Polluted by Noise: When Silence is an Oasis

The roar of a car engine coming to life. Howling dogs and screeching cats. Airplanes are flying above. Karaoke blasting through the air at the worst possible time; in the middle of the night. The hustle and bustle of construction throughout the day. These are all relatively familiar, everyday sounds and occurrences. But do you know that they all constitute noise pollution? Maybe you’re wondering if noise pollution is even a real thing, and we’d like you to know that it most definitely is. It’s an invisible danger that is always present, all around us. There’s a reason informative websites … Continue reading

Reasons Why Fracking is Environmentally Unsound

Fracking is, “the process of drilling down into the earth before a high-pressure water mixture is directed at the rock to release the gas inside” [1]. Fracking remains controversial due to its negative effect on the environment- especially in light of climate change. As such, it is necessary to explore the downsides of fracking as well as environmentally-friendly alternatives. Negative Impacts of Fracking Fracking is a very popular source of energy. However, it is unsustainable and wasteful.  This is as, “fracking uses huge amounts of water, which must be transported to the site at significant environmental cost” [1]. In addition, … Continue reading

Environmental Risks of Improper Drug Disposal

With more people leaning on prescription medication to fix their diseases and ailments, it becomes an issue when they don’t know how to properly dispose of it. During 2015-2016, it was proven that just under half of the population of America had used prescription drugs in the past 30 days. Many people tend to just forget about their prescription medication which leaves it available for children to find accidentally. However, others will casually throw away their drugs or flush them. The result of this can have an awful impact on the environment. This is why we must understand how to … Continue reading

التأثير الخفي للمواد البلاستيكية ذات الاستخدام الواحد على بيئتنا

لقد أصبحت المواد البلاستيكية (ذات الاستخدام الواحد) جزءًا لا يتجزأ من حياتنا، وذلك لأنها متوفرة ومريحة بشكل كبير، ولكن كلفتها أعلى مما نحسبه. فمثلاً الكيس البلاستيكي أو كأس القهوة الذي نتخلص منه ويبدو أنه غير ضار، له تأثير سلبي ومظلم وهو: المساهمة في التلوث البيئي. سوف نتحدث بتفاصيل اكثر في هذا المقال عن التأثير الخفي لهذه المواد البلاستيكية على بيئتنا ونسلط الضوء فيمايلي على الحلول المحتملة لتقليل النفايات البلاستيكية. إنتشار المواد البلاستيكية ذات الاستخدام الواحد لأن مادة البلاستيك خفيفة الوزن ومتينة ومتعددة الاستخدامات فلقد أصبحت جزءًا أساسيا من حياتنا الحديثة، وأصبح البلاستيك خيارًا عمليا لكثيرٍمن الادوات، وبالرغم من ذلك، فقد … Continue reading

How Does A Wastewater Treatment Plant Work?

Wastewater treatment is essential for minimizing water pollution that can disrupt delicate ecosystems, interfere with food chains, and transmit diseases. As the urban population continues to rise, this increasing population density can generate more organic waste and wastewater, which calls for proper treatment and more efficient wastewater treatment plants. A dwindling supply of clean water necessitates more cost-efficient, high-quality wastewater treatment systems. These modern treatment plants employ the latest technologies to decontaminate dirty water before funneling the water back into these ecosystems. What pollutants wastewater treatment removes? A wastewater treatment system harnesses the power of technology to facilitate wastewater treatment … Continue reading

What’s the Issue With Diamonds? 7 Insights into Diamond Mining and its Environmental Impact

To make diamond jewelry, the gems we covet need to be mined. This practice is not without its problems, especially from an environmental perspective. So with that in mind, let’s look at what consumers need to know about the mark that mining leaves on our planet, and the alternatives that are out there for anyone who wants to minimize their own carbon footprint. Unveiling the Glitter: The Diamond Mining Process Diamond mining is a process shrouded in mystery for many. It starts with prospecting, where geologists search for kimberlite pipes, which are ancient pathways of volcanic activity that have carried … Continue reading

Egypt’s Water Crisis – Recipe for Disaster

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

Common Water Pollutants and Their Effects on the Environment

English poet W.H. Auden once said, “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water,” and how true that is. Water is what keeps us alive and sustains us. Why, then, do we have such a problem keeping water clean, and what does water pollution do, not only to us but to the environment? Let’s delve into the subject of water pollution so we can better understand it and its effects on the whole world. Water Pollution Facts Water pollution is caused when a toxic substance gets into the water supply, whether that be a river, ocean, or the underground … Continue reading

How To Say ‘No’ to Disposables: Useful Tips

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

Litani River: A Sorry State of the Affairs

The Litani River, the largest river in Lebanon, faces a multitude of environmental problems. Due to decades of neglect and mismanagement, the river has become heavily polluted. The main contributors to the degradation of Litani River are industrial pollution from factories and slaughterhouse, untreated sewage, chemicals from agriculture runoffs and disposal of municipal waste. The pollution has reached such a level where it is obvious to the human eye and causing serious health issues for people drinking its contaminated water. The Litani River is a source of income for many families who use it in summer for many recreational activities; … Continue reading

How to Avoid Drinking Heavy Metals?

Heavy metals naturally occur in our environment. Even so, they aren’t the kind of substances you’ll want in your body. Each of the common heavy metals produces different reactions within the body. In some cases, metals of this nature may contribute to heavy metal poisoning or certain diseases and illnesses. Here’s what you need to know about heavy metals and how to avoid drinking them.   Signs You Have Issues with Heavy Metals It’s not always easy to tell if you have heavy metals in your drinking water. The symptoms related to heavy metal ingestion can range from mild to … Continue reading

Water Pollution Worries in Developing World

Water pollution has become a major concern worldwide, especially in developing countries where around 3.2 million children die each year as a result of unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation. Access to adequate wastewater treatment facilities in the developing countries is very limited. For example, only 209 of India’s 3,119 towns and cities—less than one in ten—have even partial sewage systems and treatment facilities. As a result water bodies in developing nations are often used as open sewers for human waste products and garbage, which is evident at the Ganges River in India which receives over 1.3 billion liters of domestic waste, … Continue reading