Water Leakage Control as a Tool for Water Conservation

Water is a basic need of our life and is amply provided by the Governmental agencies. However, we as consumers do not prioritize on water wastage and leakages issue due to the subsidized water cost. The leakages from taps, valves and appurtenant are often noticed but the invisible leakages under the sink often goes un-noticed and drips occurring are not taken seriously and addressed till the leakage get larger and leak get worse.

 

The Menace of Water Leaks

Water leaks from pipes, plumbing fixtures, faucets, valves and fittings are a common sight in buildings and structures and is a significant source of water wastage.  Only a small drip from a worn faucet washer can waste around 75 liters of water per day. Thus, we need to check all the water pipes and fittings regularly to assess their operational status and any leak occurring should be urgently repaired or replaced.

Leaks from pipes, plumbing fixtures and fittings are a significant source of water wastage for many households.  Research has shown that the typical home can lose 7.6 m3 to 76 m3 of water per year due to leaks. Some leaks are obvious, such as dripping faucets and leaking water heaters.

Unfortunately, many leaks go undetected for years because the source of the leak is not visible. Faucet leaks are a common occurrence and usually simple to repair.  A faucet dripping slowly at only one drop every two seconds will waste more than 1,000 gallons or 3.7 m3 per year.

Toilets are another common source of leaks in the home, and usually go unnoticed because the leaks are often silent and out of view.  Several research studies have found 20% to 35% of all residential toilets leak to some degree. Large toilet leaks can be detected when the valve constantly emits a hissing or gurgling sound when the toilet is not in use.

Detection of Water Leakages

We frequently see dripping and leaking water gadgets, pipes and toilets but do not take any action for its correction, mainly because of our attitude and lack of awareness. It is now important to inspect our water gadgets, pipes and fittings in our home, dwelling and place of work or study and take corrective actions.

water-leakage

For checking the water leakages, first note water meter reading. Re-check again after two hours with all water gadgets are shut. If the meter does not read exactly the same, you probably have a leak in the system whereby water is being wasted for which you have to pay the cost which will be increasing with time.

If your toilet is leaking, the cause is often an old, faulty rubber packing/ washer which decay with number of uses or minerals build up on it. Replacing the damaged rubber packing is inexpensive and can be done easily. Another way to find out if you have a toilet leak is to place a drop of color dye in the toilet tank. If the color shows up in the bowl within 15 minutes without flushing, you have a leak. Make sure to flush water immediately after this experiment to avoid staining the tank and toilet.

Conclusion

Potable water is supplied to our homes, offices and institutions after abstraction, treatment and through long distribution and pumping network and entails huge cost which is heavily subsidized by the Government. It is high time that we consider water conservation as a priority step and avoid any water wastage and leakages at home, offices and institutions.

The time is now to deal with water leaks promptly and giving it a priority. Remember- fixing water leaks will save money, is good for the environment and will save our limited water resources.  

هل مياه الشرب المعبأة ملوثة بجزيئات الميكروبلاستيك

بما أن 70% من جسم الإنسان عبارة عن ماء وأن كل انسان بالغ يحتاج الى لترين من الماء على الأقل يومياً، فإن مياه الشرب الصحية تشكل أهم عوامل الصحة العامة. ومن يشرب مياه ملوثة تتراكم السموم في في جسمه يومياً، وهو ما نسميه بالتسمم التراكمي الذي يؤدي الى أمراض عَصيّة.

إن تلوث مياه الشرب بالميكروبات، وبدرجة أقل بالكيماويات، شائعاً في المجتمعات الفقيرة حيث لا توجد تنقية فاعلة للمياه. أما في الدول الغنية فقد تكون هناك ملوثات غير مدرجة في قائمة القياسات المخبرية وقد تكون أكثر ضرراً على صحة الإنسان. إن المياه المعبأة شائعة جداً باعتبارها مياه صحية، بل يسمونها أحياناً “مياه الصحة”، فهل هي صحية فعلاً؟

water-bottles-middle-east

إن جزيئات الميكروبلاستيك  لايمكن رؤيتها بالعين المجردة، بل ان الباحثون يستخدمون مادة تلوين مع الأشعة تحت الحمراء لرؤيتها تحت المجهر. بعضها يدخل جدار الإمعاء الدقيقة والبعض الآخر يدخل الأنسجة الداخلية للإمعاء ويمر خلال الجهاز اللمفاوي. هناك جزيئات صغيرة جداً (20 ميكرون) تدخل مجرى الدم مباشرة لتصل الى الكبد والكليتين. أما الجزيئات الكبيرة (110 ميكرون) فيمكنها الدخول عبر الأوردة الكبيرة مثل الوريد البابي الذي ينقل الدم الى الكبد. وعليه فإن مثل هذه الجزيئات يعتبرها الجسم أجساماً غريبة ويستميت في التخلص منها. بل ان جزيئات الميكروبلاستيك تعمل كالإسفنجة فتمتص الكيماويات وتنشرها.

هل وُجد الميكروبلاستيك في مياه الشرب ؟

نعم، فقد أعلنت وكالة الأنباء الكندية أن جزيئات الميكروبلاستيك وجدت في 60% من زجاجات المياه المعبأة التي تمت دراستها حديثاً. وفي دراسة بجامعة ولاية نيويورك لأغلب أنواع المياه المعبأة الشائعة في أمريكا وجدت في المتوسط 325 قطعة من جزيئات الميكروبلاستيك في كل لتر، يصل بعضها 100 ميكرون. وخلاصة الدراسة أن 93% من زجاجات المياه التي تمت دراستها تحتوي على جزيئات الميكروبلاستيك، واحتوى بعضها على 10,390 قطعة ميكروبلاستيك في اللتر الواحد.

هذا النوع من تلوث مياه الشرب يعتبر حديثاً، وان هيئة الصحة العالمية ما زالت تدرس مخاطره على صحة الإنسان لتحديد المعدل الآمن لوجودها في مياه الشرب. حتى في أمريكا وكندا وأروبا لا توجد حالياً حدود قصوى للميكروبلاستيك في مياه الشرب.

من أين ياتي الميكروبلاستيك ؟

انه متوفر في البحار والمحيطات ومكبات النفايات وقد يصل لمياه الشرب عن طريق مصدر المياه أو عن طريق الهواء أو من مراحل التعبئة. وقد يدخل أجسامنا عن طريق الغذاء، خاصة الأغذية البحرية.

إن البحار والمحيطات الآن تحتوي على أكثر من 150 مليون طن نفايات البلاستيك، ومن المتوقع أن يفوق حجم البلاستيك حجم الثروة السمكية في البحار بحلول عام 2050. ومن المقلق حقاً أن نفايات البلاستيك في بعض المناطق البحرية قد فاقت الكتلة الحيوية للعوالق بستة أضعاف. والعوالق هي القاعدة الأساسية التي تبدأ منها أي سلسلة غذائية في البيئة البحرية.

وعليه فإن المياه المعبأة قد لا تكون آمنة للشرب وربما يكون الأفضل البحث عن بدائل. أضف الى ذلك أن زجاجات البلاستيك نفسها التي قد تظل فترات طويلة في المستودعات صارت الآن من أكبر ملوثات البيئة في كل دول العالم، إذ تستغرق 1000 سنة للتحلل الكامل وتفرز كيماويات ضارة اثناء تحللها تسبب الكثير من المشاكل الصحية، خاصة تلك المتعلقة بالإخصاب وأمراض السرطان. فهل من بدائل؟

إن تركيب فلتر آمن بالمنزل وحمل الماء في أواني قابلة لإعادة الاستخدام، من البدائل المتوفرة حالياً ولكن من واجبنا جميعا أن نقلل من استخدام البلاستيك والتخلص منه تدريجياً من أجل صحتنا وصحة بيئتنا، وخاصة أن المجتمع الدولي احتفل هذا العام بيوم البيئة العالمي رافعا شعاراً لقضية بيئية أفرزتها الحياة المدنية والصناعية المعاصرة، ألا وهي قضية استخدام البلاستيك والتي أصبحت تشكل إحدى التحديات البيئية الكبرى في وقتنا الراهن.

5 Ways Eco-Friendly Sleep Can Help You Achieve Good Health

Your sleep health is one thing that you should always be cautious about. After all, the quality of your sleep decides the way all of your systems function. A disruption in your sleep routine can lead to a range of health issues such as diabetes, weight gain, poor memory, hear problems, decreased alertness, etc. A great way to improve your sleep health is switching to eco-friendly sleeping. Eco-friendly sleep is nothing but overhauling of your sleeping environment where you use sustainable products rather than relying on synthetic ones. Without further ado, let us learn how eco-friendly sleep can not only make your sleep quality better but improve your whole life.

eco-friendly-sleep

1. Furniture

A good way to start using eco-friendly items for your bedroom would be to go for reclaimed wooden furniture instead of new ones. This makes sure that there is no expenditure of energy that would have otherwise been spent in the manufacturing process of a new one. Be it benches, bedside tables, tools, or chairs, you can always find sellers of used furniture. While going for new furniture, make sure that its production has minimal impact on the environment, and it does not employ harmful chemicals and retardants. The retardants which are used for preventing a fire accident, are toxic enough to cause cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, among other health issues.

A common mistake that people commit while setting up their bedroom is failing to place appropriate furniture. Keeping a chair made of materials that are natural or recycled in your bedroom will make sure that you do not use your bed for the purpose of sitting.

2. Bedding

If you are currently using materials like polyester and nylon for bedding items, we will recommend that you get rid of them as soon as possible. Not only do these fabrics trap a lot of heat but are also bad for your skin. They are nonbiodegradable in nature and their manufacturing process consumes a great amount of water. It is therefore better to pick sheets and pillow covers that are not only good for health but also sustainable.

Cotton, linen, silk, etc., are few such preferable eco-friendly bedding materials. While picking such items, make sure that the silk or cotton used in it is farmed organically without the use of harmful pesticides and insecticides. Another hot favourite organic material for sheets is bamboo. It is known for growing fast and consuming a vast amount of CO2 in the process.

3. Mattress

We spend one-third of our day on our mattresses. Shouldn’t we then look to have a mattress that is comfortable for us and sustainable for the environment? The best way to do this is to replace your old foam or innerspring mattress with organic materials like organic bamboo and organic wool. Foam mattresses are notorious for releasing harmful gases and VOCs into the air long after their manufacturing. Instead of dumping your innerspring mattresses into the landfill every few years, go for mattresses made from 100% natural latex. Such latex mattresses will last for more than double of innerspring mattresses.

Organic mattresses can be a bit expensive, but sleeping on them will ensure proper heat regulation, comfortable feel, support for back, and prevention from exposure to allergens and chemicals. Make sure that you are able to complete the required amount of sleep without interruptions on your new mattress. Use this site to calculate the sleep amount you receive everyday so that you maintain a consistent sleep routine.

eco-friendly-sleep

4. Paint

If you have ever been exposed to fumes emanating from paints that causes irritation in your eyes or nose, you probably are aware of their toxic nature. According to a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, there was a heightened risk of developing different types of cancer among painters, artists, plant workers, and lacquerers. The harmful pigments, solvents, and VOCs found in the paints is therefore not only bad for the environment but lethal for us humans too. You should therefore opt for non-toxic and VOC free paint before painting your bedroom.

Nowadays, there is a wide variety of eco-friendly paints that are made from natural materials such as milk, clay, citrus, etc. Before buying such paints, see to it that the production employs water conservation, low waste production, and reduced toxic emission.

5. Decor

Choosing eco-friendly decor for your bedroom is not just a great way to increase the room’s appeal but also good for the pocket. Instead of relying on ACs that harm the environment by contributing to the ozone depletion by releasing greenhouse gases, allow the windows to be kept wide open so that there is proper air circulation. This also helps you get enough exposure to natural sunlight in the daytime. In an absence of such a source of light, make sure that the artificial lights used in the room are LED that consume less power.

Make use of your creative side and recycle old boxes and bottles to create items like pen stands and flower vases. Fill your room with a good amount of plants that boost the supply of oxygen such as the Snake Plant, the Rubber Plant, or the English Ivy.

Bottom line

Eco-friendly sleeping is not just a bundle of steps that you practice to improve your sleep. It is a part of a sustainable way of living that ensures that you maintain the best health possible through use of natural products while not causing harm to the environment. We hope that the steps mentioned above help you achieve the right sleep quality and overall good health when you adopt eco-friendly sleeping.

Beating the Texas Heat: The Role of Weatherization in Enhancing Solar Panel Performance

Texas is known for its scorching summers and intense heatwaves, making it a challenging environment for solar panel performance. However, with the right weatherization techniques, you can maximize the efficiency and longevity of Metro Express solar panels even in the face of extreme temperatures.

weatherization strategies for solar panels

How Heat Impacts Solar Panel Performance

One of the key factors that affect solar panel performance in hot climates is heat. When solar panels get too hot, their efficiency decreases, which can lead to a drop in power output. This is known as the “temperature coefficient,” which measures how much the panel’s efficiency decreases as the temperature rises. By implementing weatherization measures, you can mitigate the effects of heat on your solar panels and ensure optimal performance.

The Role of Proper Insulation

One effective weatherization technique is proper insulation. Insulating your solar panels helps to regulate their temperature and prevent heat from building up. This can be achieved by using materials such as foam or rubber pads to create a barrier between the panels and the mounting surface.

Additionally, installing a ventilation system can help to dissipate excess heat and maintain a cooler operating temperature. By properly insulating your panels, you can prevent heat loss during the winter months and minimize heat gain during the summer. This helps maintain a stable temperature within the panels, allowing them to operate at optimal efficiency regardless of the external weather conditions.

Why Shade Management is Crucial

Another important aspect of weatherization is shade management. Direct sunlight can cause solar panels to overheat, so it’s crucial to ensure that they are not obstructed by nearby objects or structures that cast shadows. Regularly trimming trees or adjusting the panel’s tilt angle can help to maximize sun exposure and minimize shading issues.

Texas summers can be brutal, with temperatures soaring well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Excessive heat can not only reduce the performance of your solar panels but it can also shorten their lifespan. By strategically placing shading devices such as awnings or trees, you can provide much-needed relief to your panels, preventing them from overheating and ensuring their longevity.

how to maintain your solar panel

The Importance of Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance and cleaning are essential for optimal solar panel performance. Dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate on the surface of the panels, reducing their efficiency. By regularly cleaning the panels with a soft brush or sponge and mild detergent, you can remove any obstructions and ensure maximum sunlight absorption.

Cleaning the panels regularly removes any dirt, dust, or debris that may accumulate on the surface, hindering their ability to absorb sunlight. Additionally, inspecting the panels for any signs of damage or wear and tear allows you to address any issues promptly, preventing further deterioration and optimizing their performance.

Choosing the Right Type of Solar Panels

In addition to weatherization techniques, choosing the right type of solar panels can also enhance their performance in hot climates. Some panels are specifically designed to withstand high temperatures and have a lower temperature coefficient. These panels are often made with advanced materials and technologies that allow them to operate more efficiently in hot weather conditions. Check the manufacturer’s warranty for the panels, as this can indicate the confidence they have in their product’s longevity.

The Benefits of Incorporating Smart Technology

It’s also worth considering incorporating smart technology into your solar panel system. Smart inverters and monitoring systems can provide real-time data on your panel’s performance, allowing you to identify any issues or inefficiencies promptly. This information can help you make informed decisions about weatherization strategies and optimize your solar panel’s performance.

In conclusion, weatherization plays a crucial role in enhancing solar panel performance in the face of Texas’ scorching temperatures. By implementing insulation, shade management, regular maintenance, and choosing the right type of panels, you can ensure that your solar panel system operates at its best even in extreme weather conditions. Investing in weatherization not only improves the efficiency and longevity of your solar panels but also maximizes the financial and environmental benefits of solar energy.

So, beat the Texas heat and make the most of your solar investment with proper weatherization techniques.

5 Trends in Sustainable Home Building

Sustainable home building is becoming a popular trend in the construction industry. With the increasing awareness of environmental issues, homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and create a healthier living environment. Sustainable home building involves using eco-friendly materials, reducing energy consumption, and minimizing waste.

The main trends in homebuilding are the use of renewable energy sources, eco-friendly materials, smart home technology, use of water-saving systems, green roofs and walls.

sustainable home building trends

Energy-Efficient Technologies

As the world becomes more aware of the impact of climate change, sustainable home building has become more important than ever. One of the key components of sustainable home building is energy efficiency.  One will be surprised that energy-efficient technology is not as expensive as one might think.  Before starting any project, a construction cost estimate is a great idea to understand the costs associated.

Smart Home Integration

Smart home integration is a technology that allows homeowners to control various systems in their home remotely. This includes lighting, heating, cooling, and even appliances. By using a smart home system, homeowners can optimize their energy usage and reduce their carbon footprint.

Advanced Insulation Materials

Another key energy-efficient technology is the use of advanced insulation materials. These materials are designed to reduce heat transfer, which means that less energy is needed to heat or cool a home.

One example of an advanced insulation material is spray foam insulation. This material is sprayed into walls, floors, and ceilings, creating a seal that prevents air from escaping. This means that less energy is needed to heat or cool a home, reducing energy waste and lowering utility bills.

By incorporating smart home integration and advanced insulation materials into home building, homeowners can reduce their carbon footprint and save money on energy bills. You can get more information by visiting https://miamitile.com/home-builder/ .

Sustainable Building Materials

Sustainable building materials are essential to reduce the environmental impact of home construction. By using eco-friendly materials, builders can reduce waste and energy consumption while still creating durable, high-quality homes. Two popular sustainable building materials are recycled and reclaimed resources and low-impact manufacturing.

sustainable ways of home decoration

Recycled and Reclaimed Resources

Recycling and reusing materials can significantly reduce the amount of waste produced during construction. Builders can use recycled materials such as glass, metal, and plastic to create building components such as insulation, roofing, and flooring. Reclaimed wood can also be used for flooring, cabinetry, and decorative accents.

Low-Impact Manufacturing

Low-impact manufacturing refers to the production of building materials using sustainable methods that minimize waste and energy consumption. For example, some manufacturers use renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power to power their factories. Others use closed-loop manufacturing processes that recycle waste materials back into the production process.

Low-impact manufacturing can also involve using natural, non-toxic materials such as bamboo, cork, and wool. These materials are renewable, biodegradable, and require less energy to produce than traditional building materials.

By incorporating sustainable building materials into home construction, builders can create homes that are both environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing. With the growing demand for sustainable homes, it is important for builders to consider using these materials to meet the needs of environmentally conscious consumers.

Wastewater Treatment Process and its Benefits

With water shortages plaguing the world, water scarcity has become one of the largest threats facing society today, making it one of the UN’s main millennium development goals. Therefore governments have begun to develop new projects and technologies to mitigate its effects on the world. Such projects and technologies include rainwater harvesting, water location transfers, desalination, and wastewater treatment.

Unlike the rest, water treatment presents a sustainable short-term and long-term solution to water scarcity. Wastewater is the water used by residences and commercial/industrial establishments that has become too polluted for further use. The combination between these different types of wastewater causes the resulting wastewater mix to contain both suspended and dissolved organic and inorganic substances such as carbohydrates, fats, soaps, synthetic detergents, as well as various natural and synthetic organic chemicals.

wastewater-treatment-process

Wastewater Treatment Process

The wastewater treatment process must be divided into different treatment stages to ensure good water and sanitation quality. The preliminary stage of the treatment process uses large filtering screens that remove large solid inorganic material such as paper, plastic, and metal. This is followed by the removal of the grit and silt which are abrasive to plant equipment.

In the primary stage, wastewater is passed through a primary sedimentation tank where solid particles of organic material are removed by gravity settling at the bottom of the tank. The resultant primary sludge is then raked to the center of the tank where it is concentrated and pumped away for further treatment.

The wastewater then undergoes a biological process known as activated sludge process, which uses natural occurring micro-organisms to break down dissolved and suspended organic solids. The settled wastewater then enters aeration tanks where air is blown into the water to provide oxygen promoting the growth of microorganisms. These microorganisms then consume the organic pollutants and nutrients in the wastewater. From the aeration tanks the mixture of wastewater and microorganisms is moved to a secondary sedimentation tank where the biomass settles to the bottom of the tank and is concentrated as sludge.

The clarified wastewater is then passed into a tank where the third stage of treatment, known as the Tertiary treatment stage, takes place. In this stage chlorine is used to remove any biological pathogens present in the clarified wastewater that could be a risk to human health.

In some instances this treatment is repeated more than once if the treated wastewater is reused for purposes such as irrigation of food crops or where close human contact may result. After all these treatment processes are complete, fresh water is produced.

Benefits of Wastewater Treatment

The wastewater treatment process does not only produce clean reusable water, but also has the potential to produce various other benefits. It has the potential to reduce a country’s waste production, to produce energy through methane harvesting, and the potential to produce natural fertilizer from the waste collected through the process. Below is a more detailed explanation of the benefits of wastewater treatment:

1. Waste Reduction

Through the treatment of wastewater, the amount of waste that is usually released into the environment is reduced thus improving environment’s health. By doing so, the government in turn reduces the health risks associated with environmental pollution, and reduces the water loss induced through water pollution. Wastewater treatment also reduces the amount of money spent by a country on environmental rehabilitation projects required to battle pollution.

2. Energy Production

The sludge collected during the treatment process is itself treated because it contains a large amount of biodegradable material. It is treated with anaerobic bacteria in special fully enclosed digesters heated to 35 degrees Celsius, an area where these anaerobic microorganisms thrive without any oxygen. The gas produced during this anaerobic digestion process contains a large amount of methane, which is harvested and then burned to generate electricity.

wastewater-treatment-plant

This energy can be used to power the wastewater treatment plants making them self-sustainable, and if there happens to be an excess of energy produced, it could be transported into a country’s national grid. This helps lower the reliance on non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels, reducing a country’s carbon footprint and a country’s expenditure on energy production.

An example of this system being used within the Middle East can be found in al-Samra wastewater treatment plants in Jordan. According to government officials the plant produces 40% of the energy it requires through burning the methane produced by the treatment process.

3. Fertilizer Production

Any biodegradable material remaining is dried in “drying lagoons” and is then turned into natural fertilizer. The resulting natural fertilizer is then used in the agricultural sector, increasing crop yields. This decreases the use of chemical fertilizers that pollute the surrounding marine and surface ecosystems.

Conclusion

In summary, the combination of these benefits along with water production makes wastewater treatment a sustainable short and long-term solution to the world’s water crisis, which will only increase as the world population increases. It is estimated that the world’s population is set to increase to 9 billion people, and this would cause an increase in the amount of water that can be treated. This will cause the production of large amounts of fresh usable water, thus helping battle water scarcity.

5 Things You Can Learn From Being An Eco-volunteer

There’s a saying that goes “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.” And yet, in such a materialistic world, you’ll be amazed to find out that the things that make you grow the most are anything but money. They are the experiences you build, the new opportunities you try out, the memories you make, the life you live, the change you make in the world. One of such life-changing experiences is eco-volunteering. Here are 5 awesome things you can learn from being an eco-volunteer:

being an eco volunteer

1. How to Boost Your Skills

Any volunteering job in general can help you get to know yourself better, and hugely boost your personal, interpersonal, and even professional skills. When you sign up for a volunteering program, you’re also signing up for a boost in the following skills:

a. Leadership

Volunteering offers you the opportunity to be put in situations that you have to face, and find a solution for, on your own. It instills in you a sense of responsibility, of ownership, and brings out the leader in you. There are countless of leaders who, before their volunteering experience, had used to say “but I just can’t lead people, I wasn’t born a leader!”. Little did they know, and volunteering helped them see how leadership can be gained when faced with the needed stimulus.

b. Confidence

When you take on various tasks and realize you’re able to carry on projects you never thought you would, and deal with situations you’ve never faced before, you realize that there’s much more to your potential than you thought possible. You walk around with more confidence, and you know that there’s nothing you can’t do if you put your mind into it.

c. Interpersonal Skills

If you’re thinking that you’re an introvert and you don’t do well with people, that is going to change once you volunteer for something you’re passionate about. Volunteering helps you spread your network, and get to know others who share your passion. We’re talking about a lifetime of precious real connections you’re going to make.

d. Gain Professional Experience

Volunteering in a field you want to pursue a further career in is a great way to start that career. You’ll get insight into the work environment and build a good understanding of the work’s nature all before diving right into it.

e. Time and Self Management

Especially if you’re travelling abroad to volunteer, you’ll be miles away from your comfort zone. You’ll start to learn how to take care of yourself, by yourself. You’ll learn how to manage your time better to fit in your volunteering with everything else you’re doing in your life. That is because you believe in the cause, you’ve chosen to do that without any external obligations, and you’ll find a way to do it no matter what.

2. Learn Stories

Everyone has a story… and it isn’t narrowed to humans only. Eco-volunteering takes you into a world beyond humans, you start to realize that everything in nature has their own story. You’ll build a better understanding of the planet we live on, and realize how much we owe it. There’s no bigger experience you can learn from, for there are secrets of nature that will only reveal themselves to those who seek.

earth-day-climate-literacy

Environmental education is the foundation for progress.

3. Help Those Trying To Do Good For The Planet

There are way too many options you can try when you’re seeking an eco-volunteering program. You can sign up for a local river cleanup, work with an environmental advocacy organization, or workout environmentally-friendly solutions for waste management and underground drainage. You can also volunteer to help out in an urban farm, helping out the farm owners at the same time.

4. Paying It Forward

Volunteering isn’t limited to those who want to learn something new, it’s also a great way for those who want to pay forward their knowledge and expertise to those seeking it. You can volunteer to become a trekking guide, or teach others more about the secrets of the environment and how to preserve it better. Empowering others with the knowledge and expertise you’ve built throughout the years is one of the noblest things you can do.

5. How to Make a Difference

What is your legacy? Many people are afraid to leave this world, scared of leaving nothing good enough behind to be remembered by. Some seek fame, others seek success and money. The wiser ones though, they search for ways to leave this world a better place. What other way to do that, than to literally leave the planet a better place?

Life-Changing Experience of Eco-Volunteering

One of the amazing traits that almost all environmental volunteers have is their passion. Their passion to learn something new, their passion to grow, their passion to make a difference, and their passion to take on the whole world.

Whether you want to learn a new skill, give back to your community, arrange a sustainable beach picnic or learn more about the planet you’re living on and how to preserve it, you’ll find it all and more on your eco-volunteering experience. It’s a life-changing experience that will just have you coming back for more!

Reasons to Green Your Business in the Middle East

With growing awareness among consumers for eco-friendly products, it is becoming highly important for businesses in the Middle East to adopt and implement green strategies. It is not only the requirement of customers but also compliance to regulations and reduction in operating costs that drive the implementation of environment-friendly methods in business. Corporate social responsibility (or CSR) is now driven by pollution prevention, energy efficiency, eco-friendly design, and industrial ecology across all industrial sectors.

green businesses in middle east

Components of a Green Business

A green business appears to be an expensive and cumbersome process. On the contrary it is quite easy to have a green business. The first and easiest step towards going green is the reduction in carbon footprint of your organization. Carbon footprint should be calculated and then reduced by taking some simple measures like:

  • Focusing on direct as well as indirect emissions;
  • Implementing cost-effective and energy efficient technologies; and
  • Developing low carbon energy sources.

Energy management is another vital ingredient of an environmentally-friendly business. This includes assessing, controlling and saving energy. Energy management involves getting a detailed data of the energy consumption patterns and keeping a check on the conservation progress. In simple terms, energy management means reducing waste and promoting recycling.

Ways to Make Your Business Eco-Friendly

If we take look around, nature has provided us with an endless supply of alternative energy in the form of solar, wind, hydro energy and so on. Alternative energy is not only environment-friendly but also economical.

For instance, if you switch to green electricity, there will be a considerable reduction in carbon emission as well as the electricity bill. A solar panel on the roof of your building can take care of most of your basic energy needs. Alternative energy facilities require less maintenance and produce little or no waste products. And most importantly it is sustainable and will never run out.

Prospects of Green Businesses in the Middle East

Many of the world’s biggest companies now realise the importance of eco-friendly brand image. There are a host of simple environment saving solutions that are not only good for the business but also make a company greener, thus serving as an attractive PR and marketing tool.

Seeing companies in Europe and US take a green lead, many businesses in the Middle East are now trying to catch up. New commercial thinking in the development of better ways to make things is being driven by the green agenda of sustainability and environment.

For most companies it means assessing manufacturing and distribution processes, quantifying carbon footprints and finding ways to minimize their impacts on the environment. Of importance is reducing waste, recycling, changing to renewable sources of energy, and setting targets to improve performance throughout the manufacturing and distribution chains.

The specter of oil depletion is also creating more concern in the Middle East. More and more, the part of the world that’s produced so much of the oil we all rely on appears to be coming to the realization that business as usual isn’t sustainable. All of these factors are pushing the Middle East towards more sustainability and Middle Eastern companies towards green business.

Recommending Reading: How Businesses Can Go Paperless

عشر طرق صديقة للبيئة لروتين العناية بالبشرة

إن من الأمور الحتمية في أيامنا هذه، هو إتّباع برنامجاً للجمال، حيث أصبح الاهتمام بالذات والجمال الشخصي أمراً طبيعياً بالنسبة لنا، لذلك فإنه يتعين علينا تشكيل وإتباع عادات جمالية مراعية للبيئة.

ربما يكون تشكيل روتيناً صديقاً للبيئة ليس من ضمن أولوياتك، لكن يرجى العلم إن صناعات مستحضرات التجميل نفسها لا تعلم او تتجاهل تأثيرها على البيئة، حيث تواصل هذه الصناعات إنتاج ما يقارب 120 مليار عبوة سنوياً، لذلك، وإن كنت قلقة بخصوص هذه الاحصائيات فنحن نتساءل إذا كنت ترغبين في المُضي قُدماً وأن تعملي لك روتيناً مستداماً وصديقا للبيئة قدر الإمكان.

فيمايلي، سوف نناقش بعض النصائح الصديقة للبيئة للعناية ببشرتك، والتي يمكنك اتباعها لإظهار موقفاً لطيفاً تجاه التغيرالبيئي ونظرة افضل تجاه كوكبنا.

sustainable-skincare

ما معنى أن تكون علامة تجارية أو منتجاً مستداماً؟

تعتبر الاستدامة جزءًا ذو أوجه مختلفة يتطلب من العلامة التجارية أو المنتج مراعاة وحرص أكثر بدءًا من مكونات المنتج، تركيبته، إنتاجه، تعبئته، وشحنه، وصولاً لإعادة تدويره، حيث أن لكل خطوة مما ذكرمجال واسع لتكون هذه المنتجات مستدامة بطرق مختلفة.

إن من أكبر التحديات للإستدامة بصناعة مستحضرات التجميل هي التنازل عن رائحة المنتج وجودته تحت مسمى الاستدامة. وبالرغم من ذلك فإن المنتجات الصديقة للبيئة يوجد عليها طلب متزايد مما يشجع الشركات الاخرى للمضي قدماً في مجال الاستدامة.

نصائح لتأسيس روتين صديقاً للبيئة للعناية بالجمال

فيمايلي سنطلعكِ على بعض الأمور لأخذها بعين الاعتبار خلال تأسيس هذا الروتين:

  1. إختاري المنتجات الخاصة بالعناية الشخصية بحكمة

عندما تذهبين لتسوق هذه المنتجات، يجب أن تنتبهي جيداً لتغليف العبوة والاهم أن تختاري المنتجات المستدامة والصديقة للبيئة فقط، بالرغم من صغر حجم الفعل فإن له تأثيرا كبيرا وكل جزء فيه مهم للغاية.

  1. تعاملي مع الأمور ببطء

بما أن الكثير من العلامات التجارية ذات السمعة الجيدة ليست مستدامة بعد، فإنه من الافضل أن تتروي أثناء إختيارك للمنتج المناسب لك. حاولي أن تبحثي عن منتجات جديدة قبل اسبوع من انتهاء المنتج الذي تستخدمينه حالياً، بإمكانك التواصل مع المسؤولين في الشركات المنتجة، وقراءة المراجعات المتوفرة على مواقع الانترنت للتأكد من إستدامة هذه المنتجات.

  1. ركزي على التغليف

يعتبر التغليف من أهم الجوانب غير المستدامة لمستحضرات التجميل والمنتجات الاخرى، وبالرغم من ذلك، ومع تزايد الطلب على ضمانة التغليف، فقد قامت العلامات التجارية بالتوصل إلى العديد من البدائل الصديقة للبيئة، وبهذا الإطار حاولي تجنب شراء عبوات بلاستيكية مهما حصل ليكون لك دوراً في الحفاظ على البيئة.

  1. تأكدي من المكونات

إن التأكد من المكونات ليس ضرورياً للإستدامة فقط، وإنما هو مهم لتعرفين إن كانت هذه المكونات مناسبة لجسمك، حيث أنه بالامكان الان أن تحصلي على منتجات ذات مكونات عضوية وطبيعية أو حتى منتجات تحتوي على الطحالب والمستخلصات البحرية. فهذه تتوائم مع الحفاظ على البيئة. وتجنبي بأي ثمن المنتجات التي تحتوي على المستخلصات النفطية، والقطع والمواد البلاستيكية الدقيقة.

  1. إجعلي أدوات التجميل الخاصة بك صديقة للبيئة

ربما يبدو هذا الامر تعديلا بسيطاً لكن تأثيره كبير، حيث يمكن إستبدال المناديل المبللة بفوط قابلة للغسيل والاستخدام مرة أخرى، وبدل استخدام شفرات الحلاقة البلاستيكية ذات الاستخدام الواحد، قومي باستخدام الشفرات الفولاذية المقاومة للصدأ، وأيضاً اشتري فراشي الشعرالمصنوعة من غير شعر الحيوانات، وبإمكانك صنع منتجاتك الخاصة بك، مثل مزيل العرق المُصنّع منزلياً.

  1. إستخدمي المنتجات متعددة – الاغراض

كلما استخدمت منتجات أقل فإنك تشاركين اكثر بتحقيق الاستدامة، حيث أنه بالامكان استخدام قلم الحواجب كمحدد للعين مثلاً، وكذلك يمكنك مزج غسول التنظيف ومزيل المكياج وتجنبي استخدام القطن نهائياً.

  1. فكري بإستخدام ألواح الشامبو

تعتبرهذه الالواح منتجات مستدامة للغاية، لأنها رغوتها تتضاعف تماماً كصابون الجسم، وهذه الالواح تأتي في عبوات مستدامة أيضاً مما يجعل شكلها جذاباً، وبغض النظر عما تفضلين فأنك سوف تجدين عديداً من الخيارات في السوق.

  1. قومي بتبسيط الروتين الخاص بك

سوف تتفاجئين عندما تعلمي كمية المنتجات التي تستطيعي الاستغناء عنها في روتينك الجديد، لا يتوجب عليك ابداً أن تستخدمي المرطبات والامصال، إعتمدي روتيناً بسيطاً من المنظف والتونر والمرطب وهذا يكفي للحفاظ على صحة بشرتك.

vegan-friendly dermatological testing

  1. كوني فعالةً

نعلم أنه من السهل أن نفرط باستخدام المنتجات، لذلك يجب عليكي أن تستخدمي الكمية الموصى بها وعدم التفريط بأي شئ، وهذا يؤدي إلى تقليل النفايات بشكل كبير لأنك لن تحتاجي أن تشتري الكثير من العبوات، وبهذا التصرف فإنك تكونين قد وفرتي بعضاً من المال بجانب مساهمتك بتقليل النفايات.

  1. إعادة التدوير

بالرغم من أن عملية إعادة التدوير قد تكون محيرة في بعض الاحيان، إلا أن إعادة تدوير منتجات التجميل الخاصة بك سوف تساهم قُدماً وتقطع شوطاً كبيراً. يمكنك التعرف على تقنيات اعادة التدوير من شركات التجميل دون بذل جهد كبير. حيث تقدم بعض شركات العلامات التجارية مثل MAC، Kiehl’s، Lush وOriginals برامجاً لإعادة تدوير المنتجات، وبهذه الطرق يمكنك الحصول على منتجات جديدة بدل القديمة. وبإمكانك أيضاَ غسل العبوات قبل إعادة التدوير.

ترجمة: ماجدة هلسه

أردنية متعددة الإهتمامات، لديها من الخبرة ما يقارب السبعة وعشرون عاماً في مجال المالية والإدارة في المؤسسات المحلية والدولية، وتعمل ماجدة حالياً مع التعاون الدولي الالماني كموظفة مالية. ومع ذلك كله وعلى الصعيد التطوعي، فإن لديها شغفاً كبيراً بالترجمة في كافة المواضيع والمجالات، وقد بُني هذا الشغف بالخبرة الشخصية والعملية على مدى هذه السنين.

السيناريوهات الزراعية في منطقة الشرق الأوسط

الزراعة تلعب دورا هاما في اقتصادات معظم الدول في الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا . مساهمة القطاع الزراعي في الاقتصاد الكلي يختلف اختلافا كبيرا بين الدول في المنطقة، بدءا من حوالي 3.2 في المئة في المملكة العربية السعودية إلى 13.4 في المئة في مصر.

يعتبر الري على نطاق واسع هو توسع ، تمكين الإنتاج المكثف من النقد و تصدير المحاصيل عالية القيمة، بما في ذلك الفواكه والخضراوات والحبوب، والسكر .

agriculture-middle-east

تحتل مصر المركز الرابع عشر كأكبر منتج للأرز  والمركز الثامن كأكبر منتج للقطن  عالميا . أنتجت مصر ما يقارب  5670000 طن من الأرز و635000 طن من القطن في عام  2011 . تشغل زراعة محصول القطن  حوالي 5% من  المساحة الزراعية في مصر . الكمية الإجمالية للمخلفات الزراعية يقدر ب15 مليون طن سنويا من المادة الجافة , و منها 9% من مخلفات محصول القطن والتي تتمثل بسيقان نبات القطن و تشكل مشكلة في كيفية التخلص منها .

على الرغم من أن معظم مساحة المملكة العربية السعودية صحراء , إلا أنها تحتوي على مناطق ذات طبيعة مناخية مرغوبة للزراعة فيها . من خلال تنفيذ مشاريع الري الكبرى واعتماد المكننة على نطاق واسع – المكننة هي استخدام الألات الزراعية في عملية الزراعة لجعلها أكثر سرعة و نجاحا – ، حققت المملكة العربية السعودية تقدما كبيرا في تطوير القطاع الزراعي.

حققت المملكة الاكتفاء الذاتي في إنتاج القمح، والبيض، والحليب، وبين السلع الأخرى، على الرغم من أنه لا تزال تستورد الجزء الأكبر من احتياجاتها الغذائية . يعتبر القمح من الحبوب المزروعة الرئيسية  ، يليه الذرة والشعير. التمر والبطيخ والطماطم والبطاطس والخيار والقرع، والكوسا والتي تعد أيضا من المزروعات المهمة كذلك .

على الرغم من حقيقة أن الشرق الأوسط هو المنطقة الأكثر جفافا و ندرة في المياه على مستوى العالم ، إلا أن  العديد من البلدان في المنطقة  وخاصة تلك المطلة على البحر المتوسط​​، تعتمد اعتمادا كبيرا على الزراعة . على سبيل المثال، في حوض نهر أم الربيع  – الواقع في المملكة المغربية – يحتوي على نصف الزراعة المروية العامة في المغرب وينتج حوال 60 في المئة من سكر الشمندر ، و  40 في المئة من الزيتون ، و 40 في المئة من الحليب .

الإنتاج الزراعي يشكل محورا أساسيا للإقتصاد التونسي . المحاصيل الرئيسية في تونس  هي الحبوب وزيت الزيتون ،  ما يقارب إجمالي نصف الأراضي المزروعة تزرع بالحبوب وثلث آخر للمحاصيل الأخرى . تونس هي واحدة من أكبر منتجي ومصدري زيت الزيتون في العالم، وتصدر التمور والحمضيات التي تزرع معظمها في الأجزاء الشمالية من البلاد .

الزراعة في لبنان تعد أهم ثالث قطاع بعد قطاع الخدمات و الصناعة . أنه يسهم في ما يقارب  7٪ من الناتج المحلي الإجمالي، وتوظف حوالي 15٪ من السكان النشطين . وتشمل المحاصيل الرئيسية الحبوب (خاصة القمح والشعير)، والفواكه والخضروات والزيتون والعنب، والتبغ، جنبا إلى جنب مع الأغنام والماعز . 

   ترجمة 

علا محمود المشاقبة , حاصلة على درجة البكالوريوس تخصص ” إدارة الأراضي و المياه ” من الجامعة الهاشمية – الأردن بتقدير جيد جدا , أعمل تطوعيا كعضو إداري مع مجموعة ” مخضّرو الأردن JO Greeners”  منذ ثلاثة سنوات و حتى الأن  , و متطوعة أيضا مع منظمة  EcoMENA  . موهبة الكتابة شيء أساسي في حياتي و قمت بتوظيفها في كتابة و خدمة القضايا البيئية 

Environmental Awareness in Arab Countries: A Survey

A public opinion survey carried out by the Arab Forum for Environment and Development in 22 Arab countries revealed that a vast majority, exceeding 60 percent, believes that the environment has deteriorated in their countries over the last 10 years. An even bigger majority of 95 percent thinks that their country is not doing enough to tackle environmental challenges. The questionnaire, circulated via internet in cooperation with Arab media outlets and conducted on a self-completion basis, attracted 20,460 responses from across the Arab region.

ecotherapy

يبقى الإنسان محور أهداف الفكر البيئي، وتتمثل أولويات مفاهيهمة في صون الامن البيئي للإنسان

Respondents who thought that the environmental situation has worsened comprised 60 percent, reflecting findings of a similar AFED survey in 2006. In contrast, 20 percent said the situation has improved, down from 30 percent in 2006, and 20 percent said it has not changed.

Overall results reflect a negative outlook, with the highest levels of public dissatisfaction recorded in Syria (96 percent), Lebanon (91 percent), Yemen (90 percent), Tunisia and Libya (78 percent), Iraq (74 percent) and Egypt (66 percent). It is obvious that war, conflict and political instability reflected negatively on the environmental situation in those countries. The only country where a majority of just over 50 percent thought that the environment improved was the United Arab Emirates.

The most important environmental challenges according to the survey are municipal solid waste, followed by weak environmental awareness, deterioration of water resources, pollution and climate change. This is in line with the results from 10 years ago, except for air pollution, which was ranked the biggest challenge in 2006. Differences were observed in this regard among countries, where priorities chosen reflected specific problems at the national level.

Food contamination due to improper use of pesticides and fertilizers was chosen as the top environmental threat in Egypt, reflecting increased concerns about food safety. The majority of respondents in Kuwait considered marine and coastal pollution the prime problem, which took second place in Lebanon. This can be explained by the repeated loss of thousands of tons of fish in Kuwait over the past decade due to the discharge of waste in the sea, and the worsening coastal pollution in Lebanon caused by untreated sewage.

The top causes for environmental deterioration chosen by those surveyed were bad environment management, non-compliance with environmental legislation, weak environment institutions and inadequate government spending on the environment – results that are all in line with 2006 findings. Results of Saudi Arabia and UAE highlighted weak environmental awareness as the main cause for environmental decline.

When asked about what personal action respondents were willing to take to protect the environment, 73 percent said they were ready to participate in environmental awareness campaigns and 65 percent were prepared to fully comply with environmental legislation. Regarding fiscal measures, 45 percent accept government taxes to protect the environment, while only 20 percent are willing to pay donations to an environmental protection fund.

Changes over 10 years were evident on issues related to climate change, reflecting a higher level of awareness. The adoption of the Paris Agreement should have stimulated further recognition of the serious impacts of climate change. Ninety-three percent people in the Middle East say that the climate is changing due to human activities and 90 percent of the respondents believe that it poses a serious challenge to their countries. This represents a 6 percent increase over 10 years.

Majority of respondents in Kuwait considered marine and coastal pollution is considered as the prime environmental issue in Kuwait

A regional average of 75 percent thought that the government was not doing enough to deal with climate change, with the highest levels of condemnation noted in Libya, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria and Iraq. A majority of over 50 percent in Oman, the UAE and Morocco indicated satisfaction with government action to tackle climate change. This can be attributed to the specific inclusion of climate change in the Cabinet portfolios in those countries, culminated, for example, in the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in the UAE.

The AFED survey shows that the public in the Middle East has become more familiar with the terminology and the concept of sustainable development goals. Eighty-three percent of those surveyed say they know what the aims of sustainable development are, 98 percent think that changing consumption patterns can impact the environment, and 95 percent believe that environmental protection helps economic growth.

Results evidently show more understanding of environmental issues among the public, including their interrelation with economic and social factors. They also reveal that people are worried about the deterioration of the environment and depletion of resources, and that they are generally dissatisfied with the level of response of governments. On the other hand, the survey show an overwhelming readiness from the public to support positive change, by encouraging stricter laws to protect the environment and preserve natural resources, alongside engaging in personal action in this regard.

Gaza Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Platform (GUPAP): Driving Agriculture in Gaza

The Gaza Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture Platform- GUPAP, launched in 2013, consists of a multi-stakeholder, interactive and participatory forum that brings together all key actors involved in the development of a resilient Palestinian agricultural sector in the Gaza Strip. GUPAP is currently made up of about 80 members, including national and local government Institutions; Non-Governmental Civil Institutions; the Private Sector; Research and Educational Institutions; Agricultural Value Chain Platforms and Agricultural Micro-Finance Institutions.

Over the past years, GUPAP, by building institutional capacity and collaboration among GUPAP members this resulted in the design and adaptation of 5 policies relating to local market-oriented urban and peri-urban agriculture development, including MoNE assessment of protection of national products, dates and dairy products & investigation on tariffs for imported foreign dairy products and quota placement on imported powder milk, the activation of the Dates Sector Development Committee (Red Palm Weevil Cluster), an advocacy campaign on women agricultural rights, and the reactivation of the Consumer Protection Association and launching of a Buy-local campaign.

Furthermore, GUPAP has worked with both governmental (including municipalities) and non-governmental institutions to internalise the concepts of market oriented urban farming within the strategies and function of the national institutions. It was successful to integrate this concept within the 2016-2018 strategy of MoNE. Similarly these concepts as well as the project’s participatory extension approaches have been integrated in the MoA strategy. GUPAP facilitated participation of value chain actors, including small scale producers and private sector, to provide input into these strategies.

From 2013-2017, GUPAP was hosted by Oxfam and PNGO. It was supported in its work by both Oxfam Italy as well as the RUAF Foundation-Global partnership on Sustainable Urban Agriculture and City Region Food Systems.

GUPAP Work Plan 2018-2020

In 2017, GUPAP was established as an independent Palestinian NGO with its own legal status. GUPAP has defined the following goals and activities for the coming 3 years:

Goal (1): Consolidate the functioning of GUPAP

The goal is to consolidate the functioning of GUPAP as an independent NGO, maintaining sustained participation of its wide institutional member platform. Related strategic actions will include:

Goal (2): Influence local and national agriculture and other policies that bear on the development of sustainable and resilient urban agriculture in the Gaza Strip.

Goal (3) Consolidate the establishment of an on-line information resources centre on urban agriculture to facilitate broad user access to information from the Gaza Strip and other (Arab speaking) countries.  Currently, information on urban agriculture in Arabic language is fragmented, often out-of-date and dispersed among the many organisations working in this field.

Goal (4) Facilitate and strengthen institutional capacities and innovation in urban and peri-urban agriculture.

Following its past working approaches, the GUPAP will continue training needs assessment and capacity building for all its members and other involved stakeholders. Adult learning and learning by doing approaches (PLAR) will be applied in order to optimally benefit from local experiences, knowledge and resources.

GUPAP will establish an Intermediate (Co) Funding mechanism – Gaza Urban Agriculture Innovation Fund (GUAIF). GUPAP will act as the secretariat and coordination of such an Intermediate Funding Mechanism that will take charge of managing the process of project assessment, results monitoring; the co-funding of local multi-stakeholder innovative initiatives on urban agriculture and the realisation of activities that will lead to increased local financing urban agriculture.

Donor agencies may support the fund with any amount of funding and may target their funding to specific innovative projects (e.g school and top roof gardens, local youth businesses etc.). Maximum 10% of the contributions will go to GUPAP management of the fund. The other 90% will directly benefit the projects.

The aforementioned goals and strategic actions form the basis for further operational planning under which the GUPAP will develop and implement its various programmes, activities and initiatives. These will be implemented in close and strong cooperation between different GUPAP members and other involved stakeholders (see attached list of GUPAP members), a transparent call and selection process for the planned activities will be opened. The GUPAP will be supported by the international RUAF Foundation with over 15 years of experience in urban and peri-urban agriculture. It will also call on other (national and international) expertise where needed.