Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture in Gaza: Perspectives

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There are multiple constraints which limit the development of more sustainable and resilient urban agriculture in the Gaza Strip (and the West Bank). Current urban development policies, land use classification systems and planning have ignored to recognise urban agriculture as a land use category and urban development strategy.

Furthermore, there is still a lack of research on participatory urban agricultural development, improved production techniques, urban policies and strategies related to agricultural land use. Policy and institutional reform initiatives will be significant to enhance the potential of urban agriculture for food security, poverty alleviation and sustainable urbanisation.

urban-agriculture

Agricultural Land Availability and Access in Gaza

In recent years, there has been a steady decline in the area of agricultural land in the Gaza Strip to currently about 100,000 Dunum, for many reasons. The most important include accelerated population growth (3.5%), urban sprawl and increasing conversion of agricultural land for housing. This coupled to restricted access resulting from the Israeli occupation, including the establishment of the buffer zone of about 17,000 Dunum along the Gaza Strip’s border with Israel, comprising ca. 15% of the –generally very fertile- agricultural land in the Gaza Strip.

This buffer zone is classified as “Access Restricted Area (ARA)” and runs from Beit Hanoun in the north of the Gaza Strip to Rafah in the south, making access to agricultural land in this area, traditionally famous for the cultivation of tomatoes, potatoes, watermelons and onions amongst others, unsafe and a danger to the farmers.

In addition, fragmentation of agricultural property (1 to 3 Dunum per farmer) implies that (urban) agriculture in Gaza is – to a large extent – is often being done on small land areas. In combination with the poverty of the majority of the producers, scarcity and low quality of available inputs and water, this leads to low investments in the land and low productivity.

Water Availability and Quality

The rapid population growth during the last two decades has also led to the increase in water consumption for domestic, agricultural and industrial uses. Estimated current annual water consumption of 160 million cubic meters surpasses twice the 80 million cubic meters feeding the Gaza aquifer.  This has resulted in increased intrusion of salt water into the aquifer, rendering this unsuitable for human consumption and agricultural use. Lack of adequate wastewater disposal and treatment, threatens further environmental contamination and human health risks.

In this situation of scarcity of fresh drinking water, which are far less than the international standards of 500 cubic meters per capita per year, the large proportion of citizens (about 70%) are forced to buy water for drinking and domestic use, which increases the economic burden for thousands of families.

Current limited government, institutional and local community initiatives for rain water harvesting projects (for example from the roofs of greenhouses) and treatment of greywater and sewage water for agricultural uses, should be intensified; next to other strategies for drinking water supply (e.g. desalinisation of sea water).

Fisheries

There are about 3,600 fishermen in the Gaza Strip. Being confined by a fishing area of ​​not more than 3 nautical miles, the annual output of the fishing sector in Gaza ranges from 2,000 to 2,500 tons, compared to the actual annual consumption of more than 8,000 tons per year. Some encouraging alternatives to marine fishing are being developed in form of private aquaculture farming projects.

Future of Agriculture in Gaza

Restricted access to (quality) land, sea and water, coupled to limited availability of good quality seeds and breeds, has resulted in a decline in the percentage of self-sufficiency for some agricultural products to about 50%. There is also a decline in livestock production on which the Bedouin life in the Gaza Strip traditionally relied on.

Generally, donor agencies have prioritised “more food imports” and programmes for “food assistance” and “free donations” as a response to food insecurity and poverty in the Gaza Strip and also in the West Bank. These programmes have often been leading to more dependency on direct household assistance and on international markets and increasing vulnerability for food price fluctuations (especially for Gaza with border closures; export restrictions; high import taxes and with an urban population spending a large part of their income on food).

Urban agriculture can mitigate food security concerns in Gaza (Photo by entrepreneur entrepreneur Feras Bakri)

Most projects aiming at strengthening agricultural value chains also had a focus on cash crops and export. Again export restrictions in Gaza hamper development of such export chains; while focus on cash crops, resulted in a shift from local to foreign markets; and an increase in use of scarce quality water resources, fertilisers and pesticides (increasing expenses for producers and with negative environmental and health impacts; soil and water pollution).

The shift from food crops (vegetables, fruits, field crops) to cash crops (strawberries, ornamental flowers) also led Gaza to now needing to import certain field crops, vegetables and fruits (with resulting price increases, increasing vulnerability to price hikes and deteriorating local food security).

There is a need to re-focus on food crops (field crops, vegetables, fruits, animal products, honey, fish) and strengthening of the local food system to ensure less dependency on international markets, lower ecological foot/food print, lower vulnerability to shocks due to climate change and military and other occupational measures that affect urban agriculture production and hence could alleviate the actual economic crisis in Gaza.

Everything You Need To Know About Green Roofs

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Green roofs are emerging technologies that can provide a wide range of tangible and intangible benefits to communities interested in enhancement of their environment. Green roof development involves the construction of a vegetative layer on top of a building adding green space to areas that would otherwise be unused.

The major benefits of green roofs are reducing energy use as well as air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing stormwater management and water quality, decreasing urban heat island effect by regulating temperature for the roof and the surrounding areas and providing aesthetic value and habitats for many species.

green-roof

What are Green Roofs?

Green roofs mainly consist of a vegetation layer consisting of trees, plants, and other shrubs, a substrate layer where water is retained and in which the vegetation is secured, and a drainage layer which helps to evacuate excess water. The depth of the substrate layer is how the two main types of green roofs are differentiated. Green roofs can be intensive or extensive.

Types of Green Roofs

Intensive green roofs are thicker, more than 15 cm deep, which allows for the growth of a wider variety of plants including trees and shrubs.  However these roofs are heavier, more expensive and require more maintenance and irrigation.  Extensive roofs, on the other hand, are covered in only a light layer of vegetation, less than 15 cm, and are primarily made up of shrubs, low-growing sedums, and herbs. Unlike the plants on an intensive green roof, the extensive vegetation is typically self-sustaining apart from the bi-yearly maintenance when the beds need to be weeded and fertilized.

Because of their weight and function intensive roofs are usually used on commercial buildings.  Commercial buildings tend to be made out of concrete and can support heavier weight loads than traditional homes.  Once the plants are installed and the soil is moist these rooftop green spaces can weigh as much as 150 pounds per square foot. They also tend to have more room to include benches, tables, greenhouses, fountains and walkways that travel between different features of the green roof and provide space where people can interact with the natural surroundings. Intensive roofs tend to be more attractive than extensive roofs and can offer people a place to relax, eat or work in park-like settings.

Extensive roofs on the other hand because of their low weight tend to be more often suitable for residential type buildings or sheds and barns.  Extensive green roofs are the simplest to install and are very often added to existing roofs. Depending on the source you look at these roofs may add 10 to 35 pounds per square foot to a roof’s load.  Drought-tolerant plants and grass are the most common used vegetation on an extensive green roof due to their low water requirements and the shallowness of their roots.

Benefits of Green Roofs

Green roofs can be placed on both old and new buildings. The green roof system can either be modular, with drainage layers, guttering, filter cloth, growing media and plants already prepared in movable, often interlocking grids, or loose laid/ built-up where each component of the system may be installed separately.

green-roof

Reports vary on installation costs but on average extensive green roof range between $8 and $20 per square foot and intensive green roofs range between $15 and $50 per square foot.  This compared to a traditional roof installation which averages about $16 dollars per square foot the green roof installation costs tend to be much higher. Although a higher installation cost is required, the green roof undoubtedly offers more benefits than a traditional roof may offer.

Green roofs have the potential to reduce energy demands two ways: absorbing heat and acting as insulators for buildings.  Adding a layer of soil and plants to a roof adds insulation to the building it covers.  Since roofs are the site of the greatest heat loss in the winter and the hottest temperatures in the summer, the greater insulation offered by green roofs can decrease the amount of energy required to moderate the temperature of a building.

Furthermore, reducing the demand for energy consequently reduces air pollution. By lowering air conditioning demand, green roofs can decrease the production of associated air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions such as CO2, coming from power plants.  Additionally, because plants through photosynthesis convert atmospheric CO2 into oxygen, the plants on green roofs can help filter harmful noxious gases in the air and reduce CO2 emissions in the atmosphere.

لماذا السيارات الصديقة للبيئة مهمة؟

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يعد قطاع النقل أكبر مصدر لانبعاثات غازات الدفيئة في العديد من البلدان، يرجع السبب الأكبر إلى السيارة التقليدية، حيث تمثل المركبات أكثر من نصف الانبعاثات من قطاع النقل. السيارة النموذجية ينبعث منها غاز ثاني أكسيد الكربون والعديد من المواد الكيميائية الضارة الأخرى التي تضر بالبيئة وصحة الإنسان. وهذا يجعل من قيادة السيارة المناسبة ضرورة ملحّة الآن أكثر من أي وقت مضى.

تعد قيادة سيارة صديقة للبيئة وسيلة رائعة لمساعدة صحة الإنسان والبيئة. حيث تطلق السيارات الخضراء مواد كيميائية أقل ضرراً في الهواء، حيث أنه تنبعث منها مركبات كربونية منخفضة عند التشغيل. الفقرة التالة تساعد في معرفة الأسباب المختلفة التي تجعل السيارات الصديقة للبيئة مهمة جدا، وكيف يمكن أن تساعد في منع المزيد من الأضرار التي تلحق بالبيئة.

electric-car

أثر التلوث على البيئة

يعد تلوث السيارات أحد الأسباب الرئيسية للاحتباس الحراري. غازات الاحتباس الحراري وثاني أكسيد الكربون التي تنبعث من السيارات ينتهي بها الأمر محاصرة ومحبوسة في الغلاف الجوي. وقد يسبب هذا في ارتفاع درجات الحرارة ومستويات سطح البحر في جميع أنحاء العالم على مر السنين. مع استمرار تأثير تلوث السيارات في ظاهرة الاحتباس الحراري، يمكنك أيضًا توقع زيادة حدة العواصف والفيضانات والجفاف.

تسبب ارتفاع درجة الحرارة في ذوبان القمم الجليدية والأنهار الجليدية، ولم يؤدي ذلك إلى ارتفاع مستوى سطح البحر فحسب، بل أدى أيضًا إلى ارتفاع درجات الحرارة. سيكون له تأثير على الأعاصير أيضًا، حيث تزداد قوة العواصف مع ارتفاع درجات حرارة سطح المحيط.

تؤثر المواد الكيميائية التي تنبعث من المركبات أيضًا على جودة الهواء والتربة والمياه. حيث تسببت المواد الكيميائية المختلفة في إضعاف طبقة الأوزون وفي هطول أمطار حمضية. علاوة على ذلك، فإن ضعف طبقة الأوزون يعرض الأرض للأشعة فوق البنفسجية الضارة من الشمس. تتسبب الأمطار الحمضية في مزيد من الضرر، مما يؤثر سلبًا على المحاصيل والغابات وجميع البيئات المائية حيث يطلق الألومنيوم إلى التربة ويجعل المياه في البيئات المائية حمضية.

كيف يضر التلوث بمنطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا

إذا كنت تريد مثالاً على كيفية تأثير التلوث الناتج عن المركبات على البيئة، فانظر إلى منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا. لقد عانت المنطقة من موجات حرارة أكثر حدة، وموجات جفاف أطول، وعواصف ترابية أكثر من أي وقت مضى. كما شهد الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا مواسم أطول وأكثر جفافاً وهذا يجعل من زراعة المحاصيل أمرًا صعبًا على المزارعين.

المنطقة العربية من بين أسوأ البلدان أداءً في نوعية الهواء

إذا ما استمرت السيارات التقليدية في أن تكون وسيلة النقل الأكثر شيوعا، فإن البيئة سوف تصبح أسوأ. فسوف تزداد منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا حرارة وجفافاً وقد لا تسمح هذه الظروف للمزارعين بزراعة أي محاصيل، مما يعني أن عدداً أكبر بكثير من الناس سيكونون بلا عمل. على الرغم من أنها واحدة من أكثر المناطق سخونة في العالم، إلا أن درجات الحرارة سوف تستمر في الارتفاع.

التلوث وصحة الإنسان

المواد المختلفة للمركبات التي يتم إطلاقها في الهواء لا تؤثر فقط على البيئة، ولكن أيضا صحتك. أول أكسيد الكربون والمواد الكيميائية الأخرى التي تنبعث من سيارتك النموذجية يمكن أن تضر بك شخصياً. حيث تؤثر المواد الكيميائية على جودة الهواء الذي تتنفسه.

عدم وجود هواء نقي كالذي من المفترض أن تتنفسه يسبب أضرار بالجهاز التنفسي، وخاصة إذا كنت تعاني من الربو. ويمكن أيضا أن تكون هذه الغازات سرطانية. هناك العديد من أنواع السرطان الناجمة عن تلوث الهواء في الهواء الطلق، والمركبات تلعب دورا كبيرا في هذا الوضع.

electric-car

فوائد المركبات الصديقة للبيئة

مع ارتفاع درجة حرارة الأرض والمخاوف الصحية بسبب المواد الكيميائية التي تنتجها السيارات، من المهم شراء السيارة المناسبة وبيع سيارة الخردة الخاصة بك. شراء سيارة صديقة للبيئة هو الطريق الصحيح. إنها موجودة بأسعار معقولة أكثر مما كانت عليه في الماضي، وهذا الاستثمار هو وسيلة لمساعدة صحتك والعالم الذي تعيش فيه.

السيارات الهجينة والمركبات الكهربائية “صديقة للبيئة” لسبب ما. السيارات الكهربائية لا تحرق أي وقود. تعمل بالكهرباء فقط، مما يعني أنها لا تطلق أي مواد كيميائية ضارة في الهواء الذي تتنفسه. من ناحية أخرى، تختلف السيارات الهجينة عن السيارات التقليدية والكهربائية. حيث تمتلك السيارات الهجينة محركًا كهربائيًا ومحرك للاحتراق الداخلي، وهو ما تعمل عليه السيارة التقليدية. حقيقة أن السيارات الهجينة تمتلك محركين وتعتمد على الكهرباء في كثير من الأحيان تعني أنها تحرق وقودًا أقل من متوسط ​​سيارتك.

ترجمه:

بلال رجب استشاري في مجال الطاقة. لديه خبرة في أسواق الطاقة الدولية، وتقنيات تحويل الطاقة المستدامة، وأبحاث الأطر التنظيمية ذات الصلة. بالإضافة إلى كفاءة الطاقة وأنظمة إدارة الطاقة. وهو حاصل على درجة البكالوريوس مع مرتبة الشرف في هندسة الطاقة المستدامة والمتجددة وماجستير في علوم وهندسة المواد من معهد مصدر في أبوظبي، وهي جامعة موجهة نحو الأبحاث وتركز على الطاقات البديلة والاستدامة والبحوث البيئية، في برنامج مصمم بالتعاون مع معهد ماساتشوستس للتكنولوجيا (MIT) في الولايات المتحدة. وهو مدير طاقة معتمد (CEM) وخبير معتمد في القياس والتحقق (CMVP) من جمعية مهندسي الطاقة. كما أنه حاصل على شهادة (LEED Green Associate) لإتقان مبادئ المباني الخضراء.

Waste Management in Jeddah

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Jeddah, a major commercial hub in the Middle East, is the second largest city in Saudi Arabia. Solid waste management is a big problem in Jeddah as the city’s population is increasing at a rapid pace and has now touched 3.5 million. More than 5,000 tons of solid waste is produced every day and Jeddah municipal authorities are finding it increasingly hard to cope with the problem of urban waste.

Jeddah_WasteManagement

The management of solid waste in Jeddah begins with collection of wastes from bins scattered across residential and commercial areas. Wastes is collected and sent to transfer stations from where it ultimately goes to the dumping site. Most of the MSW is disposed in the landfill facility at Buraiman which receives approximately 1.5 million tons of waste per year and has an expected lifespan of between 30 and 40 years.

Buraiman or (Almusk) Lake, has been the dumping site of Jeddah’s sewage wastewater for more than a decade. Wastewater accumulates in underground cesspools and then transported by truck tankers to the sewage lake. The lake lies in east of Jeddah within the catchment of Wadi Bani Malek at about 130m above mean sea level. It contains more than 10 million cubic meters of sewage water spread over an area of 2.88 km2.

The sewage lake has caused some wells in Jeddah to become poisoned due to raw sewage leaking into aquifers. Some studies have reported that water table under Jeddah is rising at 50cm per year which is attributed to the inflow of untreated sewage. As the only dumpsite for municipal sewage and industrial waste, Buraiman Lake is continuously increasing in size, constantly moving towards the south, and is now reported to be only three kilometres away from city houses.

Buraiman_Lake

Sewage trucks being emptied at the Buraiman Lake

The lake was created as a stopgap measure to deal with the increasing amounts of wastewater in the growing city. Jeddah’s residents use an estimated 200 litres of water per capita per day. The lake was to be used for depositing this water until a functioning sewage system was created. But plans were delayed because of inadequate funding. As 70 percent of Jeddah households are not connected to sewerage pipelines, wastewater accumulates in underground cesspools and later transported by lorries to Buraiman Lake.

About 50,000 cubic metres of water are transported to the 2.5 million square-metre lake each day. Only a small percentage of the wastewater from the remaining 30 per cent of Jeddah households goes to treatment plants for purification before being dumped in the Red Sea. Most of the waste water that is accumulated through pipes is dumped directly into the sea without purification.

Keeping in view the prevalent waste management scenario, Jeddah municipality is continuously seeking ways to develop city’s sewage treatment infrastructure. However, the current infrastructure is incapable of handling the present generation of raw sewage, leading to the continued storing untreated sewage at Buraiman Lake and dumping the remaining portion directly into the Red Sea.

How Agricultural Sector Can Help the Renewable Energy Sector?

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.