مضخة الراشح. هذا المشروع هو جزء من مبادرات الحكومه لمعالجة النفايات الصلبه بطريقه علميه وصديقة للبيئه. كونها الاولى في نوعها, من المتوقع ان يكون مكب العامرات مثالا لمشاريع ادارة النفايات الصلبه المستقبليه في البلاد.

 

التخطيط للمستقبل

إدارة النفايات الصلبة هي من بين أولويات الحكومة العُمانية التي وضعت استراتيجية متينه لحل مشكلة إدارة النفايات في السلطنة. تسعى  البلاد جاهدة لإقامة 16  مكبا" صحيا" ومصمما" هندسيا، و 65 محطه تحويل النفايات و 4 محطات معالجة النفايات في أجزاء مختلفة من البلاد بحلول عام 2015.

العديد من مرافق إدارة النفايات الصلبة الحديثة يجري تخطيطها  في العديد من ولاية السلطنه ، وخاصة مسقط وصلالة. هذه المكبات الجديدة  سوف تمهد في نهاية المطاف الطريق لإغلاق مكبات النفايات المصرح  وغير المصرح بها في جميع أنحاء البلاد. غير ان استثمارات ما مجموعه 2.5 بليون ريال عماني مطلوبه  لوضع هذه الاستراتيجية لإدارة النفايات في مكانها.

بدأت  مؤخرا الشركة المملوكة للدولة عُمان لخدمات البيئه القابضة  (OESHCO)، وهي المسؤولة عن مشاريع إدارة النفايات في عُمان، عملية طرح العطاءات لثمانية مشاريع مهمة. وقد دعت  OESHCO مقدميي العطاءات من الشركات المتخصصة لتنفيذ مرافق المكبات الصحيه المصصمه هندسيا في بركاء، و الخدمات الاستشارية ل 29 محطه نقل و دعوة اثنين من مقدميي العطاءات  لخدمات إدارة النفايات في المنطقة الاقتصادية الخاصة القادمة (المنطقة الاقتصادية الخاصة) في الدقم، وغيرها.

ومن بين الأولويات العليا تطوير مكب  بركاء كموقع قائم  للتخلص من النفايات والتي تخدم ولاية بأكملها وولايات أخرى مجاورة في محافظة جنوب الباطنة، و التي تعاني من قضايا البيئة والصحة العامة.

The Concept of Environmental Education

Unlike traditional forms of education, Environmental Education is a holistic, lifelong learning process directed at creating responsible individuals who explore and identify environmental issues, engage in problem solving, and take action effectively to improve the environment.

As a result, individuals develop a deeper awareness and understanding of environmental issues and have effective skills to make informed and responsible decisions that lead to resolute the environmental challenges.

environmental-education

Environmental Education is neither environmental advocacy nor environmental information; rather, Environmental Education is a varied and diverse field that focuses on the educational process that has to remain neutral by teaching individuals critical thinking and enhancing their own problem-solving and decision-making skills in a participatory approach. The guiding principles of Environmental Education include awareness, knowledge, attitudes, skills and participation.

Basics of Environmental Education

Environmental Education can be taught formally in schools, classrooms, colleges and universities, or it can take place in informal learning contexts through NGOs, businesses, and the media, natural centers, botanic gardens, bird-watching canoeing, scuba diving and ecotourism. Besides, Environmental Education takes place in various non-formal education programs such as experiential outdoor education, workshops, outreach programs and community education.

According to domyessay, environmental educator should deliver Environmental Education in a unique way as it is not only based on science, but also concerned with historical, political, and cultural aspects with the human dimension of socio-economic factors. It is also based on developing knowledge on socio-ecological systems.

Environmental Education provides opportunities to children to build skills to become environmentally-smart, including problem-solving and investigation skills. Qualified environmental educators should work in the field, conducting programs, involving and collaborating with local communities, and using strategies to link the environmental awareness, building skills, and responsible action. It is through Environmental Education that citizens, especially children, can test various aspects of an issue to make informed, science-based, non-biased, and responsible decisions.

Environmental Education in Islam

Islam considers seeking knowledge as an obligation. Islam teaches its followers to keep streets clean, to help animals and any living being, prohibits the pollution of water, prohibits cutting down a fruitful tree and preserves the components of the environment. Islam also sets legislation for cultivating land and benefiting from it.

Additionally, Islam has strict teachings to prevent environmental deterioration caused by industrial development, urbanization, poverty etc. Islam organizes the relationship between humans and nature where it calls for its protection and enrichment through a comprehensive educational process.

Islamic teachings in preserving environmental components hold the sense of responsibility, sensitivity and sustainability. Such teachings were extraordinary at a time when the environment was not suffering the pressures it is suffering nowadays.

Environmental Education in Jordan

As far as Jordan is concerned, National Environmental Education efforts remain largely focused on programs organized by NGOs. For example, JREDS is a Jordanian NGO which became the national organization for the Foundation for Environmental Education. JREDS is implementing three international eco-labeling programs – Green Key, Blue Flag and Eco-Schools.

RSCN is another Jordanian NGO that designed Environmental Education programs to improve peoples’ general understanding and awareness of environmental issues. Activities of nature protection organizations have been instrumental in fostering significant cultural change.

Environmentally-literate citizens take active part in solving and reducing the impact of environmental problems by buying “green” products and using natural alternatives to pesticides to name two. However, the success of environmental programs adopted by NGOs will be difficult to sustain for future generations without continuing Environmental Education.

Environmental Education Outlook for Jordan

Jordan has typically centralized education system where teachers aren’t consulted about curricula. School curricula are mono-disciplinary, making interdisciplinary learning hard to apply. Despite environmental topics incorporation into curricula recently, still it is fragmentary. Jordan has a long way to go before a national strategy of environmental education can be totally implemented in its educational system.

earth-day-climate-literacy

Environmental education is the foundation for progress.

Jordan should employ a holistic Environmental Education program adopting sustainable development principles, and presenting green ideas that perceive handling the environmental issues as important target and offers various solutions to different environmental problems which has become a national scourge.

Ministry of Education should merge the eco-traditional knowledge effectively with leadership due to the link between the two, and empower the youth to participate in solving their own environmental problems as well as affecting the actions of public towards the desired goal, which is participating in solving the grim reality of environmental problems in the country.

The scientific community should also get involved in public relations efforts that enable communication of its research, in effective and understandable ways, to the organizations responsible for education.

Additionally, Jordan should adopt a holistic approach of zero-emission eco-schools throughout the country, eco-schools that relies entirely on renewables for their energy supply and be completely self-sustaining. The design shall adopt Earth building and be constructed out of locally sourced materials, while the geothermal energy will cool and heat it.

Furthermore, school garden and cleaning routines will use the harvested rainwater. Such an eco-school model, hold a bright future where students will eventually have access to a bright green education thereby facilitating a sustainable future.

Biogas Feedstock in the Middle East

Anaerobic digestion (or biogas technology) is the natural biological process which stabilizes organic waste in the absence of air and transforms it into biofertilizer and biogas. It is a reliable technology for the treatment of wet, organic waste.  Organic waste from various sources is biochemically degraded in highly controlled, oxygen-free conditions circumstances resulting in the production of biogas which can be used to produce both electricity and heat. Almost any organic material can be processed with anaerobic digestion. 

A wide range of organic wastes are available in the Middle East for anaerobic digestion. In addition to MSW, large quantity of waste, in both solid and liquid forms, is generated by the industrial sector like sugar mills, agro=processing, food processing, leather, pharmaceuticals and paper and pulp industries. Poultry waste has the highest biogas potential per ton of waste, however livestock wastes have the greatest potential for energy generation in the agricultural sector.

Here is the list of potential feedstock for biogas production in the Middle East.

Agricultural Feedstock

  • Animal manure
  • Energy crops
  • Algal biomass
  • Crop residues

Community-Based Feedstock

  • Organic fraction of MSW (OFMSW)
  • Sewage sludge
  • Grass clippings/garden waste
  • Food residuals
  • Institutional wastes etc.

Industrial Feedstock

  • Food/beverage processing
  • Dairy
  • Starch industry
  • Sugar industry
  • Pharmaceutical industry
  • Cosmetic industry
  • Biochemical industry
  • Pulp and paper
  • Slaughterhouse/rendering plant etc.

Anaerobic digestion is particularly suited to wet organic material and is commonly used for effluent and sewage treatment. Almost any organic material can be processed with anaerobic digestion. This includes biodegradable waste materials such as waste paper, grass clippings, leftover food, sewage and animal waste. The exception to this is woody wastes that are largely unaffected by digestion as most anaerobic microorganisms are unable to degrade lignin. 

Anaerobic digesters can also be fed with specially grown energy crops such as silage for dedicated biogas production. A wide range of crops, especially C-4 plants, demonstrate good biogas potentials. Corn is one of the most popular co-substrate in Germany while Sudan grass is grown as an energy crop for co-digestion in Austria. Crops like maize, sunflower, grass, beets etc., are finding increasing use in agricultural digesters as co-substrates as well as single substrate.

A wide range of organic substances are anaerobically easily degradable without major pretreatment. Among these are leachates, slops, sludges, oils, fats or whey. Some wastes can form inhibiting metabolites (e.g.NH3) during anaerobic digestion which require higher dilutions with substrates like manure or sewage sludge. A number of other waste materials often require pre-treatment steps (e.g. source separated municipal bio-waste, food leftovers, expired food, market wastes and crop residues).

5 Ways You Can Get Comfortable While Eco-Camping

Do you love the great outdoors? If you do, eco-camping is a great way to connect with Mother Nature. For you to enjoy the sights, smells, sounds and textures of the outdoors, you need to camp comfortably. There are tips, tricks and even accessories which you can use to this effect. They help you to cook, relax and sleep comfortably. Here are 5 ways that you can get supremely comfortable while eco-Camping.

Establish a great camping ground

The first step to enjoying a comfortable camping experience is to create a superb foundation. Begin by arriving during the daytime. This allows you to enjoy ample illumination in your campsite. Check the ground where you intend to set up your tent.

Get rid of any loose stones, sharp objects or old tent pegs. Make sure that the camp ground is flat. In this way, ensure that it does not have any hollows that can collect rainwater. By establishing a good foundation, you’ll be able to pitch tent on a comfortable surface. If you are planning your camping trip during the hot summer season, do not forget to check out tent air conditioner guide from www.globosurfer.com

Get extra tent pegs

When you buy a tent, you’re supplied with some pegs. They may not be of the best quality that you can get today because they can break or twist. As such, it is important to get some extra tent pegs. As you do this, search for heavy duty tent pegs. These will stay in place no matter how bad the winds get during your camping experience.

Also, invest in a good rubber mallet because it comes in handy for fixing them properly into the ground. Furthermore, a peg removal tool is great for pulling them out of the ground once your camping activity is over.

Microfibre cloths for wiping away condensation

If you camp in a humid or wet area, your tent can develop condensation on the inner surface. It can drip on your furnishings and make everything damp. Not only can this cause the formation of dangerous mold, it can also result in respiratory problems.

As such, carry along some microfiber cloths. They are excellent for wiping away the condensation on your tent. They can help to keep it dry throughout.

Get good camp bedding

An essential element to remember if you want to maximize your comfort while camping is to use good camp bedding. Invest in a good quality camp bed. The half-foam, half-inflating camping bed is a great option. You can couple it with a thermarest compressible pillow. To complete the set, invest in a good quality sleeping bag. It should be warm and breathable.

Have ample lighting equipment

A camping experience is not comfortable without good lighting. For this purpose, it is necessary to carry along multiple sources of lighting. Examples of these are lamps, torches and spare batteries. Along with this, invest in a wind-up lantern. It ensures that you will never find yourself in the darkness.

If you can get lighting sources that utilize renewable energy, this is the best option because you will never run out of power. Moreover, it is an eco-friendly option.

Final Words

Eco-camping or green camping is fun and exciting. To enjoy this activity to the fullest, you need to be comfortable. The guidelines above can help you to achieve this. By maximizing your comfort, you can have an eco-camping experience full of great memories!

Solid Waste Management in Tunisia

Solid waste management has emerged as a big challenge for the Mediterranean country of Tunisia. The country, having an estimated population of around 11 million people, produces more than 2.5 million tons of waste each year. Tunisia is experiencing an average increase in waste volume by 3% with per capita waste generation in urban areas being 0.8 kg per day. Biodegradable organic fraction constitutes around 68% of the MSW stream.

MSW collection is covered at 80% in urban areas and 10% in rural areas. The country has 10 controlled landfills with a capacity of 1,788,000 tons per year and four other semi-controlled landfills in the Valley Medjerda with a capacity of 62,000 tons per year. Five other discharges with a nominal capacity of 0.466 million tons per year are being built and finally five other controlled discharges are planned with an average capacity of 0.433 million tons per year.

waste-management-tunisia

However, many municipal landfills do not meet sanitary standards and waste is often dumped into non-sanitary areas. Interestingly, only five percent of MSW is composted and merely 4% recycled. The expenditure for waste collection and transport constitutes 75-100% of the total solid waste management budget.

Borj Chakir Landfill

Eight kilometers south of Tunis is Borj Chakir, a town that has become infamous for a landfill that has damaging effects on the surrounding environment and quality of life of locals. The Borj Chakir landfill created in 1999 is the largest dumping ground and only regulated landfill in Tunis (which includes the governorates of Tunis, Manouba, Ariana and Ben Arous). The site occupies 120 hectares of what was once agricultural land planted with olive trees and grains.

According to the facility specifications published in 1997 the Borj Chakir landfill is intended for solid waste but current activities shows it operation outside of norms. Over the years the residents of El Attar, Borj Chakir, Jiyara and Sidi Hassine have suffered from compromised health and sanitation as a consequence of the waste collection site that has contaminated air, water, soil and as a result of their exposure to toxic odors of leachate.

borj-chakir-landfill

Borj Chakir landfill is a major cause of environmental and public health concerns.

Recycling Situation in Tunisia

The country possesses comprehensive environmental laws to encourage the sustainable management and recycling of municipal and industrial waste but there is doubt if the necessary measures for a good application have been provided. The Tunisian Government is often criticized for leaving the responsibility of waste management to the National Waste Management Agency (ANGED).

Every year Tunisians use one billion plastic bags generating 10,000 tons of waste that have wreaked havoc on the environment. Almost 400 private Companies are authorized by the Ministry of Environment to collect, transport and recycle plastics. Five private collectors and recyclers of used tires were also authorized while paper and cardboard recycling is still in its infancy. There is also a small informal sector for recycling food packaging.

Future Outlook

After the Arab Spring, Tunisia faced additional challenges maintaining existing waste management practices due to repeated strikes and mismanagement of municipalities and rural council which destabilized cleaning service.

There is a general view among the populace that the way waste is managed should be changed towards an integrated management style which entails collection to treatment because of the relationship between environmental impact and effects on human health are apparent.

The market for environmental protection, pollution control equipment and technology has significant potential as anticipated tenders for landfills, coastal pollution project and wastewater treatment all offer good opportunity for procurement.

Why You Need an Eco-Friendly Water Filter at Home

There is no doubt that water plays a vital role in our daily lives. Come to think of it, there must be a reason as to why it’s often referred to as ” life”. Basically, everything we do revolves around it. You cook with it, use it to shower, drink, clean, water plants and the list is endless. Therefore,  weighing all these uses, it’s apparent that we need to pay close attention to the source and state of the water we use to avoid contaminates. From the famous chlorine, pesticides to the less known prescription drugs, there is so much that a single glass of “clean” tap water can carry.

And if you thought you’re safe with the use of bottled water, then it’s time to rethink. Recent researches indicate that bottled water isn’t 100% spared from contamination and to remove contaminants from water install lead removal water filter. The reason for this could be bad handling and storage habits. All these are bad for the environment, thus the need for water filtration methods in homes.

clean-water-mena

So if you’re yet to make up your mind about filtration, this article compiles a list of the essential reasons as to why you should consider investing in an eco-friendly water filtration system for your home. Read on!

Reduces use of bottled water

Contrary to standard community assumptions that carrying bottled water with you is a clear indication of sophistication and class, it actually demeans the efforts being made by environmental conservationists to save our immediate environment. However, despite being aware of all this, most individuals choose to use this route either because; they dislike the taste of the tap water, cannot trust the safety of the municipal water and of course, want clean and safe water for consumption. What they don’t know, however, is that bottled water isn’t 100% safe either.

Therefore, the only best solution is having a home water filtration system. Making this choice not only benefits your entire household, but is also the greatest gift you can give to the environment. First, you will no longer have to spend lots of cash purchasing bottled water to meet your daily consumption needs. And secondly, you won’t have unconscious limitations on the amount of water you will have to drink as all sources of water in your home will be considered safe.

Management of plastic waste

Plastic waste is considered to be one of the most dangerous threat to environmental conservation. This comes with the regular use of plastic water. And although plastics can be recycled, not many individuals are willing to dedicate their time into this cause. Most are busy running after their hectic lifestyles to even care about the impacts of the water bottles they dispose all over the streets. So imagine if you and your entire household use let’s say 10 small plastic bottles in a day, how many will that translate to in a week, year or month? All this assuming that you have no recycling plan in place.

In fact, apart from it being too impactful on your bank account, it sure is detrimental to the environment. Therefore, the more reason as to why you need an eco-friendly water filter in your household. Here everyone can carry their water from home, quench their thirst, play their role in keeping the environment clean and be 100% safe. It’s such a great feeling knowing that you are doing the right thing and that you’re teaching the future generation to be responsible. You don’t want to be among the reason as to why our oceans are getting dirty and sea animals dying on a daily basis, do you?

Guaranteed quality assurance

We aren’t saying that all bottled waters are contaminated, but it all depends on how much willing you’re to take the chances. There is a given sort of confidence that comes with doing things yourself. The same case applies to the use of various types of filters. You get a guarantee of quality assurance since you’re performing the filtration yourself.

Yes, you got the option to walk into any retail store and pick any size of the water bottle from the available two to three brands (perhaps) even more but that convenience shouldn’t be the main focus. Let’s face it, there’s a lot of water wastage going on. For instance, the claims that 3 liters of water help in making 1 liter of clean water doesn’t make a lot of sense. What about the rest? Where is it deposited? You don’t have to reduce the value of water to make it clean. And you can only ensure to achieve this through investing in your own home filter.

So if you choose to purchase a whole house environmental friendly water filters, it guarantees the release of clean water from every tap, meaning you can drink straight from the faucet without a worry in the world. Remember water filtration is not all about drinking water. You can also purchase shower filters, pool and spa filters, etc. This way, you get to shower, swim and soak in the bathtub without a chance of contracting disease-causing germs. Ensure to keep the water temperature moderate to avoid the absorption of toxins.

Reduces rate of petroleum consumption

The entire process of transporting and keeping water bottles cools requires a lot of energy. So if you take time to calculate how many bottles rely on such kinds of transportation on a daily basis, you will find the figures quite overwhelming. For instance, recent statistics from the National Statistics indicate that the production of 1 billion bottles of water consumes around 24 billion oil gallons.

And that doesn’t stop there. This increases further with the recycling process of the same water bottles, and the trend continues. The amount of petroleum needed for transportation equally increases. But if you set your filters right at home, there wouldn’t be a need for transportation. It might feel like a fraction of the solutions needed, but remember a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step and yours does count in this matter. And if everyone else decides to take that single step, then the world will be a better place. There is no way such a grand issue can be solved in one day or with a single effort.

Simplifies detoxification process

Our body is naturally geared to detoxify on their own. So sometimes you really don’t have to spend a lot of money to achieve this. Of course, this requires a lot of dedication and proper intake of both foods and water. There are two parts of the body that work hard to ensure efficiency in toxin flushing; the kidney and the liver. But sometimes they do work so hard to ensure this and that’s why it might get difficult to achieve the appropriate detoxification rates.

Therefore, the best way to help your body achieve this is by taking fewer toxins. And that includes drinking less contaminated water. Hence, by choosing to invest in a water filter for your home, you can significantly reduce the number of contaminants you consume on a daily basis.

Drinking dirty water creates a hindrance in its processing and that alone can be destructive to our bodies. So if you consider a juice filter important, then an Eco-friendly filter should be even more important. It carries so many other essential benefits. For instance, it provides cleaner water for cooking. All this starts from the washing process to boiling.

Remember your veggies and fruits take-in some portion of the water that you wash them with. So if it contains chemicals, then they too will. It’s important to ensure that everything and anything that goes through your mouth is safe and clean for better digestion, absorption and of course release of toxins.

Healthier hair and skin

As mentioned earlier, there are various types of filters you can use in your home. And one of those is the shower, spa and pool filters. By deciding to install a whole house system in your house, it means that every outlet will have clean water. So you get to wash every sensitive part of your body, including the skin and hair without the risk of harmful chemicals seeping through your skin.

Remember, the freshness of the water you are using can significantly impact the general outlook of your skin and hair. For example, if you use dirty water, your skin might get itchy, develop pigments, get very dry or pimples and that isn’t a very good sight. Also, your hair might start to break and lose the beautiful shiny appeal.

Also, when you bathe, especially when using hot/warm water, you are likely to breathe in the moist/steam and that would directly affect the health of your internal organs such as the lungs. Ideally, the skin makes a huge part of your body and one of the most important and sensitive for that matter. The best way to take care of it apart from eating healthy is by using quality guaranteed filtered water. https://walkintubreport.com/walk-in-tub-reviews/ provides detailed information on top walk in tubs available in the market.

Softens water the natural way

If you’re living in a hard water location then you must be knowing the frustrations you have to go through to lay your hands on soft water. However, the use of regular water softeners isn’t as good as it might seem on the ground. In fact, it in some way it strips off your water some essential minerals that you wouldn’t want to lose. With high-quality water filters, you get salt-free soft water without compromising the minerals.

Additionally, if you want to use water softeners on the water you use on your plants, then you should think twice. Experts indicate that such water isn’t that safe for plants and it does require a lot of maintenance. Besides, it’s also wasteful and not good for your skin. But with filtered water, you enjoy a pollution free environment without even causing a hike in your electricity bill. There is always something good that comes with the term natural and so embrace it as long as you can.

Saves a lot of money

Filtering water can save you several bucks that you could have used not only on drinking water but also for other resources. For example, since it naturally softens the water (as indicated above) you won’t require a lot of soap when washing laundry, in the kitchen or even bathing. So you will witness a significant reduction in the number of trips you make to the store for your favorite soap. And it even gets better if you’re used to online ordering and have to pay shipping charges.

If you look at the long-term benefits, you will also save-up a lot on medical related expenses and so much more. In fact, you should look at it as a form of long-term investment that keeps giving returns.

Improves efficiency of household appliances

The durability and reliability of household appliances largely depend on how we handle and take care of them. So by choosing to get a quality home water filter, you prevent the formation of scales on glassware and appliances. And therefore, without the hindrance of any scale, all of your water appliance efficiency instantly increases by over 30%. What does this mean?

It means even at their optimal levels, the appliances are likely to consume minimal electricity and of course prolong their lifespan. So if your water heating system has been down lately, a filtration system might be the answer you have been searching for.

Conclusion

There is no limitation to the number of reasons as to why you should invest in a home water filtration system. This is a decision that can change your entire lifestyle and makes you and your loved ones less dependent on bottled water. You help by participating in limiting water wastage and conserving the environment. You also gain a healthier looking skin and hair, save money and ensure the efficiency of your water appliances.

So if you have been searching for a way to participate in environmental conservation, you got one through buying an eco-friendly water filter.

An Easy Guide to Green Camping

Camping is not only an outing and enjoyment but it also serve as a learning method of how to live close to the nature. Once we are enjoying the camping, we often forget and disregard the environment and mistreat it with our careless behavior.

The Bahrain authorities, like previous years, have devised plans and programs and are creating awareness among the campers on safety and environmental concerns through media, notices, bill boards and banners. As per the rules, the campers are required to camp at least 150 meters away from any oil and gas fields and more than 50 meters away from the electricity voltage pylons and main roads to ensure their safety.

green-camping

Protection of the environment should be embedded in camping activities

The Supreme Camping Season Committee has asked the campers to camp in the allocated areas, register their camps and obtain camping label stressing that camps that are not registered or against the rules will be removed. The campers are asked to place the label in a clear and prominent place.

Placing of fencing or installing signs, poles as well as afforestation work before the start of camping season are not allowed. The committee has also urged campers to maintain their safety by providing safety equipment in tents like a fire extinguisher and a first-aid kit, not to use open fires or stoves inside tents and provide an independent venue for the kitchen.

Campers are advised not to store any flammable materials in the camp in any form. Camps should be established away from slopes, to avoid damages due to rain and floods, mountain heights, restricted areas or pipes. Campers have been asked to maintain cleanliness of the camps by collecting garbage in bags and putting them in the allocated spots for garbage collection. Burning waste during or after the end of the camping season has also been prohibited.

The committee also prohibited establishing buildings of brick or cement, putting barriers or tires in the camping sites. Barns are not allowed for any purpose. Keeping animals and hunting is also prohibited. The engagement in any action that would harm the environment and the wildlife is prohibited. It includes the destruction of trees, wild plants, leveling the ground etc.

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The principle of green camping is “If you brought it in, you need to take it out and leave the area just as you found it.”

Let us follow some basic rules for our safety, health and environmental conservation at the camping sites. Here are a few basic tips for green camping:

  • Use minimum illumination and energy-efficient gadgets.
  • Switch off all appliances and instruments when not in use.
  • Use minimum water and turn off the taps after use.
  • Do not store any waste at site. Keep all recyclable and disposable waste in separate bags.
  • Avoid using disposable plates, cups, cutlery, dishes etc. Use reusable dishes and utensils and wash them after each use.
  • Don’t throw any food in open. It will attract vermin, birds, insects and rodents.

Let us be more environmental conscious and respect our resources while enjoying the camping season this year.

Renting Bounce Houses and Other Party Supplies

Children love all things bouncy and inflatable. Parents love making their children happy; however, most parents do not have space or the inclination to purchase a bounce house to have all of the time. In recent years, it has become so popular for parents to rent bounce house as well as other inflatable things for party events. It gives the children a chance to enjoy a popular way to play while the parents get to send the inflatables back at the end of the event. It is a win-win situation.

Bounce houses are also quite popular for community events such as festivals, fairs, fundraisers, and other activities. Some parents and event organizers are well acquainted with the process of renting bounce houses and other inflatable party supplies. For others, it is a new experience, and they may not know how to initiate the rental, where to find a rental company, or what to expect from the experience.

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This article is for all of those who are new to the process and are looking for some information to help them get started.

The first thing you need to know is how to find rental companies in your area. It is important to note that most inflatable rental companies charge an additional travel fee if they have to travel very far to set up the product. Companies that provide bounce house rentals do not allow the individual to set up the inflatables, and they do it themselves, take down as well. This way, they can ensure that all of the equipment is handled correctly.

Therefore, there is no way to avoid having them set it up, which means that you should choose a company that is close to you or be prepared to pay an additional fee. When it comes to finding all of the companies located in or near your location, there are two ways to go about it. The first is to search through local phone books and look at community bulletin boards and anywhere that ads may be posted.

The second is to peruse the internet for listings. The second option tends to be faster and provide additional details that are not included in ads. To successfully find all of the listings for your area, you will need to use the right keywords in your search. be sure to use words such as “bounce house,” “rental,” or “inflatable.” Also, be sure to either include the name of the city, town, or county that you are located in or phrases such as “local” or “near me.”

If you do not get the results that you need the first time, after one or two words of your search phrase until you find what you need. Different search phrases will garner slightly different results. One search may provide some relevant results, while another may give completely different relevant or non-relevant results. Do not get discouraged if it takes a few times to get the results that you need. Keep trying until you get what you need.

Once you know what companies are available in your area, you can begin to look for information via websites, ads, reviews, or anywhere that you can find it. Several things should always be considered when choosing which rental company to use. If the company has a website, most of the information that you need will be listed there.

First, because bounce houses require electricity, it is recommended that your party location is within so many feet of an outlet. Unfortunately, this is not always possible, which means that you will need a generator. Some inflatable rental companies have generators for rent along with the inflatables, although not all do. You need to determine how close you will be to an electrical source. If you do not have access to an electrical source, you will need to find out if the company that you are considering offers generator rentals. Also, there are different sizes of bounce houses.

You need to determine how large you need your rental to be and then find out if the company you are considering has that size or anything close to it. Also, you will need to determine which types of inflatables that you want to rent. There are bounce houses, water slides, obstacle courses, and several others. Not all rental companies will have all types of party inflatables; therefore, you need to know exactly what you want so that you can see if the company carries it all.

Another thing that you should check is the company’s sterilization policies. You do not want to end up with a dirty bounce house which may negatively impact your kids’s wellbeing. If the company is hedging questions about their sterilization policies, move on, they likely do not have any which means there is a big chance that the product will not be clean. Finally, ask about insurance.

Many states require these companies to carry insurance, but there are still some states that do not. Also, there is always a chance that a company may be “flying under the radar” which means they may not have insurance. Also, compare rates. Some companies charge a flat fee for a full day rental while others charge by the hour.

Once you have found a rental company that suits your needs, you will need to prepare the area in advance so that there are no problems during setup. First, ensure that there are no sticks, twigs, rocks, dirt mounds, or any sharp objects in the area where the inflatable is to be set up. Also, if there have been dogs or other animals in the area, be sure to check for any piles of excrement in the area. This is very important if you have to have the party in a park or other public place.

Be sure to clear out a large enough space to fit the inflatable, a generator when necessary, and still have a bit of space around the parameter. If you have access to an electrical source, you will need to measure the space from the outlet to the party area to be sure that the cords will be able to reach. It is necessary for a bounce house to remain plugged in as long as it is in use. It will deflate if it is unplugged.

Climate Change Impacts in the GCC

The GCC countries face multitude of climate change challenges including desertification, biodiversity loss, water scarcity and sea level rise. The region is characterized by high temperature, high humidity and arid lands resulting in seriously degraded soil and land damage in addition to salt intrusion in the aquifers affecting the small scale agricultural lands thus enhancing the food security threat in the region.

All of the above geographical threats have therefore increased and activated the participation of GCC states in global negotiations recently as evidence are uncovered and impacts being felt across the region. If a couple of days of rain can flood parts of cities in GCC, and bring life to a standstill, the prospect of large scale climate change is a sobering thought, and a thought that needs to be translated into action. Read on to know about climate change impacts in the GCC:

climate-change in GCC

1. Rise in Sea Level

One of the main climate change impacts is sea level rise on coastal areas of all Arabian Gulf states. This includes many of the large and small islands in the Gulf region which are highly vulnerable to the impacts of sea level rise. An example is the low-lying geology of Bahrain’s islands, which coupled with high land reclamation and extensive industrial, commercial, and residential activity in coastal zones, highlight the island’s acute vulnerability to climate change induced sea level rise.

The total land area that would be inundated under the various climate change scenarios was found to be substantial by the Bahrain Supreme Council for the Environment. Even the low sea level rise scenario will result in an inundation of about five per cent (36 km2) of the total land area of Bahrain by 2100. This level increases to about 11 per cent of total land area (69 km2) in the worst case scenario.

Inundation will unevenly affect Bahrain’s vulnerable infrastructure in the five main islands and would adversely affect cities, roads, agricultural areas, as well as beaches and salt marshes. Even in other cities, if reinforcement measures are not implemented, on coastline in Kuwait or Dubai for example, it would be damaged and altered from rising sea levels caused by climate change.

2. Water Availability

Continued use of non-renewable water is major factor in depleting groundwater reserves in GCC nations and puts Gulf countries at severe risk of climate impacts. In Saudi Arabia, water supply is drawn from four sources: groundwater from deep fossil aquifers, desalinated water, surface water and reclaimed wastewater.

Extracting water from deep aquifers amounts to mining the resource, as supplies are non-renewable and have been severely depleted as a result of policies which for the past three decades have subsidized not only agricultural commodities such as wheat, but also the means to produce them. It is not surprising therefore that agriculture accounts for roughly 85% of water use in Saudi Arabia.

The depletion of Bahrain’s groundwater through urbanization has led to the loss of freshwater springs, which the country was once famous for, as well as its fertile lands. Same is the case with Qatar which heavily relies on energy-intensive desalination plants for its freshwater, further driving up its electricity demand. A vast majority of desalination plants in GCC are energy-intensive and installed at a huge cost to the environment.

3. Food Security

The Middle East is especially vulnerable to tensions brought on by spike in food prices. This is a region where putting new land into production is not that easy because of the nature of the terrain and water shortage. In Saudi Arabia, only about 2 percent of the country’s enormous land mass is arable, even with intensive irrigation and modern farming technology.

Facing a probable 77 percent growth in its population by 2050, Saudi Arabia is grappling with the realization that its barren soil and dwindling water supply will be insufficient to feed all those people.

In Bahrain there are over 6,000 people employed in the fishing industry. Deterioration of coral reef habitats will negatively affect associated fauna and fish stocks, and eventually threaten the viability of Bahrain’s fishing industry. The loss of agricultural land due to a one metre rise in sea level is likely to be over 11 per cent of the total arable land in the country.

4. Biodiversity Loss

The potential loss of terrestrial and marine biodiversity under climate change is a major concern across the region. The Arabian Peninsula is a meeting point between the Indo-Asian and the Afro-European regions and enjoys a rich biodiversity in a hyper arid environment. For the terrestrial environment, the Arabian Peninsula has dozens of mammal species, hundreds of bird species, and scores of amphibian and reptile species.

For the marine environment, the Arabian Gulf’s relative shallowness supports a number of highly productive coastal habitats, including intertidal mudflats, seagrasses, algal beds, mangroves, and coral reefs, together with a wide variety of fish species, some of which are endangered. With climate change, these species, such as migratory birds and dugongs would be adversely affected.

How To Choose A Farming App

In recent years, farmers are increasingly using the achievements of modern technologies in the field of agriculture. With a smartphone, tablet, or laptop, you can use applications to collect valuable data and make decisions based on their analysis. The apps also enable the growers to detect potential threats to the crop, respond to them on time, and plan and monitor all processes in the field.

However, it’s not just about getting higher crop yields. Innovative technologies are also helping to tackle pollution and emissions, soil degradation, resource deficiency, and overconsumption of water.

Making Your Farm More Efficient

The agricultural apps market is increasing. New applications give farmers more options to control and improve the quality of their crops. In addition, many mobile applications related to other areas of agriculture, including equipment, accounting, trade, and more. Read on to know more about different farming apps:

smart farming system

1. Data Analytics Apps

Typical database systems cannot accommodate all the data collected by IoT sensors. Smart farming systems could not exist without cloud storage and an end-to-end IoT platform, enabling more efficient execution of activities.

Analytics tools analyze and transform data collected from IoT sensors into meaningful information. Thanks to this analytics, you get information about weather conditions, the state of crops, or from a cat. Predictive analytics empowers farmers to make more informed harvest decisions and maintain the health and quality of their crops while increasing the volume of production.

The Internet of Things is widely used in various spheres, including agriculture. The primary domain of this technology application is precision farming. Due to this practice, agriculture becomes a more controlled process.

Analyzing sensor data and responding to changes immediately are the main goals of precision farming. Precision agriculture practices include irrigation management, livestock monitoring, equipment tracking, soil analysis, and other features that help improve efficiency and productivity.

2. Feed Management Tech

Pen and paper have long been the main tools for managing livestock feeding. Fortunately, innovation has made its way into the industry. So many different applications can now be found and downloaded to improve this process.

Feeding management apps can provide essential information about the nutritional needs of your livestock, taking into account housing requirements, lactation, animal height, and weight. Some apps help you calculate the total amount of feed for your livestock. This way, you can determine if you have enough resources to feed your herd.

3. Marketplace Apps

Technology makes life easier for farmers and those who produce and sell agricultural tools and supplies. The old scheme works like this: the farmer asks the manufacturer for information about the products and receives a spreadsheet by mail. Then you need to select the goods you need, indicate the quantity, and contact the manufacturer again. This entire process can take a long time, and the application speeds it up significantly.

The mobile marketplace allows the farmer to look over the goods and prices. It’s also easier for them to choose everything they need and order without directly contacting the seller. Mobile marketplaces save time, enable growers to compare and select the most suitable option.

Applications, where you can buy and sell anything, are now relevant for agriculture. You can sell unnecessary equipment, spare parts, equipment or visit the sales of goods yourself. Farmers can also sell and buy cattle through the app, knowing everything about the animals in advance and not shopping blindly. These apps also give shoppers accurate pricing information.

4. Accounting Farming Software

Agricultural accounting software and applications have different functions and prices. Sometimes features that need to be paid for are essential and save a lot of time. If the farm has reliable regular Internet access, you can use cloud software online, but software for PCs is cheaper and does not require constant updates. To keep records on your own, choose the program with the most convenient and clear interface.

Excellent benefits and convenience will be brought by programs in which it is possible to work with bank accounts, control unpaid bills by entering them into the system. It will also be convenient for you to have software using which you can calculate employee salaries and the best accounting software for medium-sized businesses for general tasks.

Considerations when selecting an app

It would be best if you choose a farming app that is easy to use and handy. Otherwise, you will not save time or just waste your money. You can download several agricultural apps at the same time and test them for a month.

Of course, it only makes sense if these apps are free or have a trial period. Paid applications have comprehensive functionality. However, choose the application, all the functions of which will be exciting and valuable to you.

Apps that can work online and offline will be the preferred option if you do not have regular access to the network. It would also be good to see if app support is available and how to contact it. Check also how often the program is updated.