Wildlife Protection in Bahrain: An Overview

Wildlife maintains ecological balance of nature, food chain and nature cycles and plays an important role in the environment and for human progress through availability of large gene pool for the scientists to carry research and breeding programs in agriculture, animal husbandry and fishery. The World Conservation Union estimates that there are more than 16,000 wildlife species that are currently threatened with extinction. In the last 500 years, 820 species have become extinct as a result of human activity.

wildlife-bahrain

Al-Areen Wildlife Park in the only protected area on land in Bahrain, and is spread over 400 hectares

Bahrain has very limited wildlife population, and its conservation is of great importance. Al Areen Wildlife Park located in Sakhir is a nature reserve and zoo. The park is one of the five protected areas in the Kingdom. The reserve is house to 100,000 planted flora and more than 90 species of birds and 50 species of animals. The inmates include extinct species including the wild Arabian Oryx, Persian Gazelle, Chapman’s Zebra, the rare Addax and many other exotic birds.

Unfortunately, many people try intimidating animals or birds for the sake of pleasure and time passing often with bad intentions and having no respect for wildlife. Usually children do mischievous activities of throwing stones and litter on animals to get their attention or throwing eatables thinking that these poor creatures will eat. It is a very cruel example of unfriendly action towards beautiful creatures that provide us with recreation and happiness.

We need to realize that we are bound with all other forms of life in one gigantic ecosystem and have to improve our attitude and way of thinking about other creatures on earth. We need to understand that animals and birds are also creatures like us and have full right to live in harmony with the human beings. We need to be careful in our acts of dealing with them and taking care of their wellbeing.

help stop wildlife poaching

We being the dominant creatures on this planet need to create more awareness about animals and birds and school children are to be trained in how we deal with them and care about their welfare. At park and other recreation areas, we need to stop other people harming the birds who do it just as a random sport or activity.

It is suggested that NGOs need to engage volunteers to support and assist the staff at wildlife parks and to create awareness amongst the people how and what contribution animals and birds are providing and how we need to take care of them.

Wildlife conservation is imperative if we are to become stewards of the earth, and to create a truly sustainable future for ourselves and for the generations to come.

What is the Difference Between Carpet Dry Cleaning and Steam Cleaning?

Steam carpet cleaning and dry carpet cleaning are two of the main ways to deep clean your carpet. Both of these cleaning methods serve to restore your carpet and remove deeply ingrained impurities from its fibres.

While both of these carpet cleaning methods strive for the same outcome, they are fundamentally different. Steam cleaning involves hot water injected within the fibres to sanitise them, while dry carpet cleaning is all about using a chemical solution applied to the carpet without causing it to get wet.

benefits of steam carpet cleaning

If you have a carpet at home and wish to keep it clean and fresh, opting for one of these cleaning methods is the right choice. It’s important to know more about them to make an informed decision.

Steam carpet cleaning

Steam cleaning your carpet is one of the best ways to ensure its fabric is restored to as-new condition in an eco-friendly manner. The carpet cleaning service from Crystal Carpet Cleaners is all you need to get your carpet clean and look like the day you bought it.

Steam cleaning involves a machine with a water tank that heats up to produce steam. Under high pressure, the steam is injected deep within the carpet fibres to remove allergens and dirt. The water is then extracted, which is why the cleaning method is also referred to as hot water extraction.

The method is highly effective because the hot steam easily kills off dust mites, bacteria and all sorts of allergens that dwell within the carpet fibres. Furthermore, steam cleaners are also effective for treating tough stains on the carpet, as they break down the materials and remove them during extraction.

The benefits of carpet steam cleaning

Steam cleaning has many benefits. It is a popular cleaning method for extending the life of your carpet and keeping it free of allergens. Here are some of its benefits.

Efficient form of cleaning

Steam cleaning takes care of the dirt and dust embedded deeply within the fibres of the carpet. Unlike vacuum cleaning, which only tackles surface dirt, steam cleaning breaks down the particles deep within the fibres. It’s an effective way of cleaning carpets.

Deal with all sorts of allergens

The hot steam used during a steam cleaning session reaches high degrees and is effective at killing germs, bacteria and all sorts of allergens within the carpet fibres. You don’t need to worry about things like dust mites, bed bugs and other unwanted guests on your carpet.

It is safe for people with allergies

Those who struggle with allergies and sensitivity to cleaning chemicals can breathe a deep sigh of relief. Steam cleaning is an eco-friendly method that doesn’t rely on harsh chemicals and cleaners to do the job. Vapour from distilled water is all it takes to sanitise your carpets and deal with allergens on the surface.

Prolong the life of your carpet

Steam cleaning works equally well for new and neglected carpets. Using this cleaning method is a sure way to improve the appearance of the carpet, as well as prolong its life due to the restorative effect of the steam.

No residue on the carpet

With steam cleaning, you don’t have to worry about any residue left on the surface. Water vapour enters the carpet fibres and is then extracted. There will be some moisture left but it will dry quickly if you provide enough ventilation.

Things to keep in mind about steam carpet cleaning

Carpets are made of different materials and as such require different care methods. Certain fabrics do not do well with any sort of moisture during cleaning. You should consult the manufacturer’s care instructions before you proceed with steam cleaning, or else you risk damaging your carpet.

When steam cleaning your carpets, make sure you let them dry completely before you step on them. Before steam cleaning you should always vacuum the carpet surface to remove solid spoils first.

Dry carpet cleaning

This carpet cleaning method differs from steam cleaning substantially. It’s a multi-step process. First, the carpet is treated with a cleansing compound and cleaning agents. That’s where the name ‘dry cleaning’ comes from. These cleaning solutions aim to break down any residue within the carpet fibres.

Next, cotton pads (bonnets) are used. They are immersed in hot water and essentially condition the carpet with the aid of a rotary machine. The motion releases dirt and allergens, essentially cleaning the carpet with minimal moisture.

rug cleaning innovations

The benefits of dry carpet cleaning

Dry cleaning can yield excellent results when done right. You can take advantage of its main benefits.

It doesn’t leave the carpet soaking wet

The main benefit of dry cleaning lies in the fact that it doesn’t require excessive moisture. It is ideal for delicate fibres that do not tolerate steam and any kind of wet cleaning. The cleaning process leaves the carpet dry and ready for use almost immediately.

Deep cleaning prowess

Dry cleaning is much better than simple vacuuming. It supplements the process with efficient cleaning compounds, which break down dirt and stains. These chemical solutions can leave the carpet looking like new immediately.

Added protection

Using dry cleaning solutions introduces a new kind of benefit for your carpet – a protective layer. It serves to prevent stains and spills from soaking into the fibres.

Things to keep in mind about dry carpet cleaning

This carpet cleaning method features the use of strong chemicals, which can be problematic for people with respiratory sensitivities and allergies. It’s recommended that such people and pets don’t come into contact with the carpet for some time after the cleaning procedure.

Both carpet cleaning methods have strong advantages and some downsides that you should be aware of. Knowing which cleaning method to choose for your carpet is essential for keeping it fresh and beautiful at all times.

احراق الغاز و هدره

من المعروف أن إحراق الغاز وهدره يرتبطان بعملية استخراج النفط الخام في حقول النفط. أن آبار النفط الحديثة تكون قادرة لاستعادة كل من غاز آبار النفط والنفط الخام ، وعليه  فإن الغاز يشكل مورد إضافي لحقل النفط. تلجأ الكثير من شركات النفط المنتجة في العالم إلى حرق الغاز المصاحب لحقول النفط بكميات كبيرة محاولةً تعظيم أرباحها، واستخدمت في سبيل ذلك أرخص السبل للتخلص من الغاز الطبيعي الذي لا تريده.

وتحرق شركات النفط الغاز المصاحب لأن النفط ينتج في مناطق نائية بعيدة عن المراكز الاقتصادية والسكانية ويحتاج نقله والاستفادة منه استثمارات كبيرة لا توفرها أسواق الطاقة. ونظراً لكون شركات النفط تركز على مصالحها فهي تريد النفط المنتج وترى في إحراق الغاز المصاحب أرخص الطرق لتعظيم الأرباح.

peak-oil-middle-east

ومازال حرق الغاز بدون فائدة منتشرا في كثير من بلدان. حيث ان الدول العشرين الاكثر هدرا للغاز هي روسيا ، نيجيريا ، إيران ، العراق ، أنغولا ، فنزويلا ، قطر ، الجزائر ، الولايات المتحدة ، الكويت ، إندونيسيا ، كازاخستان ، غينيا الاستوائية ، ليبيا ، المكسيك ، أذربيجان ، البرازيل ، الكونغو ، المملكة المتحدة ، والغابون وتقدر بعض المصادر أن الغاز الذي يتم إحراقه في حقول النفط والغاز يمثل حوالي 5 بالمائة من الإنتاج العالمي من الغاز الطبيعي، ولو استخدمت هذه الغازات لتوليد الكهرباء لغطت احتياجات القارة الافريقية.

من ناحية أخرى، أن إحراق الغاز هو إحراق لثروات بشرية تقدر سنوياً ببلايين الدولارات، ولا يقتصر الأمر على ذلك، بل إن إحراقه يساهم في زيادة انبعاث الغازات الدفيئة ويضر بالبيئة المحلية في كثير من الدول بدون أي فائدة للبشرية. لقد طرح البنك الدولي مبادرة للتخلص من ظاهرة حرق الغاز الطبيعي والتي تدعو إلى وقف حرق الغاز الطبيعي بصورة نهائية قبل عام 2030. ويحاول البنك الدولي من خلال هذه المبادرة العمل مع الدول وشركات النفط ومؤسسات التنمية لوقف إهدار الغاز الطبيعي بهذه الطريقة وإيجاد أسواق لبيع هذه الغازات أو وضعها في استخدامات نافعة للبشرية. ويمكن استخدام الغاز الطبيعي كوقود أو حتى تحويله إلى مصادر طاقة أخرى يمكن نقلها بطرق أيسر.

ولم يشارك في هذه المبادرة إلا عدد قليل من الشركات والمنظمات.  أن ما لا يقل عن 150 مليار متر مكعب من الغاز على مستوى العالم يتم إشعاله أو إهداره كل عام  مما يضيف نحو 400 مليون طن من غازات الاحتباس الحراري في الانبعاثات السنوية.  وهذا يعادل تقريباً جميع التخفيضات السنوية المحتملة للانبعاثات من المشاريع المقدمة حالياً في إطار آليات كيوتو.

gas-flaring

تبلغ نسبة حرق الغاز في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا 50 مليار متر مكعب سنوياً ، مما يجعلها ثاني منطقة في العالم بعد روسيا ومنطقة بحر قزوين التي تبلغ حوالي 60 مليار متر مكعب. كمية الغاز المتوهج في الشرق الأوسط وحده ، حوالي 30 مليار متر مكعب ، يمكن أن تغذي 20 مليون طن من الغاز الطبيعي المسال.  تشير بيانات البنك الدولي إلى أن بعض البلدان في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا قد زادت من حرق الغاز خلال الـ 12 عامًا الماضية أو نحو ذلك. وتشمل هذه: العراق وعمان وقطر والمملكة العربية السعودية واليمن في حين أن دول أخرى مثل الجزائر ومصر وليبيا وسوريا والإمارات العربية المتحدة قد انخفضت حرق الغاز. تُظهر البيانات المنشورة أن حرق الغاز السنوي يعادل ربع الاستهلاك السنوي من الغاز في الولايات المتحدة ، و 30 في المائة من استهلاك الاتحاد الأوروبي السنوي للغاز ، وثلاثة أرباع إجمالي صادرات الغاز السنوية في روسيا. وفي أفريقيا ، وهي واحدة من أكثر قارات حرق الغاز انتشارا ، فإن 35 مليار متر مكعب سنويا من انبعاث الغاز يعادل نصف الاستهلاك الإجمالي للطاقة في القارة.

في العديد من البلدان المسؤولة عن معظم عمليات إشعال الغاز وهدره، تضمن الضريبة والقياس الدقيق أن يتم دفع الرسوم الصحيحة ويتم تقليل التأثير على البيئة إلى الحد الأدنى ، ولكن هذا ليس هو الحال دائمًا. هناك حوافز لتنفيذ ممارسات أكثر جدوى وأقل تكلفة مثل إعادة حقن الغاز الطبيعي في الخزان ، ومحطات تسييل الغاز الطبيعي على نطاق صغير في موقع الإنتاج ، وتوليد الكهرباء في الموقع ، وتوزيع الغاز الطبيعي على المناطق الحضرية المجاورة وما إلى ذلك ، في حين تتم العمليات المكلفة ، مثل بناء خطوط الأنابيب ، فقط عندما يبرر الغاز الطبيعي المستخرج التكاليف المرتفعة.

وبغض النظر عمن يحرق الغاز ، يجب أن تكون حوافز الاستثمار في خفض الحرائق مناسبة وواضحة إلى أقصى حد ممكن. لا يوجد خيار واحد هو الأفضل لجميع حقول النفط. لكل حقل نفط خصائصه وحجمه وظروف السوق المحلية واحتياجات البنية التحتية الخاصة به ، وكل بلد له إطاره السياسي والمؤسسي والمالي الخاص به وبالتالي ، فإن القياس الدقيق لحرق الغاز هو أفضل شيء ، لأنه يعطي الصناعة وسيلة لجمع البيانات ، وبناء صورة دقيقة للغاز المشتعل وتخطيط طرق أفضل لتقليل الخسائر وإنشاء أفضل الممارسات في المستقبل ، كما يتم اتخاذ تدابير أكثر صرامة لمراقبة هذه الأمور.

Solar Energy in Jordan

The solar energy potential in Jordan is enormous as it lies within the solar belt of the world with average solar radiation ranging between 5 and 7 KWh/m2, which implies a potential of at least 1000GWh per year annually.

Solar energy, like other forms of alternative energy, remains underutilized in Jordan. Decentralized photovoltaic units in rural and remote villages are currently used for lighting, water pumping and other social services (1000KW of peak capacity). In addition, about 15% of all households are equipped with solar water heating systems. Portable solar generators can be helpful in transforming the renewable energy landscape across Jordan

sustainability-jobs

Jordan has major plans for increasing the use of solar energy. As per the Energy Master Plan, 30 percent of all households are expected to be equipped with solar water heating system by the year 2020. The Government is hoping to construct the first Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) demonstration project in the short to medium term and is considering Aqaba and the south-eastern region for this purpose. It is also planning to have solar desalination plant. According to the national strategy the planned installed capacity will amount to 300MW – 600MW (CSP, PV and hybrid power plants) by 2020.

One of the most promising potential investments in renewable energy worldwide will be installing more than 250 MW of concentrated solar power (CSP) in Jordan’s Ma’an development zone through different projects developed by the private sector. The upcoming CSP solar power plants in Ma’an would highlight Jordan’s strategy of sustainable energy diversification. Many companies use R&D tax credits to carry out these initiatives.

The Ma’an Development Area enjoys about 320 days of sunshine a year, with a high level of irradiance that allows over 2500 million kWh of primary energy to be harvested annually from each square kilometre.  At full capacity, the planned flagship CSP plant could meet some 4% of the Kingdom’s electricity needs, reducing the reliance on electricity imports from neighbouring countries. Surplus energy could in turn be sold to Syria, Egypt and Palestine, whose networks are connected to Jordan.

القيمة الإستراتيجة للأرض

القيمة الإستراتيجة للأرض في تأمين الأمن الغذائي والمعيشي للأجيال الحالية والمقبلة جعلها تكون محور الشعار الذي رفعه المجتمع الدولي للإحتفال باليوم العالمي لمكافحة التصحر الذي صادف في 17 يونيو 2018 “للأرض قيمة حقيقية – استثمرها”، الشعار تجسيداً لمضمون “الهدف 15 – حماية النظم الإيكولوجية البرية وترميمها وتعزيز استخدامها على نحو مستدام، وإدارة الغابات على نحو مستدام، ومكافحة التصحر، ووقف تدهور الأراضي وعكس مساره، ووقف فقدان التنوع البيولوجي”.

types of art to celebrate nature

مقاصد الهدف تؤكد في بعض محاورها على ضمان حفظ وترميم النظم الإيكولوجية البرية والنظم الإيكولوجية للمياه العذبة الداخلية وخدماتها، ولا سيما الغابات والأراضي الرطبة والجبال والأراضي الجافة، وضمان إستخدامها على نحو مستدام، وذلك وفقا للالتزامات بموجب الإتفاقات الدولية، بحلول عام 2020، ومكافحة التصحر، وترميم الأراضي والتربة المتدهورة، بما في ذلك الأراضي المتضررة من التصحر والجفاف والفيضانات، والسعي إلى تحقيق عالمٍ خالٍ من ظاهرة تدهور الأراضي، بحلول عام 2030.

القراءة التاريخية لعلاقة المجتمع البحريني بالأرض تشير الى حقائق الوعي المتأصل في الثقافة الزراعية للمجتمع، وثقافة الإستغلال الرشيد للأرض، وتلك الثقافة تركت أثرها الإيجابي في تعزيز ثقافة الإستدامة المرتكزة على المنفعة الرشيدة في توفير المصدر الغذائي والمعيشي للفئات الإجتماعية التي كانت تمتهن الزراعة كمصدر للحياة والبقاء، لذلك كان الفلاح يعتني بالأرض ويعمل على الإهتمام بمتطلبات بقائها واستدامة إنتاجها، ويتمثل ذلك في تقنين إستغلال الموارد المائية، ومعالجة الأرض بالاسمدة الطبيعية، وتبني نظام راحة الأرض وفق المواسم الزراعية لتحافظ على إنتاجيتها، وذلك ما ساهم في التنمية الزراعية والإنتاج الزراعي المستدام.

الثقافة الزراعية التي كانت سائدة والمرتكزة على القيم الأصيلة في عدم التفريط بالأرض الزراعية وإنتاجيتها لم تعد موجودة في مجتمع اليوم، وترك الجشع في حب المال أثره في شيوع ثقافة التدمير والتصحير والتجريف المتعمد للأراضي الزراعي وتحويلها الى غابات إسمنتية، والتسبب في القضاء على المساحات الخضرية التي كانت تتميز بها البحرين حتى سبعينيات القرن الماضي.

السؤال الإستراتيجي الذي ينبغي ان نجيب عليه، كيف يمكننا في ظل المتغيرات السلبية المشهودة ضمان إنجاز الأهداف الوطنية للتنمية المستدامة حتى عام 2030 وفق ما هو مخطط له.؟

العلاقة الرشيدة مع الأرض الزراعية ليس مبدأً مستحدثاً تطلبته الظروف العصرية، كما انه ليس وليد القرارات الدولية الحديثة، كما هو محدد في أهداف التنمية المستدامة، بل تلك ثقافة إنسانية ممتدة بتاريخ وجود الإنسان على البسيطة، والشعار الذي رفعه المجتمع الدولي “للأرض قيمة حقيقية – استثمرها” للإحتفال باليوم العالمي لمكافحة التصحر يمثل تأكيداً فعلياً على ثقافة العلاقة التي بناها الإنسان في الإدارة المستدامة للأرض الزراعية.

الثقافة الإنسانية الرشيدة في العلاقة مع الأراضي الزراعية وفق ما تشير اليه الدراسات التاريخية في الشأن البيئي إرتبطت بحياة المجتمعات القديمة التي تميزت بالوعي العميق في إستثمار الأراضي الزراعية ذلك ما يبينه الباحث العراقي الدكتور علي حنوش في كتاب “العراق .. مشكلات الحاضر وخيارات المستقبل” إذ يشير الى أنه “يعتبر ما تم التوصل اليه في ميدان الحفاظ على خصوبة الأرض وضمان إنتاجيتها، مظهرا من مظاهر تطور حماية الأرض في العهود القديمة من خلال تطبيق ما يسمى نظام بور الأرض (أو إراحة الأراضي، بزراعتها عاما وتركها في العام التالي) والذي أستخدم منذ القدم وحتى الى حقبة قصيرة من القرن الحالي في اراحة الأرض، والذي إستفادة منه الرومانيون لاحقا” ويشير “المظهر الآخر لحماية البيئة يجلى في عدد من المواد التي حملتها شريعة حمورابي، الذي كان كان يعد من أشهر ملوك السلالة البابلية التي حكمت من 1894 الى 1595 قبل الميلاد. وأهم ما إشتهرت به شريعته التي تتألف من 282 مادة، ومنها نحو سبعة مواد تخص النخيل. فقد فرضت المادة التاسعة والخمسون غرامة قدرها 225 غراماً من الفضة على كل من يقطع نخلة واحدة. ونظمت المادة الستون أصل المغارسة ما بين صاحب الأرض والمغارس أو البستاني. إذ أوضحت ضرورة قيام البستاني بغرس الأرض بالفسيلة والإعتناء بها لمدة أربع سنوات”. (1)

الثوابت التاريخية تؤكد على واقع العلاقة الإنسانية في الإستثمار الرشيد للموارد والثروات التي تكتنزه البيئات الطبيعية، ويقول الباحث علي حنوش بأنه “معلوم ان عوامل النظام البيئي واستقرارها سبقت المجتمعات البشرية وتطور أنظمتها على اليابسة. وأحد مقاييس التطور للمجتمعات الإنسانية، هو قدرتها على الاستثمار المتوازن للموارد الطبيعية من أراض ومياه وسهول وجبال ووديان ومناجم ومراع وغيرها. ويرتبط النمط الإستثماري لتلك الموارد الى حد بعيد بمستوى فهم الإنسان أو تجاهله للقوانين الطبيعية والمبادئ التي تتحكم بالتوازن البيئي أولا، وفي ألقدرة الإنتاجية لتلك الموارد الطبيعية واعادة انتاجها ثانيا”. (2)

الدلالات التاريخية تؤكد على مستوى الوعي الذي وصلت إليه المجتمعات البشرية في تنظيم العلاقة مع الموارد الطبيعية وتبنيها منهج الإدارة المستدامة مع ما تكتزه البيئات من ثروات وخيرات طبيعية، وترشيد إستثمارها لموارد الإرض بما يضمن إستدامتها وصون بقائها، والسؤال الذي يؤكد حضوره في سياق معالجتنا لواقع العلاقة مع موارد الأرض، لماذا لا تستثمر المجتمعات الحديثة تلك الثروة التاريخية في تعزيز مبادئ الإدارة المستدامة للثروات الطبيعية.؟

الإستغلال غير الرشيد للأرض، السلوك الذي حرص الخبراء الضالعين في قضايا التصحر والأمن الزراعي التحذير من أبعاده السلبية في تدهور الأراضي الزراعية، ويبين ذلك العالم المصري في العلوم الزراعية ومكافحة التصحر الراحل محمد عبد الفتاح القصاص في البحث بعنوان “الإنسان والطبيعة والتكنولوجيا ” في كتاب “فقر البيئة وبيئة الفقر” إذ يشير الى أن “أثر الإنسان على التربة يتصل بأنماط إستخدام الأرض التي تحول النظم البيئية الطبيعية إلى نظم يديرها الإنسان لإنتاج متطلباته من الغذاء والكساء وخامات الصناعة والوقود وغيرها. وكثيرا ما يزيد ضغط الإستخدام على قدرة التربة على الإحتمال أي قدرتها على الحفاظ على توازن تفاعيلاتها الطبيعية،ومن ثم تتضرر”. وفي إطار معالجة القصاص أسباب تدهور الأرض يشخص عناصر الضرر ويحصرها في “الري الزائد على طاقة الصرف وما تتبعه من بلل التربة وتملحها، وتلوث التربة بالفيض الزائد من الكيماويات الزراعية (الأسمدة والمبيدات)، والرعي الجائر الذي يحرم التربة من غطاء النبات الواقي وما يتبع ذلك من إنجراف التربة بعوانل التعرية، وتوغل العمران على أخصب الأراضي الزراعية، وعمليات تجريف التربة ليكون منها خام لصناعة الطوب”.(3).

السلوك الإنساني غير الرشيد تسبب في تدهور الأراضي الزراعية وتعقد مشكلة التصحر ودفع ذلك الواقع المجتمع الدولي تبني منظومة من السياسات والإتجاهات التي يمكن أن تساهم في تغيير الحالة والحد من تصاعد مستوى التصحر، ويعالج قضايا التصحر العالم القصاص في كتاب عالم المعرفة-242 “التصحر – تدهور الأراضي في المناطق الجافة” ويشير “مكافحة التصحر تعني منع تدهور الأراضي التي تنتج الأخشاب والأحطاب والكلأ والمحاصيل. وتعني في اللغة التي أشاعها مؤتمر الأمم المتحدة للبيئة والتنمية(1992)، أن تكون تنمية موارد الأرض في المناطق الجافة وشبه الجافة تنمية متواصلة (مستدامة)،أي تنمية تحقق العطاء الموصول للنظام البيئي المنتج فيقابل احتياجات الحاضر واحتياجات المستقبل”.(4).

القراءة المتمعنة للمرئيات التي يتبناها العلماء في شأن إتجاهات مكافحة التصحر، ينبغي أخذها في الإعتبار لتأكييد النوايا الدولية في تجسيد شعار اليوم العالمي للتصحر للعام 2018، وذلك يتطلب المبادرة في بناء مشروع يرتكز على إتجاهات العمل التنظيمي والإداري والقانوني والتوعية والتدريب والشراكة المجتمعية والشفافية في رصد وتعميم البيانات، وتبني الخطط العملية في وقف عماليات تجريف الأراضي الصالحة للزراعة وإعادة تأهيل الأراضي الزراعية، وتقديم المساعدات المالية للمزارعين وتحفيز انشطة العمل الزراعي والتشجير وتوسيع دائرة الغطاء النباتي والمساحة الخضراء.

forest-jordan

الحديث في قضايا التصحر وجهود الدول في بناء مشاريع مكافحة التصحر ورؤى المختصين في معالجة هذه المشكلة ذات البعد العالمي والأمن الزراعي والبيئي للإنسانية، في تحريك سواكن العمل الدولي والإقليمي والوطني للحد من تصاعد مستويات ظاهرة التصحر، وذلك في إطار ما طرح من مرئيات في سياق معالجتنا واقع البعد الإستراتجي للشعار الذي رفعه المجتمع الدولي “للأرض قيمة حقيقية – استثمرها” للإحتفال باليوم العالمي لمكافحة التصحر، ترك أثره على مواقف بعض المتابعين لصفحتنا على الإنستغرام الذين تلقينا رسائلهم ومرئياتهم ومقترحاتهم في شأن الطرق العملية في تمكين الجهود الوطنية للحد من تصاعد مستوى حدة التصحر وتغيير المسار في مكافحة ظاهرة التصحر على المستوى الوطني.

الرؤى التي بادر عدد من المتابعين إرسالها وسجلوا فيها تقييمهم لواقع معضلة التصحر ومقترحاتهم للحل تشير الى مؤشر إيجابي في دلالات الوعي الإجتماعي البيئي، ويمكن الإشارة الى رؤى طالبة الماجستير في التنمية المستدمة مريم أحمد التي علقت بالقول “مِن ضمن المساعي التي يجب أن تتخذها الدّولة لتحقيق أهدافها في مجال استدامة الأرض وتقليل التّصحر، منع جرف الأراضي الزّراعية واستثمارها جيدًا، وأشارت هناك حاليًا أرض زراعية في منطقة (مقابة) شاسعة وجميلة، ويقال أنها أول مزرعة وصلتها الكهرباء، وفيها بئران قديمان وكان الشّباب في طفولتهم القريبة حين يحفرون حفرًا صغيرة يتدفق الماء إليهم، أرضٌ مميزة ولكنها تُجرف منذ أسبوعين، فأيّ استدامة للأرض نتحدث عنها إذا لم تضع الدولة قوانين تحمي مثل هذه الأراضي، الكلام مهما كان منمقًا وجميلًا، مؤثرًا وضروريًا، إلا أنّ التّطبيق والتّنفيذ هو الأهم وهو الطّريق الذي يعكس حقيقة ما نضعه من أهداف، وقالت ذهبت في زيارة لتلك المزرعة وكم أحزن كثيرًا لفكرة جرفها”.

إن ما جرى الإشارة اليه يمثل قيمة بيئية ويشير الى واقع تاريخي مهم في شأن البيئة الزراعية التي تتميز بها البحرين حتى مرحلة تاريخية قريبة، وذلك ما يتذكره الجيل الذي عاش في تلك المرحلة التاريخية، ومن المفارقات الجميلة عند زيارتنا مركز جابر الصباح الصحي في باربار إستمعنا الى حديث عابر للدكتورة بشرى سيد أحمد الطبيبة في المركز الصحي، أشارت في سياقه الى أن “شارع البديع كان مغطاء بالإشجار الكثيفة من مختلف الأصناف، وقالت كنت أشرح الى أبنائي بأن المركبات تسير وسط الشارع ولا تطالها أشعة الشمس لوجود الاشجار الكثيفة على جانبي الشارع”.

البحرين لم تكن تعرف ظاهرة التصحر قبل ان يجري تجريف الأراض الزراعية وتحويلها الى حدائق إسمنتية للسكن، ونرى أن معالجة هذه المشكلة في حاجة الى قوانين صارمة تمنع تجريف الأراضي الزراعية وتبني مشروع لإستزراع الشوارع والأراضي الفضاء ودعم القطاع الزراعي والمزارعين ماديا ضمن مشروع وطني يعزز بقرار سيادي يأخذ في الإعتبار توفير التمويل المادي لتمكين المشروع من تحقيق الأهداف الإستراتيجية لمكافحة التصحر وتعزيز إنجاز الاهداف الوطنية للتنمية المستدامة.

الهوامش:

  1. د.علي حنوش – العراق – مشكلات الحاضر والمستقبل (دراسة تحليلية عن مستويات تلوث البيئة الطبيعية والبيئة الإجتماعية) – الطبعة الأولى 2000 – دار كنوز الأدبية – بيروت – لبنان – ص- 27.
  2. مصدر سابق – ص – 115.
  3. د.محمد عبد الفتاح القصاص “الإنسان والطبيعة والتكنولوجيا ” كتاب “فقر البيئة وبيئة الفقر” الطبعة الأولى مايو 1998 – دار الأحمدي للنشر – القاهرة – تحرير دز محمد عاطف كشك – ص:35.
  4. د.محمد عبد الفتاح القصاص – “التصحر – تدهور الأراضي في المناطق الجافة – كتاب عالم المعرفة-242 – ص – 185.

Top 7 Benefits of Recycling Used Coffee Grounds

As coffee lovers, we use multiple devices and brewing methods to get coffee in the way we desire. These machines and tools such as a moka pot, a bean to cup machine, or even a prosumer barista model coffee machine. All these methods result in large amounts of used coffee grounds that will usually end in the garbage.

However, you can benefit from used coffee grounds in more ways than one. From using it as a compost or a natural cleaner, the options are endless. Here are remarkable and easy ways for recycling used coffee grounds and save the environment.

recycling of used coffee grounds

1. A good fertilizer for your garden

Coffee grounds can be a good source of nitrogen for many acidophilic plants including many vegetables, fruits, and flowers. It can be used directly on azaleas, roses, rhododendrons.

For example, fruits and vegetables that can benefit from coffee grounds include spinach, blueberries, and tomatoes. Carrots can also get better if you add coffee grounds when sowing it. You will not only get better carrots but also keep your carrots clean from any pest attack.

If you do your own composting at home, add the used coffee grounds for a better and cheaper fertilizer.

New research suggests that coffee grounds should be composted for about 100 days first before putting them on the plants. At first coffee grounds contain high levels of caffeine, tannins, and chlorogenic acids. These compounds can be toxic on plants’ soils.

Anyways, after you compost the coffee grounds completely, these toxins subside. After that the nitrogen and potassium content of the beans will be beneficial for the plants.

2. Keep your house smelling good

To remove any unwanted odors in your house, you can recycle your coffee into a deodorant. Use a bowl of dried used coffee grounds and put it in the fridge or on the counter. It will work as an absorbent material for any unpleasant odor that may result from storing food or from cooking.

DIY tip: You can use coffee grounds as a component in abrasive homemade kitchen cleaners to increase its scratchiness component.

3. Refreshen your indoors with used coffee grounds

Coffee grounds can be a fragrant substitutes to essential oils in candles. Use the old coffee grounds to make a refreshing scented coffee candle and enjoy the coffee aroma.

Damp coffee grounds can help you inhibit dust while cleaning your fireplace. Sprinkle some used coffee grounds around the fireplace to decrease the dust while cleaning. After that sweep the grounds with the ashes and garbage.

4. Coffee grounds as a skin care routine

Used coffee grounds can be great for your skin in many ways. They can be used as a mask for exfoliation. Use yesterday’s coffee ground as a scrub for your skin. You can do this in the shower and use water afterwards to remove the debris.

Pro tip: if you have a dog, use the coffee scrub on him too after giving him a bath. Dogs love this kind of skin stimulation and it keeps them cleaner. Its body will be free from fleas. The smell of the coffee can be repellant for many insects as ants and fleas.

Coffee ground mask is also a great mask for your face. Its antioxidant ability makes your skin fresh and bright. To make this mask make a paste of warm and damp coffee grounds mixed with coconut oil (unrefined), and raw almond milk. Spread the paste on your face in a circular motion, then rinse with fresh water after 10 minutes.

Keep your hands fresh with coffee grounds. Scrub the morning leftover grounds in your hands to remove any unwanted smell. This tip is useful after working with onions in the kitchen as they leave your hands smelly even after using soup.

5. Coffee can keep the ants away

Sprinkle some used coffee grounds around in the corners that ants come from in your house. The scent of the coffee bothers the ants and it works as natural pesticides with out their hazards.

6. Make some coffee fun with your kids

Coffee grounds can be used in arts as a stain due to its vivid coffee color. It can be a perfect and safe material for crafts projects for your kids. The options are endless using this coffee grounds color and it also gives you a quality time with your kids.

Coffee grounds can also be used as a salt dough. Mix some used coffee grounds with salt, water and flour to make an easily moldable dough for the kids. It can be shaped easily as they play and then dried. Once it is hard it can be hung on the wall, or sent as a gift for friends and family.

7. Recycle your office coffee

Your office surely consumes a lot more coffee than you think. Coffee waste in offices can be a valuable resource for recycling. Most companies now aim to go all the way to digital interactions to reduce paper wastes, so coffee recycling might be the next.

coffee waste recycling

Disposing the used coffee grounds into the waste is not a good choice nowadays. Some businesses now started to separate their coffee ground waste and send them to be composted.

Composting the coffee grounds may not be the best options, as coffee waste can be used for more than just a fertilizer. Coffee waste can make coffee logs that burn to provide warmth. They provide more burning time and more temperature.

Conclusion

It turns out the products of the roasting process are not just waste. The used coffee ground is way too valuable to be tossed as a waste in the garbage. It can be recycled into multiple useful items as toys, pesticides, scrubs, and compost. Use the coffee waste at home to save the environment and be an eco-friendly coffee drinker.

Know About Zero Waste Kitchens and Energy-Efficient Cooking

Food is the single largest source of waste. Worldwide, we throw away about a third of our food. More food ends up in landfills than plastic or paper. The enormous amount of wasted food depends on our cooking and eating habits. Generally, it is easy to be sitting at home, in front of your television, consuming whatever you want then throwing every‑thing in the trash. But have we ever thought, where does the garbage go?

Zero Waste Kitchens

Given that most of the domestic waste originates in the kitchen, a green home should definitely include a zero waste kitchen. Zero waste kitchens is not about recycling more of our kitchen waste from plastics containers, metal cans and glass jars. It is about acting on needless waste and stopping it from coming into our homes in first place.

zero waste kitchen

 

Bea Johnson introduced the concept of the 5Rs in her book Zero Waste Home which are Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot. The first and the second R address the prevention of waste, the third R encourage thoughtful consumption while the fourth and fifth Rs are the last stage processing of discards.

The Egyptian cuisine is considered one of the most time consuming and tiring kitchens with a lot of organic wastes. On top of that it is not energy efficient because of long cooking time. A lot of initiatives in Egypt started to promote for the idea of zero waste food. They collect food leftovers and pack them nicely and give them to needy people. Other NGOs can come to your door step and take for example cooking oil. Some also pay for it as incentives to encourage people not to throw it away. Throwing used cooking oil is not only a waste but also cause blockage for the sewage system.

compost_cycle

Food waste can be transformed to several sources of energy like biogas and biodiesel or even can be transformed to liquid fertilizers and compost.

Energy-Efficient Cooking

Every winter we notice an increase in demand for gas cylinders. Gas consumption increase during winter season due to long cooking time to prepare warm meals. It is not only waste of energy but waste of time as well.

zero waste kitchen

We can reduce cooking time by following some simple practical tips for energy-efficient cooking:

  • Marinate the meat that we will consume along the month or even a week and then freeze them. They will take less time when cooked grilled or baked.
  • Another simple tip that is often overlooked way to reduce cooking time. Cook items you eat often in bulk – such as beef, chicken, rice and beans, or pasta – and freeze the leftovers for later use. If you’re freezing cooked pasta, drizzle a little oil over it to prevent sticking when you defrost.
  • Always make essential food components in a large quantity and freeze them. Like chopped onions, garlic, tomato sauce, broth etc.
  • It is important to match the size of any pot or casserole you use on the stove top elements.
  • Turn the heat down to the lowest setting after reaching boiling point. Higher heat just escapes round the side of the pot or boils the liquid faster but doesn’t cook its contents faster.
  • Optimize the use of a preheated oven by cooking several dishes, either at once, or in a row.
  • Don’t turn on the oven too soon before using. Just a few minutes is enough for pre-heating.
  • Turn off the oven or stovetop a few minutes early. The residual heat will keep cooking the food.
  • Use pressure cooker. It uses less energy than standard cooking pans. Reduction ranges from 70% up to 90 % and consequently reduces cooking time.
  • Adding one spoon of vinegar on meat reduce cooking time because it makes it more tender.
  • Do not add salt till late in cooking. Salt increase cooking time when added to beef for example. Add salt only if you are boiling water, as it makes it quicker to reach boiling point.
  • When you use the blinder, mixer or food processor, use it once for adequate amount not every day for small amounts. Freeze the extra amount for another use.
  • Buy air fryers to cook delicious meals in a flash

To conclude, it is not difficult to have a zero waste kitchen and it is easy to transform your kitchen trash into valuable cash. Cooking can also be enjoyable, quick and yet energy efficient. We need always to remember that waste-free kitchen is not only a physical kitchen, but it is mainly a mindset and lifestyle.

How to Avoid the Common Debt Traps

Common sense tells us it’s better to be debt-free than to incur debt. However, if you’re going to have a comfortable life — and have yet to obtain an immense personal fortune — some debt is generally unavoidable. After all, few people are in a position to purchase a home, or a car or pay for a college education outright.

However, there are right ways to go about taking on these debts and wrong ways. In far too many cases, people who recognize we need those things willingly engage in deception to take unfair advantage of us. With this mind, here are some tips for avoiding common debt traps.

Buying More Than You Need

“Congratulations, you qualify for a $2,000,000 mortgage!”

As wonderful as that sounds, do you really need a multi-million-dollar home?

What’s more, even if you do qualify, will your income really support such a loan? After all, there are a number of different ways to structure such a mortgage, as far too many people learned during the subprime mortgage crisis of the first decade of the 21st century.

People were taking interest-only loans for amounts far higher than their incomes would support, with the belief the value of the property would appreciate such that they could refinance and walk away with cash before the principal payment came due.

We all saw how that worked out. It’s always best to limit your borrowing to what your income will safely support. Otherwise, you’re just asking for trouble.

Fantastic Debt Consolidation Offers

“With this deal, you can consolidate all of your outstanding debts into one place with a lower monthly payment and at a lower interest rate.”

However, if you fail to read the terms carefully, you might miss the fact that that low monthly payment and that minimal interest rate are only good for a certain amount of time. And, if you don’t pay off the loan in full before that time period elapses, you’ll be shifted to a much higher interest rate — as well as be held liable for all of the interest that would have accrued on the original balance during the introductory period — at the post-introductory rate. Alternatively, you may have to reach out to invoice factoring company Australia to ease your financial troubles.

And, oh, by the way, there’s also a $500 annual fee, which will be added to your outstanding balance — upon which the post-introductory interest will also be calculated.

When you’re considering any sort of loan of this nature it’s critically important to read the terms carefully to ensure the debt consolidation deal for which you’re signing up really is advantageous to you. Get invoice finance to overcome the hurdles in obtaining finance through traditional methods.

Renting to Own

“Just moved into a new place? Need furnishings? No problem, ‘Rent-a-Couch’ has you covered — and at a far more affordable cost than you might think. Prices start as low as $15 a week! No credit check is needed, you’ll be granted early purchase discounts and paying it off over six months will be the same as paying cash.”

It all sounds really good, until you stop and do the math and realize you could’ve bought the same furniture outright for a whole lot less money. Further, in the age of eBay and Craigslist, you can probably get the exact same furniture for far less money.

One more thing: “Rent-a-Couch” will absolutely show up and take everything back — regardless of how much you’ve already paid into it — if you miss a payment.

Caveat Emptor — Buyer Beware!

Long story short, we live in a market-driven society in which a whole lot of people are out there trying to make as much money as they can with as little effort as possible. In most cases, avoiding common debt traps is as simple as remaining mindful of that fact and carefully examining deals before agreeing to them.

Removable Rooftop Safety Railings For OSHA Compliance

Everyone knows you can never be too careful when it comes to safety in the workplace. Hundreds of business owners every year find themselves tied up in workman’s comp claims for hours upon days, not to mention the money they spend in the process.

Construction sites, shipping plants and shipyards are just a few of the industries that fall victim to workplace injuries every year. These accidents don’t always just stop with an injury – some turn out to be fatal.

If you’re a commercial business owner, especially falling into one of those three categories, you’ve probably got employees working at heights of six feet or higher. What’s the significance of that height? Six feet means your workplace falls into OSHA’s “Six Foot Rule”, which means you’d better have sustainable, non-penetrating safety rails to protect your employees.

Need for Removable Rooftop Guardrail System

The short answer? Absolutely. Come to think of it, that’s the long answer too. Let us explain.

Removable roof safety rails at any height above six feet is an efficient, sustainable way to guarantee your employees won’t be falling to their uncertain doom anytime soon. As business owners and managers, you’ve got enough on your plate simply running your day-to-day business operations. The last thing you need to be thinking about is whether or not Joe in Shipping is going to take a wrong step and plummet to a six-month paid vacation, courtesy of you.

Can’t I Just Put Some Chain Link Up?

Well, you could. That is, if you want to open yourself up to hundreds of potential lawsuits, a damaged reputation, and an overall unsafe working environment.

Let’s face it – there are no shortcuts worth taking when it comes to safety of your employees. Sure, you may save some time and money up front, but the headaches (and not to mention, legal issues) you’ll face in the aftermath far outweigh a few saved dollars. What could you be looking at as a result of cutting corners when it comes to a safe workplace?

  • Legal Issues – If someone takes a fall on your watch, you can bet they’ll be holding you responsible for it. Without a removable safety railing in place for protection against falls, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to future legal action.
  • Wasted Money – Of course, with any set of legal troubles comes a costly defense. Not only are you running the risk of having to pay for damages if and when you lose a suit, but you’ll also be providing your own legal costs out of pocket too.
  • Inefficiency – Losing a key member of your workforce can be devastating to the overall productivity of your business. Not to mention the potential of OTHER workers walking out the door because they too feel unsafe.
  • OSHA Citations – An OSHA citation is a surefire way to make sure you’re spending plenty of company (or personal) funds to pay up. OSHA also requires citations to be posted at or near the place of the original infraction, so everyone will know about the safety shortcomings in your workplace.

Things to Look For

There are few different ways for you to go when dealing with rooftop safety railings. There’s plenty to consider when it comes to figuring out what to purchase, but we took the hard work out of the equation for you and narrowed it down to some of the most important things to take into consideration:

  • OSHA Compliance – This is arguably the most important thing to think about when looking for the perfect removable safety railings for your workplace. Aside from doing their job and keeping your employees safe, the proper removable rooftop guardrail system will keep your organization OSHA compliant – in essence keeping it open for business.
  • Quality Materials – Safety is obviously something you shouldn’t be trying to cut back costs on, and this is no different. Look for a removable railing system that’s made from high quality materials, and is certified and inspected by a third party organization.
  • Style – Nobody is expecting you to throw an eyesore onto the top of your building. After all, it’s first impressions that are everything when it comes to new and continued business. Look for a railing system that comes with a sleek powder coating – some may even let you customize the look to match the colors of your business!
  • Non-Penetrating Safety Rails – A non-penetrating safety rail means you won’t have to bore through your rooftop surface to install it. This means you’re not compromising the rest of your structural safety for the sake of increasing it somewhere else. You’re also going to be cutting down on installation time – a definite plus when it comes to cost and efficiency.

So, What’s the Best Bet?

Everyone’s situation is always different, and you’ll want to analyze your individual organization’s needs before making a purchase. Make sure you fully understand what you’ll be needing before diving headfirst into spending money.

That being said, a 360 mobile safety railing is among the best choices when it comes to rooftop protection.

Sturdy cast iron bases for the system keep the railings in place, without requiring you to drill into your rooftop. The 360 bases allow for easy installation – you probably won’t need more than one or two people to get the job done in a timely manner. Not to mention most 360 mobile safety railing systems double as either a permanent solution at leading edges, skylights and roof hatches, or a temporary solution at construction sites or shipping and receiving areas.

It is clear that when you’re thinking about potential rooftop safety measures, removable rooftop safety railings will offer the best, most sustainable solution for your organization. They’ll provide an unmatched level of safety for employees – and just as importantly, keep you as a business owner out of the courthouse.

Keeping your organization consistently updated when it comes to OSHA compliance is also among the top benefits of utilizing a removable rooftop guardrail system. Don’t cut corners on the safety of your workers and the reputation of your business!

أهمية المحافظة على المياه المنزلية

تعاني منطقة الشرق الاوسط من ندرة المياه وسوء الإدارة للموارد المائية. وعلى الرغم من الإستثمارات الضخمة في قطاع المياه، لا تزال قضية إدارة المياه شكل خطوره من الناحية الإقتصادية والبيئية في جميع أنحاء هذه المنطقة. الإستهلاك المفرط للمياه هي قضية خطيرة ويعتبر معدل استخدام نصيب الفرد من المياه في معظم بلدان الشرق الأوسط أعلى كثيرا من المعدل العالمي. فعلى سبيل المثال، متوسط استهلاك المقيمين في كل من الإمارات العربية المتحدة والسعودية حوالي 250 لترا و550 لترا من المياه يوميا على التوالي. بينما معدل استخدام الفرد للمياه في المملكة المتحدة وألمانيا حوالي 127 لترا و150 لترا من المياه يوميا على التوالي. هذه الإحصائيات تعد تذكرة لوجوب كبح الإستهلاك المفرط للمياه فوراً من أجل تأمين إمدادات المياه للأجيال القادمة.

water-conservation-arabs

ندرة المياه هي حقيقة واقعة في معظم دول الشرق الأوسط سواء كان ذلك في الكويت القاحلة أوالأردن الخضراء. ومع ذلك، فإن معظم السكان لا يدركون أويتجاهلون هذه الحقيقة الصارخة. إن ارتفاع معدل النمو السكاني إلى جانب الصناعة المتقدمة يدعو إلى وجوب اتباع نمط استخدام استدامي للمياة في القطاعات السكنية والصناعية والزراعية.

القطاع السكني هوالمسؤول عن أكبر استهلاك للمياه في الشرق الأوسط، فعلى سبيل المثال، تعتبر استخدام الأسر للمياه في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة حوالي ربع إجمالي استهلاك المياه، حيث تستخدم الأسر المياه لأغراض الشرب، الغسيل، تكييف الهواء، ري الحدائق والمزروعات الخ. ونظرا لارتفاع الطلب على المياه وتضاؤل امدادات المياه العذبة، تعتبر المحافظه على المياه المحليه حاجه ملحة. المحافظة على المياه لا يساعد فقط على توفير المياه ولكنها أيضا تساعد على حفظ الطاقة اللازمة للتنقية وتحلية المياه ونقلها أيضا.

الحفاظ على المياه يمكن ان يكون  في جميع أنواع المباني السكنية والمؤسسات والمباني التجارية في الشرق الأوسط. إن تركيب التقنيات والمنتجات المحافظة لمياه مثل منظمات المياه في الصنابير، أواستخدام صنابير وصنابير استحمام (دش) ذات تدفق منخفض، أوالمراحيض المنخفضة التدفق، وأجهزة غسيل الصحون وغسالات الملابس المحافظة على المياه، تلعب دورا هاما في توفير المياه على المستوى المحلي. وعلاوة على ذلك، يمكن اكتشاف وتحديد مواقع التسرب في شبكات المياه، وضمان تشغيل الصمامات على الضغط المناسب لتساعد على توفير قدر كبير من المياه. كما أن اصلاح التسرب في الأنابيب والتجهيزات والخزانات والتوصيلات يعزز من فاعلية توفير المياه. كما يمكن استخدام صمامات تخفيض الضغط للتخفيف من قوة وكمية المياه المتدفقة.

global water crisis

 لتعزيز الحفاظ على المياه، ينبغي علينا قياس امدادات المياه. فرصد وقياس استهلاك المياة يساعد على زيادة كفاءة شبكة توزيع المياه ويمكن أن توفر بيانات دقيقة لمستوى استهلاك المياه لأفراد معينين. كما يمكن رفع الدعم وتسعير المياه تسعيرا مناسبا لتكون أداة قوية لفرض المحافظة على المياه على مستوى استهلاك الأسر، فزياده تسعير المياه لا يساعد فقط في تحسين البنية التحتية للمياه ولكن يمكن أيضا أن يكون رسالة قوية للجمهور أن للمياه قيمة معينه عالية ويجب المحافظة عليها.

توفير الدعم والإعانات لأجهزة توفير المياه مثل المراحيض الحديثة المعدلة مثلا يمكن أن يكون حافزا جذابا. أويمكن تشجيع التنسيق للحدائق ذا الاستهلاك المنخفض للمياة اوبالمناظر الطبيعية في الهواء الطلق الذي يقلل إلى حد كبير استخدام المياه في المناخ الجاف، مثل الشرق الأوسط. وكثيرا ما يخلط الناس بين المحافظة علي المياه والحد من استهلاك المياه. لكنها في الواقع تشمل أيضا استخدام التكنلوجيا المحسنة والممارسات التي تقدم استخدام أفضل مع كميات أقل من المياه. 

Water Conservation Strategies to Increase Water Efficiency

To deal with water management challenges, it is important to bring a balance between both water supply and demand side. This can be done by employing strategies to increase water efficiency and water conservation. Water conservation strategies for the Middle East include reducing the use of potable water where possible, find alternative source of water for various water usage and increase the water efficiency of fixtures and equipment.

Efficient strategies along with water monitoring that tracks water consumption and identifies problems can significantly reduce both indoor and outdoor water consumption in water-scarce Middle East countries like UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

Most of the water conservation strategies have no additional cost implication and/or provide rapid payback while other strategies such as wastewater treatment systems and greywater plumbing system often require substantial investment.

water conservation strategies

The concept of rainwater harvesting

1. Reduce Indoor Potable Water Consumption

Consumption of potable water in indoor uses can be reduced by installing water-efficient low flow fixtures for water closets, urinals, lavatories, showers, kitchen sinks and by using non potable water for flush functions.

The sources of non-potable water are mainly captured rainwater, greywater, municipal treated sewerage effluent (TSE) or reclaimed water. Waterless urinals are available in the market, which can be used in commercial buildings. Flow restrictors, electronic controls and compositing toilets can also help in achieving indoor water reduction targets.

Also Read: Eco-friendly Practices for Efficient Plumbing Systems

2. Reduce Outdoor Potable Water Use

Landscape irrigation consumes huge amount of potable water. The water use for outdoor landscaping can be reduced significantly through an integrated approach. This includes employing combination of water-efficient irrigation technology, mulching, reduced turf or no turf grasses, using non-potable or recycled water, installing sub-meters to track and log irrigation trend and choosing native and adapted plant species in landscape design and using xeriscaping methods.

efficient irrigation methods

Spray irrigation has higher efficiency than traditional methods.

High performance water-efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation, bubbler distribution systems, scheduled irrigation and weather-based irrigation controlled can be used to increase the water efficiency.

3. Reduction in Process Water Use

The typical building systems that use process water include cooling towers, boilers, chillers, dishwashers and washing machines. The volumes of water used in these systems are quite significant.

The strategies to reduce process water use include; use of non-potable water such as rainwater, greywater or TSE in building processes and systems such as cooling towers. Metering of process water system can be done to collect information on water consumption and to identify leaks.

greywater recycling

4. Recovery and Reuse of Condensate Water

Condensate produced from air conditioning equipment can be recovered and reused within the building. The condensate can be collected by installing a collection pan and then transferred to different systems through drainage pipes for various reuse purposes such as irrigation, toilet flushing, or other onsite purposes where it will not come in contact with the human body.

For buildings with a cooling load equal to or greater than 350 kilowatt, a large volume of condensate can be recovered and reused.

Also Read: Eco-friendly Initiatives for Sustainable Commercial Plumbing

Towards New Partnerships in Water Management

Market-exchange economy and territory-bound nation state were not designed to accommodate a communication revolution that can envelop the globe and connect everyone and everything on the planet simultaneously. The result is that we are witnessing the birth of a new economic system and new governing institutions that are as different from market capitalism and the modern territorial state as the latter were from the feudal economy and dynastic rule of an era ago.

Markets, in effect, are linear, discrete and discontinuous modes of operation. The new communications technologies and partnerships, by contrast, are cybernetic, not linear. The operational assumptions that guide networks and partnerships transform much of conventional modes of partnerships/ networks models and open up a new window for rethinking governance of natural resources and linkages between conservation, livelihood, human wellbeing and environmental health.

water-scarcity

Global and Local Water Agenda

Understanding the global and local water agenda is vital to conveying the ‘water knowledge’ between the North and the South and within countries in the South. Building an ‘institutional water memory’ is a necessary condition for transferring the ‘water knowledge’ between the global and local arenas. The experience of the last three decades, as formulated in the Mar Del Plata Action Plan (1977), Dublin Principles and Agenda 21, emphasized the need for integrated water management. All these initiatives call for a comprehensive vision of the water sector, which combines both sanitation and irrigation in the water sector.

The last two decades have taught us two major lessons in water management. First, we recognized that water is only one of a number of natural resource elements that needs to be managed in a sustainable manner. Second, we realized that water resources development is not attained only by supplying physical infrastructure. A new shift in thinking took place by changing infrastructure from supply-oriented — supply of facilities to communities who will one day become consumers — to demand–oriented, by focusing more on adequate assistance and development of the local capacity

Disseminating these lessons of sustainable water management may be achieved through dialogue and partnerships between the North and the South. This, in turn, is an important factor in enhancing the adaptive capacity of the people in the South. It is interesting that combining the global water vision with action at the local level was evident in the 1992 Earth Summit and Agenda 21. Both these global initiatives advocate solutions in water management that are characterized by a combination of government decentralization, devolution of local communities of responsibility for natural resources, and community participation.

The value of partnerships at both global and local agendas in water and sustainable development may be understood from various dimensions including: impact, benefits and externalities. ‘Think global, act local’ is a well-known saying that must be formalized and put to work.

The interactions between the technical and political discourses in water management and sustainable development resulted in an evolution of different paradigms (hydraulic mission, environmental, economic, social and governance).  The following issues represent my views of how new forms of partnerships in water management can evolve across themes, disciplines and time and space.

Partnership for Water, Sustainable Development and Poverty

The implementation of the global agenda Post 2015 should consider the role of water and ecosystem services in sustainable development. Historically, the policies imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, through the agricultural structural adjustment loan (ASAL), had shifted the economic incentives away from small farms toward large estates producing for export which places many small farmers are at risk of poverty. Water and environmental problems affect the poor the most, yet they are the least equipped to solve these problems.

 

The indicators of success in the implementation of the global agenda are judged on impact, benefit and outcomes at global, regional, national and local levels. For example, the Brundtland Commission on the Environment and Development‘s proposed answer to global poverty and environmental problems was an annual three per cent increase in the per capita income.

If we apply this global goal to the national/local level, it will yield interesting results. There would be a first-year annual per capita increase (in U.S. dollars) of $633 for the United States, $3.60 for Ethiopia, $5.40 for Bangladesh, $7.50 for Nigeria, $10.80 for China, and $10.50 for India. After ten years, such growth will have raised Ethiopia’s per capita income by $41, while the United States’ will have risen by $7,257. Hence, the local agenda in MENA countries should focus on people-centered development. Local people must benefit from the results of water initiatives.

Partnership for New Water Ethics

It is imperative to adhere to a global ethics in terms of sustainable development. Studies show that a preference for local solutions is justified only by the notion of equity, interpreted as the need to prevent shifting problems to others or elsewhere. Shifting problems to other places is not equitable for the part of the generation given the problem (from an intra-generational equity point-of-view). Ignoring problems is not equitable for the following generation (from an intergenerational point of view).

Global and Local Water Partnership

Water is essential for our survival

Hence, the MENA region must insist on its right to maintain an environment free of hazardous waste or any form of pollution that may affect human health. Simply said, we all live downstream. Mainstreaming culture and values in water management discourse is crucial to ensure relevance and impact.

Partnership for Water Governance, Equity and Human Rights

MENA countries must continue to strengthen and build the capacity of all institutions of the civil society. The civic intelligence should be enhanced to realize that sustainable development is a human right.

The basic question, ‘Who gets what and why?’ has both equity and ethical dimensions. Establishing a shared vision (constructing a joint reality) of sustainable development among the global and local stakeholders helps address environmental security, equity and ethics.  Policy makers in the Middle East and North Africa region should consider the role of indigenous people (like farmers) in the socio-economic development.

Globalization is characterized by two competing salient forces — the integration and marginalization forces. There are two different types of globalization — market-based globalization, and civil-society globalization. The marginalization of the poor in the South due to privatization of the utility services may be minimized if we consider the ‘region’ rather that the ‘nation-state’ as the unit of analysis. Jordan must continue to harmonize the Arab regional vision to ensure sustainable development.

Democratization and public participation is a necessary condition for achieving sustainable development.  MENA countries must enhance both the efficiency and efficacy of “governance” in strategic water management. Transparent indicators must be established and enforced to attain this goal after the social changes and entropy of the region after 2011.

Finally, a shift in thinking is needed in the new global economy and thus water partnerships. Instead of adopting the saying ‘Think global, act local’, we must adhere to a motto of  ‘Globalize consciousness, regionalize vision, and localize benefits’.