Midlife Crisis And Environmental Fears: How To Address Them

Fears that relate to the environment are common and valid, as can be many fears related to age or aging. However, if these subjects cause distress that becomes challenging to manage, it may be a sign that it’s time to approach them differently. How might a midlife crisis and environmental fears go together, and how can you address worries that connect to the present and future state of the environment?

The Definition of Midlife Crisis

First and foremost, what exactly is a midlife crisis?

The dictionary.com definition of a midlife crisis is “a period of psychological stress occurring in middle age, thought to be triggered by a physical, occupational, or domestic event, as menopause, diminution of physical prowess, job loss, or departure of children from the home.” During a midlife crisis, someone might worry about whether or not they have time to achieve what they want to, feel nervous about growing older or needing more help later down the line, and may feel down.

How to Address Midlife Crisis And Environmental Fears

As for when this might take place? “Midlife” typically refers to the time in a person’s life that takes place from around age 40 to age 60 or so. That said, it’s noted among experts and researchers that the aforementioned psychological distress may not actually be contingent on age. In other words, an individual may face these feelings as well as various life transitions and fears at virtually any time. Still, there are common occurrences that may exist among those aged 40 to 60.

How Midlife Crises And Environmental Fears Go Together?

Although it may seem like two separate topics, and as much as some fears and thoughts a person might have related to age may differ, environmental fears can pair with aging in some ways. It’s not uncommon for people facing what one might call a midlife crisis to worry about the state of the world and what the quality of life will be like for the future generations that will live in it. Particularly, if you are a parent, guardian, or have children in your life otherwise, you may be concerned with what the world will be like for them as time goes on and things like climate change continue to progress.

It is true, however, that people of any age can be concerned about the environment to the extent that it causes considerable distress and impacts their day-to-day mental health and life. In this case, you may want to know, regardless of age, how to address them in a way that supports your emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

Addressing Fears Related To The Environment

Here are some tips to use to address your fears related to the natural environment:

  • Care for the environment in your day-to-day living choices. Employ sustainability practices in your personal life and, if applicable, in your family and workplace.
  • Promote sustainability in and beyond your community. Get active in campaigns, organizations, and other ways you can spread environment awareness that are accessible to you, whether those opportunities are online or in person. Spreading awareness to other people and letting them know how they can help may be rewarding.
  • Be cognizant of what you can and cannot do. Try to shift your energy toward the things that you can control, such as your own personal actions and involvement. Make sure to employ self-care and speak to yourself gently at times when there are things you can’t change. You may utilize tools like cognitive reframing and radical acceptance.
  • Find others with the same passion. Volunteer work supports mental health, and having people to talk to who share the same environmental fears and concerns may be advantageous. If there is a way to meet people through volunteering, local efforts, groups, or even people you can bond with over this common interest, it may be supportive.

If you find that your worries about age, the environment, or other topics start to impact your quality of life, take up a great deal of mental space, impose on your physical and mental well-being and relationships, or if you simply want a place to talk and find solutions, mental health support may offer an advantage. Additionally, if practices like radical acceptance are challenging to adapt to, a therapist or counselor could be able to help.

talk therapy

If you find that your worries about age, a midlife crisis, the environment, or other topics start to impact your quality of life, take up a great deal of mental space, impose on your physical and mental well-being and relationships, or if you simply want a place to talk and find solutions, mental health support may offer an advantage. Additionally, if practices like radical acceptance are challenging to adapt to, a therapist or counselor could be able to help.

Role of Artificial Intelligence in Jordan’s Energy Sector

The energy sector is a vital pillar that directly impacts both society and the economy. With the continuous advancement of technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an integral part of strategies aimed at improving optimal management, improving energy efficiency, and optimizing resource utilization. Furthermore, AI offers opportunities to foster cross-sector collaboration, leading to numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits.

AI in energy management

In this context, Jordan has ratified an agreement on AI implementation in the planning and operation system for electrical loads. This initiative is part of a technical cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), to develop AI-supported systems and apply its uses in key sectors across the country.

The Role of AI in Jordan’s Energy Sector

AI has the potential to play a pivotal role in energy management by fostering efficient and sustainable transitions to alternative energy sources, enhancing storage methods, and reducing environmental impact.

Here’s how AI can play a crucial role in the development of energy sector in Jordan:

1. Collaboration and Big Data Analysis for Resource Management

One of the main challenges facing Jordan’s energy sector is the lack of effective collaboration among various sectors, including industrial, commercial, agricultural, and environmental. AI addresses this issue by building systems capable of analyzing big data and forecasting future energy needs for each sector.

AI-driven systems enable the management of smart grids and facilitate real-time information exchange among stakeholders. For instance, these systems provide precise data on energy consumption across sectors, helping government authorities predict demand, improve energy distribution, identify congestion points, and effectively manage peak times.

2. Reducing Losses and Waste

AI utilizes predictive models and simulations to enhance energy sector performance by forecasting production and consumption needs. Through continuous monitoring, AI identifies inefficiencies in production, transportation, and distribution processes. It optimizes production schedules and resource allocation based on actual needs, significantly reducing energy waste and improving efficiency.

AI-powered predictive maintenance also allows for timely updates to electrical grids, identifying issues before they escalate, which minimizes losses and reduces operational costs. Countries like Germany have demonstrated that AI can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%.

3. Empowering Local Communities

Local communities play a crucial role in the success of energy sector development initiatives. AI-powered applications can help users track energy consumption in their homes and businesses, providing actionable recommendations to reduce bills and enhance efficiency.

Furthermore, communities can contribute to the development of AI systems by sharing data about their energy needs and environmental conditions. This collaboration enables AI to deliver customized solutions tailored to local circumstances.

artificial-intelligence-environment-protection

4. Generative AI for Innovative Solutions

Generative AI offers unprecedented opportunities to develop new solutions for energy management. By leveraging unique data sets, it can create tailored recommendations for communities and sectors, improving efficiency and minimizing waste.

Additionally, generative AI can develop innovative models for renewable energy production, simulating various conditions to identify optimal solutions.

5. Advancing Renewable Energy

AI supports renewable energy development in several ways:

  • Forecasting and Control: By analyzing weather forecasts and historical data, AI can predict how environmental factors will impact solar and wind energy production, ensuring that production aligns with demand.
  • Improved Resource Management: AI optimizes energy distribution and storage, determining the best times for charging and discharging energy storage systems, thereby enhancing overall efficiency.
  • Feasibility Studies: AI evaluates the economic viability of renewable energy projects and provides recommendations based on market data and global trends.
  • Integration: AI ensures seamless coordination between traditional and renewable energy sources.
  • Innovative Storage Solutions: AI designs advanced storage technologies, such as next-generation batteries.
  • Environmental Impact Analysis: AI reduces emissions by optimizing energy usage and minimizing waste.

Challenges in Implementing AI in the Energy Sector

Despite its potential, the application of AI in Jordan’s energy sector faces several challenges:

  • Data Availability and Accuracy: AI requires vast amounts of precise data, which may not always be accessible or reliable.
  • Implementation Costs: Developing and arranging AI solutions can be expensive, posing challenges for small and medium-sized enterprises.
  • Privacy and Security Concerns: AI relies on collecting and analyzing personal data. It is crucial to establish stringent legal frameworks to ensure data protection, transparency, and ethical use.
  • Integration with Existing Systems: Incorporating AI into legacy systems can be complex and time-consuming.
  • Skills Gap: A lack of expertise may hinder the effective implementation of AI.
  • AI and Energy Consumption: There is growing concern about the environmental impact of AI itself. Running large-scale AI models requires advanced data centers operating around the clock, which increases long-term energy consumption. The processes involved in operating, processing, storing, and training AI models significantly contribute to energy demand. Countries like Sweden and Austria have adopted cautious approaches to AI use due to these concerns, striving to balance AI’s benefits with their environmental commitments.

Looking Ahead: Opportunities for Innovation and Collaboration

To fully realize the potential of AI in Jordan’s energy sector, a multi-faceted approach is essential. Collaboration between the government, tech companies, and international organizations will be crucial in developing the infrastructure needed to support AI applications in energy. Additionally, investing in renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind, could provide sustainable power sources for data centers, helping to reduce the environmental footprint of AI operations.

As AI technology continues to evolve, it is essential for Jordan to foster innovation while ensuring that ethical guidelines and environmental standards are upheld, creating a model for sustainable and responsible AI use in energy management. Such efforts will contribute to a more resilient and eco-friendly energy future for the country.

Muslims and Environment Protection: A Mischance

The detachment of the modern-day man from the environment can be attributed to the desacralization of nature, and the modernist destitution of the inner state of the soul which, according to the scholar Seyyed Hossein Nasr in ‘Man and Nature’, accounts for the phenomenon of the ‘prostitution of nature’: “For modern man, nature has become like a prostitute ─to be benefited from without any sense of obligation and responsibility toward her.”

types of art to celebrate nature

Eradication of Natural World

Mankind has surrounded itself with square walls and barren concrete structures for the sake of creating this artificial industrial world. Its constant need to feed the consumerist lifestyle, is rapidly and dangerously eradicating the natural world ─humanity’s very own cradle.

Drifting along into this new design of a world, are Muslims who today, have been alienated from the roots of their own religion. It is harrowing to see the population of one of the world’s biggest religions, so acutely uninformed about the current dilapidated state of the natural world, so cavalier about the fact. But why is this the case?

Seemingly, the Quran never outright demanded the ‘jihad’ to conserve nature, or what some are calling, eco-jihad. No verse can be found that literally calls for Muslims to mobilize every tool in their hands for the sake of saving the environment. But this was obviously the case as the state of the world in which the Quran descended, was not in disrepair. Ergo, this fact does not only apply to the Muslim world.

Notion of Nature in Islam

Never has there been in the past, a philosophy, literature, religion or societal movement intensively committed to the idea of ‘saving’ nature before the advent of the industrial revolution. Nature simply did not need much saving back then.However, the primal essence of Islam as a religion, encapsulates and engulfs the notion of Nature in the extending intricacies of its own doctrine.

The very message of Islam is conveyed by the Quran through the use of Nature as its auxiliary pedagogical tool. God honors Nature in the Quran by elevating its position as ‘Aayah’ or ‘Sign’, which is so imperative that it is termed to validate His very existence:

“We will show them Our Signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth.” (41:53)

In another example, after establishing the orbital paths of the sun and moon, God explains that these celestial objects are Signs that he uses:

“…He explains the Signs (in detail) so that you may be certain of the meeting with your Lord.” (13:2)

The Quran constantly utilizes natural elements to impart its canonic principles. It refers to inanimate creations and living species as serving their purposes in the larger scheme of this world:

“There is not a thing that moves on the earth, no bird that flies on its wings, but has a community of its own like yours.” (6:38)

Additionally, God remarks how every creation is subservient to Him in their own ways:

“Do you not see that Allah is He, Whom obeys whoever is in the heavens and whoever is in the earth, and the sun and the moon and the stars, and the mountains and the trees, and the animals and many of the people.” (22:18)

And the Quran goes on to address the grave magnitude and the vibrant eminence of this natural world, mentioning how most people could not even understand it:

“The creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of the people do not know.” (40:57).

Mizan – The Philosophy of Balance

Subsequently, in regulating our interaction with the natural world, the Quran introduces its philosophy of mizan or balance, stating:

“And the heaven, He raised it and He has set up the Balance (mizan). So that you transgress not in the Balance (mizan).”

It stresses this warning against the upsetting of the terrestrial miizan:

“Do no mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order.” (7:56)

Further than that, the Quranic dogma teaches Muslims that their existential purpose in this world is to serve as the position of ‘viceroy’ or ‘khalifah’ who is responsible for the preservation of the Earth:

“Then We appointed you viceroys in the earth after them, that We might see how you behave” (10:14).

It becomes clear that the natural world, living species and the ecosystems are regarded as being more dignified than our devalued and secularized perception of them. Veritably, Nature which the Quran imbues with effervescent spirituality, is more exalted than the industrial mankind’s current treatment of it. Against the backdrop of our current age of excess and overconsumption, these verses certainly leave us but with an unnerving sense of disgrace.

Detachment of Muslims from Natural World

There is no grain of doubt then that the responsibility of preserving the balance of Nature serves as an integral part of the Muslim faith. To say the least, a Muslim who professes to espouse the Islamic creed should have fundamentally grasped the spiritual import of Nature to begin with. In other words, so conspicuous is the significance of the natural world in the Islamic scripture that it never had to spell out the blindingly obvious. The conscious Muslim should already instinctively be alarmed at the current precipitating deterioration of the ecosystems, wildlife populations and their habitats.

Clearly this has not happened with the majority of Muslims, considering how muted their worry for environmental protection is. But why? The majority of clerics, who supposedly are the flag-bearers of Islam, do not even arduously champion campaigns for environmental conservation. This, at a time when scientists have been presenting fact after fact on the damages caused by detrimental everyday human activities on the environment.

Imagine for a second if this enormous section of the world population is energized by clerics who actually comprehend the spiritual intimacy between Islam’s Revelation and the world’s nature. Vast areas of the natural world could be saved from anthropogenic crimes and benefit from sustainable attitudes emanating from the Muslim world’s endearing concern for the environment.

This evidently tragic detachment of Muslim societies from the natural world will not only affect the lives of future generations, but ultimately, demerit the quality of their very own faith. It is an injustice to the Islamic doctrine that Muslims remain aloof from the destruction of these Quranic Signs of God.

The Way Forward

Now is high time to disseminate awareness among Muslim scholars and preachers around the globe, to revitalize the discourse on the spiritual bearing of Nature to a Muslim individual’s faith, in the endeavor to once again sacralize Nature in the eyes of mankind. Realizing this spiritual connection between Nature and the Islamic faith, it can never be too late to initiate sustainable development and the preservation of the environment.

The Quran reiterates this, as even when it foreshadows the destruction of the environment by the hands of mankind, it closes the same argument with a reconciling persuasion that we will be able to learn from our mistakes:

Corruption doth appear on land and sea because of (the evil) which men’s hands have done, that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done, in order that they may return. (30:41)

إدارة نفايات الإسبستوس في الشرق الاوسط

في كل عام تعمل دول منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا على إستيراد كميات كبيرة من الإسبستوس بهدف إستخدامها في قطاع الإنشاء. و بينما تُمثل منطقة الشرق الأوسط وأفريقيا معاً 20٪ من الطلب العالمي على مادة الإسبستوس بحسب آخر الإحصاءات فإن أكبر المستهلكين لمادة الإسبستوس في المنطقة هما دولتي إيران والإمارات العربية المتحدة. فى الواقع، واردات الأسبستوس في الشرق الأوسط بأكمله تزايدت بشكل مطرد بإستثناء مصر والمملكة العربية السعودية حيث أنهما الدولتان الوحيدتان اللاتي وضعت حظراً على الأسبستوس ولكن  بفعالية مشكوك فيها. وقد بلغت واردات إيران وحدها نحو 30،000 طن من الأسبستوس كل عام. و قد تم استيراد و إستهلاك أكثر من 17،000 طن من الأسبستوس في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة في عام 2007.

dangers of asbestos

تداعيات الحروب والثورات

تتمثل خطورة الأسبستوس عند تعرض الأشخاص الغير محميين بالأقنعة و الملابس الوقائية المناسبة. حيث أنه لم تؤخذ الإجراءات الوقائية المناسبة للتعامل مع الأسبستوس في الماضي. في الوقت الراهن، معظم الناس يعتقدون أن التعرض للأسبستوس هو جزء من صناعة البناء والتشييد. وهذا يتضمن الهدم والتجديد والبناء وهي الأوقات الرئيسية التي يمكن التعرض إلى ألياف الإسبستوس.

بسبب الأوقات المضطربة في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا فقد ارتفع خطر التعرض لألياف الإسبستوس في جميع أنحاء المنطقة. منذ عام 2003، كان هناك حرب العراق، الثورات في مصر وليبيا وتونس، بالإضافة إلى الانتفاضة في سوريا. ناهيك عن وجود مجموعة من الصراعات في لبنان وفلسطين وإسرائيل. ونتيجة ذلك هو أن المباني التي تحتوي على مادة الأسبستوس و التي تتعرض الى ضربة عبوة ناسفة، من المرجح أن تنتقل ألياف الإسبستوس للغلاف الجوي المحلي، مما يُعرض الحياة المجاورة للمنطقة المتضررة للخطر.

إدارة نفايات الأسبستوس

في العديد من البلدان في جميع أنحاء العالم لدى الشركات والمؤسسات والمنظمات مسؤولية قانونية لإدارة نفاياتها، فهم ممنوعون من استخدام المواد التي تُعتبر خطرة على العامة والتي تشمل حظراً شاملاً على استخدام الأسبستوس. حيثما إكتُشِفت مادة الأسبستوس فيجب إزالتها والتعامل معها من قبل أفراد مدربون يرتدون ملابس وقائية. في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا، فإنه من المهم أن يكون هناك تطوير لسياسات مُكافِحة للأسبستوس على مستويات الحكومة وقطاع الأعمال لزيادة حماية مواطني تلك البلدان.

لم تُصدِق  أي من بُلدان الشرق الأوسط على قانون منظمة العمل الدولية رقم 162 ، والذي تم رفعه في مؤتمر الأسبستوس عام 1986 م و الذي يُحدد إجراءات الصحة والسلامة المتعلقة بالأسبستوس، بما في ذلك القوانين الخاصة لأرباب العمل في محاولة لحماية سلامة جميع العاملين. إدارة النفايات الأسبستوس في منطقة الشرق الأوسط تحتاج إلى أن تأخذ عدة إجراءات متميزة ، و تتمثل أول أهم خطوتان في التعليم والتشريعات تليها إدارة النفايات الفعلية للأسبستوس.

إلى حد كبير، منطقة الشرق الأوسط لديها أنظمة ضئيلة أو معدومة للتعامل مع هذا النوع من المشاكل. كل عام أكثر من 100،000 شخص يموتون في جميع أنحاء العالم بسبب الأمراض ذات الصلة بالأسبستوس و بأخذ الاستخدام المتواصل للأسبستوس في المنطقة بعين الإعتبار ، لا بد من وضع استراتيجية قوية للتخلص التدريجي من الأسبستوس في صناعة البناء والتشييد.

asbestos use in construction industry

استراتيجية المستقبل

قد يجادل الكثيرون أنه لا يزال هناك عقبة فلسفية للتغلب على الأسبستوس. ولهذا فإن التعليم يجب أن يتماشى جنباً إلى جنب مع التشريع. اعتبارا من عام 2006، كانت مصر و المملكة العربية السعودية فقط قد وقعت على فرض حظر على الأسبستوس. و مع ذلك هناك أدلة على الاستخدام المتواصل. سواء كجزء من التصريحات الرسمية  في الصحف، أو على أجهزة التلفاز أو في المدارس، فمن الأهمية أن يتم دعم إجراء حظر استخدام الأسبستوس بالمعلومات بهدف إيصال لماذا لا ينبغي حظر الأسبستوس فقط، ولكن إزالته للعامة. من المهم أن تنظر البلدان الأخرى لحظر المواد وتعزيز الوعي أيضاً.

تمتلك الحكومات الموارد اللازمة لفتح السُبل للشركات المحلية أو الدولية لبدء برنامج إزالة الأسبستوس. في كثير من الأحيان هناك حاجة  للتعليم لمساعدة الشركات على أن تصبح مستعدة لهذه لبرنامج حظر و إزالة الأسبستوس. يبدأ برنامج إزالة الأسبستوس الصناعي بدراسة إدارية لتحديد ما هي مواد الأسبستوس في مبنى ومواقعها. ويتبع هذا الأمر دراسة ترميم و ما قبل الهدم لمعرفة أفضل السُبل لإزالة الأسبستوس واستبدالها بمواد أفضل جنباً إلى جنب مع عمليات تقييم المخاطر وخطط مفصلة بالكامل.

إدارة الأسبستوس لا يمكن أن تكتمل بدون هذه الدراسات.  و قد يكون الجزء الأكثر صعوبة في تنفيذ إدارة النفايات الأسبستوس على نطاق واسع في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا. وبالرغم من الكلفة العالية  والوقت اللازم لتنفيذ هذه البرامج ولكن البديل غير وارد وهو التخلص من الأسبستوس دون الأخذ بعين الاعتبار سلامة العامة. ولهذا تُعتبر الخطوة الأولى إيجاد البنية التحتية والتدريب اللازمين لبدء العمل الطويل في إزالة الأسبستوس من منطقة الشرق الأوسط.

ترجمة

م. لينا مراد خالد الكردي

ماجستير طاقة متجددة و كفاءة الطاقة باحثة

الترجمة ليس بالضرورة أن تُمثل رأي أو توجه المترجمة

Environmental Justice – The Core Essence of Islam

Every human being has a right to enjoy a clean and healthy environment. The most crucial aspect in the long-drawn fight against environmental pollution is environmental justice. Environmental justice is of great importance for marginalized, low-income and remote communities as such groups bear disproportionate burden of industrial pollution.

Traditionally, grassroot campaigns led by people of color and low-income groups have been the hallmarks of environmental justice movement around the world. Environmental justice has the potential to provide protection in the equitable distribution of environmental benefits to all sections of the society.

environmental justice in islam

In the last few decades, the distribution of environmental benefits, such as green spaces, clean air, pollution abatement and clean water, has assumed greater significance for all city-dwellers. As a result, environmental justice has now transformed into a fundamental outcome of environmental regulations, including public access to environmental data, improvement in quality of life through equal access to environmental goods and, most importantly, conservation of natural resources for the coming generations.

Environmental justice is inherently embedded in Islamic teachings on environmental sustainability. Infact, a Muslim is a steward for all creations, and has a special responsibility towards environmental care. According to Shariah, the elements of nature, such as land, water, sunlight and forests, belong to all living things, not just homo sapiens. The mankind has been given the liberty to exploit natural resources on a guardianship basis with the promise that it will not be overexploited, damaged or destroyed.

love for nature

سيعيد التعليم البيئي اتصال الاطفال بالطبيعة

Islamic principles on environmental justice highlights equitable distribution of environmental goods (air, water, biodiversity, forests etc.) among all communities and groups, irrespective of religion, race, social groups and region.

In Islam, each human being is a custodian of nature, and must live in harmony with other creatures. This implies that every Muslim must respect, nurture and care for the environment, and should desist from overconsumption of environmental goods and recklessly damaging the elements of nature, including forests, water bodies, soil and air.

Do Not Corrupt the Earth

Islam dislikes corruption of all kinds, including environmental corruption, such as industrial pollution, environmental damage and reckless use of natural resources. For Muslims, environmental justice is not only a religious duty but also a social obligation.

Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) gave high degree of importance towards environmental hygiene, sustainable cultivation of land, waste minimization, humane treatment of animals, preservation of forests and protection of wildlife. He discouraged overconsumption, lavishness and encouraged moderation in all walks of life.

To conclude, the concept of environmental justice is an integral part of Islamic beliefs. As environmental stewards of Planet Earth, we should use Allah’s Bounties in an equitable and sustainable manner to ensure its availability for the coming generations. We are custodians of all of Allah’s creation, including land, air, water, animals and trees, and bear full responsibility for its sustainable consumption and preservation.

The Holy Quran, Islamic law and Hadith emphasizes climate justice for everybody, and to build and maintain a healthy and clean environment which is free from all kinds of corruption, include human-induced environmental degradation.

How Instagram Influencers Can Spur Your Green Initiatives

Social media platforms are the space where you can spread awareness of initiatives and calls to action.  Instagram is one of those platforms where you can get a wide audience to pay attention to your green initiatives. It’s one aspect to get a wide audience, but the point of social media is to convert your audience into active participants of your initiatives and green programs, thereby contributing to results. That said, you might want to consider having partnerships with Instagram influencers.

Instagram influencers are individuals who have a large following on the social media platform. With this, the green initiatives you are pushing to spur can be raised by partnering with Instagram influencers. Here are some of the ways Instagram influencers make it possible:

How Instagram influencers can promote green initiatives

1. Influencers Encourage High Engagement Levels

Instagram’s algorithm picks up on posts with a high level of engagement. These are the posts that immediately appear when you open the Instagram page, regardless of whether you are following the page or not. There were probably times when you started following a page because the immediate-appearing content roped you in to look for previous content uploaded on their page.

An Instagram influencer attracts high levels of engagement because of the number of people following them and for being deemed likable entertainers. Your green initiative needs such high levels of engagement for high visibility in a shorter time.

Instagram influencers can also buy female Instagram followers—helping to improve their engagement levels. These followers are real people who will like their posts regularly and maintain the engagement needed in their accounts. This increased level of engagement may further improve the visibility and awareness of your green initiatives promoted by the influencer.

2. They Create Strategic Content

An Instagram influencer knows their audience’s online behavior, preferences, tone of engagement, and frequency. These patterns help them create content that will resonate with their audience. Your green initiative won’t be widely received if the content doesn’t resonate with the wide following.

For instance, the Instagram influencer you decide upon that can spur your green initiative probably has a following of people who enjoy outdoor activities. This target market’s studied trends and patterns may direct how the influencer holds discussions about your initiatives and eventually lead the awareness into a call to action.

3. They Can Result In High Conversion Rates

A conversion rate is when your Instagram follower follows through with your call to action. For example, if your initiative is to create a clean-up campaign or organize a donation fund for wildlife, a high conversion rate is the number of social media followers that then participate on the ground.

For one to be considered an Instagram influencer, it means that they would have garnered large numbers of followers and qualify to become product ambassadors. Your goal is to have that wide audience become aware of your initiatives and encourage them to participate.

For conversion to occur, the audience has to believe in the authenticity of your product, service, or idea; understand it, and engage with the positively driven content enough to make a participation decision. Different influencers have varying product marketing and content creation strategies, and you can only determine your partnership success by having engaged them.

4. They Subtly Persuade The Audience To Act

People find the influencers entertaining and have a certain level of admiration for them, so they don’t need to invest much persuasion when displaying your green initiative.

If your green initiative reaches a point where it doesn’t need aggressive persuasion, you may enjoy a greater level of attention as audiences sometimes experience fatigue from blatant calls to action. An influencer can create content where they are cleaning water bodies in a national park where animals drink to make sure that it’s safe for them. This is a visual example of subtle persuasion where the audience appreciates the clean-up initiative and may follow through.

5. They Raise Awareness

Instagram influencers may be the reason why your green initiatives get recognized. An influencer represents multiple narratives. This means that their audience may be wide and diverse. Those who weren’t aware of your initiatives may get to know about them because of the influencer presenting them.

Conclusion

Sustainability influencers can be pivotal in the role of spurring your green initiatives. Through them, you may achieve high engagement rates, which can be challenging to achieve on your own. The influencers’ strategic content means the audience receives the content packaged in a particular manner they enjoy. The high engagement levels on influencers’ pages help your initiative’s visibility. The subtle persuasion resulting from influencers helps to encourage your audience to act upon your green initiatives.

التسامح هدف سامي

تطوي البشرية ببزوغ فجر اليوم الاول من عام 2022 صفحة عام مليء بالمآسي، المآسي التي صنعتها النفوس الشريرة وعم بسببها الدمار في البقاع المختلفة من العالم وتدهور بفعلها النظام البيئي لكوكب الارض بيتنا المشترك، وخسرت البشرية بسببها مقوماتها الاقتصادية والمعيشية، وتوسعت قاعدة اللاجئين وجيش الفقراء والمعوزيين، ودفع ذلك الواقع العقول الحكيمة في رفع قامة دعوتها لتبني الحكمة كموروث انساني في معالجة الخلافات بين الجماعات والمجتمع البشري، وثقافة التسامح القيمة الانسانية التي يمكن الاحتكام الى قيمها وعقيدتها وهي القيمة الكفيلة في جعل المجتمعات تعيش في أمان وسكينة.

islam-nature

التعايش بين المخلوقات صفة تتميز بها الكائنات الحية في محيطها الكوني، وهي أكثر رقيا في منظومة علاقاتها ضمن خريطة التنوع الثقافي والانتماء العرقي في المنظومة المجتمعية في بعض البلدان، وذلك التنوع ذي قيمة حضارية يساهم في التفاعل المتناغم والمتبادل بين مجموعة الانواع البشرية في اطار التعايش ضمن الخلية المجتمعية الواحدة، والارتقاء بقيمة الوجود الاجتماعي، وبناء مقومات الرخاء والاستقرار الاجتماعي والتطور الحضاري للمجتمع البشري.

ان ذلك يشير الى ضرورة الحاجة في ترسيخ قيم التواصل والتفاهم والتشارك والصفح لنتمكن من الابحار الآمن وقيادة قاربنا المشترك بوعي وحكمة للعبور الى الضفة الأخرى، لذلك علينا ان نبادر ونشرع في بناء عقد التسامح، وعلينا ان ندرك حقيقة ثابتة بان ثقافة التسامح تمنحكم السعادة والسكينة، ولنسعى في جعلها منهجا لعلاقاتنا وحياتنا المشتركة في العام 2022.

Water Scarcity in Bahrain

Bahrain is listed among the top ten countries that are likely to suffer from a water crisis in the next 25 years. The World Resources Institute (WRI) have estimated that 33 countries, half of which are in the Middle East, would suffer from a severe water crisis by 2040. According to the study that included 167 countries, the top ten countries that would face water crisis by 2040 are Bahrain, Kuwait, Palestine, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman. The finding shows that the Middle East is already probably the least water-secure region in the world as it depends heavily on groundwater and desalinated sea water, and faces exceptional water-related challenges for the foreseeable future.

This warning comes in the wake when we are utilizing huge potable water quantities and misuse is increasing due to low cost and lack of awareness among the users in Gulf countries. This is a fact that spring waters and ground waters are fast being depleted and wells are drying up and cost of treating and conveying water is increasing. Due to the severe shortage in freshwater resources and despite the higher cost of the desalinated water, as compared to other conventional water resources, the GCC Countries have constructed a large number of desalination plants, since the early Seventies. These facilities were constructed to bridge the gap between fresh water availability and drinking water demands. These desalination facilities consume huge amounts of fossil energy mostly natural gas and fuel, and release enormous quantities of CO2, which has adverse environmental impacts that might lead to an increase in the average temperature and a decrease in the precipitation quantities.

We need to understand the technical, financial and environmental consequences of water wastages as seawater is to be desalinated, treated to potable water standard at a huge cost, transported and stored and when wasted in drains and sewerage system, cost a lot of finances going down the drain. The Government has taken cognizance of the situation based on which the Water Resources Council (WRC) was formed in 1982 which reflects the government’s efforts in the protection and development of water resources, as well as increasing community awareness of the optimal ways of using and exploiting it.

The main duties of the WRC are drawing up the country’s water policies; protecting and developing the country’s water resources and regulating and coordinating water utilization between competing sectors. As per the Edict 42/ 2015 issued by HRH the Premier, stipulates the re-formation of WRC under the Deputy Premier’s chairmanship and membership of Follow-up Minister as Deputy Chairman and ministers of Finance, Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning, Transportation and Telecommunications, Housing and Industry and Commerce as members for a four-year renewable term. The re-formation of the WRC is the result of the developments Bahrain has experienced in the field of water use for human, agricultural and industrial purposes, which have resulted from demographic variables and the expansion of the geographical area and rise in industrial development.

While the Bahrain Government is continuing its effort in providing potable water to all its residents, we need to understand and participate in water conservation to avoid any future water crises. Let us at minimum adopt these basic steps:

  • Turn off the water tap while tooth brushing, shaving and face washing.
  • Run washing machine and dishwasher only when they are full.
  • Using water-efficient appliances
  • Avoid wasting water and turning off faucets tightly after each use.
  • Repair and fix any water leaks immediately

7 Easy Steps to Write Essay in an Hour

It is important not to procrastinate when it comes to writing essays. However, you have only 1 hour to write your essay, don’t give up! We’ve got you covered!

If you are always on the go and need to submit an essay fast before the deadline, then these seven steps will help you write that essay in an hour.

how to write an essay in an hour

1. Turn to Professional Online Writers

If you are in need of an essay but don’t have the time to complete it, then you can always turn to professional online writers for help. They can usually finish your paper writings in less than 1 hour.

The number of orders for essays is growing rapidly day by day. It is hard to believe that people are actually ready to pay for someone else to write their essay for them.

People are looking for the best essay writing service provider that they can find online. The truth is that there are many essay writing service providers but few of them will meet the standards you want in your essay writer.

It is quite easy to find a good essay writer these days because the majority of writers have already updated themselves with all the latest trends in academic writing.

You can just put in Google “write an essay for me fast” and you’ll find and a lot of services that can help you out.

They know all about how to get an A+ on your paper and present it in an interesting manner so you will get maximum grades for it, but there are a few things you should keep in mind when looking for an online essay writer.

  • Check their samples of papers that they created for other students quickly.
  • Skim through their reviews.
  • Google their brand name and read what people say about them on third-party websites.
  • Ask their support if they can complete your essay within an hour.
  • Ask them if they can give you an on-time delivery guarantee if you pay them their expensive fee for super urgent delivery.

If you think that you can still make it happen on your own, go ahead and follow these tips below.

2. Choose Your Topic Wisely

When it comes to writing essays, the first step you need to take is choosing your topic.

If you have an hour or less, it’s best to go for topics that you can write quickly about and may already know a lot about. That way, you can spend more time on the essay’s content rather than research.

Make sure it is something relevant and something that interests you. Once you have found a topic, spend some time researching it and create an outline of the essay. This will include the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion.

Furthermore, one thing that people often forget is that they should always use their own voice when they are writing essays for college or high school courses. This will make them original and scholarly.

3. Brainstorm Ideas in 5-10 minutes

Brainstorming is a technique for generating a number of ideas quickly. Definitely, you can use it to generate interesting topic ideas for essay writing.

An important thing about brainstorming is that you should not judge your idea as good or bad because it might be the stumbling point. And you need to work fast as you have only 1 hour, right?

The idea is to just brainstorm, so don’t worry about the quality of your ideas. Write them down quickly, without thinking too much. Then go back and work on the ones that are most interesting to you.

4. Skim Through the Sources Quickly

Doing research is an important part of any essay. The introduction of the essay would have to contain a good number of ideas that are carefully chosen and then backed up with solid evidence.

To do this, students would have to spend hours reading through books, blogs, websites, and other materials to find appropriate arguments for their points. But with the advent of search engines, all you need are a few minutes to get your point across.

Students should focus on using their time wisely to get the most out of their search engine experience. Here are some tips for saving time while doing research:

  • Use only credible sources when researching.
  • Conduct searches in specific formats that will be more likely to provide results.
  • Find reliable statistics or studies that back up your points.

What’s next?

5) Make an Outline for Your Essay

An outline is a plan for your essay. It is the structure on which you will build your essay.

The outline can be in any form; it can be a list of points or paragraphs that you plan to include in your essay, or it may be a more comprehensive hierarchical list that includes subtopics with their own subpoints. It may also simply be a few words you jotted down on paper before starting to write.

What’s important about an outline is that it helps you stay organized and keep track of what you want to say as well as how to say it.

6. Start Writing With Confidence and Urgency

This technique is helpful for those who are not confident in their writing abilities. It helps them start to enjoy the process of writing and learn how to write quickly, while still getting content that is readable.

online paper writer

After you’re done with your first draft, you can go back and edit it.

It’s time to stop writing like you were taking a test. You always need to edit your content, but you should not have the fear of making mistakes when you first start the writing process.

As a writer, you can be creative and imaginative during the first draft. But if you are too afraid of making errors, it could lead to writer’s block.

You should not be afraid of failure because if that happens, then you have nothing to lose.

7. Edit for errors before submitting

It is important to edit for errors before submitting it to get a good grade.

Sometimes it is hard to catch all the mistakes in your essay. This section will show you how to edit your essay for errors and submit it to get a good grade on your paper.

Follow these steps:

  • Read over the essay for grammar and spelling errors
  • Add transitions to break up paragraphs
  • Remove any unnecessary words, phrases, or sentences
  • Use a dictionary to check word usage

You should revise your essay for grammar, spelling, and sentence structure errors. If you can’t find them then ask someone else to do that for you.

5 projets écolos à faire à la maison

La Terre est notre maison : pour la protéger, il faut que tout le monde y mette du sien, ce qui passe par exemple par la réalisation de projets verts et écologiques chez soi.

Maintenant que vous êtes prêt à vous mettre à la menuiserie, voici 5 idées de projets écologiques:

eco-friendly home project

1. Retouchez votre cuisine avec un jardin d’herbes en pot

Vous trouvez que votre placard de cuisine aurait besoin d’un coup de neuf ? Pas d’inquiétude, vous pourrez la plupart du temps bricoler vous-même vos placards dans votre jardin ou tout autre espace ouvert.

Vous aurez besoin d’un outil tel qu’une scie à ruban afin de couper et sculpter le bois à votre convenance. De nombreuses marques existent sur le marché, n’hésitez donc pas à parcourir la toile afin de faire le meilleur choix pour vos besoins.

Pour rafraîchir votre cuisine de façon écolo, recyclez vos chutes de bois avec un petit jardin d’herbes près de la fenêtre. Cela vous permet de parfumer la pièce selon les herbes choisies, en plus de l’aspect esthétique.

2. Achetez des meubles d’occasion

Il existe des magasins de qualité qui proposent des meubles d’occasion à des prix raisonnables. En achetant des meubles d’occasion, vous contribuez à réduire les déchets générés par la création de nouveaux meubles. N’hésitez pas à recourir à différents outils de menuisier afin de leur apporter quelques modifications ou touches finales.

3. Installez des panneaux solaires

Avec la prise de conscience environnementale collective, l’énergie solaire gagne en popularité chaque jour. Parmi ses nombreux avantages : économiser l’énergie utilisée pour produire de l’électricité.

guide to home solar system

Grâce au développement de la technologie, l’installation de panneaux solaires est relativement sûre et présente des avantages évidents. En utilisant l’électricité générée par le soleil, vous contribuez à protéger l’environnement.

4. Installez des toilettes à faible débit

Ce n’est plus un secret pour personne, les toilettes à faible débit consomment entre 25 à 50 % moins d’eau que les toilettes classiques par chasse d’eau. En utilisant des toilettes à faible débit, une famille de quatre personnes peut économiser jusque 83 000 litres d’eau par an, soit environ 100 $ en moins sur la facture d’eau annuelle. Cette méthode aide à conserver l’eau et même à réduire la facture.

5. Installez des portes et des fenêtres plus larges

Ce projet vise à rafraîchir la maison, et concerne donc surtout le bois. Favorisez la lumière naturelle et économisez l’électricité tout en profitant de l’air frais.

Conclusion

Si vous aimez mettre la main à la pâte pour vous efforcer de rendre votre maison plus écolo, alors ces idées de projets écologiques sont faites pour vous. Hormis les scies à ruban, il existe d’autres outils et matériel de construction qui peuvent vous faciliter le travail à la maison. Que vous travailliez avec des outils manuels ou électriques, n’oubliez pas que la sécurité passe avant tout.

 

Translator: Cécile Lamhene

Cécile Lamhene est une traductrice indépendante de l’anglais vers le français. Après un master en traduction juridique, économique et technique à l’université de Lille, elle se spécialise dans le développement durable dans la région MENA et s’intéresse entre autres à l’agriculture, à l’élevage, à l’ingénierie, à l’énergie et à la gestion de l’eau.

Note: The original English version of the article is available at this link.

The Unending Benefits of Wetlands

Wetlands are wonderful for numerous reasons but these wonders weren’t always known to man and it was often common to overlook the importance of this distinct ecosystem. The mention of a wetland used to bring to mind images of murky, mosquito-riddled swamps or unused lands that needed to be developed into a space which would be more useful to humankind.

Wetlands were grossly undervalued which led to loss of many and provoked the Convention on Wetlands to be signed in Ramsar, Iran in 1971. The Ramsar Convention still serves as an international wetland conservation movement and currently holds over 160 nation signatories.

azraq wetland in jordan

Late Nelson Mandela illustrated the biological diversity that exists in a wetland when he once mentioned the St. Lucia Wetlands in a speech:

‘The wetland park must be the only place on the globe where the world’s oldest land mammal (the rhinoceros) and the world’s biggest land mammal (the elephant) share an ecosystem with the world’s oldest fish (the coelacanth) and the world’s biggest marine mammal (the whale).’

Wetlands can be natural or artificial, can be saturated with freshwater, saltwater or brackish (which is water that contains salt but not as much as seawater) and supports vegetation that is especially adapted to grow in saturated soils. But apart from a wetland having such unique characteristics, the real wonders of a wetland lie in all the functions it has that benefit people and the environment.

The Importance of Wetlands

One of its most amazing characteristics is that it acts as a sponge or natural flood control system. The structure of wetlands enables them to absorb rainfall and thus reduce the volume of water that enters into rivers and streams which naturally lowers the risk of flooding. Wider floodplains also help to pan out and store the rainfall.

Another amazing feature of a wetland is its ability to purify water by trapping pollutants in its soils and vegetation. Wetlands are so effective at purifying water that they are used to purify wastewater from industry, mining and sewerage.

Wetlands replenish groundwater supply which is an important water source as well. Wetlands also support a large variety of animal and plant species. Sadly however, whilst wetlands have so many wonders that enhance the environment, there are many factors that threaten this landscape type. Wetlands in South Africa are threatened by overgrazing, pollution from pesticides, commercial development, alien plants and poor urban storm water management.

In the dry regions of the Middle East inland wetlands like rivers and lakes are vanishing due to the increased demands for fresh water. Azraq Lake, the sole Ramsar site in Jordan and Mujib River are good examples of water stress in the Middle East. Wetlands in Iraq are also facing extinction due to decades of conflicts, mismanagement and overlapping oilfields.

benefits of wetlands

Flamingos at Dohat Arad marine reserve in Bahrain

The loss of wetlands is a clear indicator of larger problems from declining water availability; a problem for both nature and the people who used to depend on these areas.

Bottom Line

As custodians of the Earth we should take time not only to visit and learn more about these environments but should try and become actively involved in projects to help preserve, protect and rehabilitate the remaining wetland ecosystems around the world.

May Allah guide us and bless us abundantly in our efforts to conserves and restore our environment (Aameen).

Evaporative Cooling: Achieving Energy Conservation in Buildings

The global push toward sustainability and commitment to United Nations’ SDGs has brought innovative solutions of energy conservation in building design and operation. Evaporative cooling has emerged as an effective and environmentally-friendly method for reducing energy consumption (in comparison to HVAC system which consume approximately 40 percent of energy in buildings) while maintaining indoor comfort.

Let’s explore the principles, applications, benefits, and limitations of evaporative cooling in achieving energy conservation in buildings.

What is Evaporative Cooling

Evaporative cooling leverages the natural process of water evaporation to lower air temperature. The principle is simple yet effective: when water evaporates, it absorbs heat from the surrounding air, resulting in a cooler ambient temperature. This phenomenon is commonly experienced in daily life, such as feeling cool when stepping out of a swimming pool.

evaporative cooling systems

Evaporative cooling has been used for centuries as early as Egyptian Civilization dating back thousands of years. The same concept was used in the form of Wind tower in Persian Empires.

Types of Evaporative Cooling

There are two main types of evaporative cooling systems:

1. Direct Evaporative Cooling

Air is cooled by passing it over water-saturated pads. As the water evaporates, it cools the air, which is then distributed throughout the building. This method increases humidity levels and is best suited for dry climates.

2. Indirect Evaporative Cooling

In this system, air is cooled indirectly using a heat exchanger. The cooled air does not encounter the water, ensuring that humidity levels remain unchanged. This method is suitable for a wider range of climates.

Addressing Energy Deficits in Developing Nations

Many developing countries face significant challenges in meeting their growing energy and electricity demands. Rapid urbanization, population growth, and outdated infrastructure exacerbate these issues, leading to frequent power outages and limited access to reliable cooling solutions.

Evaporative cooling offers a viable alternative to traditional air conditioning systems, which are energy-intensive and expensive to operate. By reducing electricity consumption, evaporative cooling not only alleviates pressure on energy grids but also ensures that cooling solutions are accessible to lower-income populations.

Advantages of Evaporative Cooling in Buildings

Given the adoptability in design integration; evaporative cooling is equally suitable for residential, commercial, and industrial warehouses. The key advantages:

1. Energy efficiency and reduced cost

Evaporative cooling systems use significantly less electricity as they primarily rely on water evaporation and fans, so lower equipment leading to reduced operational costs.

2. Environmental benefits

Evaporative cooling systems do not use harmful refrigerants, such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which contribute to ozone depletion and global warming. By minimizing reliance on these, evaporative cooling reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

3. Improved indoor air quality

As fresh air is inducted in every cycle, replacing stale air, the indoor air quality is maintained.

4. Adaptability to solar energy

Given their lower energy demands, they can operate efficiently using renewable energy sources, like solar energy, further enhancing sustainability.

5. Supporting Global Sustainability Goals

Evaporative cooling aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

  • SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): By using significantly less energy than conventional cooling systems, evaporative cooling promotes energy efficiency and contributes to affordable energy access.
  • SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Integrating energy-efficient cooling solutions into urban planning helps create resilient and sustainable cities.
  • SDG 13 (Climate Action): By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the urban heat island effect, evaporative cooling supports efforts to combat climate change.
  • SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Innovations in water-efficient cooling technologies can address the concerns of water consumption in water-scarce regions.

Limitations of Evaporative Cooling

Despite its advantages, evaporative cooling has limitations that must be addressed:

1. Climate Dependence and Water Consumption

The effectiveness of system is highly dependent on local climate conditions as it works best in hot and dry environments but may be less effective in humid regions. In areas facing water scarcity, the sustainability of evaporative cooling can be a concern as it needs continuous water.

2. Humidity Control and Cooling Range

Unlike traditional air conditioners, evaporative coolers may not achieve the same level of temperature reduction, especially in extreme heat conditions. It sometimes can increase indoor humidity levels, potentially leading to discomfort or mold growth if not properly managed.

3. Maintenance Requirements

Regular maintenance is necessary to prevent scaling, algae growth, and waterborne bacterial contamination in the system.

evaporative cooler

Technological Improvement

To address these challenges, researchers and manufacturers are exploring innovative solutions:

1. Hybrid Systems

Combining evaporative cooling with traditional air conditioning systems creates hybrid solutions that maximize energy efficiency and performance. These systems use evaporative cooling during milder conditions and switch to air conditioning during extreme heat.

2. Advanced Materials

The development of high-efficiency evaporative pads and heat exchangers enhances cooling performance while minimizing water consumption.

3. Automation and Smart Controls

Integrating sensors and automated controls ensures optimal operation by monitoring temperature, humidity, and water levels. This reduces energy and water waste while maintaining indoor comfort.

4. Localized Cooling Solutions

Portable and compact evaporative coolers are useful for their ability to provide targeted cooling in specific areas, reducing the need for whole-building systems.

Case Studies of Evaporative Cooling

Masdar City, UAE

This sustainable urban development integrates evaporative cooling systems to combat the arid desert climate. By combining passive design strategies and innovative cooling technologies, Masdar City serves as a model for energy-efficient urban planning.

Panyaden International School, Thailand

The bamboo-constructed campus uses evaporative cooling to maintain comfortable temperatures in classrooms while promoting sustainability. This approach aligns with the school’s philosophy of eco-conscious education.

Conclusion

As the world transitions toward greener building practices, integrating evaporative cooling systems into architectural designs and urban planning can significantly contribute to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Its ability to reduce energy consumption, minimize environmental impact, and provide cost-effective cooling makes it a valuable tool in the quest for sustainability.