مستجمعات المياه الصحية أولوية حرجة لدفع التنمية المستدامة

تُعرّف مستجمعات المياه أو مساقط المياه (Watershed) بأنها مساحة من الأرض تُصرّف المياه الناشئة عن هطول الأمطار وانصهار الثلوج وتوجه تدفقها لتصب باتجاه الجداول والأنهار، وفي النهاية إلى نقاط التدفق (Outflow points) التي تصب في مستودعات المياه الأكبر حجما مثل الخلجان والمحيطات. ولكل جسم مائي مستجمع مياه أو أكثر. وتسمى أيضًا أحواض الأنهار أو أحواض التصريف (Drainage Basin). كما تُسمّى مصائد المياه (Catchment)، لأن الأرض الصاعدة والمرتفعة (Upstream) تصطاد المياه ومن ثم تجري إلى أسفل التل (Downstream) في اتجاه مجرى النهر أو الجدول القريب. تتكون المستجمعات المائية من وديان منحدرة تحيط بها قمم وتلال مرتفعة. ويتم تحديد حدود مستجمعات المياه … Continue reading

Water and Gender: A Strategic Lever for Sustainable Water Security

World Water Day, celebrated every year on 22 March under the auspices of the United Nations, provides a unique opportunity to draw international attention to the vital importance of freshwater and to the persistent challenges related to its access, management, and sustainability. Since its inception, this observance has highlighted an annual theme addressing emerging priorities and structural challenges in the global water sector. In 2026, the chosen theme, “Water and Gender,” explicitly recognizes the close link between water management, sanitation, and gender inequalities, underscoring that the global water crisis is also a social, economic, and human crisis [1]. Although water … Continue reading

زرع الأشجار لم يكن بهذه السهولة

ظاهرة الاحتباس الحراري  كانت كلمة جديدة بالنسبة لي عندما كنت في الصف السادس. مندهش من التأثيرات، سألت أستاذ العلوم، “إذا كان بإمكان طلاب مدرستنا زرع الأشجار؟”. كانت الفكرة هي زراعة حوالي 500 شجرة. لسوء الحظ، جاء الرد بالنفي. في الواقع، لقد كان تحديًا عمليًا بالنسبة لنا هو الحصول على المساحة لزرع والإبقاء على 500 شجرة، وكان ذلك نتاج افكاري وأنا طفل. في وقت لاحق، انتهى بنا المطاف في زراعة خمسة أشجار فقط، عاش منها اثنان. الآن عندما أزور مدرستي، وأنظر إلى الشجرتين اشعر بالفرح. وتعصف بذهني الافكار، ماذا لو زرعنا 500 شجرة وتمكنا من حماية أكبر عدد ممكن من ال … Continue reading

The Environmental Impacts of Minimalist Lifestyle

The concept of a minimalist lifestyle is more and more popular nowadays and a lot of people try to have a better mindset by adopting it. However, minimalism has considerable environmental impacts and we are going to discuss it in this article. What is the meaning of the ‘minimalist lifestyle’? Minimalism is a term that comes from the early 60s when several artists started to simplify art, like visual art and music. The concept was that with very simple techniques they could capture the essence of the feeling that they wanted to instill in their audience. This phenomenon was very … Continue reading

Desalination as an Integrated Water–Energy–Material System in Water-Stressed Regions

Water scarcity has become a structural constraint for sustainable development in arid and semi-arid regions. In North Africa, declining renewable water availability, recurrent droughts, population growth and agricultural demand have pushed conventional water resources beyond their renewal capacity. As a result, seawater desalination has evolved from an emergency response to a strategic infrastructure for national water security. However, the rapid expansion of desalination systems has revealed systemic challenges extending beyond water production. Energy consumption, membrane fouling, chemical use, brine discharge and environmental impacts increasingly determine the sustainability and social acceptability of desalination. At the same time, desalination brine—traditionally considered a … Continue reading

Energy Transition in Algeria: Concrete Levers to Move from Ambition to Action

Algeria stands at a critical energy crossroads. Long known as one of Africa’s leading producers and exporters of hydrocarbons, the country is now attempting to balance the twin imperatives of maintaining economic stability from oil and gas revenues while accelerating a shift to a cleaner, more diversified energy system. With global pressure to decarbonize mounting and domestic energy demand rising rapidly, Algeria’s energy transition is no longer just a vision, it is becoming a necessary strategic priority. But turning ambition into tangible results requires a careful blend of policy frameworks, incentives, partnerships, and effective implementation. Algeria’s renewable energy potential is … Continue reading

Environmentally-Friendly Wood – Benefits, Uses and Challenges

In an era of heightened environmental awareness, individuals and industries alike are seeking sustainable alternatives to traditional materials. One notable trend that has gained significant traction in recent years is the use of sustainable wood products. These products not only meet the demands of consumers who prioritize sustainability, but they also contribute to the preservation of our planet’s precious resources. From sustainable sourcing and responsible forest management practices to the development of innovative wood-based materials, environmentally-friendly wood products offer a compelling solution for a wide range of applications. Understanding Environmentally Friendly Wood In order to appreciate the significance of environmentally-friendly … Continue reading

Water Crisis in Morocco – Response and Challenges

Water, the most basic and essential resource on Earth, has become a privilege in many parts of the world. It is, without a doubt, one of, if not the most vital, resources for life. However, communities across the globe are increasingly facing drought and scarcity, and we have noticed a significant disparity in access to clean, drinkable water. As of 2022, nearly 500 million people across 19 African nations lack access to clean drinking water. The progress in resolving this issue has been slow due to the overexploitation of these resources, the impacts of climate change, and the historical sequels … Continue reading

Can Treated Wastewater Help Algeria Overcome Water Scarcity?

Water scarcity is among the most critical environmental and socio-economic challenges confronting Algeria. Located largely within arid and semi-arid climatic zones, the country experiences highly variable rainfall, frequent droughts, and limited renewable freshwater resources. Per capita renewable water availability in Algeria is estimated at around 404 m³/year, placing the country well below the internationally recognized water scarcity threshold of 1,000 m³/year [1]. Climate change projections indicate further reductions in precipitation, rising temperatures, and increased evapotranspiration, all of which are expected to intensify water stress in the coming decades [2]. In this context, the search for alternative and non-conventional water resources … Continue reading

Long-Term Solutions to Address Water Scarcity in Jordan

Jordan, characterized by its arid desert climate, is among the most water-scarce countries in the world. The nation’s renewable water resources amount to less than 100 m³ per capita annually—far below the water scarcity threshold. Overexploitation of groundwater, climate change, and rapid population growth have triggered an acute water crisis, leading to soil degradation, desertification, rising water costs, economic constraints, biodiversity loss, and public health challenges. Jordan primarily relies on surface water from rivers, groundwater, rainwater harvesting, and treated wastewater for reuse, while planning seawater desalination at Aqaba. To address the escalating water shortage, a long-term strategy integrating cloud seeding, desalination, … Continue reading

Going Green in 2026: 5 Eco-friendly New Year Resolutions

As the new year approaches, it’s not just about setting resolutions for personal growth. It’s also the perfect opportunity to reflect on how we can take steps toward a healthier planet. In this article, we will discuss the 5 impactful New Year resolutions you can adopt in 2026 to save the environment. 1. Rethink Your Waste Small adjustments in your day-to-day life can make a huge difference when it comes to reducing waste. Switching from single-use plastics to reusable items is an effective first step. Single-use plastics harm the environment and contribute to landfills. Instead of grabbing that plastic water … Continue reading

لماذا تعد مشاريع الطاقة الشمسية المجتمعية أساسية لتحقيق المساواة في الطاقة

عندما تفكر في الطاقة النظيفة، ربما تتخيل مزارع طاقة شمسية كبيرة أو ألواح شمسية لامعة على السطح. ولكن لا يمكن للجميع تثبيت نظامهم الخاص لأنهم إما يستأجرون أو يعيشون في منازل مظللة. لا يستطيع البعض تحمل التكاليف الأولية . تصبح الطاقة الشمسية المجتمعية لا تقدر بثمن في هذه الحالات. يمنحك فرصة للاستفادة من الطاقة النظيفة المشتركة، حتى عندما يكون التركيب التقليدي للطاقة الشمسية غير ممكن. والأهم من ذلك، أنه يخلق مسارًا نحو المساواة في الطاقة، مما يساعد المزيد من الناس على الوصول إلى الكهرباء بأسعار معقولة وموثوقة. تهدف مشاريع الطاقة المتجددة إلى سد الفجوة من خلال توفير وصول أكثر عدلاً … Continue reading