Category Archives: Environment

How to Introduce Sustainable Home Cleaning Practices

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You may not be able to control the waste that happens outside of your home, but your home is your domain. You have some control over what happens there, and you can actively work to limit waste. In the area of home cleaning, you can conserve resources and ensure that wastage is minimized so that your impact on the environment is a positive one. Limit Water Usage One of the most egregious wastes that takes place when people clean their homes is in the amount of water they use up. Keep in mind that a hose will use far more … Continue reading →

Beyond the Blue Economy: The Rise of Integrated Circular Coastal Systems

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For decades, the Blue Economy has inspired governments, industries, and researchers to rethink humanity’s relationship with the oceans. By promoting sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, offshore renewable energy, coastal tourism, and marine biotechnology, it has demonstrated that economic growth and environmental stewardship can coexist [1–3]. Today, the Blue Economy contributes significantly to global development while supporting millions of jobs and generating substantial economic value across coastal regions. Yet, despite its remarkable achievements, the concept is reaching a new crossroads. The environmental challenges of the twenty-first century extend well beyond the sustainable exploitation of marine resources. They now encompass water scarcity, … Continue reading →

Egypt’s Water Crisis – Recipe for Disaster

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Egypt has been suffering from severe water scarcity in recent years. Uneven water distribution, misuse of water resources and inefficient irrigation techniques are some of the major factors playing havoc with water security in the country. Egypt has only 20 cubic meters per person of internal renewable freshwater resources, and as a result the country relies heavily on the Nile River for its main source of water. The River Nile is the backbone of Egypt’s industrial and agricultural sector and is the primary source of drinking water for the population. Rising populations and rapid economic development in the countries of … Continue reading →

Are Green Roofs a Viable Option for the Middle East?

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Urban green roofs have long been promoted as an easy and effective strategy for beautifying the built environment and increasing investment opportunity. The building roof is very important because it has a direct impact on thermal comfort and energy conservation in and around buildings. Urban green roofs can help to address the lack of green space in many urban areas. Urban green roofs provides the city with open spaces that helps reduce urban heat island effect and provides the human population on the site with a connection to the outdoors. However, we must differentiate between two types of urban green … Continue reading →

CDM Projects in MENA Region

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The MENA region is an attractive CDM destination as it is rich in renewable energy resources and has a robust oil and gas industry. Surprisingly, countries in MENA host very few and declining number of CDM projects with only 23 CDM projects registered till date. The region accounts for only 1.5 percent of global CDM projects and only two percent of emission reduction credits. The two main challenges facing many of these projects are: weak capacity in most MENA countries for identifying, developing and implementing carbon finance projects and securing underlying finance. The registered CDM projects in MENA countries are … Continue reading →

How To Say ‘No’ to Disposables: Useful Tips

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The waste quantities in all parts of the world are increasing many folds. In the past three decades, the waste quantities have almost been doubled. The per capita waste generation is alarmingly high especially in GCC countries. The municipal and governmental authorities have to spend huge resources in collection, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of these wastes. With limited recycling facilities and absence of reusing culture, more quantities of the waste is now to be managed. Major part of our municipal waste is still heading towards our landfill sites where it is being dumped, compacted and covered. The landfills are … Continue reading →

Green SMEs in Middle East: Key Challenges

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With ‘green’ being the buzzword across all industries, greening of the business sector and development of green skills has assumed greater importance all over the world, and Middle East is no exception. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in eco-design, green architecture, renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainability are spearheading the transition to green economy across a wide range of industries. Green SME sector in the Middle East has been growing steadily, albeit at a slower pace than anticipated.   Regulations One of the major obstacles in the progress of green SMEs in the Middle East the has been poorly-designed regulation. … Continue reading →

Why Chemical Data Drives ESG Reporting in MENA

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Environmental, Social, and Governance reporting (or ESG) has become a major priority for organizations across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Investors, regulators, customers, and business partners increasingly expect companies to provide measurable evidence of their environmental and sustainability performance. Sometimes companies are so reliant on chemical data that it ends up being the basis of their disclosures. The reason is that it’s nearly impossible to publish credible ESG metrics or show how they have progressed toward sustainability targets if they lack accurate knowledge of the various substances they use, store, transport, and dispose of during different operations. The … Continue reading →

Portable Battery Packs: The Definitive Guide

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With more people working outside of homes, preparing for power outages, or just working from home, portable power stations have become a more affordable solution to backup power. Unlike fuel-powered generators, these quiet and exhaust-free battery devices are able to safely provide power to many common household items inside as long as the user conforms to the manufacturer’s specifications. To select a good model to suit your needs without opting for the biggest and/ or most expensive model, it helps to grasp several essential specification and options related to the best portable battery packs. What is a Portable Power Station? … Continue reading →

أزمه المياه في مصر

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تعاني مصر في السنوات الاخيرة من شح شديد في المياه و يعد توزيع المياه غير المتكافئ و اساءه استخدام موارد المياه وتقنيات الري غير الفعاله بعض العوامل الرئيسيه التي تلعب دورا مدمرا للأمن المائي فيالبلاد. يعد نهر النيل شريان الحياة في مصر حيث  يغطي متطلبا ت الزراعة و الصناعه و هو المصدر الرئيسيلمياه الشرب للسكان. ان ارتفاع معدلات النمو السكاني و التنمية الاقتصادية السريعة  في دول حوض النيل  بالإضافة الى التلوث و التدهور  البيئي آخذُ باستنزاف الموارد المائية في مصر.  و تواجه مصر   عجزا مائيا يقدر  بسبع بليون متر مكعب سنويا .وفي حقيقة الامر فإن الامم المتحدة قد حذرت من نفاذ … Continue reading →

Islamic Perspectives on Overpopulation, Overconsumption and Climate Change

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Overpopulation – and incipient overconsumption – are the twin products of the capitalist system. Consumerism is characterized by the desire for material goods. It is the dominant ideology of our times and holds responsibility for the Climate Crisis. This is as consumerism is intimately linked with anthropocentrism, environmental destruction and global inequality Moreover, Islam can provide a thoroughgoing critique of the prevailing socio-economic system.  As such, it is necessary to develop a strong Islamic platform in order to work towards economic justice and sustainability. Overpopulation can be better understood through analysis of overconsumption and resource depletion. The scale of the … Continue reading →

How COVID-19 Shifted Public Attention Towards Sustainable Living

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Since the COVID-19 disease outbreak, it hasn’t been particularly easy to track down good news, especially on a global level. Due to huge decreases in travel, however, emissions dropped drastically and gave Mother Nature a long overdue chance to catch her breath. For the most part, globally speaking, the pandemic has also been a catalyst for people and communities working together in the fight against COVID-19. Parts of this increase in working together involve more sustainable practices in a world full of factory shutdowns and increased difficulties in getting food. This sustainability silver lining is widespread, and here are some … Continue reading →