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Trash Talk from Doha

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On arriving a few years ago from a town in the UK that boasts a university course in waste management, and a very efficient weekly recyclable waste collection from our houses, I was a bit shocked, like many Europeans by how difficult it was to recycle in Doha. Having had the moral obligation to recycle drummed into me since I was quite young, I felt guilty throwing away all my waste into one bin, destined to fill up a huge smelly hole in the desert, where it would take a long time, if not forever to biodegrade. The Real Picture … Continue reading →

How Low-Carb Eating Helps You Lose Weight and Save the Planet

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In recent years, low-carbohydrate diets have gained popularity primarily for their weight loss benefits. However, what many people don’t realize is that reducing carbohydrate consumption can also have significant positive impacts on the environment. This dual benefit makes low-carb eating an attractive option for those concerned about both personal health and ecological sustainability. Low Carb Diets and Weight Loss Connection Low-carb diets work by reducing insulin levels in the body. When you consume fewer carbohydrates, especially refined ones like white bread, pasta, and sugar, your body produces less insulin. With lower insulin levels, your body more easily accesses stored fat … Continue reading →

A Glance at Carbon Finance

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The main objective of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) is to promote sustainable development in developing countries and to allow industrialized countries to earn emissions credits from their investments in emission-reducing projects in developing countries. A particular CDM project cycle involves a wide range of transaction costs which may include the following: Project identification and selection: Costs incurred by project developers and potential investors in identifying prospective projects. Project development and baseline determination: Information costs related to the preparation of a project concept note providing relevant information on project baseline, expected additional emission reductions and corresponding costs. Project validation: The process of independent … Continue reading →

الطاقة الحيوية ووعدها

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الكتلة الحيوية هي المادة المستمدة من النباتات التي تستخدم ضوء الشمس للنمو، وتشمل المواد النباتية والحيوانية مثل الخشب من الغابات، والمواد المتبقية من العمليات الزراعية والحراجية، والنفايات الصناعية العضوية والبشرية والحيوانية. تأتي الكتلة الحيوية من مصادر متنوعة بما في ذلك الخشب من الغابات الطبيعية، ومخلفات الزراعة، والنفايات الزراعية الصناعية، وروث الحيوانات، والنفايات الصناعية العضوية، والنفايات الصلبة البلدية، وحُرَث مياه الصرف الصحي، وغيرها. عندما تُترك الكتلة الحيوية على الأرض تتفكك على مدى طويلة، مطلقة ثاني أكسيد الكربون ومخزونها من الطاقة ببطء؛ حين عند حرقها يُطلق هذا المخزون بسرعة وغالبًا بطريقة مفيدة. خيارات التكنولوجيا يمكن تحويل موارد الكتلة الحيوية إلى طاقة نظيفة … 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 →

النفايات الغذائية وروح رمضان

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في السنوات الأخيرة، أثارت  الكميات الهائلة من النفايات الغذائية خلال شهر رمضان المبارك جدل كبير في البلدان الإسلامية وغيرها. وفقا تقديرات متحفظة، نحو خمس المواد الغذائية التي يتم شراؤها أو التي أعدت خلال شهر رمضان تجد طريقها إلى صناديق القمامة أو مقالب النفيات. وهذا يمثل الاف الأطنان من المواد الغذائية الثمينة التي كان يمكن استخدامها لتغذية عشرات الملايين من الجياع في الدول الفقيرة في آسيا وأفريقيا وأماكن أخرى.هذه الكمية المذهلة من النفايات الغذائية خلال شهر رمضان تتطلب استراتيجية قوية وعاجلة للتقليل منها ،و استغلالها بشكل مستدام و كذلك التخلص منها  بكيفية صديقة للبيئة. خطورة الوضع تعتبر دول الشرق الأوسط  أكبر … Continue reading →

The Importance of Minimizing Food Waste During Ramadan

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The month of Ramadan is a great opportunity to draw closer to Allah and review daily habits and behaviors, including eating habits. During this blessed month, the focus is on fasting and worship, but it is also important to reflect on the impact of food waste on society and the environment, especially with the high rates of food waste during Iftar and Suhoor. The Holy Quran says: “Eat and drink, but do not waste. Surely He does not like the wasteful.” [Al-A’raf: 31]. This noble verse lays a strong foundation for the concept of moderation and balance in consumption, as … Continue reading →

Maximizing Your College Planning: Tips for Future Success

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Embarking on the journey to higher education can be an exhilarating but complex process. From choosing the right institution to securing sufficient funding, every decision made can significantly affect a student’s future. With careful planning and strategic actions, high school students and their families can navigate through the maze of college admissions and emerge successfully. Below, we provide key insights and actionable tips to maximize your college planning for future success. Financial Strategies for Higher Education Navigating the financial aspect of college planning is a critical component of the process. Understanding the cost of attendance, which includes tuition, books, housing, … 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 →

Environmental and Health Impacts of Asbestos

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Asbestos is an infamous building and construction material that gained popularity in the 20th century due to its fire-resistant properties. Asbestos’ first commercial mine was opened in 1879 in Quebec province, Canada. It took several years of production and consumption of this material in several parts of the world before its health and environmental hazards were discovered. Australia was one of the heaviest global consumers of asbestos in the 1980s with most of the materials being imported into the country from Canada and South Africa. The use of the material didn’t stop until a national ban was announced on December … Continue reading →