Category Archives: Sustainable Development

Far-Reaching Implications of Conflict in World’s Breadbasket

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Pre-pandemic era, pre-Ukraine war months, the Ukraine referred to as the “Breadbasket of Europe” and of course Russia, thrived on agricultural activities suppling the world with wheat, other grains, vegetables, oils, seeds and meats. According to the CIA World Factbook, the Ukraine was producing 25% of staple foods for across the globe. By 2022, this figure had risen to 30%. Ukraine produced for nations across the globe. In addition to the pure grain production, there is food processing and especially sugar processing. Over a quarter of the Ukraine population was employed in agricultural and forestry activities. Today, these figures are … Continue reading →

5 Most Environmentally Friendly Colleges in the United States

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Education is only effective when it is combined with real change that impacts the world we live in. Selecting a college to study in can be a bit challenging as there are a plethora of factors you consider before choosing the best option. Some of these factors are education quality, study-life balance, healthy competition between students, co-curricular activities, and more. One other essential factor that a lot of people fail to consider is how environmentally friendly the university is. How can a college be environmentally-conscious, you may ask? To begin with, having many plants on campus and following eco-friendly practices … Continue reading →

Climate Change Impacts on Public Health: Perspectives for Arab World

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Climate change is not only affecting the economies of Arab world but also having detrimental impacts on the very fabric of society, through threats to public health and livelihoods. Climate change in the Arab world is also exacerbating social inequalities, hitting the rural poor the hardest. This is not a reason for complacency amongst the wealthy urban classes. Basic humanitarianism aside, history suggests that physical hardships can breed wider unrest: a body of evidence suggests that poor harvests caused by a major Icelandic volcanic ash cloud in 1783 triggered no less an event that the French Revolution. Extreme weather events … Continue reading →

Future of Smart Sustainable Cities in the Middle East: Case Studies from NEOM and Masdar City

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The techno-urban phenomenon we now call a smart city became widespread in the 2010s. Many metropolises worldwide have risen to the challenge of several interconnected global shifts, driving new developments that set the latest benchmarks for truly smart and sustainable living. However, some cities go beyond merely meeting expectations — they redefine them. NEOM and Masdar City in the Middle East are among the most ambitious pioneers, reshaping urban living through intelligent design aimed at minimizing the negative impacts of modern cities while creating ideal model communities for the future. Redefining Urban Movement Today, traffic congestion is worsening in the … Continue reading →

Acequias for More Sustainable Irrigation: Rediscover an Ancient Technology

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Arid and semi-arid lands develop when climatic conditions create water limitations and the water lost through evaporation exceeds the water gained from precipitation.  Severe water limitations and climatic extremes make these arid and semi-arid regions very dependent on careful and conservative water management. Traditional practices that use only gravity to distribute water in these environments have been used for thousands of years, but have been little studied and are under-appreciated. These gravity-based canal systems are known as acequia (Spanish) and secondary and lateral ditches are called laterales, linderos, sangrias, or venitas. The head gates that divide and control water flow … Continue reading →

Powering the Future: Eco-Friendly Electrical Solutions for a Sustainable World

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You constantly seek efficient ways to reduce your carbon footprint, yet the challenge remains daunting. Rising utility bills and growing climate concerns spur you to find new strategies that power your home sustainably. You want simple, effective solutions that don’t compromise comfort or safety. By embracing solar panels, LED lighting, and energy-efficient upgrades, you stay a step ahead. Your commitment to cleaner power starts with a trusted partner. For guidance on greener wiring and maintenance, rely on an Eco Friendly electrician who understands your environmental vision. You can harness renewable energy sources to minimize emissions, reduce costs, and secure a … Continue reading →

Food Wastage in Ramadan: An Urgent Call to Action

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The month of Ramadan witnesses a great rush of frantic buyers who are buying and storing food items and allied commodities. Unfortunately, Muslims countries, especially Gulf nations, generate huge quantities of food waste which increases manifolds during the month of Ramadan and festivals like Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha whereby the consumption and wastage of food increase at an alarming level. Firstly, the food habits change in the month of Ramadan whereby Sahoor or breakfast/ meal is taken early in the morning. Later after sunset Iftar/ Fatoor (opening of the fast) is taken usually with specially cooked food, … Continue reading →

The Benefits of Natural Ventilation in Buildings

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Natural ventilation is a method of allowing fresh outdoor air into indoor living spaces by natural means without the use of air conditioning units and other types of mechanically driven devices. It  is the process of changing or replacing stale or noxious air with fresh air in any space to provide high indoor air quality to control temperature, replenish oxygen, remove moisture, odors, smoke, heat, dust, airborne bacteria and carbon dioxide. Ventilation is important as it reduces unhealthy air pollutants, such as formaldehyde and radon. It reduces excessive moisture and humidity levels, which can lead to mold growth and can … Continue reading →

How Water-Saving Construction Can Future-Proof the Middle East Against Climate Change

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Water is one of the most precious resources in the Middle East’s arid environment. However, conserving this commodity is becoming increasingly challenging amid the region’s rapid population growth, urban sprawl and rising industrialization. Even more concerning is the necessity of water as it grows scarcer by the day due to climate change. Fortunately, technological advances and emerging construction practices create a path toward water resilience in Middle Eastern countries, particularly in bustling cities like Dubai, Mashhad and Cairo. Water Challenges in the Middle East Decades of poor water management and the growing threat of climate change across the Middle East … Continue reading →

كلّ ما يجب معرفته عن التصحر

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مع تجاوز عدد سكان العالم 7 مليارات نسمة، فإن الضغط على الأراضي ازداد بشكل هائل في العقود الأخيرة. أصبح الأمن الغذائي والمساكن وسبل العيش من أهم المفاهيم الرائجة في الوقت الحالي. والمفارقة أنه بالرغم من الطلب المتزايد على الأراضي، فإن أكثر من 10 ملايين هكتار من الأراضي الصالحة للزراعة تتحول إلى صحراء كل عام. وتكمن العوامل الرئيسية المسببة للتصحر في إزالة الغابات والرعي الجائر وطرق الزراعة غير المستدامة وممارسات الري الضعيفة، إلى جانب تغير المناخ. ونقلاً عن السيد لوك غناقادجا، السكرتير التنفيذي لاتفاقية الأمم المتحدة لمكافحة التصحر، حيث قال: “يعد تدهور الأراضي ظاهرة عالمية، حيث يحدث 78 في المئة من التدهور … Continue reading →

District Cooling in Middle East: Potential and Challenges

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District cooling produces chilled water in a centralized location for distribution to buildings, like offices and factories, through a network of insulated underground pipes. The chilled water travels to different buildings, where the water circulates through refrigeration coils or uses absorption technology to enter the air-conditioning system. During winter, the source for the cooling can often be seawater, so it is a cheaper resource than using electricity to run compressors for cooling. What is District Cooling District cooling provides effective control over internal temperature of a building, requires less maintenance than a standalone air-conditioning system, consumes lesser space and reduces … Continue reading →

Energy Efficiency in Residential Sector in Saudi Arabia

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The energy demand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has increased steadily with an average annual increase close to 5% since 2010[1]. Such rise is driven mainly by the economic prosperity of the region, the rapid industrial development of the Kingdom, and the population growth. However, the per capita energy consumption of KSA is almost three times higher than the world average[2], explained by the presence of energy-intensive industries, harsh climate conditions, and a high energy demanding lifestyle encouraged by historical low energy prices. Link between Economic Growth and Energy Consumption Although the link between economic growth and energy consumption … Continue reading →