إعادة استخدام الملابس القديمة وتطويعها لأغراض أخرى

عشرات الملايين من أطنان الملابس القديمة يتم التخلص منها في جميع أنحاء العالم كل عام.  في البلدان الغنية، حوالي% 5-6 من النفايات البلدية الصلبة  تتألف من الملابس المستعملة. في عام  2010تخلص الأميركيين من 13,1 مليون  طن من المنسوجات ، منها  %15 فقط تم إعادة استخدام ، في حين أكثر من 11 مليون طن من المنسوجات كانت ملقاة في  مرادم النفايات في جميع أنحاء البلاد. الوضع لا يختلف في الشرق الأوسط حيث أن  كمية كبيرة من الملابس وغيرها من الأقمشة تتراكم في المنازل سنويا.

reuse-clothes

عندما يتم ألقاء الملابس و الأقمشة في حاويات النفايات الموجودة في كل منطقة, يتم نقل النفايات إلى موقع المكب ، حيث يتم ألقائها و دفنها مع الأخذ بعين الاعتبار أن هذه العملية تستحوذ على منطقة كبيرة من مساحة المكب و تكلفة مالية  لنقل وحمل هذه النفايات.اضافتا الى ذلك, أن تحلل المنسوجات يبعث غاز الميثان الضار بالبيئة, وهو من الغازات الدفيئة, حيث  يساهم بشكل كبير في ظاهرة الاحتباس الحراري.  ليس ذلك فقط حيث أن المنسوجات تتكون من الأصباغ و المواد الكيميائية والتي تتسرب إلى التربة، وتلوث كل من المياه السطحية والجوفية.

السبب الرئيسي في تراكم الملابس في منازلنا هو الشراء المتهور في وقت التنزيلات و الخصم, و التي تستحوذ على جزء كبير من مساحة خزانة الملابس. و السبب الآخر هو الشعور بذنب إضاعة المال عند التفكير في التخلص منها. و لا سيما النساء خاصة تخزن ملابس معينه ذات الموضة على امل عودتها من جديد.

المهمة الأولى هي تقييم ما لدينا من ملابس ملبوسه و ماذا سنستخدم منها و أيا منها سيتم التخلص منه. والمهمة الثانية هي استطاعتنا في تغيير قطعت الملابس الى شكل آخر أو أعادة ارتدائها من قبل احد افراد العائلة. المهمة  التالية هي معرفة ما إذا كان يمكن لهذه الملابس إعادة استخدامها أو جعلها لأغراض أخرى  مثل استخدامها كأقمشة ستائر لنوافذ، و الأغطية، والمراوح الخ. و آخر خيار هو التبرع بالملابس للمحتاجين من الناس و توزيعها على  المنظمات التي تعود بالفائدة على المجتمع مثل الجمعيات الخيرية.

علينا أن نفهم أن أكثر من  70٪ من سكان العالم يستخدم الملابس المستعملة.  فلتكن هذه الملابس سببا لجلب الابتسامة على وجوه  المجتمعات الأقل حظا. هذا العمل اللطيف  ليس فقط لإرضاء أخلاقنا و دينيا ولكن أيضا  توصف مدى اهتمامنا بالنفايات، المجتمع والبيئة.  العديد من الجمعيات الخيرية المحلية في الشرق الأوسط  تفهمت هذا الوضع لذلك  وضعت الحاويات و صناديق لجمع الملابس المستعملة من المجتمع.

اذا كانت الملابس غير صالحه للارتداء، يمكن تحويلها إلى مناديل  تستخدم لاحقا في اغراض التنظيف المنزلي مثل؛ تنظيف البقع، الغبار، وتنظيف السيارات الخ. في حين يمكن جمع و استعمال المنسوجات المهترئة كمواد حشو في مقاعد السيارة، والمفروشات، والعزل، منديل الملابس,  و الباقي منها يتم التخلص منه في المكب.  كما أن أقمشة الملابس يمكن تطويعها لأغراض أخرى مثل أكياس القماش، القبعات، وما إلى ذلك استنادا الى إبداعك و استخدامك. وأخيرا, يجب أن يكون لديك نظام لتخلص من الملابس و تأكد من محتويات خزانة الملابس  قبل الذهاب لشراء مشتريات جديدة.

ترجمة

بدرية الكيومي/ تخصص علوم بيئية, عضو في جمعية البيئة العمانية

الترجمة ليس بالضرورة أن تمثل رأي أو توجه المترجمة

Waste Management Perspectives for Egypt

Egypt occupies 7th position in the list of countries with the most mismanaged plastic waste, according to a recent report published in Science magazine. The report was based on data collected in 2010 and one must wonder whether the results of the report would have been different if the zabbaleen had been allowed to continue their work unhindered.

Zabbaleen-Egypt

A History of Zabbaleen

The zabbaleen, or garbage collectors, are the descendants of farmers from Upper Egypt who moved to Cairo in the 1940s. Together with another migrant group, they have made a living in Cairo collecting, sorting, salvaging, and recycling the waste of the city’s nearly 20 million residents. With the help of NGOs, the zabbaleen recycled up to 80% of the waste they collected, more than three times the amount of waste recycled by garbage collectors in major cities in developed nations.

The zabbaleen collected the garbage free of charge; they were part of Cairo’s informal public sector. Their work was not supported by the government. Their income came from selling the recyclable material and from the pigs they raised on the organic waste. Many residents also gave monetary tips to the garbage collectors. This meager income barely supported the zabbaleen, who live together in different settlements around the city, all of them extremely poor.

Believing the zabbaleen’s system to be backwards and unhygienic, in 2003, the government sold contracts to three multinational companies (and one local company) to collect Cairo’s waste, pushing the zabbaleen out of the system. These companies were required to recycle only 20% of the waste collected, the other 80% making its way to landfills. It did not take long for residents to complain about this new service. They now had to pay for their garbage collection and that did not include door-to-door pick-up. There were not enough bins in the streets to hold all the waste and streets quickly filled with the overflowing garbage.

The new companies simply could not keep up with the waste being produced. Not only did this have a devastating effect on the waste management situation in Cairo, it destroyed the zabbaleen’s way of life as they lost access to the garbage that was the foundation of their economic activities. At one point, the private companies realized they needed the zabbaleen and tried to subcontract them, but the zabbaleen were highly underpaid and the system failed. Some residents, though, continued to hire the zabbaleen on their own.

Cairo_Waste

Adding to both the city’s garbage woes and the plight of the zabbaleen, in 2009, in response to the H1N1 influenza outbreak, the government ordered the culling of all the zabbaleen’s pigs. These pigs were an essential part of the zabbaleen’s recycling program. The pigs consumed all of the organic waste that was sorted from the garbage. When they lost their pig herds, the zabbaleen stopped collecting organic waste and the effect was felt almost immediately. Again, residents complained about the trash piling up on the streets. The trash piles became home to rats and disease. And once again, the zabbaleen suffered as they were no longer able to earn enough money to support themselves and had lost an important food source.

Change is in the Air

Since the 2011 revolution, many changes have taken place in Egypt, spurred on by environmentally-minded individuals, small businesses, and new government ministers. One of the more hopeful changes involves the collection of garbage. The government has finally implemented a proposal for officially employing the zabbaleen, replacing the international companies with smaller zabbaleen-run companies. Once registered, the local companies are given uniforms, government vehicles and business training from an NGO. The system had a test-run and debuted in a few areas late last year. If successful, there are plans to expand over the next two years. This is good news for Cairo’s waste management and even better news for the zabbaleen.

Other private-sector initiatives are tackling recycling as well.  Recyclobekia is a new company that offers electronic waste recycling services. The company collects, sorts, and dismantles e-waste – old laptops, computers, cameras, phones, and more – and in return companies and individuals are given credit for an online shop or even cash if they recycle more than 500 kg of waste. GreenTec is an exciting recycling initiative that offers Automated Recycling Machines. With these machines, individuals can deposit their plastic water bottles and receive credit for their mobile phones.

Another new venture coming out of Cairo is Refuse, a company that upcycles plastic bags and creates backpacks, tote bags, laptop covers, and other accessories with this waste. They also offer workshops to teach others how to upcycle.  Gamayit El-Misbah El-Mudii, started in 2005, provides free collection and recycling of paper, plastic, glass, and other items. They collect from individuals, schools, and businesses. Resala, a charity organization, also offers recycling services. As these initiatives and companies continue to grow, so will the awareness and action of individuals in terms of waste management and recycling.

Individual Action

While our local and national authorities attempt to improve the collection and recycling of our waste at the city level, it is important to remember that we as individuals can do a lot as well. The first and simplest action we can take it to sort our trash into organic and non-organic waste. Our garbage collectors, whoever they may be, will appreciate this effort and it will keep any paper or board waste clean so that it can be recycled. Once you’ve sorted your trash, make sure it’s getting recycled. If the zabbaleen do not collect in your area, contact one of the organizations listed above. The most important action we can take is to reduce the amount of waste we are creating in the first place. Less waste produced means less waste needing to be managed.

We can start by refusing to use or purchase disposable plastic. Bring your own reusable bags to the supermarket so that you don’t need the plastic ones. Invest in a water filter and a reusable bottle so you can drink your tap water and skip the plastic water bottles. Avoid buying food packaged with polystyrene; it’s not recyclable. Read this ocean facts for kids and guide to a plastic-free life and search other websites for tips and ideas on reducing plastic waste. You’ll find that most of the suggestions will be better for your health and the health of our environment, and at the same time, save you money. If we all do our part by taking these steps, perhaps Egypt won’t make the top ten list of worst plastic offenders again.

السعي نحو الاستدامة: جهود القطاع الخاص في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال افريقيا

على الرغم من أن مسؤولية الدفع باتجاه الاستدامة غالباً ما تناط بالحكومات، إلا أنه لا يمكن تحقيقها بدون تعاون هادف وجاد واستعداد حقيقي من قبل القطاع الخاص، والذي يقع على عاتقه بصفته جزءا اساسيا من المشهد، مسؤولية توفير التمويل اللازم للمنظومة ككل، والاستثمار في البحث والتطوير والمساهمة في نشر التقنيات الحديثة وتسهيل تبادل البيانات بالإضافة إلى توسيع آفاق التعاون الدولي.

sustainability-mena

العائد على الاستثمار: القطاع الخاص يتوجه للبيئة

اختزلت العديد من الشركات جهودها لاعتماد نهج الاستدامة على شكل تبرعات وجهود رمزية، غير أن مفهوم العائد على الاستثمار لم يعد يقتصر على الارباح المالية كما يشير العديد من الباحثين، وإنما أصبح من الضرورة إدماج الاستدامة كتوجه استراتيجي لكل مؤسسة مما سيعود عليها بالكثير من المنافع المباشرة:

  1. زيادة المرونة والمنعة.
  2. زيادة الكفاءة الكربونية وتخفيض انبعاثات الكربون.
  3. القيمة والأثر الاجتماعي.
  4. تمتين الشراكة مع المعنيين وأصحاب المصلحة والمجتمع.
  5. تحسين العلاقة مع العملاء وزيادة ولائهم للعلامة التجارية.
  6. الحفاظ على الموظفين.
  7. تعزيز قيمة وسمعة العلامة التجارية.

يمتلك القطاع الخاص الفرصة المواتية للاستثمار في ” اقتصاد الرفاه” والذي تقدر قيمته بما يقارب 4.3 تريليون دولار، بحسب السيد ابراهيم الزعبي مسؤول الاستدامة في مجموعة ماجد الفطيم، الذي أضاف أن على الشركات والاعمال المختلفة والمؤسسات الصغيرة والمتوسطة العمل للوصول إلى نموذج أعمال ” الصافي الإيجابي (Net Positive) “.

يقوم هذا النموذج على نهج ثلاثي الأسس

  1. الكوكب – تعامل الموارد الموجودة باعتبارها محدودة، ويتم استخدامها بكفاءة حتى يتسنى للأرض تجديد ما يتم استخدامه.
  2. الناس – العمل على نظام بيئي يُنظر فيه للناس كرأس مال بشري، ويُعتنى من خلاله برفاهيتهم وصحتهم.
  3. الربح – يسهم التعاون بين المجتمع السعيد والكوكب الصحي في تحقيق المزيد من الأرباح، والتي لا تقتصر على الارباح المالية وانما تتعدى الى منافع مستدامة ذات صاف إيجابي من الأثر الاجتماعي.

يَنظر النهج الثلاثي الأسس إلى أهداف التنمية المستدامة كجزء أساسي من الإطار الهيكلي الذي يمتد منذ البداية وحتى التنفيذ، ولا يختزل دورها كترس في منظومة المسؤولية المجتمعية لهذه الشركات. وأصبح من المثبت أن إدماج الاستدامة له بعد تجاري منطقي. كما أن المستهلكين أصبحوا أكثر وعياً بالعلامة التجارية ومدى الالتزام بالاستدامة. ذكرت شركة نيلسن في أحد تقريرها، أن مبيعات السلع الاستهلاكية التابعة لعلامات تجارية أظهرت التزامها بالاستدامة، قد ارتفعت بنسبة 4% على مستوى العالم.

ماذا بعد؟

وفقاً للعديد من الدراسات فإن تبني الاستدامة كنهج وممارسات داخل القطاع الخاص في منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا يعتبر بطيئًا نسبيًا. ومع ذلك، لا يخلو الأمر من عدد قليل من الرواد الذين يقودون زمام التغيير:

  1. تقود مدن مثل دبي وعمان التوجه نحو الاستدامة من خلال العمل على سياسات شاملة وتغييرات هيكلية لتقليل البصمة الكربونية للطاقة المولدة بنسبة 70٪.
  2. أطلقت شركة الإمارات العالمية للألمنيوم، ثاني أكبر شركة صناعية في الإمارات العربية المتحدة، تقرير الاستدامة الأول الخاص بها في أغسطس 2017.
  3. خصصت شركة بترول الإمارات الوطنية، أكبر شركة في الإمارات العربية المتحدة، استثمارات بقيمة 6 مليارات دولار للتوجه نحو الاعتماد على الطاقة المتجددة وفقًا لتقرير الطاقة لعام 2019.
  4. استثمرت الشركة السعودية للصناعات الأساسية ما يقرب من 1.2 مليار دولار أمريكي على مدى الخمس سنوات الاخيرة وذلك لاستكمال أكثر من 170 مبادرة لتلبية الأهداف التي حددها البرنامج السعودي لكفاءة الطاقة. يجدر بالذكر ان الشركة السعودية للصناعات الأساسية هي إحدى الشركات التابعة لأرامكو السعودية، وهي أيضًا أكبر شركة لتصنيع البتروكيماويات في العالم.
  5. حققت مجموعة ماجد الفطيم المالكة والمطورة لمراكز التسوق والتجزئة والمؤسسات الترفيهية في دول منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا، انخفاضاً في استخدام المياه بنسبة 7٪، وزيادة في معدل اعادة التدوير بنسبة 32٪، وانخفاض في انبعاثات الكربون بمقدار4٪.

ومن الواجب على الشركات الخاصة تركيز جهودها في المحاور التالية:

  1. الحصول على اعتماد يتعلق بالتوجه نحو الاستدامة البيئية.
  2. العمل على اعادة تدوير المياه المستخدمة.
  3. تطبيق أنظمة إدارة الطاقة.
  4. بناء وإنشاء تصاميم معزولة تستخدم الطاقة بشكل كفؤ وفعال.
  5. زيادة الوصول إلى مصادر الطاقة المتجددة.

ويجدر بالذكر أن هناك عائقين أساسيين:

  1. تمويل جهود البحث والتطوير والتي تعتبر أمرا جوهريا في هذا السياق.
  2. توسيع نطاق استخدام التقنيات المستدامة.

ضرورة الابلاغ عن جهود الاستدامة

أصبح أصحاب المصلحة والمعنيون أكثر وعياً بالبيئة ونمت لديهم الرغبة بمعرفة التأثيرات الاجتماعية والاقتصادية والبيئية التي تحدثها المؤسسات المختلفة. لذا، أصبح لزاما على الشركات إعداد التقارير والإبلاغ عن القضايا البيئية والاجتماعية وقضايا الحوكمة ومدى تأثيرها على أعمالهم.

تَعتبر مؤسسات القطاع العام والخاص والمؤسسات غير الربحية ومؤسسات المجتمع المدني تقديم التقارير التي تتسم بالشفافية أمراً في غاية الاهمية ويساعد على تحقيق ما يلي:

  1. إنشاء قاعدة مرجعية
  2. قياس التغيير في الأداء المتعلق بالقضايا البيئية والاجتماعية والحوكمة
  3. تحديد الأهداف ووضع الاستراتيجيات

خلاصة القول

ساهمت جائحة كورونا في تلقين العالم درسا حول أهمية المنعة والمرونة. ووفقًا لخبراء الاستدامة، فإن أزمة المناخ هي ليست اقل أهمية من أن تكون جائحة ويجب معاملتها كواحدة.

على الصعيد العالمي، فإن القرارات الجوهرية المتمثلة بإغلاق مباني المكاتب، والانخفاض الكبير في استخدام وسائل النقل، والعمل من المنزل قد أثبتت أن التغيير ممكن دائمًا.

وبحسب تقديرات منظمة التعاون الاقتصادي والتنمية فمن الممكن أن تنخفض انبعاثات ثاني أكسيد الكربون في عام 2020 بنسبة 0.3٪ إلى 1.2٪، كما تشهد المدن الأوروبية والآسيوية انخفاضًا في مستويات ثاني أكسيد النيتروجين. إن المشاركة الحثيثة من قبل القطاع الخاص يعد أمرا بالغ الأهمية في محاولتنا للتخفيف من ومواجهة أزمة المناخ.

ترجمه: ريم المصري

حاصلة على ماجستير الهندسة الميكانيكية في تخصص الطاقة المتجددة والتنمية المستدامة، مختصة وباحثة في السياسات الناظمة  لقطاعات الطاقة والمياه والبيئة، تدعم التحول نحو الاعتماد على المصادر المتجددة وتطوير الأعمال القائم على الاستدامة وعلى تعزيز القيمة الاقتصادية والاجتماعية.

Note: The English version of the article was published by egomonk on egomonk insightsThe curator and host of this series is Ruba Al Zu’bi

Renewable Energy Initiatives at The Hashemite University

The Hashemite University, located in Zarqa (Jordan), has adopted a comprehensive environmental management strategy directed towards a green campus and climate action. The Hashemite University is currently the leader among public and private sectors’ institutions (especially in photovoltaics) in Jordan, and has transferred its expertise to several projects in Jordan and in the MENA region.

solar-pv-jordan-university

Key Projects

On June 5, 2016, the Hashemite University (abbreviated as HU) has implemented a 5 MWp photovoltaic (PV) renewable energy project that achieved 100% energy independence for the university. The project is implemented in two parts: Grid-Connected Project with 1,018 kWp realized as Pedestrian Walkways and Carparks, and a 4,016 kWp realized as a medium voltage solar farm.

Sustainability policies at the Hashemite University

The project aims to enhance the urban experience in the university and transform it to an open technology and engineering laboratory, by integrating renewable energy technology and building materials within the social fabric of the university campus. The project includes a series of structures that provides outdoor shaded areas for the campus users and their vehicles.

The design of the shaded pedestrian walkways and car canopies called for revealing the different technology elements to the campus users, to achieve maximum technological daily experience, reinforcing the technology transfer concepts, and bonding the campus students to the renewable energy vocabulary and competency. This contributes to HU role and ethical commitment towards its community and stakeholders in environmental sustainability.

Moreover, the university has implemented photovoltaic renewable energy stations in each of the newly constructed expansion projects. These include the following:

  • The new Southern Student Complex Hall: 200 kWp PV stations realized in the form of rooftops and carparks.
  • The new Northern Student Complex Hall: 300 kWp PV stations realized in the form of rooftops and carparks.
  • The new Pharmaceutical Sciences Hall: 225 kWp realized as rooftop and carparks.
  • The new Civil Defense Building: 30 kWp realized in the form of
  • The new Structural Systems Laboratory: 15 kWp realized in the form of a walkway.
  • The new Water Desalination Plant: 51 kWp realized in the form of

HU is also planning to expand its walkways and carparks by another 2 MWp. This will add 10,000 m2 to the already existing shaded area currently implemented, along with 300 more covered car parks, add to the existing 178 currently implemented carparks.

Solar canopy at the Hashemite University

Photovoltaics have been proven, after numerous peer-reviewed studies, to be the most economically suitable renewable energy technology to be implemented in the campus area. The campus has installed several technologies, including thin-film, and double axis tracking mechanisms.

Other sources of renewable energy practices are used, including solar thermal applications to provide heated water to the buildings and heating the indoor swimming pool.

The university is also experimenting with employing geothermal sources as a driving source of renewable energy to provide cooling for the currently existing buildings.

The university efforts in the field of renewable energy projects have been recently recognized by the Emirate Energy Award Gold Prize for large-scale implementation of photovoltaics.

Co-Author: Prof. Dr. Kamal Eddin Bani-Hani

Prof. Dr. Kamal Eddin Bani-Hani, is President of the Hashemite University since late 2011, Professor of Surgery, Hashemite University; Department of General Surgery and Specialized Surgery. He is leading a vision of economical, social, and environmental sustainability for the university. He received, on behalf of the Hashemite University, the Medal Order of Independence of the First Class for achievements in education and research. Among the many awards won, a couple of them is Aug 2011, Dr. Nabeeh Muammar Prize for the “Distinguished Physician” Award. In Apr 2009, Scopus-Elsevier award to honor contribution to science Award

آثار التغير المناخي على الصحة العامة

تسبّبت الأنشطة الصناعية الحديثة خلال السنوات الأخيرة من القرن الماضي في إطلاق  وتكدّس الغازات الدفيئة في الطبقة السفلى من الغلاف الجوي وبالتالي حجز الحرارة والتأثير على مناخ الأرض, فمنذ عام 1975 وكل عقد يسجل درجات حرارة أعلى من العقد الذي يسبقه, حيث قدر معدل إرتفاع درجات الحرارة العالمي بـ 0.15-0.20 سْ للعقد الواحد, ولقد صرحت الأمم المتحدة أن العقد الماضي قد سجل معدل درجات حرارة هي الأشد في التاريخ. وبطبيعة الحال، كان للدول العربية نصيباً من هذا الإرتفاع، حيث شهدت عدة دول في المنطقة موجات حارة غير مسبوقة.

تشكل التغيرات المناخية تهديداُ على صحة سكان الأرض عامة, ولكن يعتبرسكان الدول النامية والمناطق القاحلة والمناطق القطبية والسواحل والجبال هم الأكثر تأثراً بهذا التغير, هذا ويعتبر الأطفال وكبار السن خاصة في البلدان الفقيرة أسرع الفئات تأثراً بالمخاطر الصحية الناجمة عن تغيّر المناخ والأطول تعرضاً إلى عواقبه الصحية.

climate-change-health-impacts

تأثير تغيّر المناخ على الصحة

يرتبط تغير المناخ ارتباطاً وثيقاً بالصحة العامة للإنسان وله عدة تأثيرات مثبتة أهمها:

أولاً: انتشار الأمراض

بالرغم من التقدم العلمي الملحوظ في القضاء على إنتقال الأمراض إلا أنه يخشى من أن يفسد تغير المناخ هذا الإنجاز, حيث تبدي كثيرٌ من الأمراض الفتاكة حساسية شديدة تجاه تغيّر درجات الحرارة والرطوبة مما يؤدي إلى إنتشارها, ومن المتوقع أن يؤثر تغير المناخ على زيادة انتشار الأمراض المعدية المختلفة كما يلي:

  1. الأمراض المنقولة بالطعام: مثل Listeria.
  2. الأمراض المنقولة بالماء: مثل الكوليرا.
  3. الأمراض المنقولة بالهواء: فمثلاً , يمكن أن تساهم زيادة درجات الحرارة صيفاً في زيادة خطر الإصابة بداء Legionellosis   إذا تسببت الحرارة في زيادة استخدام التبريد.
  1. الأمراض المنقولة بالعوائل الوسيطة: مثل البعوض والقراد والذباب والقوارض والقواقع, فلهذه العوائل حساسية عالية للظروف المناخية بما في ذلك درجة الحرارة, ومن هذه الأمراض:

الملاريا : تنتقل الملاريا ببعوض “Anopheles” حيث تمتدّ فترة حضانة طفيل الملاريا 26 يوماً على درجة حرارة 25 سْ ولكنها تنخفض الى 13 يوماً على درجة حرارة 26 سْ, ولقد لوحظ إزدياد إنتقال الملاريا في المناطق المرتفعة في تنزانيا وكينيا ومدغشقر وإثيوبيا.

mosquito-control-measures

حمى الضنك: تنتقل عن طريق لسع البعوضة المصريّة، يؤدي هطول الأمطار الغزيرة ودرجات الحرارة المرتفعة إلى زيادة إنتقال العدوى بهذه الحمى.

الليشمانيا: تنتقل عن طريق ذبابة الرمل والتي عادت أنواع أخرى منها  إلى الظهورفي أجزاء معيّنة من العالم.

البلهارسيا: من المتوقع أن يؤدي تغيّر المناخ إلى إتساع الرقعة الجغرافية التي تحدث فيها الإصابة بمرض البلهارسيا الذي تنقله القواقع.

أمراض أخرى تنتقل عن طريق القوارض: مثل متلازمة فيروس هانتا الرئوي والتي تزداد بازدياد عدد القوارض الناقلة لهذا المرض أثناء هطول الأمطار الغزيرة والفيضانات.

إزدياد عام في الإلتهابات البكتيرية والطفيلية ولدغات الأفاعي.

ثانياً: الكوارث الطبيعية 

  1. تغيرأنماط سقوط الأمطار والذي سيؤثر على توافر مصادر المياه العذبة, حيث يخلّف شحّ المياه وإختلال جودتها تدهوراً في الصحة وإنخفاضاً في مستوى النظافة الشخصية ممّا يزيد من مخاطر الإصابة بالأمراض أشهرها الإسهال, كما تؤدي ندرة المياه إلى الجفاف والمجاعات. كذلك فإن نقص المياه العذبة سيؤدي إلى إنخفاض إنتاج المواد الغذائية الأساسية بما يقارب 50% في بعض البلدان الأفريقية خلال 2020 والذي بدوره سيزيد من معدل انتشار سوء التغذية.
  2. إرتفاع مستوى سطح البحر والظواهر الجوية المتطرفة والتي ستؤدي إلى تدمير الخدمات الصحية الضرورية, كما وسيتسبب إرتفاع سطح البحر في إجبارسكان المناطق الساحلية للإنتقال إلى أماكن أخرى مما يزيد المخاطر الصحية مثل الإضطرابات النفسية والأمراض السارية. وبينت دراسة نُشرت في NATURE عام 2015، إلى أن عدداً من المدن الساحلية المنخفضة، بما فيها أبو ظبي والدوحة ودبي والظهران، تعد الأكثر عرضة لخطر ارتفاع درجات حرارة فوق ما يحتمله الجسم البشري، كما وتحذر الدراسة من أن بعض درجات الحرارة في بعض دول الخليج قد تتجاوز 60 س بحلول منتصف القرن الحالي، ما سيجعل الحياة في منطقة الخليج مستحيلة ما لم يتم اتخاذ إجراءات عاجلة للحد من انبعاثات الغازات الدفيئة.
  3. الأعاصير والفيضانات والحرائق: والتي تؤدي إلى تلوث مصادر المياه العذبة وزيادة مخاطر الإصابة بالأمراض المنقولة بالمياه, كما أنها تتسبب في الغرق والإصابات الجسدية وتدمير المنازل والبنى التحتية والتشرد والقضاء على مصادر رزق الناس مما يعرضهم للإصابة بأمراض سوء التغذية. 

ثالثاً:    تلوث الهواء  

 أظهرت دراسة أجريت في الرياض عام 1998 أن غبار العواصف الرمليّة يشكّل مسبباً رئيسياً لأمراض الجهاز التنفسي, حيث أنه وبسبب تغيّر أنماط الرياح سترتفع مستويات مسببات الحساسية المنقولة بالهواء مثل حبوب اللقاح والغبار والعفن والجراثيم والمواد المسببة للإلتهابات الرئويّة والجلديّة في الهواء خاصة في الحر الشديد، ومن المتوقع أن يزداد هذا العبء بفعل الزيادة المستمرة في درجات الحرارة.كما ويسبب إرتفاع درجات الحرارة في زيادة الأوزون الأرضي والذي يزيد من معدل وشدة نوبات الربو، ويسبب تهيج الأنف والعين والسعال وإلتهابات الجهاز التنفسي.

رابعاً:  موجات الحر

تظهر الدراسات أن متوسط درجة الحرارة سيزداد في منطقة الشرق الأوسط بمعدل 1-2 سْ بحلول عام 2050. يُسهم ارتفاع درجات الحرارة صيفاً في زيادة الأمراض والوفيات الناجمة عن الأمراض القلبية والأمراض التنفسية, فقد أظهرت إحصاءات WHO أنه عالمياً وخلال الفترة ما بين 1998-2017 لقي أكثر من 166 ألف شخص حتفهم بسبب موجات الحر,  منها موجة الحر التي أودت بحياة 60 شخصاً في مصر عام 2015. هذا واستنتجت دراسة تحليليّة في الكويت إزدياد حالات إنحباس البول في فترات الطقس الحار في الفترة ما بين 1998-2001. كما ويرتبط التعرّض الطويل للحرّ الشديد بحالات الإغماء وضربة الشمس والتشنّجات. أضف إلى ذلك, أن الغازات الدفيئة  سببت ترققاً في طبقة الأوزون مما آل إلى إنخفاض إمتصاصيتها للأشعة الضارة, وبالتالي خطراً متزايداً بسبب التعرض للشمس منه تلف الجلد وحروق الشمس ومضاعفة خطر الإصابة بسرطان الجلد.

خامساً:  الأمراض الحيوانية

يؤدي التغير المناخي إلى زيادة ظهور أمراض جديدة بين الحيوانات مرتبطة بالإحتباس الحراري والتي تكون معدية للإنسان, منها: فيروس النيل الغربي وحمى الوادي المتصدع.

الإستجابة والتكيّف

ينبغي على دول العالم إتخاذ إجراءات الإستجابة والتكيّف لتخفيض العواقب الصحية المرتبطة بتغير المناخ ولتقليل آثاره المدمرة, ومن هذه الحلول:

  1. التحول إلى المدن منخفضة الانبعاثات الكربونية: وذلك بالتحول إلى مصادر الطاقة المتجدّدة وزيادة فعالية إستخدام الطاقة واعتماد الأبنية الخضراء وحماية التنوع البيولوجي والإدارة المستدامة للأراضي والمياه والنفايات وتطوير قطاع النقل بشكل مستدام.
  2. تحضير خطة إستعداد ورسم خرائط المخاطر والتي تبين المناطق المعرضة للخطر مثل الأراضي القاحلة والمدن الساحلية والمدن المكتظة.
  3. القيام بالأبحاث من أجل تقييم التغيّرات المناخية وأثرها على الصحّة وتقييم قدرة كل بلد على التكيّف,والعمل على تسهيل الحصول على المعلومات في هذا المجال.
  4. بناء القدرات وتطوير الأنظمة الصحية وتكيّفها وإستعدادها للإستجابة لتغيّر المناخ.
  5. تعزيز مفهوم تسعير الكربون.

المراجع العربية

  1. نوره عبود,  تأثير التغير المناخي على الصحة, مجلة آفاق البيئة والتنمية, 2014
  2. الصحة: مخاوف من تأثير تغير المناخ على أمراض المناطق المدارية المهملة.” شركة الأنباء الإنسانية, 2012
  3. نويهض, إيمان, رين يوسف،ريما حبيب. “أمراض قاتلة في بيئة متغيِّرة.” com المنتدى العربي للبيئة والتنميةApr. 2010. 10 May 2014.

المراجع الأجنبية

  1. Arnell NW. Climate change and global water resources: SRES emissions and socio-economic scenarios. Global Environmental Change – Human and Policy Dimensions, 2004, 14:31–52.
  2. Based on data from the United Kingdom Government Met Office. HadCRUT3 annual time series, Hadley Research Centre, 2008.
  3.      Climate change 2007. Impacts, adaptation and vulnerability. Geneva, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007 (Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change).
  4.     Global health risks: mortality and burden of disease attributable to selected major risks. World Health Organization, Geneva, 2009
  5.     Hales S et al. Potential effect of population and climate changes on global distribution of dengue fever: an empirical model. The Lancet, 2002, 360:830–834.
  6. Maine CDC, Lyme Disease Surveillance Report – Maine 2008, http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/ddc/epi/publications/2008-Lyme-disease-Surveillance-Report.pdf.
  7. Robine JM et al. Death toll exceeded 70,000 in Europe during the summer of2003. Les Comptes Rendus/Série Biologies, 2008, 331:171–78.
  8. Supinda Bunyavanich et al., “The Impact of Climate Change on Child Health,” Ambulatory Pediatrics 3 (2003): 44-52.
  9.  World Health Organization, Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs117/en//.
  10.  Zhou XN et al. Potential impact of climate change on schistosomiasis transmission in China. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 2008, 78:188–194.
  11.  Center for Health and the Global Environment, Climate Change and Health in New Mexico, Harvard Medical School 2009.
  12.  Jonathan A. Patz, “Impact of regional climate change on human health,” Nature 438 (2005): 310-317.
  13.  R.S. Kovats et al., “The effect of temperature on food poisoning: a time-series analysis of salmonellosis in ten European countries,” Epidemiology and Infection 132 (2004): 443-453.
  14.  David Wood, “Effect of Child and Family Poverty on Child Health in the United States,” Pediatrics 112 (2003): 707-711.
  15.  Paul R. Epstein, “Climate change and Human Health,” New England Journal of Preventative Medicine 353 (2005): 1433-1436.
  16. https://apps.who.int/gb/ebwha/pdf_files/WHA72/A72_16-ar.pdf

Polluted by Noise: When Silence is an Oasis

The roar of a car engine coming to life. Howling dogs and screeching cats. Airplanes are flying above. Karaoke blasting through the air at the worst possible time; in the middle of the night. The hustle and bustle of construction throughout the day. These are all relatively familiar, everyday sounds and occurrences.

But do you know that they all constitute noise pollution?

Maybe you’re wondering if noise pollution is even a real thing, and we’d like you to know that it most definitely is. It’s an invisible danger that is always present, all around us.

There’s a reason informative websites like www.silenthomehub.com have been gaining traction as of late, with their guides on how to soundproof walls and which household appliances will remain as silent as possible.

sound-pollution

Noise Pollution can get worse after all and looking for ways to combat it these days are essential.

What is Noise Pollution?

So before anything, it would be best to define what it is we’re trying to fight clearly.

It’s unwanted or even disturbing sounds that affect the well-being of humans and other beings on the planet. Scientifically speaking, it’s sounds that reach higher than 85 decibels (the metric that we use to measure sound), that can harm a person’s ears.

And the thing is, a lot of things fit that description from deafening and powerful engines to subway trains to live concerts. It’s everywhere, and that can be a real problem. People have a tendency not to focus on it, to disregard it since it’s an “invisible” kind of pollution, and that there are other more pressing and more obvious forms of pollution.

We really shouldn’t look at it that way. We should take it as seriously as possible.

It’s precisely because we don’t see it as much of a problem that it’s been getting worse and worse for people and their environment.

So how does Noise Pollution affect us exactly? Let’s dive right into it.

Hearing Problems

One of the most apparent effects of prolonged exposure to terrible noise pollution is that you can develop hearing problems. High-intensity sound waves can trigger unnecessary ripples in your ear canal, disturbing the fluid within that helps with the communication between the ear and the brain.

This disturbance destroys the hair follicles within your ears that act as a kind of receptor of information that alerts the brain that sound is entering.

Once these are damaged, and if you let it get so bad that you lose 50% of your hairs inside there, hearing loss is suddenly a very high probability and you should visit a hearing specialist immediately. Unless you’re comfortable with turning to hearing devices, whether you’re a kid or you’re in your 30s, you should make sure you’re always careful.

And this isn’t even counting the non-damaging effect of noise pollution can have on ordinary, everyday conversations. Have you tried talking to someone while there’s traffic blaring outside? Sitting at a café, trying to talk about your day when the rest of the world is talking loudly? And with the use of masks and shields these days, it’s even doubly harder to understand each other.

These are a hindrance to our everyday lives that we’ve ignored and just accepted as part of our routine. And honestly, it really shouldn’t be. Not by a mile.

Can’t Sleep, Can’t Think, Irate!

Another aspect that you wouldn’t think would be affected by Noise Pollution, at least at first glance, would be your mental prowess. Studies have shown that Noise Pollution can make people more irate, nervous, generally uneasy and irrational when it comes to decision making.

It can even get so bad that it will start to affect your personality. You can become socially aloof, unproductive at work and without concentration and emotionally unstable.

sound-pollution-hearing-problem

It can also play into and affect your nightly sleep. If noises keep you up at night regularly, you can be sure that it will make your time awake quite bad. You’ll get tired more quickly, you’ll be more irate, and there’s a good chance you give up on a lot of what you’re supposed to do that day.

That’s a lot from something supposedly “not that dangerous.” People genuinely underestimate Noise Pollution, especially because it’s an invisible problem. If it can affect you so much so that your personality could take a turn for the worse, you should give it the attention it deserves.

Your Heart Can Hear It

Did you know that what you hear can affect your heart?

It isn’t just hearing the words like “I love you” Or “Let’s Break Up” Or “We have some terrible news” That can get your heart rate up and affect it negatively. Studies have shown that being exposed to noise pollution for ten consecutive years or more raises your chances of suffering from one of the many cardiovascular diseases later in life.

By how much?

By up to 300%!

Pulse rates go up, which cause constriction of blood vessels, making you more vulnerable to heart attacks or high blood pressure. That’s the effect of being exposed to high noise levels. Imagine being exposed to that for more than 8 hours a day. Things can get much, much worse.

What Can We Do About It?

If your health has already been compromised by noise pollution, then one of the first things you can do is find ways to help yourself out. Don’t be afraid to invest in hearing aids and whatever else your doctor may prescribe you.

It’s not your fault, after all.

If you’re lucky enough not to have gone that far yet, being informed is already half the battle. Knowing the negative health impacts of noise pollution is already a big step forward. And from there you can do things like learning how to make your everyday life, and the physical world around it, a little bit more anti-noise pollution.

Just be aware, and do what you can to both reduce and avoid, the wrong kind of noise.

Learn on the Go: 5 Educational Podcasts You Can’t Miss

In the fast-paced world we live in, finding time for learning can be a challenge. However, thanks to the rise of educational podcasts, learning on the go has never been more accessible and enjoyable. Today, the podcast world is teeming with exciting and insightful content that can turn your commute, workout, or even household chores into valuable learning experiences. This article will look into the five educational podcasts you simply can’t afford to miss this year.

educational podcasts

1. TechTalk Today

In a world that’s all about constant tech upgrades and innovations, being up-to-date is more crucial than ever. That’s where TechTalk Today, hosted by the knowledgeable Sarah Rodriguez, comes into play. Sarah, a true tech guru, simplifies the latest in the tech world, from mind-blowing AI advancements to the trendiest gadgets. She’s got this incredible knack for turning confusing tech talk into easy-to-digest nuggets of information.

Whether you’re knee-deep in the tech industry or just a curious soul trying to keep up, TechTalk Today is like your digital compass, making sure you’re in sync with the ever-evolving digital landscape. Honestly, it’s the kind of podcast that’s so intriguing I’d happily have someone do my assignment just to free up more time to soak in the latest tech trends.

2. The Curious Minds Unite Show

Hosted by the charismatic Dr. Emily Collins, The Curious Minds Unite Show is a journey into the depths of human curiosity. Dr. Collins, a neuroscientist with a knack for storytelling, explores a myriad of topics ranging from the mysteries of the brain to the wonders of the cosmos.

The show’s immersive storytelling style, coupled with expert interviews, makes complex subjects easily digestible for listeners of all backgrounds. Whether you’re a science enthusiast or just someone curious about the world, this podcast is a must-listen.

3. History Unplugged

If you’re a history buff or want to spice up your knowledge of the past, History Unplugged is the podcast for you. Hosted by Scott Rank, a history professor with a passion for making the past come alive, this podcast covers everything from ancient civilizations to modern events.

What sets History Unplugged apart is its engaging format; each episode answers a thought-provoking question, like “What if the Confederacy had won the Civil War?” or “How did pirates really live?” Strap in for a historical ride that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening.

4. The Mindful Entrepreneur

For those with an entrepreneurial spirit, The Mindful Entrepreneur is a goldmine of wisdom. Hosted by business strategist and mindfulness advocate Alex Turner, this podcast goes beyond the typical business advice.

Turner explores the intersection of mindfulness and entrepreneurship, providing practical tips for success without sacrificing well-being. From cultivating a growth mindset to effective stress management, The Mindful Entrepreneur is not just a podcast; it’s a guide for creating a balanced and fulfilling professional life.

5. Beyond the Canvas: Art Explained

Art enthusiast or not, Beyond the Canvas: Art Explained is a captivating exploration of the art world. Hosted by the enthusiastic and knowledgeable Maria Sanchez, this podcast demystifies the world of art, making it accessible to everyone.

Each episode dives into the stories behind famous artworks, the lives of renowned artists, and the impact of art on culture and society. Whether you’re a seasoned art critic or a newcomer to the gallery scene, Beyond the Canvas is a delightful journey into the beauty and significance of the visual arts.

Conclusion

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, these educational podcasts offer a convenient and entertaining way to expand your knowledge. Whether you’re into science, history, technology, entrepreneurship, or art, there’s a podcast out there waiting to captivate your mind and spark your curiosity. So, the next time you find yourself stuck in traffic or doing the dishes, plug in your earphones and let the learning begin. After all, today, education is just a podcast away.

Sustainability Reporting in the Middle East

The concept of sustainability centers on a balance of society, economy and environment for current and future health. Responsible resource management in all three areas ensures that future generations will have the resources they need to survive and thrive. One way that companies can consider sustainability and social responsibility is by focusing on the triple bottom line, which is an expanded baseline for measuring financial, social and environmental performance. It is also referred to as “People, Planet and Profit.”

The advantages enjoyed by an organisation that implements sustainable management include higher efficiency and competitiveness, increased financial returns and reduced risk for shareholders, attraction and retention of employees, stronger community relations, enhanced brand value and reputation, and improved customer sales and loyalty by responding to market needs (e.g.: including environmentally conscious consumers in your target market by providing environmentally or socially superior products to your competitors).

One certain way to prove that business is serious about doing “what’s right” is to publish a sustainability report. It shows the global community that it is serious about keeping its commitments and holding itself to a higher standard. In a world increasingly dominated by rankings and ratings, writing these reports has never been so critical; reading them has never been so revealing. Reporting, transparency, and accountability are signature issues. They illustrate integrity and build trust. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has pioneered the development of the world’s most widely used sustainability reporting framework and is committed to its continuous improvement and application worldwide.

Sustainability Reporting in the Middle East

There are some encouraging signs that sustainability reporting is beginning to take root in Middle East business landscape. In Jordan, for example, Aramex was the first company to issue a GRI checked report covering everything from staff training and salaries to promoting road safety and reducing poverty. The Jordan River Foundation became the first NGO in the region to produce a GRI checked report, thus spearheading the movement for NGOs to issue sustainability reports. NGOs that can show they’re accountable and transparent are more attractive to donors, and are more viable partners for corporations and government.

The Arab Bank recently issued its annual sustainability report for the third consecutive year, which was evaluated at a level ‘A’ by the GRI, the highest evaluation level they grant, thereby exceeding the Bank’s previous reports. The report focuses in detail on the internal programs adopted by the Bank, such as the integration of certain environmental and social criteria in the project financing process, in addition to the implementation of a number of initiatives that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also increase internal awareness levels of the sustainability concept.

Also covered in the report are Arab Bank’s social contributions which exceed financial support to include services that allow customers to donate to a number of non-profit organizations, in addition to the participation of the Bank’s employees in volunteering activities and capacity building programs for non-profit organizations to help them maintain their operations.

Another notable example is that of Zain Group, the leading telecommunications provider in eight countries across the Middle East and Africa, which recently published its second sustainability report entitled “Dedicated to the Promise of a Wonderful World”. The report was prepared utilizing the GRI G3.1 guidelines and the principles of materiality, inclusivity and responsiveness taken from the AA 1000 Accountability Principles Standard. Focus was given to workers’ rights, human rights, the environment, ethics and governance, community involvement, supplier relation and gender disparity.

The United Arab Emirates is also keeping abreast of the sustainability reporting trend. The Centre for Responsible Business, which was formed in 2004, is the longest standing center promoting corporate responsibility in the UAE. The Centre not only assists Dubai Chamber members to apply responsible business practices that enhance performance and competitiveness but also offers a variety of educational, professional training and consulting services that are designed to build individual companies’ capacity to implement broad CSR programmes including business ethics, sustainability reporting and corporate governance.

In 2008, the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the Executive Council of Abu Dhabi set up the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Group (ADSG), a membership-based organisation whose mission is to promote sustainability management in Abu Dhabi by providing policy support, learning and knowledge sharing opportunities for government, private companies and non profit organisations in a spirit of cooperation and open dialogue.

Boosting Fruit Crop Productivity: A Guide To Irrigation Systems

In agriculture, the health of fruit crops is paramount to a bountiful harvest. For fruit crops, consistent hydration is vital. Irrigation systems supplement natural rainfall and ensure balanced moisture levels, which is key to preventing drought or disease from overwatering.

But before you install an irrigation system and discover how to maximize your fruit crop’s potential, read the guide below.

irrigation systems for fruit crops

What is an Irrigation System?

An irrigation system is a man-made installation designed to deliver water to crops or landscapes. Its purpose is to aid in the growth of agricultural crops, maintain landscapes, and revegetate disturbed soils in dry areas during periods of insufficient rainfall. It works by employing various methods, such as sprinklers, drip lines, or channels, to ensure water distribution across a field uniformly and efficiently.

Types Of Irrigation Systems

Choosing the right irrigation system can make all the difference. Before exploring various Fruit Growers types of irrigation system and other solutions, here are the common options you can choose from:

1. Drip Irrigation: The Efficient Choice

Think of drip irrigation as the meticulous accountant of water distribution, ensuring every plant gets just the right amount of water without a drop wasted. It’s a system of tubes and emitters that delivers water directly to the soil at the base of each plant.

This targeted approach reduces evaporation and runoff, making it an optimal option for areas with water scarcity. While it significantly reduces the risk of leaf diseases by keeping foliage dry, it’s important to manage it correctly to avoid creating excessively moist conditions around the roots that could favor the development of soil-borne diseases.

2. Sprinkler Systems: Covering More Ground

Sprinkler systems are like the rain dancers of irrigation, showering water over a broad area. They can be stationary, with water spraying from fixed points, or mobile, moving through the orchard to ensure even coverage.

While they’re great for larger areas and can be adjusted for everything from a light sprinkle to a heavy downpour, they require more water. And because they increase the humidity around plants, it’s essential to use them when the water can be absorbed quickly and efficiently, usually in the early morning or late evening.

3. Furrow Irrigation: The Traditional Method

Furrow irrigation is the old-school method that’s still going strong in many orchards. It involves creating small channels along the rows of crops and letting water flow down these furrows. It’s simple and doesn’t require expensive equipment, making it accessible for growers on a budget. However, it’s less precise than other methods and can lead to uneven watering if not managed carefully.

Your choice of an irrigation system should align with your specific crop needs, soil type, and local climate conditions. It’s not a one-size-fits-all situation. Consider consulting with an agricultural extension agent or an irrigation specialist to tailor the best system for your orchard.

Optimizing Water Usage

Efficiency is key when it comes to irrigation. Implementing a system that reduces waste conserves water and saves money. Utilize timers, moisture sensors, and climate data to create an irrigation schedule that meets your crops’ needs without overdoing it.

Embracing effective irrigation practices, like adjusting schedules based on weather forecasts or using drip lines instead of sprinklers in certain areas, can further enhance water efficiency. These practices ensure every gallon is used to its full potential, nurturing your crops while respecting this vital resource.

Monitoring And Maintenance

Once your system is up and running, it’s not enough to just set it and forget it. Regular monitoring and maintenance are crucial to prevent potential problems.

Frequently inspect your system for leaks, clogs, or other issues that could affect its performance. Ensure that water is not only being distributed uniformly but also delivered at the correct pressure and volume; variations in these can significantly impact the efficiency and the health of your crops.

Make seasonal adjustments as necessary since weather and the growth stages of your crop can greatly influence water requirements. By keeping a close eye and making timely tweaks, you’ll maintain an efficient and effective irrigation system that sustains your orchard over time.

efficient irrigation methods

Spray irrigation has higher efficiency than traditional methods.

Integrating Technology For Smart Irrigation

Incorporating advanced tech into irrigation is essential for modern agriculture. Precision irrigation leverages soil hygrometers and programmable logic controllers to automate and refine watering schedules. Here’s how they enhance irrigation management:

  • Soil Moisture Sensors: These devices provide real-time data on the moisture content of your soil, enabling the irrigation system to water only when necessary, thus preventing water wastage.
  • Climate Sensors: By measuring local weather conditions such as temperature, humidity, and rainfall, these sensors help adjust irrigation schedules to align with current and forecasted weather patterns.
  • Automated Controllers: These can be programmed to adjust the water flow based on the data received from soil and climate sensors. They can also be controlled remotely, offering flexibility and control to the farmer.

With these new technologies in agriculture, you can optimize water usage, reduce costs, and enhance fruit crop yield and quality. Smart irrigation is a step towards a future where farming is sustainable, efficient, and in harmony with the environment.

Conclusion

Proper irrigation is a cornerstone of successful fruit crop production. By selecting the right system, optimizing water use, and staying vigilant with maintenance, you can significantly boost your orchard’s productivity. Remember, the goal is to provide your plants with the best possible growing conditions. With the right approach, your fruit crops will not only survive but thrive.

How to Live Off Grid in a Tiny House: A Beginner’s Guide

As people are becoming more focused on alternative living, the tiny house movement is becoming increasingly popular. It offers a few different experiences all rolled into one tiny package. For those looking to live debt free, it provides that. Others are looking to live in an environmentally friendly way and that is certainly the case with living off grid. And others just want to accumulate less stuff and more memories and since your house is tiny there is no way to not do that.

Whatever the reason for looking for ways to start living the tiny house life, there is a lot you need to know. And if you are looking to live off grid in a tiny house, then there is even more involved so you have to be far more focused.

Off-Grid-House

In this article, we will give you a rough guide that will get you started so you can then do more research to find the ways to get started on this journey.

Go renewable

Living off grid used to mean roughing it. These days people still want the comforts of modern life but without destroying the planet to get it. Luckily, technology has come a long way and you can enjoy all the modern comforts of life in the city while living in the middle of nowhere.

The key is to use renewable energy. Since you won’t be connected to a grid, you have to provide your own power. This means that the first place to look is the sun. Hopefully you will be living someplace sunny so you can get plenty of energy by hooking up solar panels to rechargeable lithium batteries. These batteries are much better than they used to be and can provide up to 100 hours of electricity between charges.

renewable-energy

 

There is also wind power that can do the same thing if you have a system set up that will charge your batteries. You don’t want to only have power while the sun is shining or the wind is blowing so having a battery pack is essential.

If you live near some running water, you can have 24 hour a day electricity by setting up a water wheel to create electricity.

Recycle and reuse

Being off grid means that you have to be very resourceful. The most resourceful tiny house enthusiasts have built their houses with recycled material. This is the ultimate in the philosophy to reuse material and upcycle them rather than recycle.

If you can’t build the house yourself, you can still reuse and repurpose items so you aren’t contributing to a consumerist lifestyle. Look to barter for things to get what you need around the house. Or search the internet for people giving things away for free. You can furnish your house for almost nothing by doing this.

If you have a garden then this is a great way to repurpose material. Old car tires make great pots for planting and can be stacked to go vertical to use less space if your garden is limited. Also, make sure to be composting so you are throwing less away and making use of your trash in a positive way.

Use less and make use of space

If you are a hoarder or love to shop for its own sake, then tiny house living is not for you. You will not have room for things that are not necessary for your day to day life. Of course, you can have nice things and you should be buying things that make you happy. But, living a minimalist lifestyle is essential so you aren’t using up your living space with things that make it difficult to enjoy your home.

And storage is very important so make sure that you have a way to organize with lots of options for getting stuff out of the way. Creating a loft for a bed is a good way to create more living space and then you can make shelves under the stairs that lead up to your bed. This is a good area to keep clothes that are out of season for storage until you need them again.

Grow your own food

One of the biggest areas of waste is getting fed. Moving food thousands of miles to consumers is a huge waste of resources so if you are looking to decrease your carbon footprint, this is a good way to start. If you grow your own food you are providing yourself a huge range of benefits.

Not least of which are the health benefits since you are eating food that is picked at its peak and is packed with nutrition. But it also costs very little in the way of resources to get that food to your table. If you are composting and saving seeds then it is almost zero cost for you to feed your family for most of the year.

Raising chickens will provide eggs and the occasional meat and you can even keep a goat for milk and cheese if you are ambitious.

Use grey water

Water is becoming a very valuable and increasingly stressed resource. We waste quite a bit of it in our daily lives. If you are in an off grid situation, you can make better use of it then just flushing it down the drain which is called grey water. Any runoff from showers or washing dishes should get channeled into an underground treatment tank with gravel and charcoal to then pass through the other side into your garden. It is clean and will not end up in a sewer to go to a large wastewater treatment plant.

greywater-recycling

You should also try to reduce the amount of water you use to begin with. Try a composting toilet so you don’t need to flush any waste water. And low flow fixtures will reduce the amount of water that you use. You should even be collecting water from rain and snow to use for your garden and any animals that you have.

التنميه المستدامه في العالم العربي

sustainable-development-arabالتنميه المستدامه هي قالب  للنمو باستخدام المصادر بهدف تلبية حاجة الانسان والحفاظ على البيئه ليس في الوقت الحاضر فقط  بل مع الاحتفاظ بحق الاجيال  القادمه.  العالم العربي يواجه تحديات رئيسيه لتطبيق التنمية المستدامة  لتحقيق اهدافها على المستوى  الاجتماعي، الاقتصادي والبيئي.ففي طقس شديد الجفاف و نادر المياه  و مع الاستخدام المفرط للطاقه والتلوث الناتج عن صناعه النفط والغاز الطبيعي  فيواجه العالم العربي تحدي من نوع خاص.

هناك اربع ركائز للتنمية المستدامه وهي  المجتمع، الاقتصاد، البيئه والمؤسسات المحلية.

المجتمع

توفير الطاقه له تاثير مباشر على درجة الفقر، فرص العمل ، التعليم ، الانتقال الديمقراطي ، التلوث الداخلي والصحه العامة مرتبطة بالعمر والنوع .في الدول العربيه الغنيه ، الطاقه المتطلبه  للاضاءه ، التدفئه والطهي تكون متاحه بشكل جيد، في جهة اخري, اكثر من ٤٠٪  من العالم  العربي ليس لديه فرص كافيه في خدمات الطاقه.

وفي الدول الفقيره, ٦ ساعات يوميا يحتاج الفرد لتجميع الحطب لتلبية الطلب على التدفئه والطهي ، وهذه المهمه عادة من يقوم بها النساء والاتي يكن في معظم الوقت مهيئات للارتباط باعمال اخري اكثر انتاجيه.

الاقتصاد

الاقتصاد الحديث يعتمد على عروض الطاقه الكافيه والموثوق بها ، الدول الناميه تحتاج  لتأمين  هذه الاولويات  للمضي قدما  في التصنيع.  تقريبا خمس  العالم العربي يعتمد على الوقود  الغير تجاري  لاستخدامات المختلفة للطاقة.جميع المجالات الحيوية: الاقتصاد ، السكن ، التجاره ، المواصلات والزراعه تتطب خدمات حديثة للطاقه.  هذه الخدمات  في المقابل ستتبنى  تطوير الاقتصاد والمجتمع على المستوى المحلي  لرفع الانتاج الفكري و زياده الدخل. تزويد الطاقه يزيد من فرص التوظيف ،وزيادة الانتاج وسرعه التطوير. الكهرباء هي الشكل الرئيسي من مصادر الطاقه  للحصول علي وسائل الاتصال ، وتقية المعلومات، والصناعه والخدمات الاخرى.

البيئه

انتاج وتوزيع واستخدام الطاقه يزيد الضغط على البيئه المنزليه ، ومستوي العمل المحلي، والاقليمي والدولي. التاثير البيئي قد يعتمد بشكل كبير على  طريقة توليد الطاقه ومصادرها المتنوعه واستخدامها ، ويؤثر ايضا علي هيكل نظام الطاقة والإجراءات التنظيمية ذات الصلة بها وبتسعيرها .

drought-MiddleEast

وإحدى مضاعفات تغير المناخ هو الجفاف

جودة الهواء من اهم الجوانب البيئيه التي قادت التقدم في التطوير المستدام في العالم. وآثار انبعاث الغازات الناتجه عن احراق الوقود وما سببته من تلوث الغلاف الجوي. عندما نقارن بين الدول العربيه مع الدول الاخرى ،نجد ان  العالم العربي  يتعرض للكثير من اكاسيد  الكبريت والنيتروجين السامه  والمطايرة مع وجود بعض الغازات الاخرى. استراتيجيات التحكم في  تلوث الهواء بدآت تتُخذ الان بشكل جدي على المستوى الداخلي ,والاقليمي من جهه اخرى، الحكومات اتخذت خطوات مهمه ايضا  للتحكم في تلوث الهواء.

المؤسسات المحلية

البنيه التحتيه هي العامود الفقري لاي  نظام طاقه في العالم . والدول تحتاج الي مراقبة و وضع  البنيه التحتيه  للطاقه  لتتمكن  من استدامة الطاقه في المستقبل. العديد من الدول الان تعتمد على بنيه تحتيه للطاقه بائدة وغير فعاله وليست كافيه او غير مقبول بها بيئيا. سوق الطاقه العربي  ينمو بشكل سريع  لتلبية الاستهلاك الكبير في المجالات المنزلية ، التجاريه والصناعيه. هذه النتائج  تحتاج الى تطبيق على ارض الواقع  للربط ما بين المتاح  والزياده في الطلب . شبكات الربط الذكية تبني الان جسور مثلي من اهداف التحديث والاستدامة تكون قادرة علي ان تلبي بنية تحتية عامة وموثوق بها.

ترجمه

صخر فهد الهذلي- مهندس كيميائي.  جدة، المملكه العربيه السعوديه

Managing Water-Energy Nexus For A Better Tomorrow

Water is an essential part of human existence, green source of energy production and input for thermal power generation. The world’s 7 billion people are dependent on just 3% (called freshwater) of the total volume of water on earth. The MENA region is home to 6.3 percent of world’s population but has access to measly 1.4 percent of the world’s renewable fresh water. Due to burgeoning population and rapid economic growth, the per capita water availability is expected to reduce to alarming proportions in the coming decades. The demand for water is expected to increase significantly in future, which is also true for energy.

relationship between water and energy

With increasing demands and declining availability, the competition for water resources for food and energy production, drinking and industrial usages has already intensified. Water scarcity is a reality in almost all Middle East countries. However, most of the people are either unaware or have ignored this stark fact. High population growth coupled with rapid industrialization calls for a sustainable water use pattern in domestic, industrial and agricultural sectors.

Relationship Between Water and Energy

Energy is needed to produce, transport, treat, and distribute water. In spite of an obvious water-energy nexus, the policies and practices of either sector display a sense of disconnect, which could lead to unsustainable outcomes. For example, electricity being highly under-priced or offered free to agriculture consumers in India (also in several other countries) does not encourage its efficient utilisation, which has led to an alarming drop in water table in certain parts of the country due to over-exploitation of groundwater resources.

In the MENA region around 85 percent of the water is used for irrigation. This level of irrigation is not inherently sustainable and leads to overuse of scarce renewable water resources, which in turn leads to increased energy use for desalination. Infact, MENA’s average water use efficiency in irrigation is only 50 to 60 percent, compared to best-practice examples of above 80 percent efficiency under similar climate conditions in Australia and southwest US.

In developing countries, a lot of people living in urban areas are using electricity to treat municipal water due to its poor quality, causing undesirable consumption of electricity for water-related applications. In thermal energy production, efficiency norms for primary fuel, auxiliary consumption, and manpower per unit of electricity production etc. are there but similar benchmarks for water-use efficiency are either absent or weak. Similarly, for large power intensive consumers (industries and commercial), there is no binding provision for checking the water use efficiency under the Energy Conservation Act 2001 of India. However, conducting periodic energy audits is mandatory.

water-energy-nexus

The National Water Policy of India (2012) was designed to govern the planning, development, and management of water resources in the national perspective but lacks clarity in terms of inter-agency coordination and respective accountabilities. It is clear from such examples that understanding of how water-energy interacts at different scales, and what are the conflicting and/or synergetic outcomes, is crucial for addressing the negative trade-offs of water-energy nexus. Of course, all negative trade-offs cannot be avoided, but this understanding could help in taking informed decisions in future policy formulations.

With increasing demands, declining availability and competition for water, mere myopic approach of encouraging efficiency of utilization and conservation of water and energy in isolation would not give the best results. Huge amounts of energy and water subsidies are the driving force behind inefficiencies. Regulatory institutions in both these sectors in consultation with each other have to do a lot to inculcate conservation habits and achieve noticeable outcomes. Introduction of the principle of cost recovery is conceptually the simplest solution, but politically difficult to implement in many countries. It is important to renew our attention on demand-side-management and conservation approaches for water for various applications.

irrigation systems for fruit crops

Future Outlook

Development and use of modern irrigation systems in the farming sector, and water saving devices in all other sectors should be encouraged by offering appropriate incentives, setting higher efficiency standards, and creating wider awareness among its users. For example, overconsumption of water is a serious issue in most of the Middle Eastern countries where per capita water consumption is several times higher than the global average.

For a better tomorrow, it is essential to better integrate policy frameworks while addressing water-energy challenges with specific attention to efficient utilization and conservation. A common legislative framework that addresses efficiency and conservation in areas, which impinge on each other in the water-energy domain, would be desirable, if that helps in  tackling future challenges. Though one can supplement energy needs through a host of renewable energy sources, water has no substitute, and we have to treat it respectfully.