How Agricultural Sector Can Help the Renewable Energy Sector?

By | | ,
6 Comments

The continuous rise in fossil energy prices, combined with climate change concerns and progress in renewable energy sector, has catalyzed interest in clean energy systems across the MENA region, especially in the Mediterranean. The Mediterranean region has abundant renewable resources, such as wind, solar, and biomass, which makes it a fertile zone for renewable energy developments.

The agricultural sector has played a key role in the progress of renewable energy sector around the world as it provides large areas where renewable energy projects are built and is also the predominant feedstock source for biomass energy projects. For example, agricultural sector accounts for one-fifth of the total installed PV capacity in Germany.

Wind_Agriculture

The main objective of this article is to explore the role that Mediterranean agricultural sector can play in tapping tremendous renewable energy potential available across the region.

Wind Energy

In countries where there is a lack of available land to build wind turbines, the agricultural sector is playing a key role by providing enough spaces. For instance, in Denmark farmer cooperatives are diversifying their incomes by investing in wind energy. Almost a quarter of wind energy sourced from wind turbines are owned by the Danish farmers. The same trend is taking place in Germany where farmers have established private companies to develop wind energy projects. Wind farms can be built in farms without any harmful impact on agricultural activities.

Wind energy potential is abundant across the Mediterranean region due to geographical location marked by a long coastline. The integration of wind energy projects in the agricultural sector is an interesting economic opportunity for agricultural enterprises in the region. However, as wind energy projects demand heavy capital, there is a need to mobilize funds to develop such projects.

In addition, there is need to create attractive financing mechanisms for farmers and to build their capacities in developing and managing wind projects. The development of wind energy projects owned by farmers will help them to have an extra revenue stream. It will also lead to decentralization of electricity production, which will not only reduce transmission losses but also decrease reliance on the national grid.

Solar Energy

The Mediterranean region receives one of the highest solar radiation in the world. Large availability of unexploited lands in the region, especially in the Eastern and Southern countries, makes solar energy systems, especially photovoltaics an attractive proposition for regional countries.  Agricultural farms in the Mediterranean region can use PV systems for domestic as well as commercial power generation.  In addition, there are a handful of applications in agricultural sector such as water pumping and irrigation.

irrigation-rural-area

Solar power systems are increasingly becoming common in rural areas

Off-grid photovoltaic systems ensure a reliable and completely autonomous water supply at low cost – without fuel-powered generators, battery systems or long power lines. Solar energy can make irrigation independent of grid power. Low-pressure drip irrigation systems can be operated with any photovoltaic-powered pump, making them ideal for areas not connected to the grid. Photovoltaic projects require low capital investment and can be developed at small-to-medium scales.

Biomass Energy

A variety of fuels can be produced from agricultural biomass resources including liquid fuels, such as ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, Fischer-Tropsch diesel, and gaseous fuels, such as biogas, methane, hydrogen and methane. The agricultural resources include animal manure and crop residues derived primarily from maize, corn and small grains. A variety of regionally significant crops, such as cotton, sugarcane, rice, and fruit and nut orchards can also be a source of crop residues.

Globally, biofuels are most commonly used to power vehicles, heat homes, and for cooking. Biofuels are generally considered as offering many priorities, including sustainability, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, regional development, rural development, social structure and agriculture, and security of supply.

Jatropha-Plantation-Deseart

Jatropha Plantation in Thar Desert (India)

One of the species that is cultivated and exploited for these purposes is Jatropha curcas which is widely cultivated in Brazil and India for producing biodiesel. Jatropha can be successfully grown in arid regions of the Mediterranean for biodiesel production. These energy crops are highly useful in preventing soil erosion and shifting of sand-dunes. Infact, Jatropha is already grown at limited scale in some Middle East countries, especially Egypt,  and tremendous potential exists for its commercial exploitation.

Conclusion

The time has come for industries in the Mediterranean region, especially the agricultural sector, to undertake the shift necessary to contribute to sustainable development of the MENA region by making the best use of latest technological developments in renewable energy sector.

The Amazing Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting

By | | ,
10 Comments

Rainwater harvesting, or collection of rainfall, is not a new concept.  It is simply the collection of water in regions of the globe where there is frequent and regular rainfall. The collected water is stored for use at a later date. Typically, rainwater runs across the rooftops of buildings and is collected in rainwater tanks. This is very common in rural areas for local consumption. Water can also be collected in dams and reservoirs for community usage on a long-term basis.

why rainwater harvesting

The collection of rainwater from the roofs of buildings can easily take place within our cities and towns. Initial steps to capture rainwater is to direct the flow of water from the rooftops to gutters, and then to rainwater storage tanks.  This can be designed for individual or domestic use and scaled up for larger applications such as industry or agriculture.

 

In regions of water scarcity, such as the Middle East, this is a viable option worthy of consideration. Depending on the intended use of the rainwater, water treatment and purification may be required. In this article, we will focus on the feasibility of rainwater harvesting.

The Future of Rainwater Harvesting

The fact that we are using too much water is a reality across the globe.  With the rapid growth in the global population coupled with the impact of climate change, we, individually as well as collectively, need to be more responsible when it comes to how much water we use (or waste).

Rainwater harvesting is now being reinvented, especially in the construction sector. There is a substantial focus towards green buildings and sustainable water usage in urban development plans.  We have grown very accustomed to being able to turn on the water faucet and out flows pure, drinkable water. The reality is that water is a precious commodity that is rapidly diminishing in terms of availability and quality.

The monitoring of water usage and rainfall measurements needs to be more aggressive in terms of long term demands and predictions of future demands. The management of water resources and capacity demands needs to address the volumetric capacity of rain events as these figures will be far more valuable for long term planning and management of our precious and limited water resources.

There is also a great need for innovative and creative ways to harvest rainfall such as permeable road and pavement surfaces that can feed directly into municipal grey water supplies or be diverted to reservoir storage areas. The perception of greywater needs to be improved and more widely disseminated that it is a viable and safe option of water for non-drinking purposes such as irrigation, toilet flushing, etc. With adequate treatment, it could also be used in industrial plant cooling processes.

The Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting

The capture of rainwater, either directly or indirectly, can significantly reduce our dependence on tapping into groundwater supplies.  In addition, it could be an attractive source of rejuvenating underground aquifers that have already been deleted due to reckless water consumption in urban areas with rapidly growing populations. More importantly, it is a means of managing surface water flooding and being one method of storm water control.

The concept of rainwater harvesting

On the domestic front, collecting and using rainwater could significantly reduce your household water bills as rainwater can be used for watering of green spaces, and exterior surface cleaning. Some of the best identified advantages of rainwater collection include the following:

  • It is low cost.
  • It can be free from chemicals if occurring in natural, open areas free of industrial development.
  • It will lead to greater food security at lower costs when used to irrigate crops.
  • It will reduce the demands on infrastructure provided by governments and municipalities in terms of water supply.
  • It will aid farmers by generating income, favor irrigation of crops and subsidize farm expenditures.
  • It will reduce soil erosion by wind and subsequent depletion of soils from agricultural areas.
  • It will reduce the amount of overland flow (excess rainfall on land) and subsequent pollution of waterways with soil.
  • It will reduce the amount of water pollution from agricultural practices whereby chemicals such as fertilizers and insecticides make their way into the waterways and which can then result in eutrophication.

The biggest overall benefit of rainwater harvesting is that it can potentially reduce the extent of flooding (not the threat of flooding), especially during the rainy season, if there is adequate infrastructure in place to capture, divert and store rainfall water. Even if not in a region of the globe with high rainfall, severe rainfall can occur periodically at such a rate that it causes severe flooding.

Therefore, in volumetric terms, this is very significant especially in water scarce regions of the globe. One such place that is now considering the possibilities of rainfall harvesting is in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Rainwater Harvesting in Bahrain

This is a very ambitious investigation being undertaken in the Kingdom of Bahrain to assess the feasibility of rainfall harvesting with the possibility of recharging ground water reserve areas. The investigation is an important component of the National Water Strategy (NWS) initiated in 2017. The study will assess the viable options for capturing winter rainfall when it does occur on the island.  This is not a regular or annual occurrence as Bahrain is in an extremely arid, water scarce region of the globe.

A triggering factor for this investigation was the extreme rain event encountered in the winter of 2017 when extreme flooding was experienced all across the Kingdom. The NWS is a component of the regional strategy, a Unified GCC Water Strategy for the time period: 1996-2035.

The overall objective is to manage any available water, even though it is periodic in nature. This is an attempt to conserve and manage water as efficiently as feasibly possible knowing how precious water is and how limited the resource is. The urgency for an efficient rainwater management system is hastened by the expanding population in the region that is almost solely supplied by desalinated water supplies.

The investigation is being conducted by the NWS under the directorship of Dr Waleed Zubari. The rainfall on the island is highly variable and sporadic in spatial and temporal terms. The infrequency of rainfall in conjunction with a very high evaporation rate in the region is very challenging.  However, with more extreme rainfall events occurring as a result of the changing climate does pose a possibility for sustainable methods to be implemented.

If the results of the study are favorable, this would help ease the burden on the Municipalities and also reduce demands on seawater desalination plants. Another viable alternative would be to upgrade and intensify grey water recovery and utilization.

Conclusion

The driving forces for considering rainwater harvesting as an option are because of the rapid increase in human population across the globe, the growing need for desalination plants, food security concerns and the fast depleting freshwater resources.

3 Practical Ways to Reduce Heat from the Outside Sun

By | | ,
6 Comments

Air conditioning is used today to battle extreme heat, it is indeed a marvelous creation. Even if you have air conditioning, blasting it at full capacity 24/7 is going to cost you a lot and may even not achieve the desired results. People throughout the ages used to battle heat in many innovative ways; Romans used their architecture, aqueducts circulating cold water through the buildings; an emperor used his influence to move a mountain of snow in his garden, he used donkey trains to transport all this snow.

You don’t need to move mountains or build aqueducts in your home. It has become very easy today to make sure that the heat of the sun stays outside and to ventilate any heat from the inside to the outside. We will be reviewing the most practical ways to make sure that those rays don’t get the best of you.

1. Double-pane insulated glass windows

Glass isn’t the best insulator when it comes to heat, this is why installing single-pane glass windows won’t keep any outdoor temperature out. Double-pane windows are basically 2 layers of glass that sandwich air or glass inside to ensure that the heat transfer process is as slow as possible.

net-zero-energy-building

Net Zero Energy Buildings rely on exceptional energy conservation and on-site renewable generation to meet energy requirements..

It is preferable that the gas inside the double-pane windows is either Argon or Krypton, since they’re much denser than air and will cause a much higher rate of heat-loss. You will notice the difference between the price tags of single-pane and double-pane windows, double-panes are indeed more expensive, yet you will save a lot more on your energy bills.

2. Allow some light in style

People’s idea of tinted glass is pre-occupied by the tinted glass for cars, what many don’t know is that you can tint your residential home glass as well. Unfiltered sun rays can wreak havoc on your furniture and rugs, causing a breakdown in their colors and materials. When we’re talking about energy bills and cost reduction, home window tinting is the best way to ensure that you’re paying less and saving more.

Window tinting also adds some protection to your glass in case it’s under the risk of being broken, even if it breaks, it shatters into safe glass blocks instead of sharp shards. You’ll be getting natural sunlight that’s 99.9% filtered of harmful UV rays.

3. Shades

What can make stylish windows, even look better is some stylish shades to go with it. Shades aren’t all about the looks, they add an extra layer of insulation so no heat could get in easily. Some drapes and Holland blinds can restrict a lot of heat from getting in, thanks to their tight seal around the windows.

When combined with tinted or double-pane glass, the results are magnificent in terms of blocking the heat from the sun. The best thing about them is that they can be manual or motorized to suit your needs in the different times of day.

Bottom Line

Thanks to the technology and investments in the window manufacturing industry, it’s become very easy to keep the heat out and keep the natural light in. You may be overwhelmed with the number of options you can choose to secure your house from the heat; but it’s hard to go wrong with tinted glass thanks to their practicality and cheap cost.

3 Financial Benefits of Running a Green Operation

By | | , ,
2 Comments

While it’s true that the first goal of going green with a business should be to make a positive impact on the environment, we would be lying to ourselves if we didn’t admit that there’s a major financial component to it. Many people will simply refuse to buy from a company that’s environmentally irresponsible. On the other hand, being eco-friendly can never be a bad thing. This is why all businesses should consider going green if they want to increase their bottom line.

Here are some of the main financial benefits of running a green operation.

green-business

1. Lower Utility Costs

Let’s start with probably the biggest and most direct financial benefit of going green. Not only will you be able to reduce costs on energy, but there are tons of grants and incentives for businesses who want to use renewable energy sources. Reducing things like water waste can also make a huge impact on your water bills.

Another thing your business could do right now to reduce how much they spend on water would be to compare water rates for business. Many services will allow you to compare rates between suppliers and switch easily. You also don’t need to turn everything upside down to start getting benefits. Doing something as simple as having a shutdown-and-unplug policy on your shop floor could allow you to save up to 16% on your energy bills.

energy-conservation

2. Increased Demand for Products

Being eco-friendly is a major selling point and the marketplace will reward you if you’re honest about your efforts. You’ll be able to attract the environmentally conscious crowd and maybe push some who are less inclined to make a change. This can also become an integral part of your brand.

Not only that, but it has been shown that people are not only ready to go out of their way to buy green products, but they are willing to pay a premium for them. One study by Nielsen found that 66% of respondents had this commitment to eco-friendly products. This means that your company is leaving lots of money on the table by not catering to this audience.

bamboo-toothbrush

3. Make Recruitment Easier

Clients are not the only ones who are environmentally conscious, however. If your business doesn’t start embracing eco-friendly ideas, then you could find yourself having trouble finding top talent in the future. One study found that 42% of the current workforce would prefer to work for a company that has a positive impact on the world, but this was even more pronounced with millennials at 62%. This next generation of employees seems to be even more conscious than the one before it, so corporate social responsibility and eco-friendliness will need to play an integral role in your business if you want to facilitate recruitment.

As you can see, there are tons of reasons why going green could benefit both the environment and your business. This is why we strongly suggest you start looking at what you can improve in your operation, make a plan, and start making incremental changes.

5 Top Benefits of Virtual Physiotherapy

By | | , ,
1 Comment

Physiotherapy is an essential part of life for many people but the COVID-19 pandemic has made it difficult for them to find a physiotherapist clinic close to their homes. Some of the clinics are only seeing the urgent cases while other have closed their clinics either due to lockdown restrictions or the fear of spread of coronavirus. Virtual therapy has proven to be just as effective as an in-person physiotherapy session, thus becoming a blessing in disguise for millions of people suffering from chronic pain.

During a digital therapy session, the therapist addresses the patient’s symptoms remotely through a video chat or phone call with the help of a smartphone, tablet or PC. The therapist will ask questions related to the medical history and overall health, and advise exercises to fix mobility issues and reduce discomfort. Virtual care model for physiotherapy has proven to be extremely useful for those who cannot leave their homes or have mental health issues. Read on to know more about the benefits of virtual physiotherapy:

online-physiotherapy

 

1. Communication between patients and therapists

In these difficult times of the pandemic, it is a major benefit to have a virtual face-to-face communication with your physiotherapist to address your symptoms and answer your health-related questions. In addition, there are many factors, such as bad weather and commuting problems, which make virtual therapy a real boon for many people.  Lastly, some people are too busy and may prefer to have physiotherapy on their own terms and online sessions will help them to get the same level of treatment and care.

2. A comfortable and familiar environment

Virtual physical therapy promotes self-independence of patients by encouraging them to self-manage their symptoms in the comfortable and friendly home environment. By following an individualized care plan at home, you can monitor your progress and gain the much-needed confidence to improve your functional mobility. Digital sessions are a big advantage for people who experience day-to-day difficulties in getting around as it can help to reduce the stress associated with regular trips to the clinic.

2. A timely access to care

Digital therapy has lowered the barrier of entry for patient care by making the appointment process easier and providing care when you need it the most. The patients and practitioners need not worry about the travel time, location, traffic situation or mobility issues. The online physiotherapist will assess your symptoms, observe your mobility issues and diagnose your problems remotely, thus ensuring timeliness of care.

4. Improvement in overall health

During these tough times of lockdowns and travel restrictions, it is important to be physically active. Exercising, with the assistance of a virtual physiotherapist, will reduce stress levels, improve respiratory health and enhance overall well-being. Online physical therapy helps you to connect with a qualified healthcare professional who is genuinely concerned about your health. Since social distancing has made it hard for many people to interact with others, this face-to-face communication will be helpful in reducing the stress levels.

5. More privacy

A virtual physiotherapist is the best alternative for the people who prefer a more private setting. Thanks to the advancements in telehealth, you can obtain quality physio treatment from the confines of your cozy home without bothering about the long wait in a physiotherapist’s waiting room. Online physiotherapy sessions are usually conducted through a secure, encrypted connection, thus ensuring high levels of patient privacy.

Virtual Therapy for Mental Wellbeing

According to the World Health Organization, almost 25 percent of the global population experience mental health issues in their lifetime but only one-third seek medical assistance, mainly due to the associated social stigma. Online therapy is helping to combat this issue by providing online counselling for all sorts of mental disorders, ranging from depression to relationships to stress, through therapists, psychologists and clinical social workers.

Bottom Line

The COVID-19 crisis has forced the physiotherapy industry to devise tech-based solutions to substitute for traditional physiotherapy sessions. Using an internet connection and a smartphone or PC, a virtual physio provides practical and evidence-based treatment to those in need. Online physiotherapy provides the same degree of evaluation, patient care, health benefits and patient satisfaction that a conventional physiotherapist provides.

Industrial Odor Control Management: 4 Effective Techniques

By | | ,
Leave a comment

Industrial odors significantly impact communities, necessitating thoughtful environmental management. In sectors like manufacturing, food processing, and waste management, facilities must mitigate smells that affect quality of life and raise health and environmental concerns.

To address odor issues, industries employ varying complementary techniques balancing productivity and environmental responsibility. Overall, effectively confronting unwanted smells requires understanding how traditional and innovative solutions support communities situated near industrial plants. Each strategy plays an important role in minimizing odors’ nuisance and threats, enabling industries to operate responsibly alongside their neighbors.

effective odor control methods

Effective Techniques For Industrial Odor Control

The core of industrial odor management lies in the deployment of effective control techniques, like the ones employed by companies like MVSeer.com, which can be broadly categorized into physical and chemical methods.

1. Ventilation And Air Filtration Systems

Advanced ventilation and air filtration systems are cornerstone techniques in industrial odor control, playing a pivotal role in maintaining air quality. These are designed to extract odorous air from the industrial environment efficiently and process it through sophisticated filtration mechanisms. By using filters such as activated carbon, known for its high adsorption capacity of volatile organic compounds, these systems can effectively capture and neutralize a wide range of odorous substances.

The implementation of these systems can be tailored to suit the specific requirements of different industries, ensuring that they address each facility’s unique odor profiles and intensities.

2. Enclosures And Barriers To Contain Odors

Enclosures and barriers provide a physical means to manage odors in industrial environments. These structures are designed to isolate the source of the odor, preventing its spread into the surrounding areas. Such containment is particularly crucial in processes where odorous emissions are inevitable but must be controlled. Enclosures can range from simple covers to sophisticated systems that not only contain but also treat the air before its release into the environment.

The design of these enclosures and barriers is tailored to the industry’s specific needs. Materials used must withstand the harsh industrial conditions. When combined with air filtration and ventilation systems, these barriers become part of an integrated approach to odor management, ensuring that odors are contained and treated effectively.

3. Use Of Odor-Neutralizing Agents And Chemical Solutions

Chemical methods involve the use of odor-neutralizing agents and solutions, which are effective in mitigating a variety of industrial odors. They work by interacting with odor-causing molecules, masking them with a more pleasant scent or chemically altering their structure. The choice of these agents often depends on the nature of the odorous compounds and the environmental standards that need to be met.

4. Application Of Biological Odor Control Solutions

Biological odor control solutions have emerged as a sustainable alternative to traditional methods. They leverage natural processes, using microorganisms or enzymes to break down and neutralize odorous compounds. These solutions are well-suited for industries like waste treatment and food processing, where organic matter is a primary source of odors.

The application of these biological agents requires an environment conducive to their activity. Factors such as temperature, pH, and the presence of other substances can significantly impact their effectiveness.

Best Practices For Implementing Effective Odor Control Techniques

Successful odor control management involves more than just the installation of systems; it requires a strategic approach:

  • Assessment And Identification: The first step is to assess the industrial facility and identify the sources and types of odors. This helps in selecting the most appropriate control techniques.
  • Customization And Integration: Odor control solutions should be customized to fit the facility’s specific needs and integrated into existing processes without disrupting operations.
  • Regular Maintenance And Upgrades: Regular maintenance of odor control systems is essential for ensuring their efficiency and longevity. Upgrading to newer technologies as they become available can also enhance odor control.
  • Employee Training And Awareness: Employees should be trained in operating and maintaining odor control systems. Awareness of the importance of odor management helps in maintaining a proactive approach.
  • Monitoring And Continuous Improvement: Continuous monitoring of odor levels and the effectiveness of odor control systems is critical. This allows for adjustments and improvements to be made over time, ensuring the ongoing effectiveness of odor control measures.

These practices ensure that odor control efforts are effective and adaptable to changing conditions and new challenges.

industrial odor control management

Emerging Technologies And Innovations

Industrial odor control management is continually evolving with the integration of emerging technologies and innovative solutions.

  • Advanced Sensors And Monitoring Systems. Integrating advanced sensors and monitoring systems enables early detection of odors, allowing for proactive intervention and precise management of industrial odor sources. This technology-driven approach enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of industrial odor control measures.
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) And Machine Learning (ML). Integrating these technologies in odor control management presents new opportunities for predictive modeling, real-time optimization, and automated response to odor events.
  • Sustainable And Eco-Friendly Solutions. Developing sustainable and eco-friendly odor control solutions aligns with the growing emphasis on environmental sustainability. From biofiltration to phytoremediation, these innovative techniques offer environmentally responsible alternatives for industrial odor control.

These emerging technologies and innovations are poised to transform the landscape of industrial odor control, offering promising, effective and environmentally conscious solutions.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Implementing odor control techniques involves considering the financial aspects, including initial investments and ongoing maintenance costs. However, the benefits, such as improved worker safety, community relations, and compliance with regulations, often justify these expenses. A thorough cost-benefit analysis can provide a clearer picture of the long-term financial implications.

Conclusion

Effective techniques for industrial odor control management play a pivotal role in minimizing industrial odors’ impact on public health and the environment. By leveraging advanced ventilation and filtration systems, chemical and biological solutions, and cutting-edge technologies, industrial facilities can proactively address odor challenges while upholding their commitment to environmental stewardship and community well-being.

10 Ways to Create an Eco-friendly Skincare Routine

By | | ,
1 Comment

One of the imperative parts of our day includes following a beauty schedule. Self-grooming and beauty routines tend to become like second nature to us. Therefore, it is important to form habits while being mindful of the environment.

Forming an environmentally-sound beauty routine might not be your top priority. However, the global cosmetics industry itself is negligent of its impact on the environment as it continues to produce about 120 billion units of packaging annually.

If you’ve been worried about such statistics, we wonder if you’d like to move forward and make your beauty routine as sustainable and environmentally-friendly as possible. In this article, we will discuss a few eco-friendly skincare tips you can follow to show a kinder attitude towards environmental change and a better outlook towards the planet.

sustainable-skincare

What Does it Mean to be a Sustainable Brand or Product?

Sustainability is a multi-faceted aspect that requires a brand or product to be considerate about more than one factor. From the product’s ingredients, formulation, production, packaging, shipping, to recycling, each step has scope to be sustainable in several ways.

The biggest problem in this regard with the cosmetic industry is its compromise with the product’s smell and quality in the name of sustainability. However, eco-friendly beauty products are of high-demand, encouraging more companies to delve into sustainability.

Tips for Creating an Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Beauty Routine

Given below are a few things you can keep in mind while creating an eco-friendly skincare routine.

1. Choose Your Personal Care Products Wisely

The next time when you go to the market to get beauty products, you must look carefully at the packaging and opt for only sustainable and eco-friendly products. This impact whilst it may seem small, every bit counts.

2. Take it Slow

Since a lot of good brands are not yet sustainable, it is best to take your time while choosing the right sustainable product for yourself. Try looking for a new product at least a week before you run out of your existing one. You can talk to company executives or read online reviews to be sure of the product’s sustainability values.

3. Focus on Packaging

The packaging is one of the most unsustainable aspects of cosmetics and other products. However, with the growing demand for ensuring mindful packaging, brands have come up with several eco-friendly alternatives. Avoid buying plastic packaging at all costs to do your bit in preserving the environment.

4. Check the Ingredients

Checking the skincare ingredients is not only necessary for sustainability but also for checking if it will suit your body. You can either get products with organic and natural ingredients or products with algae and marine extracts. They are perfect for preserving the environment. You must avoid products with petroleum derivatives, microbeads, and microplastics at all costs.

5. Make your beauty Tools Eco-Friendly

This might seem to be a small adjustment, but the impact is huge. You can swap your cotton wipes with washable and reusable pads. Instead of using plastic razors, use stainless-steel ones, and buy only the brushes which are not made of animal hair. You can even make some of your own beauty products, if that sounds like something you would be interested in check out a guide to homemade deodorants.

6. Use Multi-Purpose Products

The lesser the products you use, the more you are contributing towards sustainability. You can invest in an eyebrow pencil, which can double as an eyeliner. Similarly, you can use a combination of foaming cleanser and makeup remover to avoid using cotton swabs at all.

7. Consider Shampoo Bars

Shampoo bars are very sustainable because they double as shampoos and body soaps. They can come in sustainable packaging too, which makes them more attractive. Regardless of your preference, you will get many options in the market.

8. Simplify your Routine

You’d be surprised to see how many products you can cut off from your routine if you buy mindfully. You don’t have to go overboard with several serums and creams. A simple cleanser, toner, and moisturizer routine are enough to maintain healthy skin.

9. Be Efficient

It is easy to overuse a product. Therefore, you should only use the recommended amount and not waste anything. Reducing waste massively affects your number of bottles you’re going to buy annually. This will not only help you cut down on waste but help with savings.

10. Recycle

Recycling your beauty products will go a long way. Even though cosmetics might be confusing to recycle at times, you can learn about the right recycling techniques with not a lot of effort. Brands such as Lush, Kiehl’s, MAC, and Originals offer recycling programs. Through them, you can get new products in exchange for the old ones. You can wash the containers before recycling.

Ecotourism Industry in the Middle East

By | | , , ,
4 Comments

Ecotourism is one of the fastest growing segments in the global tourism industry and the Middle East is no exception. The ecotourism industry, catalyzed by advancements in transportation and information technology, has brought hitherto unknown geographical landscapes into public limelight, thus bringing tourists to pristine natural locations across the Middle East.

Dead-Sea-Jordan

Middle East has also been witnessing growing popularity of ecotourism among native and expatriate populations. Some of the Middle East nations popular with ecotourists include Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Egypt, Oman and Tunisia. Due to its sunny climate, unique landscape, distinct culture and rich history, the region offers wealth of opportunities for ecotourists including but not limited to vast deserts, special flora and fauna, exotic animal species and stunning beaches.

In recent years, there has been significant increase in the number of eco-retreats in countries like the UAE, Qatar and Oman. Local tourists are showing keen interest in staying at resorts that focus on environmentally-responsible and sustainable practices. In addition, tourists from the region, especially families, are traveling to far-off places, such as Southeast Asia and Cyprus, for nature-based activities like snorkeling, kayaking, trekking and bird-watching which is a welcome sign for the natural tourism industry.

Jordan – A Role Model

Jordan has been one of the earliest pioneers of ecotourism in the Middle East. The country has acknowledged ecotourism as a key cluster that can mainstream economic and social development within environmental protection. Jordan has 10 natural reserves that provide tourists with exceptional experience in enjoying nature and helping communities.

Middle East offers attractive opportunities for ecotourists

The Jordanian experience in ecotourism has gained global recognition and became a model for partnerships between the government, NGOs and local communities. Infact, the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) has reported that its sustainable tourism projects in 2015 generated more than USD 2 million, when 175,000 people visited the nature reserves, 65 per cent of whom were foreigners.

Key Enablers

For ecotourism to flourish and achieve its development vision in the Middle East, several enablers need to be in place. “Governments, private sector and international agencies would need to work together to provide a conducive legal and regulatory framework, access to land, financing instruments, local human and institutional capacity development, attractive investment climate as well as convenient and affordable transportation”, explains Ruba Al-Zu’bi, Scientific Research Director at Shoman Foundation. “In addition, enabling more local innovation and social entrepreneurship would really be the added value to sustain the future of ecotourism in the region”, she adds.

Exaggerated extravagance is another key issue that needs to be addressed by stakeholders in eco-tourism industry in the Middle East. “I think elegant architecture and interior furnishings are perfectly acceptable elements of an ecotourism attraction, and usually the locals do it best, but there is a tendency in the Middle East to be excessively flashy which may be discouraging to nature tourists”, says Tafline Laylin, an environmental journalist and travel writer.

Air Conditioning Repair: Important Signs to Watch For

By | | ,
9 Comments

There are plenty of homeowners out there who make the decision to purchase an AC unit for their home, without necessarily understanding how best to care for the unit. After all, it is often as simple as turning it on and letting the AC unit get the job done. While there is generally no trouble with letting a brand new unit cool the air around your home, there is always a chance that something might go wrong. If you do not understand the warning signs, you might end up paying much more than you normally would for repairs to your HVAC.

If you want to ensure that you are never blindsided by expensive air conditioning repair in Austin, it would be a good idea to learn all about the warning signs. Here are just some of the things to watch out for to ensure that your AC unit is running at its full potential.

Any strange or foul odor is a clear warning sign

Perhaps one of the most significant warning signs when it comes to keeping your AC unit well-maintained is the presence of strange or foul odors around the unit. Whether it happens to be a leak which eventually grew mold, or perhaps one of the circuits that burned out, neither scenario is good for your AC unit.

The mold, in particular, can be a health hazard if you continue to neglect your air conditioner. As soon as you start to smell something strange coming from the unit, it would be best to contact experts in AC repair.

When it is not functioning as it should

While it is obvious that an air conditioner that is incapable of cooling the air around your home as it used to is due for repair, it can be easy to underestimate just how serious of a situation it can be. There could be all manner of issues causing trouble within your AC, and it is often something you cannot fix on your own. If it is not functioning as well as it should, call a professional to see if they can find the root of the problem.

When your AC is producing excess moisture

As a follow-up to the first warning sign, many people tend to ignore moisture around the AC as it is a natural part of the cooling process. However, keep in mind that an excess of moisture is a tell-tale sign that your AC needs immediate attention. It is not typically something homeowners notice, which is why they end up paying more for repairs than they should.

Conclusion

From excess moisture to the potential for mold, it is a shame how some homeowners neglect the physical state of their AC unit until it is too late. Fortunately, the tips above will help you catch some of the warning signs before it is too late. For those who want the best experience when it comes to heaters and air conditioners, this article offers plenty of options to ensure your AC unit lasts.

Bridging the Gap: Empowering Farmers with Accessible Patented Technologies

By | | ,
Leave a comment

Mixing cutting-edge technology with good old dirt-under-the-fingernails farming is one of the perfect ways to grow not just plants but the whole industry. We’re talking about bridging the big old gap between high-flying patented tech and the everyday heroes who feed us—our farmers.

So, it is only natural for farm enthusiasts to look out for methods to sprinkle some innovation across those fields like it’s fertilizer for progress. The good news is that there are some super cool ways to implement tech upgrades in farming, and here are some of them.

farm tool patents

Sharing the Tech Wealth with Open Source

Imagine if farmers could tap into a treasure chest of tech like it’s a community garden. That’s the magic of open-sourcing patented farm tech. It’s basically tech companies saying, “Here, take our high-tech tools and make your crops sing.”

Instead of keeping all those smart innovations locked up, they spread them around so even small-scale growers can get in on the action. This way, rather than each farmer reinventing the wheel (or the tractor), they can just download blueprints for greenhouses or seed-planting gadgets and get their hands dirty, making things grow better.

Breaking Down the Jargon Jungle

Let’s face it: patent lingo can be as thick as pea soup. It’s like trying to read ancient hieroglyphics — confusing and a bit intimidating! So, here’s an idea: Let’s translate all that legal mumbo jumbo into regular talk.

Imagine patents written so farmers could actually get what’s going on without scratching their heads too much. We mean clear guides showing how to file patent applications in Canada, the U.S., and other countries. You can even complement these resources with how to use the cool tech stuff in plain words or maybe even with some friendly pictures or videos thrown in.

This way, instead of patents collecting dust on a shelf, they become real tools farmers can use day-to-day. Making things straightforward helps bridge the tech gap big time!

Providing Practical Education and Training

Providing farmers with shiny new tech is never enough. It is like handing someone a spaceship and forgetting to teach them how to fly it. That’s where the need for some good old education comes in.

We’re talking hands-on workshops, online classes, and maybe even some ‘how-to’ YouTube series that walk farmers through the nuts and bolts of using their new gadgets. Show them the ropes in ways that stick, whether it’s planting sensors or drone scouting or using mobile apps.

With this kind of practical know-how flooding into farming communities, we’ll see tractors buzzing and productivity soaring. And because knowledge is power (literally), these educational efforts help turn technology into real results out there in the fields.

Tiny Licenses for Big Farming Dreams

You’ve probably heard of micro-loans, but what about micro-licenses? Think bite-sized permission slips that let farmers use patented tech without the financial migraine. Micro-licensing deals could be the golden ticket for growers who usually can’t afford the fancy stuff.

These easy-on-the-wallet agreements give small-scale farmers the green light to innovate without breaking the bank. They get to play with the big boys’ toys, like precision agriculture tools or new crop varieties, and all it takes is a little bit of dough and a handshake deal.

Imagine this: better farming through technology, now accessible even if you’re not rolling in cash. This kind of move flips the script—transforming patent access from a pipe dream to everyday reality on farms everywhere.

benefits of hydroponic farming

Cash for Farming Innovators

Incentivizing the local geniuses to innovate right there in their backyard through grants is another way to empower farmers with accessible patented technologies with the aim of bridging the gap. That means all those smart-as-a-whip folks get a boost with some sweet grant money specifically for cooking up new farming tech.

This isn’t about importing shiny gizmos—it’s about fueling homegrown talent to solve local farm snags. It’s like saying, “Here’s some cash, now go invent something that’ll make your tomatoes happier or your cows healthier.” These grants can kickstart creativity and maybe even lead to inventions other farmers will want in on, too.

Grants are like seed money (pun intended) that can grow into tech tailored just right for the regional challenges. And the best part is? They might even sprout up as tomorrow’s must-have farm tool patents!

Role of Artificial Intelligence in Environmental Sustainability

By | | ,
21 Comments

In recent years, the environmental issues have triggered debates, discussions, awareness programs and public outrage that have catapulted interest in new technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence finds application in a wide array of environmental sectors, including natural resource conservation, wildlife protection, energy management, clean energy, waste management, pollution control and agriculture.

Artificial Intelligence (also known as AI) is considered to be the biggest game-changer in the global economy. With its gradual increase in scope and application, it is estimated that by 2030, AI will contribute up to 15.7 trillion of the global economy which is more than the current output of China and India combined. India outputs around a million engineers every financial year, 20% of whom are jobless. AI has grown so much that it can place a jobless engineer in an industry-based company, if he has done an artificial intelligence course.

artificial-intelligence

The UN Artificial Intelligence Summit held in Geneva (2017) identified that AI has the potential to accelerate progress towards a dignified life, in peace and prosperity, for all people and have suggested to refocus the use of this technology, that is responsible for self-driving cars and voice/face recognition smart phones, on sustainable development and assisting global efforts to eliminate poverty and hunger, and to protect the environment and conserve natural resources.

AI Applications in Environmental Sector

Many organizations like Microsoft, Google and Tesla, whilst pushing the boundaries for human innovations, have made considerable efforts in developing ‘Earth Friendly’ AI systems. For instance, Google’s very own DeepMind AI has helped the organization to curb their data center energy usage by 40 percent making them more energy efficient and reducing overall GHG emissions. As data centers alone consume 3 percent of global energy each year, development of such AI’s not only improve the energy efficiency but also assist in providing energy access to remote communities, setting up microgrids and integrating renewable energy resources.

Installation of smart grids in cities can utilize artificial intelligence techniques to regulate and control parts of neighborhood power grid to deliver exactly the amount of electricity needed, or requested from its dependents, against the use of conventional power grids that can be wasteful due to unplanned power distribution.

With AI-driven autonomous vehicles waiting to break into the automobile market, techniques like route optimization, eco-driving algorithms and ride-sharing services would help in streamlining the carbon footprint and reducing the overall number of vehicles on the road. But AI is already broadly used in the production of electric vehicles, with a zonal architecture solution making it easier for auto manufacturers to build and manage the critical software.

Viewed on a macro scale, the emergence of smart buildings and the smart cities in which they are built can leverage built-in sensors to use energy efficiently, and buildings and roads will also be constructed out of materials that work more intelligently. Taking a nod from natural patterns, material scientists and architects have developed innovative building materials from natural resources, such as bricks made of bacteria, cement that captures carbon dioxide, and cooling systems that use wind and sun. Solar power is increasingly present within cities and outside to supply larger urban area. These are the first early steps towards sustainable infrastructure cutting costs and helping to make us environmentally conscious.

Controlling industrial emissions and waste management is another challenge that can be dealt with the advanced learning machines and smart networks that could detect leaks, potential hazards and diversions from industrial standards and governmental regulations. For example, IoT technology was incorporated into several industrial ventures, from refrigerators and thermostats and even retail shops.

As scientists still struggle to predict climate changes and other potential environmental hurdles or bottlenecks due to lack of algorithms for converting the collected useful data into required solutions, Microsoft’s AI for Earth, a 50 million dollar initiative, was announced in 2017 with the sole purpose to find solutions to various challenges related to climatic changes, agriculture, water and biodiversity.

Other similar AI infused Earth applications are iNaturalist and eBirds that collect data from its vast circle of experts on the species encountered, which would help to keep track of their population, favorable eco systems and migration patterns. These applications have also played a significant role in the better identification and protection of fresh water and marine ecosystems.

There are various institutions, NGOs and start-ups that work to deliver smart agricultural solutions by implementing fuzzy neural networks. Besides the use of both artificial and bio-sensor driven algorithms to provide a complete monitoring of the soil and crop yield, there are technologies that can used to provide predictive analytic models to track and predict various factors and variables that could affect future yields.

Berlin-based agricultural tech startup PEAT has developed a deep learning application called Plantix that reportedly identifies potential defects and nutrient deficiencies in soil. Analysis is conducted by software algorithms which correlate particular foliage patterns with certain soil defects, plant pests and diseases.

Artificial Intelligence can provide invaluable assistance in environment protection and resource conservation

AWhere and FarmShots, both United States based companies use machine learning algorithms in connection with satellites to predict weather, analyze crop sustainability and evaluate farms for the presence of diseases and pests. Adaptive irrigation systems in which the land is automatically irrigated based on the data collected from the soil via sensors by an AI system is also gaining wide popularity among the farmers for its important role in water management.

Developments in the Middle East

As more countries drastically shift towards the use of AI and other advanced technologies, this enormous wave has hit the Middle East region too. The United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar have shown a promising commitment towards the development and implementation of technologies like information technology and digital transformation, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare sector and to provide citizens with knowledge and skills to meet the future needs of the labor market.

By 2030, the Middle East countries are expected to be one of the major players in this field as the volatility of oil prices have forced the economy to look for new sources for revenue and growth. With numerous untapped markets and sectors, the future investments in AI in the MENA region are estimated to contribute to around 15 per cent of their combined GDP. It can also be expected that with this rapid growth, the Governments will also consider a much more aggressive approach towards using these technologies for putting together an effective model for environmental sustainability.

With many countries in the Middle East strongly committed to protect the aquatic diversity of its surrounding waters, an intelligent tracking system could help to prevent overfishing and contamination, and implement much more effective aquaculture techniques, innovations in sea farming and better utilization and protection of freshwater resources.

Future Outlook

Researchers and scientists must ensure that the data provided through Artificial Intelligence systems are transparent, fair and trustworthy. With an increasing demand of automation solutions and higher precision data-study for environment related problems and challenges, more multinational companies, educational institutions and government sectors need to fund more R&D of such technologies and provide proper standardizations for producing and applying them.

In addition, there is a necessity to bring in more technologists and developers to this technology. Green AI is steadily becoming a part in our daily lives, and its impact can be seen through the advancements made in the field of environmental sciences and environmental management.

Environmental Research in Arab World: Perspectives

By | | , , ,
1 Comment

The Arab world is facing many environmental pressures ranging from challenges in resource management and water scarcity to air pollution and climate change, which all require serious scientific environmental research. Arab nations contribute 1.7 percent of the total value of budgets embarked for environmental research worldwide.

Leaders in Environmental Research

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Tunisia are the most active research countries in general science and environmental research. Scientific research has increased in the last ten years, with Egypt leading the Arab world, followed by Saudi Arabia for both the number and rate of publications produced.

environmental-research

Egypt has contributed at least double the amount of publications compared to other Arab countries since 2008, effectively contributing on average 26 percent of environmental publications cumulatively by 2015. This can be attributed in part to the size of Egypt’s population, accounting to a quarter of the Arab countries combined. Saudi Arabia has been enjoying a linear increase in research rates since 2008 (1.67 percent average annual document contributions per year), followed by Morocco (0.59 percent), Iraq (0.35 percent), and Qatar (0.18 percent).

Key Areas of Focus

Health and pollution as well as water science and technology are the fastest growing research subjects under environmental science in the Arab world, where research has increased twofold on average since 2008, with Egypt leading the Arab world in both disciplines. The slowest growing subjects are climate change and environmental policies, as well as biodiversity and conservation.

Research and Society

Beyond the numbers, results of research projects and publications in Arab countries are rarely reflected in policies, and they seldom contribute to solutions to environmental problems. In contrast to the weak contribution and impact of researchers working in the Arab countries, Arab researchers working abroad contributed well in many areas related to environmental science, with a profound impact on society.

Results of research projects and publications in Arab countries are rarely reflected in policies

Roadmap for Success

The enhancement of environmental research to produce impact in the Middle East requires creating enabling conditions and a stimulating work environment, and linking research to policy. A fundamental step towards achieving this goal is building an infrastructure that connects research institutions, industry and society and creates an integrated system that ensures sustainable development.

Budgets dedicated to environmental research should be enhanced, centers of excellence created, and research collaborations among Arab countries and with other centers worldwide strengthened. Publication mechanisms for research institutes have to be improved and modernized in order to facilitate the publication process.

In order to fill a growing gap, research in the areas of policy development and climate change should be encouraged. Finally, in order to reverse the brain drain caused by a large proportion of Arab students who study abroad never returning, investment in young researchers and intellectual capital should be promoted.

Note: For more information, please download the full AFED report from this link