Category Archives: Sustainable Development

Soil as the Foundation of a Healthy Earth

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A special day, a day to reflect on how critical and important the soil is for everyone on the planet. Soil is a life-giving and a life-sustaining component of all our environmental ecosystems. Yet most people look at soil with disgust, thinking it is just dirt, acting as if it’s the dirtiest component of the natural world.  I beg to differ and will set out information to inform our readers of just how crucial soil is to our very existence. Soil is so critical in our survival. It controls the food security of the planet. It ensures the sustainability of … Continue reading →

Advancing Circular Economy in Water Management in Algeria: From Wastewater to Strategic Resource

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As climate change accelerates water scarcity across the Mediterranean and the Sahara, countries are compelled to rethink their approach to water management. The traditional linear model of extracting freshwater, using it once, and discharging it into the environment is no longer viable in regions where rainfall is decreasing, aquifers are overexploited, and agricultural demand continues to grow [1-2]. In Algeria, this challenge is especially acute – declining annual precipitation, high evapo-transpiration rates, rapid population growth, and urban expansion place tremendous pressure on limited freshwater resources. At the same time, industrial and agricultural demands continue to rise, further stressing conventional water … Continue reading →

Managing Sudden Water Shortage Expenses in MENA Communities: Lessons From International Households

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Countries across the Middle East and North Africa live with some of the lowest freshwater availability per person. Several MENA countries receive less than 500 m³ of freshwater for one person each year. Reports from the FAO and UN Water show that climate patterns, higher temperatures, and population growth continue to put greater pressure on water systems. When supply suddenly stops, even for a short time, families face unexpected expenses. They should pay more for repairs, bottled water, filtration, or temporary storage. Usually, people should deal with immediate costs for filters, delivered water, pump repairs, or small tanks. Below are … Continue reading →

Why Community Solar Projects Are Key to Energy Equity

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When you think about clean energy, you probably picture big solar farms or shiny rooftop solar panels. But not everyone can install their own system because they either rent or live in shaded homes. Some can’t afford the upfront costs. Community solar becomes invaluable in these situations. It gives you a chance to benefit from shared clean energy, even when traditional solar installation isn’t possible. More importantly, it creates a pathway toward energy equity, helping more people access affordable and reliable electricity. Renewable energy projects aim to fill the gap by providing fairer access to clean power and reducing long-term … Continue reading →

The Holy Quran: A New Ecological Paradigm

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Among the world scriptures, the Holy Quran provides a unique resource for building a new ecological paradigm. Grounded in the Abrahamic tradition, it presents a harmonious view of nature reminiscent of the Far East. In the Quran, “whatsoever is the heavens and on the earth glorifies God” (59:1; 61:1; 62:1; 64:1). “The stars and the trees prostrate” (55:6), “the thunder hymns His praise” (13:13), and “unto God prostrates whosoever is in the heavens and whosoever is on the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, and the beasts” (22:18). In these and many other verses, the … Continue reading →

How Asia Pulp & Paper Adopts CDP Carbon Disclosure Standards

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The pulp and paper industry is one that has been deeply impacted by the rise of the eco-conscious consumer. Whether a business produces disposable, reusable, or repurposable paper products, many pulp and paper companies continue to be placed under further scrutiny by consumers. Issues such as resource depletion and carbon emissions are common critiques of the industry, regardless of how useful or necessary their products may be. At the same time, many pulp and paper companies such as Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) Sinar Mas have proactively moved towards comprehensively integrating sustainability outcomes into their overall operational strategy. Seeking out … Continue reading →

إستخراج مياه الصرف الصحي: تغيير النظم في المدن شحيحة المياه

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في المناطق ذات النمو السكاني المتسارع، فإن الاستدامة تعتبر مُلّحة ومُهمة لإن هذه المناطق تكون أكثر عرضة لندرة المياه. يُعرّض مناخ الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا الحار والجاف هذه المدن للخطر. وبالرغم من ذلك، تنتج مدن هذه المنطقة – التي تعاني من ندرة المياه – كميات هائلة من مياه الصرف الصحي التي يمكن معالجتها لتلبية احتياجاتها المائية. ما المقصود باستخراج (تعدين) المجاري؟ استخراج مياه الصرف الصحي (المجاري) هو عملية تجميع هذه المياه ومعالجتها لإزالة جميع الملوثات وفصل المواد الكيميائية لإعادة استخدامها. وبالعادة فإنه يتم الحصول عليها ومعالجتها محلياً. بهذا ممكن أن يقل الطلب على مياه الشرب عن طريق توفير مصدر محلي … Continue reading →

Scaling Sustainable Agri-Tech in MENA: Policy, Finance and the Roadblocks Ahead

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Food security in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is facing a turning point. It’s well known that the area is short on fertile land. What’s newsworthy is that agri-tech solutions are being mobilized quickly to address this long-standing issue and how policy, capital and old-school obstacles shape the path ahead. Here’s a clear view of what’s happening, how it works and why it matters. The State of Agri-Tech in MENA The hunger risk in MENA is serious. In 2023, 66.1 million people in Arab regions faced starvation. Wars are driving several countries toward famine, while water scarcity … Continue reading →

Green Growth in Jordan: Prospects and Challenges

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The global financial recession triggered serious debate among many countries in revealing the causes behind failures and in innovating affordable solutions. Seeking “transformational” economic growth is very fashionable nowadays bringing to the front-line clean energy and green investments as keys for a better future. And for those countries at the heart of change in the Arab World, the famous “Spring” is bringing a different flavor to the aspired change and reform. In Jordan, attention to sustainability (whether environmental or social) is a need as well as a strategic choice. For a country with very limited natural resources and increasingly growing … Continue reading →

Mining the Deep: How the Indian Ocean Ridge Faces Ecological Crossroads

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Primarily, deep-sea mining is done by extracting minerals from the ocean at thousands of meters of depth. The ocean ridges contain millions of dollars’ worth of minerals that are produced due to different chemical reactions near hydrothermal vents, undersea volcanoes, and other areas with immense geological activity. The Indian Ocean is especially known for containing minerals like nickel, cobalt, and manganese, which are essential for the construction of wind turbines, car parts, airplane parts and other important materials used in our everyday lives. How Deep-Sea Mining is done In this generation, deep-sea mining methods use remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and … Continue reading →

Solar Skins: The Ultimate Guide to Aesthetic Urban Energy Solutions

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Cities are built from surfaces—glass, metal, stone, and shade. Solar skins turn those surfaces into quiet power plants, weaving electricity generation into façades, canopies, railings, and street furniture without sacrificing design intent. Instead of treating energy as an add-on, solar skins make it part of the architectural language and the public realm. For metropolitan teams shaping growth in sunbelt markets, the fit is especially clear. Firms delivering land development services in San Antonio can capture value from high-irradiance hours by treating façades and shade structures as productive assets from day one of site planning. What Are Solar Skins? Solar skins … Continue reading →

الاقتصاد الأخضر والتمويل

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شهد العقد الماضي انتقالاً ملموسا للبلدان العربية نحو الاقتصاد الأخضر. فمن الصفر تقريباً في اعتماد انظمة اقتصاد أخضر أو استراتيجية مستدامة، أصبح هناك أكثر من سبعة بلدان وضعت استراتيجيات من هذا القبيل أو أدرجت عناصر الاقتصاد الأخضر والاستدامة في خططها. وقد ترجمت الاستراتيجيات الخضراء في مجموعة من التدابير التنظيمية والحوافز التي أدخلت في هذه البلدان لتسهيل التحول. وأعطى ذلك إشارة قوية للقطاع الخاص لزيادة الاستثمارات في قطاعات الاقتصاد الأخضر أضعافاً، وخاصة الطاقة المتجددة، وهو أمر واضح في المغرب والأردن والإمارات، حيث تم استثمار البلايين في مزارع الطاقة الشمسية وطاقة الرياح. وينفذ المغرب خطة لتوليد أكثر من نصف كهربائه من الموارد … Continue reading →