Category Archives: Environment

What You Need to Know About The Top Green Building Trends

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With green building movement sweeping across the world, innovative technologies are being developed to keep pace with increasing shift towards sustainability. In this article, we will provide an overview of the top green building trends from across the world. Integration of biodegradable, recycled, recyclable and renewable building materials in the construction of buildings is attracting great attention worldwide. Natural paints, recycled steel, cellular concrete, clay bricks, wood, bamboo etc. are getting huge popularity in construction of green buildings. Another interesting innovation is zero-energy building which utilizes solar cells/panels, wind micro-turbines, fuel cells and biofuels, among others, to meet electricity and … Continue reading →

Swapping To An Off-Grid Life

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A sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle is something more people strive for every day. For some, the answer is to give up the ease of municipal life to go off the grid. While this route is certainly far from easy, the rewards of freedom and a more ethical footprint make the entire struggle worth it. The Freedom an Off-Grid Life Offers Most people who choose to go off-grid do so in pursuit of a dream or ideal. Moving away from modern conveniences and providing for oneself off the land offers a desirable lifestyle for the people who choose it. Living sustainably off the … Continue reading →

The Wisest Green Decisions You Can Make For Your Home

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When you own a home, it’s up to you to make decisions about everything from maintenance to furniture. With so many competing issues, it can be difficult to figure out how where to focus your energy — not to mention your dollars. By making thoughtful and wise green decisions for your home, you can keep it in top shape for decades besides protecting the environment and conserving natural resources. Environmental psychology may also play a key role in strengthening the relationship between between you and your surroundings. Read on for the wisest green decision you can make for your home: … Continue reading →

Working Towards a Greener Eid Al-Adha Qurbani

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In Islam, there are many basic acts that are expected by devout Muslims, also known as the Five Pillars of Islam. These include declaring your faith (Shahadah), performing daily ritual prayers (Salat), paying forward charity to those in need (Zakat), fasting during the month of Ramadan (Sawm) and undertaking the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj). With each of these responsibilities, Muslims can feel closer to Allah and feel satisfied that they are living a responsible and good life according to the expectations of Islam. By taking part in these acts and showing their generosity, there are certain special occasions that Muslims … Continue reading →

Algae-Powered Buildings: A Futuristic Invention

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In an environment where the carbon footprint is becoming increasingly large, we need to start developing sustainable solutions which can keep greenhouse gases at bay. It is estimated that the building industry contributes to almost 40% of all of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions! To put this into perspective, this consists to a whopping 90 megatons of emissions that are emitted annually in constructing new buildings and maintaining the infrastructure of pre-developed ones. It is time for us to take action! At EcoMENA, we believe in creating a sustainable future so that the building industry can thrive and support our future … Continue reading →

Paper Bag Boy’s Message to the World

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Abdul Muqeet, also known as the Paper Bag Boy, has risen from being just another ordinary student to an extra-ordinary environmentalist. Ten-year old Abdul Muqeet has demonstrated remarkable commitment to saving the environment in the United Arab Emirates and elsewhere, and has been a poster-boy for environmental campaigns in the Middle East. Here he shares his views on environment, recycling and public awareness. It is said that you should break your goals down into small steps which you can accomplish each day. Set a goal, and approach it in a simple and basic manner. When I started my environmental campaign couple of years … Continue reading →

5 Simple Ways You Can Help Stop Wildlife Poaching

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Poaching is defined as the unlawful capture, shooting, and killing of wildlife. It has already been performed for a variety of purposes, including seizing the territory for human benefit, but more frequently, this has been done for a variety of ludicrous reasons, such as the desire for rare species items like ivory, wool, body parts, leather, skeleton, or teeth. However, many wildlife organizations around the globe are creating Anti poaching laws and techniques, to help to save rare species. Many creatures are added to the brink of extinction list each year as a result of poaching and international wildlife violations. … Continue reading →

The Rapid Degradation of Wadi Gaza

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In recent years, environmental crisis has worsened in the Palestine, Gaza Strip in particular, with solid waste, sewage and air pollution being the major issues. The key reason for environmental degradation in the Gaza Strip has been the difficult economic situation and an unending Israeli blockade. Wadi Gaza (or the Gaza Valley) which is located in the middle of Gaza Strip has been transformed from being the most substantial natural ecosystems in Palestine to the most deteriorated regions. Wadi Gaza can be described as one of the largest natural wetlands in Palestine with a length of 105 km. This area has … Continue reading →

Towards a Waste-Free Ramadan Iftar

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In the holy month of Ramadan, Iftar or breaking of fast becomes our main attention. The Iftars are either taken at home alone or with the family and relatives or at Iftar buffets at hotels and restaurants. The other option usually for the bachelors and less privileged people are to open the fast at mosques and at community centers whereby the iftar and dinner is provided for free organized by the rich, philanthropists, charitable organizations and mosque committees. Disrespect to Food It is a common sight that at Iftar, people do not respect the food and drinks that are provided … Continue reading →

الوقود الأحفوري يجب أن يصبح جزء من الماضي

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يشهد العالم منذ أواخر القرن العشرين وبداية القرن الحادي والعشرين تفاقم التحديات البيئية العالمية، لعل من أبرزها ظواهر الاحتباس الحراري  والتغير المناخي وفقدان التنوّع الإيكولوجي وندرة بعض الموارد الطبيعية وغيرها.في هذا الإطار ، تجمع مختلف التقارير على دور مصادر الطاقة التقليديّة في هذه المؤشرات الخطيرة التي تنبئ بالأسوأ إذا لم يقع اتخاذ إجراءات هيكلية لتغيير المنوال الطاقيّ خصوصا في الدول النّامية. في هذا السياق ، دعت الهيئة الحكومية الدولية المعنية بتغير المناخ إلى إنهاء طريقة استخدام الوقود الأحفوري بلا أي قيود في أسرع وقت ممكن “إذا كان العالم يريد أن يتجنب تغيرا خطيرا في المناخ.” وطالبت الهيئة، التي تدعمها الأمم … Continue reading →

Sand and Dust Storms: Impacts and Mitigation

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Sand and dust storms cause significant negative impacts on society, economy and environment at local, regional and global scale.  There are three key factors responsible for the generation of sand and dust storms – strong wind, lack of vegetation and absence of rainfall. The environmental and health hazards of such storms cannot be reduced permanently, however its impact can be reduced by taking appropriate measures. As the dust cloud rises, it reduces the horizontal visibility which can impact human life in many ways. The fine suspended particles also contain contaminants, bacteria, pollens, which cause negative health impacts such as allergies and respiratory diseases. Dust also … Continue reading →

Know About Zero Waste Kitchens and Energy-Efficient Cooking

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Food is the single largest source of waste. Worldwide, we throw away about a third of our food. More food ends up in landfills than plastic or paper. The enormous amount of wasted food depends on our cooking and eating habits. Generally, it is easy to be sitting at home, in front of your television, consuming whatever you want then throwing every‑thing in the trash. But have we ever thought, where does the garbage go? Zero Waste Kitchens Given that most of the domestic waste originates in the kitchen, a green home should definitely include a zero waste kitchen. Zero … Continue reading →