How Green Can A Condo Be?

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Condo living is becoming a more popular and viable option with regard to residency as more and more people are now moving closer to cities for business and career opportunities. Condominiums offer sufficient space for living and close proximity to leisure establishments as well as the central business district. However, living in the city should not detach residents from the larger society and nature. How green can a condo be? Read ahead for tips to ensure greener living in a condo.

1. Gardening

Gardens are serene and relaxing. They are also good for the environment. Many will say space in condos is finite; thus, landscaping may not be achieved. The truth is vertical gardening fosters both indoor and outdoor growth of plants, irrespective of their layout and size.

It is worth noting that this kind of gardening can be achieved through attaching plants to hangers. Another option of gardening is growing climbing plants that wrap around furniture, posts, or balconies. Additionally, small indoor fountains can be created to bring some life to condos. A kitchen garden that grows herbs can give it a nice touch as well as offer fresh ingredients to spice up meals.

2. Green furniture and energy-efficient appliances

In order to reduce electricity consumption in condos, it is important that energy-efficient appliances with the energy star are used. Appliances that go to sleep mode when they are not in use to reduce power consumption. For the purpose of lighting, compact fluorescents or LEDs cut energy costs as compared to regular incandescent light bulbs.

Furniture is a vital component in any home. Using locally made and eco-friendly equipment also plays a crucial role in making condos greener. Proper placement of appliances and the use of solar panels is also essential to reduce energy consumption. For instance, placing an air conditioner near direct sunlight hinders cooling, thus increasing energy consumption.

Pearl of wisdom: Globally, efforts to ensure comfort, as well as eco-friendly condos, cannot be ignored. Green living is important in maintaining an environment which facilitates and elevates the quality of life. Beautiful sceneries help in creating memories which are treasures that no one can steal.

3. Recycling

Green waste management is not a new concept in modern living. The aspects of separation and reuse are good ways to handle and reduce daily waste. Carrying travel cups for tea and reusable shopping bags are great ways of eliminating waste.

4. Green transportation

To ensure greener condo living, make sure the location is ideal for environmental-friendly movements. In general, developers like Great Gulf build projects in areas that have good walk scores or bike scores. Condo residents can now simply cycle or walk to work without much hassle. By so doing, pollution is reduced. Also, adopting a carpooling scheme with fellow neighbors is a great way of reducing the neighborhood’s carbon footprint.

As more people strive to live near central business districts, going green for condos is a concept that cannot be ignored. In an ideal world, an eco-friendly lifestyle saves residents money and guarantees quality of life. Recycling, gardening and landscaping, energy and water conservation, and green transportation are ways that condo residents can adapt to lead healthy and comfortable lifestyles.

It suffices to say that going green enhances the infrastructure and life-cycle performance of a building. Green buildings also improve the quality of water and air; they also protect and enhance biodiversity and ecosystems.

Enjoy serenity!

The Menace of Littering and How to Solve It

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Littering is a common menace one can witness in all urban areas. Streets, sidewalks, parking lots, roads and highways are mostly covered with food wrappers, soft drink and water bottles, plastic bags, handbills, cigarette butts, tissues, papers and others. Littering is most likely to take place at locations where litter is already ‘present’.

litter-dubai

The Growing Menace of Litter

Around 1.9 billion tonnes of litter end up in the ocean every year, which clearly shows that people tend to throw things randomly anywhere, more often than they throw waste in garbage bins. Litter is not just an ugly or an aesthetic problem; it has serious environmental consequences that can persist for decades. Styrofoam container takes up to a million years to decompose and break down. A disposable diaper can take more than 500 years; cigarette more than 10 and even orange or banana skins stick around for more than a month.

Litter has the potential to cause harm to human health, safety, welfare, as well as the environment. The harmful impact of litter includes trapping or poisoning animals, killing aquatic life directly through choking and indirectly through its impact on water quality. Littering can be a fire hazard and it attracts pests and rodents.

Litter carry germs and rats are carriers of many types of diseases that make people ill. Litter also cause accidents as drivers try to avoid litter on the road. Young children fall on litter in playgrounds and can get injured.

Litter also harms plants, vegetation and natural areas. There are several factors that may impact on littering behaviour. These include inconvenience and laziness, absence of ownership or pride for the area, feeling that someone else will pick it up, number, placement and appearance of litter bins at or near the site, absence of realistic penalties, legislation enforcement, lack of social pressure and lack of knowledge of the environmental impacts of littering. Almost all of us litter in one way or the other. Littering is something we learn from others and unconsciously pass on to our children.

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Large numbers of camels in the Middle East die every year due to plastic ingestion

Solving the Litter Problem

The temptation to ‘litter’ is usually motivated by disrespect to the law and its enforcement, as well as ignorance and arrogance in our attitude, thinking that somebody will clean our mess. Significant amount of money is spent to collect and clean up the litter that many people have thoughtlessly tossed out on the streets and other public spaces. The litter collection is a time-consuming and costly exercise with walking marshals collecting the litter from far off places to keep the country tidy.

Litter is a problem that can be controlled. Education is an important tool. People who are aware of the dangers of litter often make more of an effort to always put their trash in bins. They also spread the word to others they see littering and teach them to dispose of garbage the right way.

Community clean-ups encourage people to take pride in their neighbourhood and maintaining a healthy look. Quick removal of litter keeps it from growing into an unmanageable dumpsite. Litter can be conquered. People can make a difference. It is our responsibility to clean up the litter in an ‘earth-friendly manner.’

beach-cleanup-dubai

فهناك المجموعات البيئية التي تتبنى الانشطة الموجهة في تنظيم حملات تنظيف البيئات الطبيعية في المناطق البرية والساحلية

Clean communities have a better chance of attracting new business, residents and tourists. There is no reason for any of us to litter because we can always find a litter bin to throw the trash away.

Let us set an example for others, especially children, by not littering and by carrying a litter bag in our vehicle, securely covering trash containers to prevent wind or animals from spreading litter. When visiting parks and recreation areas, make sure to leave the area clean for the next person to enjoy and restrict the distribution and disposal of handbills.

An Ecological Model for Wadi Arabah

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The Wadi Arabah region is an extremely arid valley in Jordan characterized by hot climate, meager annual rainfall, high evaporation rate and limited water resources. The arid desert creates several challenges to extracting and managing water in this region thus hampering the development of agricultural, domestic, and industrial sectors in the valley. The casual attitude towards sustainable water management in the region highlights the need for additional consideration to the hydrological and geographical realities of the area.

wadi-arabah-jordan

Agriculture accounts for the largest water consumption, especially in summer. In arid land with high evaporation rates, negative agricultural practices may lead to reduced soil fertility, damage to the ecosystem, increased runoff, and contamination of groundwater and surface water sources. Extensive water storage, transfer systems and innovative irrigation practices should be established to allowed crop production and expansion in Wadi Arabah.

In Jordan, only 5% of the rainwater infiltrates into the groundwater bodies, while 90% of annual rainfall is lost to evaporation. Thus rainwater harvesting is a good option despite low annual rainfall. Groundwater aquifers may be used to provide water for irrigation sector, though preliminary treatment may be necessary to remove Fe, Mg and other salts.

Wadi Arabah can be transformed into an agricultural settlement by establishing farms through the production of drought-tolerant forages. Agriculture in the region should concentrate on low-volume irrigation systems like micro-sprinkling or drip irrigation. Crops can be developed to meet the needs of local communities as well as to protect the limited water and soil resources and surrounding ecosystems. Arabah saline water can be used to irrigate saline-tolerable crops or develop wetlands.

A sustainable agricultural system is aimed at reducing the dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. To achieve this, the dual-level organic agriculture, similar to that in early Islamic period, should be considered where fruit trees are used to limit evaporation rates, make shade, and reduce the pollution that leaches into groundwater.

Raising goats and camels, rather than other animals, can also be a good way to conserve water in Wadi Arabah. For example, the black desert goat raised by the Sinai Bedouin shepherds can survive without water for four days, which is a big advantage over sheep and cows.

Large-scale investments in modern water management technologies are an urgent need of the hour. Competition between different sectors can lead to deterioration in water resources so it is important to develop a water use plan. A concerted move towards industrial sustainability can ensure that water is used efficiently and recycled wastewater is put to good uses.

It is well-understood that cost of implementing sustainable water management system is much lower than those of repairing the damage caused by improper planning and implementation. In the face of these challenges, all stakeholders must work together to find solutions to the water problems faced by Wadi Arabah in form of climate change, water scarcity and industrial pollution. Environmental education, stakeholders’ participation, corporate guidance and government incentives are necessary to ensure sustainable development of Wadi Arabah.

5 Compelling Reasons To Switch To Biofuel

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Biofuel is created from plant-based materials. Several studies prove that it can deliver performance that can rival the performance produced by fossil fuels such as diesel and petroleum. As a result, it’s no surprise that the use of biofuels has increased in popularity substantially in recent years as a leading petroleum alternative. However, if you are still a bit sceptical about making the switch, we have listed some compelling reasons to finally switch to the eco-friendly choice and start using HVO fuel.

1. Help Enhance Air Quality

Diesel and other fossil fuels are undeniably bad for the environment as they are not just non-renewable sources of energy. Still, they also degrade air quality on a global scale. Millions of drivers and users of fossil fuels all contribute to the now global environmental crisis that threatens the planet’s existence.

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Switching to biofuel will reduce your carbon footprint and improve air quality. Studies show that pure biodiesel produces up to 75% less greenhouse gas emissions, contributing substantially to cleaner air.

2. It’s 100% Sustainable

There’s no guessing just how much longer the world’s fuel reserves will last, which means that soon there could be no more fossil fuels to use. Instead of waiting for that day to arrive, making the switch now means you will be prepared for any additional costs that you may need to incur to make a change to using biofuels. Because biofuel is entirely sustainable, you can rest assured that your chosen fuel will never run out.

3. Biodiesel Is Compatible With Diesel Vehicles

Biodiesel is a popular form of biofuel. The pure biodiesel fuel is compatible with diesel vehicles by default. It can also be used in diesel generators without causing any problems at all. Therefore, you won’t need to purchase a new car or a new home generator if it has a diesel engine.

4. It’s Safe To Store

When storing regular diesel, you will have to consider safety precautions for safe storage. This is not the case when keeping biofuels as they are proven safe and easy to store even at home.

Biodiesel_Car

The lack of harmful emissions means you also won’t have to worry about health concerns when using your generator powered by biofuel as you would if you were using regular diesel. The safety aspect of biofuel is often a compelling reason for families to make the eco-friendly switch.

5. Lend A Hand In Saving The Planet

There’s no denying that the current global environmental crisis is enough to scare anyone into making massive lifestyle changes. Some scientific predictions indicate that the world’s environment could crumble by 2050, just a short while away.

The notable damage already done to the planet can be undone if enough individuals, families, and businesses make necessary changes to consider the earth. Therefore, switching to biofuel means you will be lending an essential hand in saving the planet.

Bottom Line

While switching to biofuel is a great way to help save the earth from imminent destruction, you should also consider other ways of leading an eco-friendly lifestyle to reduce your carbon footprint further.

The Role of Reverse Logistics in Waste Management

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Reverse logistics is a process whereby companies can become more environmentally efficient through recycling, reusing, and reducing the amount of materials used. A more holistic view of reverse logistics includes reduction of materials in the forward system in such a way that fewer materials flow back, reuse of materials is possible, and recycling is facilitated.

reverse-logistics-waste-management

The measures aimed at reducing waste begin in the product design phase and incorporate the entire product life cycle, including transportation and final disposal. This will allow minimizing the waste downstream and allowing the product to go backward in the chain for possible re-manufacturer, reuse, recycling, or resell for secondary market.

Also Read: Industrial Cardboard Baler Problems and How to Fix Them

Reverse Logistics vs Waste Management

Reverse logistics differs from waste management in that it focuses on the addition of value to a product to be recovered. On the other hand, waste management involves mainly the collection and treatment of the waste products that have got no new use.

A reverse supply chain is the network of activities involved in the reuse, recycling, and final disposal of products and their associated components and materials. The public is only concerned with the aftermath environmental impacts of the products at the end-of-use life.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an important tool in reverse logistics and involves assessing alternative materials and component concepts from the start of the development process and throughout the entire product life cycle, from the retrieval of raw materials through the utilization phase to recovery.

Worldwide Scenario

Waste management legislation in Europe is strong where firms are directed to address recovery and disposal of end-of-life products in an environmentally sound manner. As far as United States is concerned, economic factors focused on resource recovery value have been the main motivating factor.

On the other hand, reverse logistics in emerging economies is in early stages and depends heavily on third-party provider due to shortage of legislation, awareness, and infrastructure. Professional collection, sorting and transportation of end-of-life products are much needed in emerging markets such as Middle East.

In the developing world, reverse logistics work is characterized with low value addition due to the low reprocessing involved for example from recycled electronics, paper, automobiles, scrap, plastics and food waste. Unfortunately reverse logistics has not received the desired attention in developing countries and is generally carried out by the unorganized sector for recyclables like paper, plastics and metal.

Brazilian National Solid Waste Policy

In 2010, Brazil finalized its National Solid Waste Policy, a law that aims to decrease the total volume of waste produced nationally and increase the sustainability of solid waste management from the local level to the national level. Public, domestic, industrial, mining, forestry, transportation, construction, and healthcare waste are all covered by this policy, and much of the responsibility for paying for or providing management of waste falls to its producers.

The law outlines a variety of options for producers to work together within their sectors, with reverse logistics service providers, and with municipal and state governments to manage waste flows and to recapture, recycle, and ultimately dispose of these materials.

How reverse logistics can aid in sustainable waste management

Manufacturers, stores, supermarkets, distributors, importers and the retail trade are obliged to implement reverse logistics systems. Under the terms of the law: “Packaging will be manufactured with materials that permit reutilization or recycling”. This is valid for the entire country and acts as a guarantee for companies that reverse logistics will be adopted more rapidly.

While the law has not yet gone into full effect, many cities in Brazil have made significant progress on waste management in recent years. Rio de Janeiro has improved its landfills and its recycling rates. Cities such as São Paulo and Curitiba have increased recycling rates and practices, and their laws helped pave the way for the national mandate.

Conclusions

A well-managed reverse logistics program can result in significant cost savings in procurement, disposal, inventory holding and transportation. This may be carried out by the original product manufacturers or by third-party reverse logistics providers. With increased industrialization and globalization, reverse logistics is bound to gain momentum in coming years in the developing countries which will not only lead to economic gains but also protect the environment.

About the Authors

Mohammed Alnuwairan is a PhD Candidate from Manchester Business School, Manchester (UK) and a faculty member at King Faisal University (Saudi Arabia). His main research interests are operation management, reverse logistics management, re-manufacturing and waste disposal. He has a Master’s Degree in Manufacturing Management from Windsor University in Canada; and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business from King Faisal University KFU in Saudi Arabia KSA.

Salman Zafar is the Founder of EcoMENA and a renowned expert in waste management, renewable energy, environment protection and sustainability. He is widely acknowledged as an authority on environment and sustainability sector in the Middle East and is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on clean energy, environment and sustainability through his websites, blogs, articles and projects.

Advantages of Engineered Wood Flooring Over Solid Wood Flooring

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Engineered wood has swiftly emerged a preferred choice for flooring in homes and commercial buildings. It is manufactured from a wide range of wood products by binding or fixing the fibres or veneers or boards of wood to form composite materials. Due to its unique natural look and easy installation, engineered wood is getting increasing popularity worldwide as a sustainable flooring option.

Engineered wood flooring is generally available in fixed lengths, but it comes in different thicknesses ranging from 12.5mm to 22mm. An important quality of engineered hardwood flooring is its dimensional stability which makes it possible to be glued using flexible flooring adhesive, nailed or screwed down, or floated over an underlay. For more information, please read about what engineered wood flooring is here.

Types of Engineered Wood Flooring

As the top layer is real wood, one can look out for a wide range of species, colours and finishes, in engineered wood flooring. The main characteristics that define the final appearance of engineered wood flooring includes the species of wood, the grade of the grain, surface finish and the size of the plank. One may find unusual species such as ash, maple, merbau or walnut in an engineered floor. Depending on the construction, engineered wood flooring may be of the following types:

1. Wood ply construction

Many thin plies of wood, which show negligible reaction to climate change, are bound together with wood grain of each ply running perpendicular to the ply underneath it. The application of equal pressure both length-wise and width-wise from the plies makes the wood stable.

2. Finger core construction

Such types of engineered wood floors are made up of small pieces of grinded wood running perpendicular to the top layer (lamella) of wood. Grains running perpendicular to each other not only provides stability to the wood but also reduces expansion and contraction of wood, thus preventing the wood floor from gapping or cupping.

3. Fibreboard

This type of engineered wood flooring is characterised by the presence of high-density fibreboard at the centre. Such types of flooring tend to absorb moisture from the air and should not be exposed to high humidity, otherwise they may expand and undergo deformation. Another disadvantage of fibreboard is their potential to emit harmful gases on contact with adhesive.

4. Hardwood Lamella

This type of engineered wood flooring is quite popular in European countries and involves a softwood core laid perpendicular to the lamella with a final bottom layer of the same premium wood as used for the lamella. The popularity of hardwood lamella flooring stems from the fact that it is widely acknowledged as the best and most stable engineered wood floor.

Benefits of Engineered Wood Flooring

Engineered wood flooring scores over solid hardwood flooring in more ways than one. It is cost-effective, offers easy care and has low maintenance. Engineered wood flooring is available in a variety of styles, such as hickory, oak and maple which when coupled with multiple finishes like matte, semi-gloss, and high-gloss, makes it an attractive proposition for homes as well as commercial buildings. In order to enhance its appearance, engineered hardwood offers a wide array of surface effects such as distressed for a slightly rustic appearance or hand scraped for a time worn appearance.

Solid hardwood is a homogenous piece of wood while engineered wood is a layered product made up of a thin slice of hardwood with a base of high-quality plywood. As engineered wood is made in layers, it has better stability and is less prone to deformation due to changes in temperature and humidity.

Engineered wood floors are usually pre-fabricated and can be easily installed using methods such as stapling or nailing and fold-and-lock. Engineered wood can be sanded lightly, once or twice, before the thin upper layer wears away. On the other hand, solid hardwood becomes too thin after years of sanding which hampers its formational uniformity. Another benefit of engineered wood flooring is the ability to be installed in most areas of the home, including underground installation with a protective moisture blocking technique.

Engineered wood has better capability to fight moisture than solid hardwood. The plywood base in engineered wood is dimensionally stable, and does not warps and deforms easily when it comes into contact with moisture. The engineered wood fibre runs in cross-wise layers, in contrast to solid wood’s parallel fibres, which provides more structural stability and enhances its ability to bear moisture and increase durability, thus making it suitable for high-moisture areas such as bathrooms and basements. On the other hand, moisture is the biggest enemy of solid wood floors and never recommended for moisture-prone areas of buildings.

Conclusion

Engineered wood flooring is a sustainable alternative to solid hardwood flooring and laminate flooring as it is less costly, has more dimensional strength, and it looks exactly like hardwood flooring. It is manufactured in such a manner that it provides better stability and resistance to variations in temperature and moisture, thus making it ideal for use in underground heating areas or in rooms where temperature changes significantly, such as conservatories and utility rooms.

The multiple advantages of engineered wood flooring over solid wood flooring justifies its rising popularity as a means to provide organic look to your home at an affordable price.

Recommended Reading: How to Dispose of Your Old Flooring

How Do Sustainable Practices Enhance Modern Luxury Brands?

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Sustainable practices are no longer niche – they are a necessity that modern luxury brands are embracing with open arms. Today’s consumers prioritize not just aesthetic appeal and prestige, but they also place exceptional importance to the ethical footprint of their purchases.

This shift poses a significant question – how can luxury brands align themselves with sustainability without compromising their status? It’s not only about staying relevant. It’s about setting a standard for excellence and responsibility.

Fortunately, prestige and sustainability can go hand in hand: let’s explore how this combination enhances the value and desirability of luxury brands in today’s market.

ethical sourcing for luxury brands

Crafting a Brand Image Rooted in Responsibility

A recent study found that 78 percent of US consumers consider a sustainable lifestyle an important priority – something that significantly influences their purchasing decisions. For luxury brands, this trend highlights the importance of weaving responsibility into their brand strategy and positioning.

The move to sustainability isn’t just about altering product lines: it’s a comprehensive brand overhaul that signals to consumers a commitment to the wellbeing of both the planet and global communities.

This conscious decision certainly helps in meeting customer expectations – but it also sets a brand apart in a crowded luxury market, where every purchase is a vote for the world consumers want to live in.

Eco-Friendly Materials and Their Association With Prestige

Undeniably, choosing and sourcing sustainable, eco-friendly materials represents an additional cost for brands, no matter whether they operate in the luxury or budget sector. These materials tend to cost more, which, in turn, influences the brand’s positioning and pricing strategy – and, as a consequence, the brand’s customer experience.

Nonetheless, it has never been more important for companies operating in all sectors to focus on improving the sustainability of their supply chain, starting with choosing eco-friendly materials and ethical suppliers.

Fortunately, this commitment resonates deeply with today’s luxury consumers, who view sustainability as synonymous with quality and prestige.

sustainable-skincare

By integrating sustainable practices at every level of their supply chain and providing high levels of transparency, luxury brands not only ensure the long-term viability of their resources but also enhance their brand’s appeal.

Integrating Ethical Sourcing: A Game Changer For Any Brand’s Reputation

In aligning with ethical and sustainable practices, modern luxury brands have the unique opportunity to enhance their product appeal and market presence through customized packaging options that embody their eco-friendly values. Specifically, products like CoolJarz’s custom shrink sleeves provide an innovative solution by offering eco-conscious, brandable packaging alternatives for items such as pre-roll tubes, contributing both to the aesthetic value and ethical impact of luxury brands.

The move to ethical sourcing has transformed the landscape for luxury brands, offering them an opportunity to exponentially boost their reputation. And, this applies across several industries, from clothing manufacturers to jewelry traders.

For example, today, customers can find beautiful black diamond engagement rings that are not only stunning but are also a result of sustainable practices. This shift towards sourcing materials ethically showcases brands’ commitment to not compromising morals for luxury – especially in high-risk industries such as coffee, clothing, and diamond markets.

Last but not least, only choosing ethically sourced materials can serve as a significant differentiator in a market that is becoming increasingly more crowded.

The Connection Between Sustainability and Customer Loyalty

The link between sustainability and customer loyalty is stronger than ever. In today’s market, a brand’s commitment to eco-friendly practices goes beyond just attracting customers – it builds a deep, lasting relationship with them.

how companies can become more eco-friendly

This is because consumers are increasingly looking to support brands that reflect their values and are willing to remain loyal to companies that demonstrate a genuine commitment to sustainability. This loyalty not only secures a steady customer base but also fosters positive word-of-mouth, expanding a brand’s reach and influence – and, in turn, its profits!

Setting Trends by Making Exclusive Eco-Friendly Choices

Luxury brands hold the unique power to set trends that ripple through the industry and influence consumer behavior. By making exclusive eco-friendly choices, such as featuring eco-friendly or sustainably sourced materials and implementing transparency policies, these brands help strengthen the concept that sustainability can be synonymous with luxury.

This trendsetting move not only elevates the brand’s prestige but also encourages the entire market to follow suit, fostering a more sustainable ecosystem. Ultimately, for luxury brands, leading the way in sustainability is truly an unmissable opportunity to shape the future of luxury and establish a legacy of innovation and ethical leadership.

Social Media as a Tool for Environment Protection

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By taking advantage of social media, people can make a positive difference in the world. As far as environment protection is concerned, social media can potentially act both as bullhorn and tallying system that is needed to show that not only are people demanding change, but it is a multitude compared to just a few.

role of social media in environment protection

The degradation of earth’s environment has become more popular to discuss in the last decade, and while individuals can alter their routines and habits to be greener, the major companies can make the most impact. While someone on their own might lack the ability to call up the top executives of a company and demand change, the internet has begun to provide a platform to do almost the same thing.

Read up on how social media affects the issue of environmental protection and how you can join the cause.

It has Helped Before

Social media has had a strong presence in modern society starting in the early 2000s. Now, almost everyone has access to a profile on one various social media website or another, and they’re using it to make change where they see that it needs to be made. However, getting organic reach has become so difficult these days, so people often look for opportunities to buy Facebook likes to achieve fast growth alongside other social media platforms.

Also Read: Creating an Eco-friendly Instagram Account

One case of this is from a few years back when Greenpeace began to raise awareness that Nestle used palm oil in their Kit Kat bars. Palm oil that came from companies that killed Indonesian rain forests. Without the help of social media, Greenpeace might have tried to change this by going to court against corporate attorneys. They might have lost without the public ever actually knowing much about the case.

Instead, they started spreading the hashtag #kitkat and it started trending on Twitter. People spread the news so quickly and to such a far reaching audience that the mainstream news began to pick it up. They reported on the issue and even called out Nestle for its reaction on its own social media. By using social media, people came together and made change happen, since Nestle committed to using only using plantation level palm oil by 2015 (although the deadline got pushed back to 2020 around 2017).

But Don’t Rely on it Entirely

There is a fine line everyone has to acknowledge when deciding to use social media to change such a broad issue like environmentalism. Retweeting a hashtag, while it helped in the Kit Kat case, isn’t always going to be enough. Sometimes you need to retweet that hashtag and then get up and do something about it. That might be adjusting your habits or leading a community event to get more people involved.

Social media is a good tool for environmental activism

Social media has created an issue called “clicktivism.” It’s when people like a post or share something and feel like they’ve done everything they can. This can actually keep things from being changed, because no one stops to wonder if their click actually did anything. Always make sure that if you’re interested in helping the environment, you’re raising awareness and making a difference both on and off the internet.

Do Your Own Research

As with anything, you can’t believe everything you see on social media. Another pitfall of popular platforms is that people can post whatever they want, even if it’s not the truth. Recently, fake social media posts have been falling under the term “fake news,” so always do your own research if you see a post you want to get passionate about. Double check the facts before sharing it, and brush up on how to spot fake news.

Social media can absolutely be a tool that is good to use for environmental activism. One of the main goals of activism is to get more people informed and involved, and creating a Facebook or LinkedIn group is much easier than passing out fliers on the street corner. Make sure you know all the good it can do, as well as the harm, and then you’ll be able to use it to its full potential by making use of efficient content writing.

How MENA is Rediscovering its Vegan Heritage

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Keen followers of green-related news will have noticed an increased trend in veganism when it comes to the GCC and MENA. Gulf News highlighted the 250% increase in vegan supermarket options across the region in one November analysis, and more and more families are looking at options for their families to enjoy a more environmentally friendly and health conscious diet. This is, of course, not news to the region.

Veganism has been around longer in the MENA than perhaps in any other part of the world, and eco-friendly eaters and businesses across the Gulf are taking note and helping natives to rediscover that heritage.

veganism-mena

Back to basics

Some of the most popular vegan staple foods originated in the Middle-East. The Levant, in particular, saw the rise of foods including hummus, falafel, za’atar and mutabbal, all key parts of the modern vegan diet. As highlighted by The New Arab, this goes as far as classic pan-regional dishes like the Palestinian maqlooba.

Spreading this good message has been a key objective of businesses and blogs across the region, which focus on content-driven material to get the word out to a variety of audiences. By highlighting the benefits of the vegan diet and the roots it has in genuine MENA heritage and history, and promoting the benefits of vegan cooking, these blogs are having tremendous success and are doing real good for the region.

Notable bloggers

The National highlights the amazing efforts of these environmentally-minded bloggers. The Syrian Foodie in London, Bhibik Ya Neh Neh, and Shahiya all highlight vegan recipes from across the region that have a real positive impact on your own environmental footprint.

More crucially, they’re spreading the word overseas to MENA diaspora in other countries. From there, they can continue to influence their community, their family and their friends back home. This may have a serious impact in years to come.

The positives

While the populations of many MENA nations are relatively small compared to the global stage, their rate of consumption is not. In more prosperous nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE, consumption can reach 64kg per person every year, according to marketing mag Images Retail Me. Brands like Beyond Meat, VBites, Cauldron and Tofurky have broached the mainstream appeal needed to match the meat appetite in these countries and others across the region.

With the help of those intrepid bloggers and food explorers, the disproportionate rate of meat consumption is reducing, and that will have a direct impact on the carbon economy – especially in countries like Saudi Arabia, where much of the beef consumed must be imported, putting strain on the carbon cycle. UAE-based elGrocer report an 1152% rise in vegan-based sales through 2019 to current: that’s a huge upward trend that will soon start to show in carbon terms.

For that reason, vegans and environmentalists alike have something to look forward to in the future. The range and quality of vegan goods is improving; so is the uptake, meaning that the environment will have further room to recover. With the help of businesses, advocates and bloggers, this trend will hopefully continue to surge.

Also Read: Health Monitoring With a Vegan Diet

Environment-Friendly Water Damage Restoration Techniques

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Water damage can inflict serious harm on households and commercial premises. With climatic changes becoming more unpredictable, water damage has increased in prevalence. However, water damage restoration need not contribute further detriment to the environment. This blog will guide you through various eco-friendly techniques for managing and restoring water damage.

Impact of Traditional Restoration Techniques

Traditional restoration methods typically involve extensive use of chemicals and processes that are often harmful to the environment. Many times, these practices are not energy efficient and lead to large-scale waste. For instance, disposable materials are frequently used during cleanup operations which inevitably end up in landfills.

Additionally, traditional techniques employ fossil fuel-powered equipment resulting in significant CO2 emissions. These greenhouse gasses provoke climate change and deteriorate air quality. It’s clear we must consider innovative, eco-friendly water restoration alternatives that prioritize both the client’s needs and environmental preservation.

Furthermore, many traditional cleaning products contain toxic substances such as VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and PBTs (Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxins). These harsh chemicals can contaminate indoor air quality leading to health issues among household members or employees in a business setting.

The good news is: several practical solutions exist that adopt greener approaches fostering a healthier planet and effectively providing damage relief services.

Eco-Friendly Water Extraction Methods

Water extraction is a pivotal step in any water damage restoration process. Traditional methods often require substantial power consumption. However, stepping toward environmentally friendly tactics can significantly reduce this impact.

Eco-friendly extraction undertakes efficient methods that demand less energy by using modern equipment designed to consume less power without sacrificing effectiveness. For instance, submersible pumps – used for removing standing water – have advanced to become more energy-efficient thus reducing carbon footprint.

Sophisticated moisture meters enable identification of trapped water and high humidity areas without tearing down walls, esteeming considerably less waste. Very often, these devices operate with rechargeable batteries, cutting down the dependency on disposable ones lowering waste generation further.

In this way, eco-friendly techniques not only minimize environmental damages but cater more efficient water extraction and reduced energy consumption than traditional methods.

Green Drying and Dehumidification Processes

Drying and dehumidifying the affected area plays a crucial role in the restoration process. Typically, it involves heavy-duty equipment running for extended periods which can draw large amounts of power.

However, green drying and dehumidification introduce energy efficient alternatives without compromising on performance. Today’s technology offers low-energy air movers and dehumidifiers that effectively assist in moisture elimination and drying properties while using less energy.

Apart from equipment, selecting green strategies such as promoting natural ventilation whenever possible contributes too. Ensuring air circulation through open windows can facilitate drying while decreasing dependencies on electricity consuming devices.

By implementing green drying and dehumidification processes, one can achieve an eco-friendly restorative approach that successfully retains resources whilst providing efficient results.

Use of Environmentally Safe Cleaners

Cleaners are essential to thoroughly sanitize a water-damaged area. Unfortunately, conventional cleaning solutions often contain harmful chemicals worsening environmental issues.

Natural cleaning solutions have surfaced as an environmentally friendly alternative. With ingredients derived from nature, they effectively clean without releasing hazardous toxins into the environment or your home.

An excellent example is oxygen bleach, a mixture of sodium percarbonate (a granulated powder), and hydrogen peroxide. When dissolved in water, it releases oxygen that aids in breaking down grime or stains.

Beside reducing environmental pollution, these natural cleaners pose fewer health risks to individuals exposed while minimizing residual chemical presence post-cleanup.

Natural Mold and Mildew Remediation

Post-water damage cleanup isn’t complete without addressing potential growth of mold and mildew. Traditional mold removal often includes chemicals with high toxicity levels posing serious threats to both the environment and human health.

Fortunately, non-toxic alternatives exist for effective mold treatment. Many such solutions employ enzymes or essential oils that are potent against mold yet safe for the planet and its inhabitants.

Using products such as vinegar, borax, or tea tree oil can successfully eliminate mildew while limiting environmental impact. Not only are they safe, but they also act as disinfectants helping prevent future growth.

By opting for environmentally-friendly mold remediation measures, we secure a safer living environment whilst demonstrating respect to our larger ecological system.

Water Damage Prevention: Sustainability

Preventing water damage is an optimal way of reducing our environmental impact and conserving resources. This approach emphasizes the importance of regular maintenance checks, sustainable construction materials, and general mindfulness about water use. Also referred to as preventive measures, these strategies focus on diminishing water waste and averting potential issues before they become major problems.

For example, comprehensive plumbing checks can help identify leakages that not only waste water but also cause severe damage over time if left unattended. Materials like galvanized steel or copper for pipes offer long-term reliability and efficiency thereby contributing to sustainable building practices. Moreover, utilizing permeable paving in areas with high runoff can prevent water pooling thus decreasing risk of property damage.

By implementing these preventive measures, we can significantly reduce the chances of severe water damage occurring, leading to less reliance on restoration methods, whether traditional or eco-friendly.

Advantages of Green Restoration Techniques

Green restoration techniques hold several distinct advantages over their traditional counterparts. Firstly, they actively contribute to a more sustainable planet through lower energy consumption and decreased chemical use. Green restoration reduces CO2 emissions by using energy-efficient equipment that operates with reduced power requirements.

In addition to environmental benefits, these methods also offer tangible benefits to residents or employees within the buildings being restored. For instance, using non-toxic cleaning solutions and mold remediation products means fewer health risks and improved air quality.

  • Lower energy consumption
  • Decreased chemical usage
  • Fewer health risks

Taking an eco-friendly approach to water damage restoration not only maintains the integrity of the structure but also enhances indoor air quality and promotes healthier living and working conditions.

Challenges in Implementing Green Techniques

Even though the benefits of green restoration techniques are clear, there can be challenges in their implementation. A common hindrance is the misconception that such practices may be more expensive. While certain initial costs might be higher, long term gains – both environmental and health-related – often balance this out.

Another challenge stems from a lack of knowledge or resistance towards new methods. Traditional methods have been in use for years and switching to eco-friendly options needs ample time, resources, and careful training. Lastly, keeping up with rapidly evolving green technologies could prove challenging for restoration companies not versed in these approaches.

  • Misconception about costs
  • Lack of knowledge or resistance
  • Rapidly evolving green technologies

In view of these obstacles, it’s recommended for stakeholders to make concerted efforts to raise awareness about the importance and feasibility of sustainable water damage restoration practices so natural resources are preserved for future generations.

Involvement of Green Certifications in Restoration

Green certifications play an instrumental role in shaping sustainable water damage restoration practices. Programs such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) provide guidelines that restoration businesses can adopt to become more sustainable. They promote usage of eco-friendly materials and energy-efficient equipment during restoration processes.

Such certifications do more than just guide businesses. They also comfort customers by providing an assurance that their hired professionals are committed to environment-friendly practices. When handling projects involving water damage restoration, knowing you’ve chosen a certified company makes for peace of mind that your dwelling is restored conscientiously.

  • Guidance for businesses
  • Assurance for customers

Involving green certifications in restoration is thus mutually beneficial – driving businesses towards sustainable practices while assuring customers of their eco-friendly commitment.

Future of Environment-Friendly Restoration

The future of environment-friendly water damage restoration looks promising with technological advancements steering the industry towards more sustainable practices. These innovations aim to reduce energy consumption, decrease waste production, and eliminate hazardous chemical use – a vision that creates a win-win situation for all involved.

Promising novel technologies such as desiccant air movers and methbot antimicrobial coatings may greatly reduce the need for heavy-duty equipment and harmful chemicals. Utilizing technology like Infra-red imaging can locate hidden moisture without invasive exploration avoiding unnecessary waste.

  • Technology advancements
  • Innovations reducing energy consumption
  • Eliminating hazardous chemical usage

The industry’s acceptance of new, green methodologies and tools are poised to elevate water damage restoration to newer, more eco-friendly standards. As sustainable technology advances quickly, it holds great potential for near-future restoration efforts.

In Conclusion

Green approaches to water damage restoration are not only feasible but crucially necessary considering our current ecological crisis. While there may be challenges involved in adoption, the long-term benefits far outweigh these hurdles. An environmentally conscious approach to restoration safeguards both our dwellings and earth’s natural resources whilst ensuring a healthier habitat for all.

Water Security in the Arab World

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water-arabWater availability in the Arab region is a critical issue as the region has 5 percent of the world’s population having access to merely 1 percent of the world’s total water resources. According to United Nations estimates, around 12 Arab countries suffer from severe water shortages. The per capita availability of renewable water resources is less than 500 m3 per year.

In order to resolve this critical situation, many projects in the Arab Strategy for Water Security (2010-2030) support efficient management and sustainable use of water resources.

Regional Water Scenario

Agriculture accounts for 85 percent of total fresh water consumption in the Middle East, while its share in the total gross domestic product (GDP) roughly exceeds 8 percent.

The major factors responsible for the rise in water consumption and depletion of freshwater resources are

  • High standards of living
  • Increasing urbanization and industrialization
  • High population growth rate
  • Failure to adopt basic water conservation principles
  • Insufficient energy for seawater desalination
  • Regional conflicts resulting in mass flow of internal migrants
  • Lack of public awareness

Perennial rivers contribute around 70 percent of freshwater resources in Lebanon and Jordan. On the other hand, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen are dependent on surface water and seasonal rivers. For rest of the countries in this region, one third of water demand is met by groundwater resources.

The continuous extraction of groundwater at an unsustainable rate is leading to water scarcity at the national as well as regional levels thus fueling conflicts. Infact, rising demand for water in Yemen, due to population growth and poor water management, is responsible for almost 80 percent of internal conflicts in the country.

Water availability has become a serious issue in West Asia due to population explosion, climate change, droughts, desertification and scarce rainfall. The success of water-related strategies depends on political, financial and human commitments. A UNEP report estimates that water resources area in West Asia is likely to drop to 20 percent over the next fifty years due to multiple factors, such as climate change.

The importance of regional efforts to integrate water issues in national and international policies is indispensable as it will help in finding necessary mechanisms to reduce potential crises generated by water shortages, such as the water stress that hit northern Iraq in 2005, causing the displacement of more than 100,000 people.

Food security is also at stake as the Arab region relies on scarce water resources for irrigation, heavily imports major food resources or invests in agricultural lands in other parts of the world. Therefore, regional cooperation is an urgent need of the hour to ensure water and food security in the Arab world.

UNEP’s Call for Action

To face the critical need for water, UNEP has developed a water policy at the request of governments around the world. This policy provides the guidelines for water policies to achieve the objective of equitable and sustainable water consumption as well as combating climatic and human factors that contribute to drought.

Moreover, United Nations has launched Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS) Water Programme which is endorsed by one hundred countries worldwide, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq. The GEMS program promotes freshwater quality data and information exchange and enhances capacity building of developing countries to monitor and assess water quality at national and regional levels.

At the global level, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has taken action to assist one-third of the world’s population fighting to survival because of water scarcity. Each year, 1.5 million children die because of water scarcity or diseases caused by water pollution and lack of sanitation.

Water-Partnership

Water is essential for our survival

Conventional large-scale desalination is cost-prohibitive and energy-intensive, and not viable for poor countries in the Arab world due to increasing costs of fossil fuels and its depletion. In addition, the environmental impacts of desalination are considered critical on account of emissions from energy consumption and discharge of brine into the sea. Therefore focus should be given to developing desalination mechanisms using alternative energy.

Water is the elixir of life. The fight for water has become a fight for survival in the Middle East. UNEP calls on Arab states to take swift action to implement plans for integrated water resources management, including demand management of available water resources, adoption of new technologies, and promotion of water conservation for domestic, industrial and agricultural uses.

By preserving water, we join the United Nations Environment Programme in the implementation of Future We Want movement, to ensure that no one suffers or dies due to non-availability of water in any part of the world.

Translate: Nadia Ben Sellam

Nadia Ben Sellam is a freelance journalist and translator from Morocco with more than 12 years of experience. She is associated with Al-Hayat International Daily, one of the leading daily pan-Arab newspapers, Nadia covers a wide range of issues including like environment, health, politics, and culture. Holding a BA in English literature, she has also worked for Al-Alam, a leading Moroccan newspaper for about 9 years during which she received 3 journalistic awards.

Note: The original Arabic article can be found at https://www.ecomena.org/environment-unep-ar/