How To Start Off-The-Grid Living

The concept of off-the-grid living is gradually growing, aided with the global campaign for a better and sustainable living environment. This alternative lifestyle choice involves total disconnection from basic public utilities, including power, water, and telephone lines.

While it’s an admirable process, it involves thorough preparation for those who want to try it. Here are the basic steps involved in getting an off-the-grid living started.

1. Build A Functional Living Space

The first thing you’ll need to practice your off-the-grid lifestyle is a functional housing set-up influenced by your personal preferences. The first choice for habitation concerns whether you want a completely disconnected lifestyle from the city or a self-sufficient life.

Off-Grid-House

If you’re looking to disconnect entirely, you’ll require a location change. The simplest process involves building or buying a house in a village or town. For the option of a more sustainable lifestyle, you can gradually disconnect from the power grid while taking advantage of some perks of living in the city, such as cycling, riding transit buses, and walking.

2. Ensure a Sustainable Water Source

Water is the next necessary aspect of your off-the-grid life. You’ll need a reliable and clean water source to ensure sustenance in your new home. This is made possible by multiple water sources you can create in your new home, including:

a. Underground Water Systems

This is the most expensive off-the-grid water option, including wells and borehole systems. A well is dug to varying depths between 75 ft. to 300 ft. while a borehole can be sunk from 300 ft. to 1,000 ft. Both systems require a solar or wind-powered pump which delivers the water into your home.

b. Pond

Both natural and human-made pools are great water sources for off-the-grid living. Pond water can be used for recreational purposes such as swimming, farmland support systems for livestock and crops, and domestic use when treated.

c. Streams and Creeks

These are naturally occurring water sources, and if you want access to either a stream or creek, your off-grid home must be strategically located around one. Perennial streams can cater to all your water needs either by manual hand-drawing or a pumping system.

3. Install Alternate Energy

Even if you’re already off-the-grid, you’ll still need an energy source to run several tasks that would still require energy consumption, including outdoor and indoor lighting, laundry, and appliances. Alternatives include the following renewable energy sources:

a. Solar Energy

Solar energy is the most applicable and sustainable renewable energy source. Its energy cycle is powered by photovoltaic (PV) panels, which capture the sun’s rays to provide you with clean energy. You’ll require a battery system to store excess energy from the PV panels to keep your facility powered longer.

b. Hydropower

Hydropower is dependent on the amount of water available at your off-grid home, such as one close to a stream or with constant running water. You can harness this power by using a micro-hydroelectric generator. It’s best installed by professionals to ensure a steady flow and adequate vertical drop of the water source.

c. Wind Energy

The application of wind-powered energy sources is also dependent on the average wind speed within the area. The wind speed witnessed in each area can be checked using appropriate authority websites. The minimum wind speed required is 9 mph and a turbine rated within the range of 5-15 kilowatts.

4. Compost and Grow Your Own Food

Composting is a dated yet effective method of soil improvement and fertilization. This eco-friendly process naturally decomposes domestic organic waste such as yam peels, rotten tomatoes, and vegetables within a soil mass. The compost is then added back to the farm soil to boosts plant growth, plant disease resistance, and maintain soil water and aeration.

backyard-garden

Composting facilitates the cultivation of organic farm produce, which will enormously boost your off-the-grid living capabilities. It’s advised that you invest in planting a mix of annuals, biennials, and perennials to ensure food security. The benefits of producing and consuming organic food include healthier meals, improved air quality, and environmental responsibility.

5. Have a Backup Energy Source

A backup energy source is required to insure yourself against any weather-driven energy shortages in your alternate energy sources. This is because there are sometimes drastic reductions in wind speed, water, and sun levels. This will mean experiencing a time-dependent power shortage the moment you’ve expended your battery storage capacity.

Permanent and portable generators are practical backup energy sources that can recharge your battery backup whenever it requires recharging. A permanent generator may have auto-start functions and higher power ratings, but it could be more expensive than portable generators.

Off-the-grid living could also benefit from including an alternate energy source such as integrated solar power systems.

Conclusion

The trend of using alternate energy sources has contributed to the gradual adoption of integrated battery systems as a backup energy source to support the alternative lifestyle of off-the-grid people. But for a more successful unplugged life, you’ll need a sustainable water source, as well as homegrown food and composting, to pull it off.

الحد من تأثيرات العواصف الرملية والترابية

العواصف الرملية والترابية تسبب الكثير من التأثيرات السلبية الكبيرة على المجتمع والاقتصاد والبيئة وعلى النطاق المحلي والإقليمي والعالمي. هناك ثلاثة عوامل رئيسية مسؤولة عن توليد العواصف الرملية والترابية – الرياح القوية، وانعدام الغطاء النباتي وعدم سقوط الأمطار.  المخاطر البيئية والصحية لمثل هذه العواصف لا يمكن تخفيضها بشكل دائم، ولكن تأثيرها يمكن أن يخفض من خلال اتخاذ التدابير المناسبة.

sandstorm-middle-east

عندما ترتفع سحابة الغبار، فإنها تقلل من مدى الرؤية الأفقية خاصة التي يمكن أن تؤثر على حياة الإنسان في نواح كثيرة.  و تحتوي الجسيمات الدقيقة العالقة أيضا على الملوثات والبكتيريا وحبوب اللقاح، والتي تتسبب في  العديد من الآثار السلبية على الصحة : مثل الحساسية وأمراض الجهاز التنفسي . كما يحمل الغبار العديد من ملوثات الهواء المحمولة مثل السموم والمعادن الثقيلة والأملاح والكبريت، والمبيدات الحشرية وغيرها والتي تسبب تأثيرات صحية حادة عندما يستنشق الناس غبارها الملوث     .

يمكن أن يؤدي الغبار إلى  تآكل المباني والبنية التحتية الأخرى المبنية على مستوى عال من الأملاح، وخصوصا في دول الخليج. فيما يلي قائمة بأهم التأثيرات للعواصف الرملية والترابية:

التأثيرات البيئية والصحية

رداءة نوعية الهواء , ويرجع ذلك إلى الزيادة في أحمال الملوثات , وتنفس الجسيمات العالقة في الهواء ذات الدرجات العالية الخطورة أثناء العواصف الرملية والترابية.

زيادة المخاطر البيئية المتعلقة بالنقل والبناء والصحة.

ترسب الغبار على المساحات  الخضراء يمكن أن يسبب جفاف الأوراق مؤخرة  نمو النباتات ومسببة أضراراً للمحاصيل.

جسيمات الغبار العالقة  في المياه يمكن أن تعيق تغلغل ضوء الشمس في قاع البحر، وبالتالي تؤثر على دورة الحياة البحرية.

الأثار الأجتماعية

 سوء الصحة نتيجة استنشاق جسيمات الغبار الدقيقة العالقة والملوثات الموجودة في الغبار.

حوادث الطرق ومخاطر الطيران بسبب ضعف الرؤية.

تأخر أقلاع وهبوط الطائرات وتقييد حركة مرور السفن.

الزيادة في تلف المحاصيل.

الأثار الأقتصادية

الأضرار المادية بالمنشآت والطرق وحمامات السباحة …ألخ بسبب ترسبات الغبار.

التكاليف المرتبطة بتنظيف الغبار المتسرب داخل المنازل والأبنية وتنظيف المركبات.

التكلفة في إزالة الرمال من الطرق والأبنية.

التكاليف المرتبطة بالحوادث, الخسائر المادية, التأخير في الرحلات الجوية، التأخير في حركة المركبات.

التكاليف المرتبطة بإزالة الدفن الحادث بسبب الرمال والغبار أثناء العواصف لأعمال البنية التحتية مثل خطوط أنابيب النفط.

الحد من تأثير العواصف الرملية والترابية

يمكن الحد من آثار العواصف الرملية والترابية بإستخدام عدد من التدابير الصحية والسلامة واستراتيجيات الرقابة البيئية. على نطاق واسع فإن العواصف الرملية والترابية عموما ظواهر  طبيعية، وأنه قد لا يكون عمليا دائما منع حدوثها   و مع ذلك، يمكن أن تؤخذ التدابير الرقابية للحد من آثارها. على أضيق نطاق فإن انبعاث الغبار بسبب الأنشطة البشرية يمكن الحد منه بإستخدام الطرق الميكانيكية المؤقتة مثل الحواجز الخرسانيية، التغطية، مصدات الأشجار الخ.

السيطرة المناسبة على عوامل رفع الغبار مثل زيادة الغطاء النباتي كلما كان ذلك ممكنا,  كما أنه يساعد في استقرار التربة والكثبان الرملية ومصدات الرياح النموذجية.

استخدام النباتات الأصلية والأشجار كمصدات يمكن أن تقلل من سرعة الرياح والرمال و الانجرافات بنفس الزيادة في رطوبة التربة.

التصميمات المناسبة للمباني وإجراء إختبارات تسربات الهواء أثناء التكليف بالبناء.

بعض تدابير الصحة والسلامة التي يجب اتخاذها للحد من الآثار السلبية بسبب عاصفة ترابية هي:

اتخاذ التدابير الوقائية الإضافية للمجموعات السكانية الغير قادرة مثل الأطفال وكبار السن والمرضى.

استخدام أقنعة الغبار, أقنعة الغبار لها مرشحات يمكن من خلالها تصفية الجسيمات الدقيقة والملوثات. وبالتالي، يجب استخدام قناع خلال العواصف الترابية, وضع منشفة مبللة أو مناديل على الأنف والفم وشرب الكثير من السوائل.

تنظيف الوجه والأنف والفم  بإستمرار لمنع دخول أية غبار إلى الرئتين, مع استنشاق بعض الماء عن طريق الأنف لتنظيف الأنف من جزيئات الغبار.

التأكد من غلق الأبواب والنوافذ بإحكام، وسحب جميع الستائر مع وضع المناشف المبللة على الثقوب الصغيرة التي قد تكون حول النوافذ.

-تقييد الأنشطة الخارجية خارج المنازل والبقاء داخلها.

ترجمة 

د. / عصام محمد حسن

 دكتوراه في العلوم  (قسم تطبيقات الليزررفي القياسات البيئية والكيمياء الضوئية  والزراعية)- جامعة القاهرة

كبير باحثيين – جهاز شئون البيئة المصري رئاسة مجلس الوزراء

استشاري البيئة  وسلامة الغذاء و الماء بالمملكة العربية السعودية

Note: The English version of this article ‘Mitigating the Impacts of Sand and Dust Storms’ is available at this link 

The Significance of Rural Culture in Islam

Rural culture developed magnificently during medieval times in the Islamic Mediterranean countries. It has left its mark on many aspects of daily life in the countryside, from Sicily and the Spanish Levant to the Maghreb and the Eastern regions. Al-Andalus was a perfect example. Not only are Arabic words present in every movement, skill and tradition throughout much of Spain, but the actual rural landscape forms part of this heritage. And the same can be said about age-old customs for the distribution and use of water, for sowing, grafting, harvesting and storing, and many of today’s extensive, organic farming methods.

agriculture-morocco

Alcorque, aceña, acequia, alberca, almatriche, almazara and aljofaina are just a few of the Spanish words of Arabic origin that refer to rural culture, and Arabic farming systems such as albuferas (lagoons), olive groves and terraces give the Mediterranean landscape its characteristic appearance.

But what is especially outstanding is the way in which the medieval Muslims managed common natural resources both fairly and sustainably, to use a word that is much in vogue today. This was based on Islamic tradition regarding justice and distribution of goods. The Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah, as well as traditions attributed to the Prophet Mohammed, frequently mention the importance of equity and transparency in distribution and trade.

The following Quranic verse, posted at the entrance to Harvard University, lays the foundations for an unmistakable concept of social justice:

O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted. (Qur’an, 4-134).

Although in short supply today, solidarity was much appreciated in the Muslim world during the early centuries. The second Caliph of Islam, Omar Ibn al-Khattab, stated that if a person died from poverty, the inhabitants of the town were required to make up for his death as if they had all been guilty of his murder.

Natural resources had to be fairly shared throughout the community. As the Hadith states, “Muslims share three things: water, pastures and fire”. And day labourers taken on for specific tasks had to be paid immediately, as stipulated by the Prophet of Islam, who ordered that their wage should be paid “before their sweat dries”. On the subject of food, it is of note that the famous Spanish saying, still in use today fortunately, “where three can eat, so can four”, comes in its literal form from a well-known hadith.

water-conservation

Also of interest is the close relationship our forebears had with nature. For Muslims, tending the land is an amanah, a responsibility, because during their time on earth they are mere khalifah (or vice-regent), and are obliged to use the land with moderation and balance. In Islam, work in itself is an act of adoration, and if the work involves cultivating the land, the benefit multiplies.

There is a beautiful hadith that states,

No Muslim plants or sows something, so that a bird, a man or an animal can eat from it, without there being a benefit for him”.

A person who farmed land in the public domain or that belonged to no-one had a special right over it, as stipulated by the Prophet in the 7th century, many centuries before the famous sentence by Emiliano Zapata, “Land belongs to whoever works it”.

agriculture-palestine

But, perhaps, where regulation and sharing were most important was in the use of water. Al-Andalus was again an example, though not the only one. There were public persons such as the sahib al-saqiya, the water sharer, or the qada al-miyah (water mayor), and the official al-amin al-maa. The term amin in Arabic, the person who is trustworthy, came to be used in irrigated farming in the Christian parts of Spain, in the form alamín in Castile, and alamí in Valencia.

This is just a brief outline, but it gives an idea of the moral and ethical values that, in general, governed the rural life of Muslims in medieval times.

10 Eco-Friendly Appliances to Make Your Kitchen Green

Our world is going through some of the most troubling times in the recent past. With an uncertain present and future, it is the need of the hour to protect and preserve our planet and its invaluable resources dearly! This is why a majority of global organizations and corporates are looking forward to sustainable living and seeking eco-friendly alternatives.

You, too, can contribute to make our planet a greener and better place to live for us and future generations. All it takes is a large heart, genuine willingness, and some awareness to swap your existing resources with their eco-friendly alternatives. Let’s start this change from the heart of your household, which is your very own kitchen!

green-kitchen

We are sharing with you some of the appliances, which you can swap for planet-friendly and nature-loving equivalents.

1. Electric Kettle

Make sure you have an electric kettle, as these are energy efficient, with a measuring scale, and preferably switches-off automatically with temperature control feature. This way, you will boil only what is required, till the required level of temperature, and prevent unnecessary/ prolonged boiling of water.

2. Coffee maker

The market is flooded with “efficient” coffee makers. Yet, finding the perfect one can still be a task! But, not now. You can visit https://thedaringkitchen.com/manual-coffee-grinder/ for the best reviews and buying guide of the eco-friendly coffee making appliances. Just so you know, it is best to pick a coffee maker that is not a single-use ‘pod’ kind, uses a reusable filter, and has a thermal coffee carafe. Ideally, you should brew the coffee manually and use coffee grounds in garden and beauty treatments.

coffee-maker

3. Toaster

It helps to pick a toaster that is energy efficient, doesn’t have unrealistically long bread slots, toasts just two slices at a time, has good temperature control feature, and does not overheat the bread.

4. Blender

Keeping a blender that does not consume too much energy/ wattage to process the ingredients will be the best choice to have in the kitchen. It is necessary to maintain your appliances well and replace/fix electrical gadgets as and when required.

5. Rice cooker

Pick the one that actually meets your daily need and is sufficiently large to feed all your family members. It should have a stainless steel bowl, as the one with Teflon contains harmful chemicals (PTFE and PFOA).

6. Induction cooktop

This appliance is the most energy-efficient kitchen gadget that cooks food via electromagnetic induction heat. So, the food heats up only when a utensil is placed over the cooktop, which saves natural gas and electrical energy. You must choose the one with auto-switch mode and can also control the cooking temperature.

zero-waste-kitchen

7. Dishwasher

This is one appliance that must be energy-efficient as dishwashers tend to consume a lot of water and electricity. Being an appliance of regular use, you must pick one that runs on less power and water, without compromising on the quality of the job.

8. Refrigerators

As per the newest norms, all refrigerators must have energy-stars to reflect their energy efficiency. The appliance with more number of stars is energy efficient and consumes lesser electricity to run. Refrigerators must not give out CFC and HFC (chlorofluorocarbon and hydrofluorocarbon). These gases actively destroy the precious ozone layer in the Earth’s atmosphere.

9. Frying pans

Pans and pots are the frontline workers of our kitchen. It is practically impossible to arrange a meal without using one of these. And this also brings to their importance in getting a sustainable kitchen. You must avoid getting pots and pans with Teflon coating as it contains carcinogen and environment offenders PFOA and PFC. Cast iron, stainless steel, stoneware, and enamel-coated pots and pans are eco-friendly alternatives you may consider.

ecofriendly-kitchen-appliances

10. Electric oven

There are several electric ovens available in the market that claim to cook better with lesser power. You must invest in the one with multiple cooking modes to prevent hoarding of various electrical appliances, uses lesser power to get the desired results, and with an efficient temperature control feature.

The Future Of Dermatological Testing: Is Vegan The Way Forward?

The rapidly growing consumer awareness surrounding ethical choices in skincare and cosmetics is pushing the industry to evolve. The idea of ‘vegan’ extends far beyond diet, reaching into every aspect of consumer lifestyle choices, including beauty and healthcare products.

Traditional dermatological tests involve allergen and irritation checks, often performed on animals or using animal-derived substances. Vegan dermatological testing, on the other hand, utilizes cutting-edge technology to mimic human responses without causing harm to living beings.

vegan-friendly dermatological testing

This harmonizes with a wider societal shift toward ethical and sustainable practices, making skincare compatible with moral and ethical considerations.

Understanding Dermatological Testing

When the phrase ‘dermatologically tested’ appears on a product, it often means that the ingredient or product was tested in the presence of a dermatologist. This adds a layer of clinical rigor to the process, ensuring that products are both safe and effective for human skin.

Traditional dermatological tests often use animal models as part of their study design. However, as consumer sentiment shifts, more and more companies are choosing vegan-friendly testing methods, thereby cutting out animal-derived ingredients and animal testing from the equation.

While animal testing was once seen as the standard for dermatological research, technological advancements now offer viable alternatives.

Sustainability And Ethical Concerns

In the context of increasing environmental degradation and climate change, the sustainability of dermatological testing and skincare products becomes increasingly important. Vegan products often use plant-based ingredients, which are generally more sustainable and have a lower carbon footprint than animal-derived ingredients.

Animal agriculture significantly contributes to environmental issues such as deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. By avoiding animal-derived ingredients and focusing on sustainably sourced plant-based components, vegan skincare aims to be part of the solution to these pressing global challenges.

Moreover, ethical concerns about animal welfare continue to be a driving force behind the vegan movement. Traditional animal testing methods raise questions about the ethical treatment of animals, leading many consumers to seek out cruelty-free alternatives. Vegan dermatological testing aligns with these ethical considerations, offering a guilt-free option that is becoming increasingly mainstream.

Advanced In-vitro Methods

Advanced in-vitro methods offer an ethical alternative to traditional animal-based dermatological tests. These methods typically involve using human cell cultures or synthetic tissues to model human skin responses. Not only do these tests avoid animal suffering, but they also often yield more accurate and reliable data due to their closer approximation to human biology.

The use of 3D human skin models, for instance, has shown promise in predicting skin reactions such as irritation and sensitization. These models closely mimic human skin’s architectural and functional characteristics, providing invaluable data for dermatological testing.

In the coming years, more resources will likely be invested in perfecting these in-vitro methods. As they become more advanced, these techniques could ultimately surpass traditional methods in terms of both accuracy and ethical soundness.

Machine Learning And AI

Incorporating machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) into dermatological testing can further revolutionize the vegan approach. These technologies can analyze vast datasets to predict how human skin reacts to different ingredients or products without requiring animal or even human trials.

Machine learning algorithms can sift through various variables, from molecular structures to historical data, to make incredibly accurate predictions. AI’s ability to process large amounts of data in a short time makes it invaluable for the speedier development of vegan skincare products.

As these technologies evolve, the reliance on traditional testing methods will likely diminish. This would expedite the product development process and set new industry standards for ethical testing.

Regulatory Challenges And Opportunities

As vegan dermatological testing gains traction, it also encounters various regulatory challenges. However, these challenges often serve as opportunities for standardization and quality improvement. Most countries have their own regulatory agencies overseeing skincare and cosmetic product safety, but there is currently no global standard for ‘vegan dermatological testing.’

future of vegan dermatological testing

Standardizing vegan dermatological testing methods would not only provide clarity but would also allow for international recognition of vegan products. Regulatory bodies could collaborate to create universally accepted guidelines that uphold both ethical and scientific standards.

As regulations catch up with the rapid advancements in vegan dermatological testing, more products will likely gain certification, boosting consumer confidence and further promoting ethical practices in the industry.

Conclusion

The future of vegan dermatological testing heralds an unprecedented fusion of ethical stewardship and groundbreaking scientific advancements.

Enhanced by state-of-the-art in-vitro techniques and the computational might of machine learning and AI, vegan dermatological testing is transcending traditional boundaries. Moreover, as regulatory frameworks evolve to embrace this new paradigm, the practice promises to shift from being a mere ethical alternative to becoming the new industry standard.

In sum, vegan dermatological testing is shaping up to be a transformative force that elevates consumer trust and ushers in a new era of ethically responsible and scientifically robust skincare.

الإيمان والعمل البيئي في الشرق الأوسط وشمال إفريقيا

أدركت مبادرة الإيمان من أجل الأرض التي أطلقها برنامج الأمم المتحدة للبيئة، أهمية دور المنظمات الدينية حول العالم في توجيه جهود التصدي للتغير المناخي.

يؤمن 84% من سكان العالم بوجود قوة إلهية تتجسد في مجموعة من المبادئ والقيم. لذلك، تتمتع المنظمات والقيادات الدينية بقدرة كبيرة على توجيه العمل اليومي للأفراد المتدينين. كل الديانات السماوية تدعو إلى العبادة واحترام الطبيعة التي هي من خلق الله.

solar-mosque

أهمية العلاقة بين الإيمان والبيئة

تستطيع القيادات الدينية المساهمة في بناء القدرات والتوعية والتعليم، وبالتالي ترجمة الحس بالمسؤولية نحو البيئة الى ممارسات عملية على أرض الواقع.

 يقع على عاتق حكومة بعض الدول ذات التوجهات الدينية، مسؤولية وضع السياسات التي تساهم في الاستدامة وحماية البيئة بالانسجام مع المعتقدات الدينية.

توصف المنظمات الدينية بأنها رابع أقوى قوة اقتصادية في العالم. ويمكن فهم القوة التي تتمتع بها تلك المنظمات من خلال هذه الأمثلة على ما يقع ضمن إشراف هذه المؤسسات:

  • 37 مليون كنيسة
  • 4 مليون مسجد
  • الملايين من المعابد
  • 5% من مجموع الغابات ذات الإنتاجية التجارية في العالم، منها 30% تقع في أوروبا
  • 10% من المؤسسات المالية

وعلى سبيل المثال، تساهم قرارات القيادات الدينية لدمج الاستدامة في التصميم المعماري والبناء كاستخدام الألواح الشمسية وإدارة المياه وإدارة المخلفات في تعزيز مبادئ الاقتصاد الأخضر ومن ثم توزيع الفائض من تلك الموارد على المجتمعات المحلية.

الحراك الديني البيئي

كان العام 2015 عاما بارزا للعمل البيئي على مستوى العالم.  فعلاوة على اتفاقية باريس التي التزمت من خلالها 195 دولة إضافة إلى الاتحاد الأوروبي بالعمل نحو مستقبل مستدام منخفض الانبعاثات الكربونية، أطلق العديد من القيادات الدينية دعوات للعمل على حماية الأرض والبشرية من الآثار المدمرة للتغير المناخي.

  • في العام 2015، دعا قداسة البابا فرنسيس في رسالته البابوية “Laudato Si” التي تستعرض المسؤولية الأخلاقية ل 1.2 مليار كاثوليكي إلى إدراك أهمية الأزمة المناخية.
  • وفي نفس العام في مدينة إسطنبول وخلالالندوة العالمية الإسلامية حول التغير المناخي، تبنى القادة الاسلاميون بمن فيهم رجال الدين وصناع السياسات والأكاديميون الإعلان الإسلامي للمناخ. ولكن على خلاف ما حدث في روما وبسبب عدم وجود مؤسسة مركزية قوية تدعم السياسات التي تضمنها الإعلان، لم يحظ الإعلان الإسلامي بالانتشار والدعم المطلوب.
  • في شهر حزيران من العام 2020, افتتح مشروع “The living Chapel” في حديقة “Orto Botanico” في روما للترويج للرسالة البابوية “Laudato Si” وللأجندة العالمية للتنمية المستدامة 2030 التي أطلقتها الأمم المتحدة.

إضافة لما سبق، كان هناك ايضا الإعلان البوذي للتغير المناخي، واصدار الرسائل الربانية عن التغير المناخي من مئات الحاخامات والقادة الهندوسيين الذين انضموا لهذا الزخم البيئي العالمي.

ماذا عن منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا؟

عقد برنامج الأمم المتحدة للبيئة حوارات مع العديد من المنظمات الدينية في المنطقة كجزء من مبادرة الإيمان من أجل الأرض. وتتضمن الاستراتيجية المحدثة عددا من الشراكات مع مجلس وزراء البيئة لدول العالم الإسلامي في المنظمة الإسلامية للتربية والعلوم والثقافة (إيسيسكو)، ومؤسسة قطر، وحديقة القرآن النباتية في قطر، وكلية الدراسات الإسلامية بجامعة حمد بن خليفة؛ والتي تهدف بمجملها إلى تصميم ميثاق إسلامي مدعوم مؤسسيا يتعلق بقضايا التغير المناخي واستعادة النظم البيئية، والحلول القائمة على الطبيعة، والاقتصاد الأخضر، والأخلاقيات البيئية.

يقع على عاتق الأكاديميين وصناع القرار ورجال الدين مسؤولية كبرى نحو دمج التنمية الاقتصادية مع الاستدامة البيئية. شدد الدكتور اياد أبو مغلي – مدير مبادرة الإيمان من أجل الأرض – على الدور القيادي الذي يمكن أن يقوم به رجال الدين في تحفيز المجتمع الإسلامي للحفاظ على البيئة والاستخدام المسؤول للموارد الطبيعة المتنوعة التي تتمتع بها منطقة الشرق الأوسط. وكان للدكتور أبو مغلي نظرة متفائلة تجاه الطلاب والشباب للمشاركة في العمل والحراك البيئي، والتي تتجاوز التبرعات المالية البسيطة نحو مساءلة أكبر للقيادات في دولهم.

ترجمه: سامر فاخوري

طالب هندسة صناعية في الجامعة الأردنية، مهتم بمجال التنمية المستدامة وطرق دمج النهج الهندسي مع تطبيقات التنمية المستدامة في الواقع العملي. شارك في العديد من مشاريع المنظمات غير الحكومية المحلية والعالمية إيمانا بضرورة خلق بيئة مستدامة لجميع مواطني الأرض. يشارك حاليا في مشروع التخرج الذي يتطرق الى قضية الأمن الغذائي في العالم وطرق جديدة عصرية للوصول الى أحقية توفر الغذاء لجميع سكان الأرض.

Note: This article was originally published by egomonk on egomonk insights. The curator and host of this series is Ruba Al Zu’bi

Waste Management Perspectives for Bahrain

Fast industrialisation, urbanisation, enhanced consumerism and rise in standards of living is causing generation of large quantities of waste which needs to be stored, transported, treated and disposed. Globally, municipal and urban governments are spending huge financial and human resources on waste management but the service coverage is barely coinciding with the generated waste quantities as overflowing communal containers and waste heaps are amply witnessed in all major urban centres.

The worldwide quantities of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) are rapidly increasing. It is estimated that around 2.5 billion MT of MSW was generated worldwide in 2000, which is expected to reach 5.3bn MT by 2030. The solid waste generation rate of Bahrain and GCC countries is very high varying from 470 to 700 Kg/capita/year.

MSW consists of domestic waste from residential areas, commercial wastes from markets and commercial centers and institutional waste generated from offices, educational institutes etc., construction waste, garden waste and animal carcasses. The waste is either stored in 200 liter plastic bins or 1100 liters metallic bins from where it is emptied into compactors and trucks and transported to the landfill site for disposal. The waste at the landfill site is compacted and covered with sand to avoid any pollution.

It is estimated that over 4,000 tons per day of MSW is being generated in Bahrain which is being collected from the five governorates by private contractors who transport these wastes to the Asker municipal landfill site located some 25 km away from the city centre in quarry areas.

The broad categories of MSW are biodegradable waste (food and kitchen waste, green waste etc.), Recyclables (paper, glass, bottles, cans, metals, certain plastics etc.), Inert waste (construction and demolition waste, street sweepings, litter, dirt, soil, debris etc.), Composite wastes (waste clothing, Tetra Packs, waste plastics such as toys) and domestic hazardous waste.

MSW generation and its management involves severe health risks and impacts including decomposition and biodegradation of waste due to high temperatures causing obnoxious odours, proliferation of insects and rodents, occurrences of unwanted major and minor fires, contamination of soil and water by leachate generated from the landfills, emissions of toxic gases from waste disposal, burning and incineration.

MSW also contribute to climate change primarily because of methane and carbon dioxide gas emissions. Impacts on terrestrial and marine ecology, traffic generation, road congestion, accidents, dust and noise generation, nuisance, bird hazards, occupational health hazards, litter generation and spreading, impairment of area aesthetics are other serious impacts. Unattended waste attracts flies, rats, and other vermin’s that in turn spread diseases.

We need to understand that the problem of MSW cannot be solved by the governmental authorities alone. We need to equally share the burden in reducing the quantities of waste, storing all garbage generated in containers, segregating waste to assist recycling activities and spreading the message of having environmental friendly waste management. Public awareness and change of attitudes towards waste are required as it affect the population’s willingness to cooperate and participate in practicing efficient waste management practices.

Source reduction is a successful method of reducing waste generation. Practices such as grass recycling, backyard composting can yield substantial benefits. It prevents emissions of many greenhouse gases, reduces pollutants, saves energy, conserves resources and reduces the need for new landfills.

How Does A Wastewater Treatment Plant Work?

Wastewater treatment is essential for minimizing water pollution that can disrupt delicate ecosystems, interfere with food chains, and transmit diseases. As the urban population continues to rise, this increasing population density can generate more organic waste and wastewater, which calls for proper treatment and more efficient wastewater treatment plants.

A dwindling supply of clean water necessitates more cost-efficient, high-quality wastewater treatment systems. These modern treatment plants employ the latest technologies to decontaminate dirty water before funneling the water back into these ecosystems.

What pollutants wastewater treatment removes?

A wastewater treatment system harnesses the power of technology to facilitate wastewater treatment and BOD compliance. Common pollutants include Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), phosphates and nitrates, pathogens, metals, Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), and synthetic chemicals. High BOD levels indicate an elevated biodegradable material concentration, resulting from the presence of pollutants like fertilizer runoff, fecal waste, or food processing wash-down or cleaning.

Releasing phosphates and nitrates to the environment may cause extensive algae, phytoplankton, and weed growth and high BOD. It can also result in eutrophication or water body deoxygenation, which kills aquatic life and potentially causes hypoxia. Pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and fungi, which transmit through polluted water, cause various illnesses such as hepatitis A, cholera, giardiasis, dysentery, botulism, and salmonellosis.

Harmful metals end up in wastewater due to various industrial processes. These metals can threaten human health and environmental well-being alike. Much like the rest of the contaminants, TSS (inorganic and organic suspended solid materials) and TDS (metals, anions, salts, cations, or minerals) damage the crops, kill aquatic life, humans, and may affect irrigation. The typical synthetic chemicals in wastewater are DDT, diethylstilbestrol, PCBs, and dioxin.

The wastewater treatment process

Wastewater treatment plants oversee three main stages: primary, secondary, and tertiary. However, some pollutants require advanced treatment, such as the quaternary, which involves fine filtration or oxidation processes to lower emergent pollutants dissemination.

Every stage targets different pollutants, so the water becomes cleaner as the process advances. Depending on the original water’s quality and the intended purpose for the treated water, certain or a combination of treatment stages are initiated.

Primary wastewater treatment

Primary wastewater treatment involves momentarily holding the wastewater in a tank to allow the settlement of heavy solids at the bottom and lighter solids, grease, and oil to float. Water treatment experts contain these loose materials while the water moves to the next step or discharges. Sedimentation occurs after the filtration of larger substances. During this process, wastewater goes through multiple filters and tanks to separate contaminants from water.

Secondary wastewater treatment

Secondary wastewater treatment operates on a more profound level than the primary stage and eliminates suspended and dissolved biological matter. It usually involves the use of native water-borne microorganisms released in a controlled habitat.

Treatment plants may have to eradicate organisms through a separation process upon completing the treatment before discharging or advancing to the tertiary stage. The secondary step will involve performing biological content degradation through aeration, biofiltration, and oxidation ponds.

1. Aeration

Aeration is a timely process that can last for 30 hours and is equally instrumental, as it involves combining wastewater with a microorganism solution. Aeration gives the bacteria oxygen to stabilize and treats the wastewater by biodegrading the organic substance containing carbon to create carbon (IV) oxide and water. Without sufficient oxygen, breakdown has to occur under slow and odorous septic conditions, resulting in an incomplete transformation of pollutants.=

2. Oxidation Ponds

The large stabilization ponds or lagoons are mainly used in warmer areas to treat wastewater through bacteria, algae, and sunlight interaction. Algae relies on energy from the sun, inorganic compounds, and carbon (IV) oxide released into the water by bacteria to grow. Through photosynthesis, algae release the oxygen required by aerobic bacteria. Sometimes, experts introduce mechanical aerators to provide more oxygen.

3. Biofiltration

Biofiltration is a standard method in greywater recycling, wastewater treatment, and aquaculture, as it helps raise the water quality while lowering water replacement. Biological filters eliminate contaminants through biodegrading natural components, filtering suspended solids, and absorbing micro-pollutants. Biofiltration processes are typically aerobic, so the microorganisms need oxygen for metabolism.

wastewater-treatment-plant

The biofilm receives oxygen counter-currently or concurrently with the water flow. Biofilters have low operating expenses, a simple structure, a robust process, and resistance to shock loads.

Tertiary wastewater treatment

Its primary purpose is to increase the water quality to meet industrial and domestic standards or the specific safe discharge requirements while also removing nitrates and phosphates. For municipal wastewater treatment, this stage also involves eliminating pathogens, making the water safe to drink. The tertiary treatment process is usually performed using substances such as sand and activated carbon.

Conclusion

Successful wastewater treatment requires reliable and high-quality equipment, as the living organisms’ well-being and the environment may depend on it. Wastewater treatment plants can achieve proper wastewater management change by understanding the process and components found in their local water sources.

Sustainable Development in Jordan: Perspectives

During the last few decades, sustainable development emerged as a hot topic in many reform agendas and strategic management plans in Jordan. The picture is not always optimistic where poverty, climate change and wars to name but a few of the continuous burdens, yet, some results have been successfully reaped. In this article, I will provide a reflection on the sustainable development journey in Jordan. Firstly, what the country achieved from the year 2000 to 2015 and secondly, what challenges the country has to counter from the year 2015 to 2030.

sustainable-development-jordan

Millennium Development Goals – Year 2000 to 2015

Jordan has embraced every single opportunity to create a significant change in each of the three pillars of sustainability; social, economic and ecological.

Firstly, on the social sustainability pillar, the country was ranked as 77th among other 187 countries in the HDI (Human Development Index) by the end of October 2015 [1]. One of the main initiatives was the development of 3-year Executive Development Programs (EDPs) to set agendas and manage them in areas such as unemployment and poverty [2]. As a result, the country managed successfully to reduce the poverty rate from 21% to 14.4% for the period from 1997 to 2012, increased literacy rate to 93.3% across the country and reduced the infant mortality rate (which represents the number of death for infants under one year) to 17 per 1000 infants [3].

Secondly, on the economic sustainability pillar, and despite of the volatility around Jordan which affects the availability of external investments negatively [3], the country adopted new laws that enhanced investments and created a competitive business environment such as the new tax law, the new electronic transactions law [2] and the competition law [1]. The results were shown in the growth of the GDP by 3.1%, the reduction in the inflation rate by 2.8% and the increase in the export growth rate by 9.4%  by the end of 2014 [1].

Thirdly, on the ecological sustainability pillar, Jordan implemented rigorous steps to face the severe water condition in the country.  For example, Jordan started one of the world’s most unique water desalination projects, or what is called “Red Sea-Dead Sea” project, in order to pump the water from the Red Sea to the Dead Sea. The difference in the elevation between the two seas will be used to generate hydroelectricity which will be used in the desalination process and hence providing safe drinking water to the local community [2], [4]. As a result, 99% of the population will have access to a safe drinking water [3].

On other important environmental impacts, the country adopted different targets related to climate change, introduced codes for green buildings, launched incentive programs for hybrids and electric cars and finally embraced a Solid Waste Management Strategy [2].

Sustainable Development Goals – Challenges from 2015 t0 2030

In order to continue the sustainable development journey in Jordan, the country has to overcome different challenges as the following.

Firstly, on the social development side, the three main challenges are the growth in the number of the population, the healthcare agenda and the commitment to the human rights especially women rights. Statistics revealed that the number of population was doubled since 1980, and this includes the increased number of refugees in Jordan over the last three decades. The Syrian crisis alone created 4 million refugees to neighbor countries and 8 million internally displaced in five years.

Jordan hosts 1.4 million Syrian refugees, therefore, it is considered the largest recipient for Syrian refugees who resulted in impact with USD 6.6 billion as direct and indirect costs [2], [3].This growth creates a pressure on the limited natural resources and the current infrastructure [3]. Similarly,  the official statistics in regards to the healthcare in the country showed that only 77% of Jordanian citizens are covered by health insurance pension [1] and the official numbers for the unemployment rate revealed that the unemployment rate for females is twice more than what it is for males [1].

Secondly, on the economic development side, the two key challenges are reducing the country’s dependency on the external financial support (i.e. financial aid, long-term loans, and grants) [1], and reducing poverty rate where  2% of the population are living on less than 3 USD per day [1].

Thirdly, on the ecological development side, the four crucial ecological areas in Jordan are water scarcity and the climate change, the wastewater sewer network and sanitation, land degradation and desertification and finally, the dependency on imported energy from other countries. Starting by the water scarcity and the climate change; according to the official meteorological forecast in Jordan, the country is predicted to have an increase in evapotranspiration by 3%. That also is expected to be combined with a decrease in the rainfall by 15% and an increase in the demand for irrigation water by 18%. As a total, the available water in Jordan is expected to be decreased by 30% by 2035 [3].

Syrian refugees at Za’tari refugee camp

Not also the climate change is the major contributor to the water scarcity, but also the domestic misuse of water resources and the increasing number of Syrian refugees who consume approximately one million liters of water on a daily basis [1]. In regards to the sanitation issue; the current wastewater treatment network is not capable to handle all the wastewater discharge in the country. Official numbers state that only 63% of the population is connected to a public sewer system. This also means losing the opportunity of collecting, treating and reusing the wastewater for other beneficial uses [3].

Moving to the land degradation challenge, the country has to deal with the increasing impact of land degradation that resulted due to improper use of the lands, soil erosion, poor solid waste disposal practices and the immigration from rural to urban areas [3]. Finally, the country lacks the needed resources to generate electricity, therefore, around 96% of its fossil is imported [3].

In a small country like Jordan, surrounded by many challenges as I illustrated above, our hopes are still high to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by end of 2030 and hence creating a better future for everyone in the country.

References

[1] Bertelsmann Stiftung, “BTI 2016 Jordan Country Report,” Gütersloh, 2016.

[2] I. Fakhoury, “Jordan Statement at the UN Sustainable Development Summit.” Amman, 2015.

[3] H. El-Naser, B. Telfah, and S. Kilani, “Establishing the Post-2015 Development Agenda: Sustainable Development Goals ( SDG ) towards Water Security The Jordanian Perspective,” Amman, 2014.

[4]  Global Nature Fund, “Red Sea – Dead Sea Canal and the feasibility study of the World Bank,” 2013.

CSR Perspectives for the Middle East

Corporate Social Responsibility has moved beyond philanthropy, and is rapidly undergoing integration into the company’s core business strategy. However, in the Middle East, we can find companies that are still perceiving CSR as philanthropy and yet to view it as a “core business strategy “. Is it because of the culture and religion that we should give to the poor (Zakat or charity) so they consider it as their CSR? Should it be obligatory so companies will start thinking about CSR more strategically?

corporate-social-responsibility

Over the past few years, the interest has literally exploded in regional media and business community with a lot of foreign companies working in the field, companies hiring CSR specialists and setting up CSR departments. The focus is also getting more strategic and more diversified. In a survey, conducted by Sustainability Advisory Group in 2009, it was found that whilst there is a strong in-principle support for CSR initiatives, the region has not yet taken the next step of translating this into budget allocations, clear accountability and rewards and recognition.

There is a significant difference among Middle East nations in applying and practicing CSR. In the UAE and Oman, over the past couple of years there were different planned and meaningful initiatives. Companies in these countries are taking CSR and sustainability very seriously and they are showing an increasing commitment to CSR.  On the other hand, countries like Lebanon, there has been lot of focus on purely PR activities masked as CSR.

In an article entitled “CSR in the Arab World: A Mission Impossible?”, Norwegian researcher Kjetil Selvik mentions that it is hard to spot the difference between CSR and Zakat in practice. In Arab countries, CSR is often reduced to some donations like money or food, or to planting trees in public parks. Measures like these do not satisfy the ambitions of CSR promoters, who would like to see systematic changes in how companies are operating.

Does this mean that CSR won’t have a development impact in the Arab World? One of the main challenges is that CSR is associated with profit logic. The Zakat model differs fundamentally in its incentive for acts of social responsibility. This is something that the individual is supposed to do for God. On the other hand, CSR is promoted as a business tool to improve the company’s reputation, and companies frequently share successful CSR stories with the media and the public.

CSR-Middle-East

The normative difference between CSR and Zakat complicate the entrance of CSR into the Arab World. The CSR model introduces an ethical, normative framework that collides with local sensitivities. This is a potential problem of which organizations and businesses trying to introduce CSR in Arab countries should take note, says Selvik.

To conclude, companies in the Middle East are now realizing the importance of adopting a CSR strategy which can help them in reaping the benefits on their triple bottom line. They are trying to go beyond a simple donation or planting trees. Moreover, they are starting to measure their KPIs and to write sustainability reports. However, companies in the Middle East still have a long road to go for achieving sustainability when compared to their Western counterparts.

Anthropogenic Climate Change Impacts on Ecosystems

Anthropogenic climate change is hindering a wide variety of organisms, their genetics and species’ habitats – in short, biodiversity. The accelerated pace of human development and its impacts on biodiversity which sustain it, is both massive and significant. Biodiversity is inextricably linked to climate; climate change is both a cause and an effect of biodiversity change. Climate change jeopardizes the services offered by the global ecosystems that have been taken for granted. Let us examine how climate change is affecting specific ecosystems.

climate-change-ecosystems

Agricultural Ecosystem

Agricultural ecosystems are spread around the globe; hence, the impacts of climate change on agricultural biodiversity will be diverse and extensive. Climate change is threatening plant growth and production due to proliferation of pests and diseases, wildfires, yield reduction due to extreme weather, and changes in rainfall patterns.

Other risks include nutrients leaching from the soil during intense rains, and greater erosion due to stronger winds, while livestock will be negatively affected by rising temperature, disease and weather extremes.

Forest Ecosystem

Forests cover one-third of Earth’s surface and host two-thirds of all known terrestrial species. Changing climatic conditions may cause frequent forest fires and create conditions favorable to pests; both will lead to degradation and loss of biodiversity.

Marine and Coastal Ecosystems

Oceans cover 70% of Earth’s surface area, forming the largest habitat on Earth; which has some of the world’s most diverse and productive ecosystems, including coral reefs.

The key threats facing the unique entity of ocean by climate change include:

  1. Rise in sea level: On coastal margins, rising sea levels may lead to an important coastal habitat reduction such as salt marshes.
  2. Warmer oceans: Rising sea temperatures will lead to increase coastal erosion, extensive coastal flooding events and reducing sea-ice cover. Furthermore, it will affect the species composition and distribution and survival of particular marine resources. Corals reef is a good example, as minor increases in temperature causes coral bleaching leading to loss of coral reef structure and impact negatively on the coral reef ecosystem.
  3. Increased acidification: as the ocean absorbs atmospheric CO2; it becomes more acidic. Increasing acidification of the ocean due to climate change, has made it difficult for coral polyps to capture water`s calcium. Consequently, coral reefs, face bleaching (whitening and death) at large-scale levels.

acidification-water-bodies

Polar Ecosystem

Climate change is having the most visible and significant impacts on the polar ecosystems. Escalating melting of ice sheets and glaciers is affecting native people, wildlife and plants in the Polar Regions. Melting glaciers and ice are leading to further release of greenhouse gases and contributing to sea levels rising, threatening many areas with coastal flooding, increasing in beach erosion, and contaminating fresh water supplies.

Furthermore, climate change has devastating effects on polar species, such as: Polar bears, whales, walrus, and seals, which struggle to adapt to the destructive effects of climate change including habitat degradation, changing feeding and migrating patterns. Moreover, warming of areas of the polar oceans in the Antarctic has had a negative impact on the plankton community composition and distribution that support a rich marine food chain.

Mountain Ecosystems

Some plant species showed shifting in distribution, while other plants previously found on mountaintops have disappeared due to climate change. The shrinking of glaciers result from climate change has led to changes in mountains capacities of holding water, hence affecting downstream ecosystems.

Island Ecosystems

Island ecosystems are fragile and characterized by a high biodiversity. The climate change threats the island ecosystems by rising sea level and massive coral bleaching. Island ecosystems also might suffer from reducing rainfall, an increased frequency and/or intensity of storms, and intolerable high temperatures.

Microbial Ecosystems

Microbes are central to all life on earth; Microbes perform different significant functions for ecosystems. Little is known about how climate change will impact microbial communities, hence, accumulating evidences show that climate change can hinder specific properties of entire microbial communities and ecosystem functioning. A recent study has shown that soil microbes alter DNA in response to climate change, therefore affecting microbial influence on soil carbon storage and other greenhouse gases.

microbial-biodiversity

Recent researches have also shown an increased in microbial-mediated disease impacts in both the terrestrial and marine ecosystems, due to changes in distributing of existing infectious disease vectors, and the seasonal distribution of some allergens pollen species Additionally, evidences show that changes in climate alter certain properties of microbial communities, which eventually have enormous impacts on the food chain supported by the microbes.

Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity

The future projection of climate change in the Arabia shows a hot, dry future; researches predict more severe droughts, desertification, shifting of ecosystems and species loss. Furthermore, climate change will lead to a significant heat stress and a severe water shortage, hence, Middle East is identified as the first region to run out of fresh water in the globe.

biodiversity_jordan

Generally, terrestrial biodiversity in Middle East will suffer the greatest decrease as a result of climate change, while marine ecosystems will suffer from increase in sea levels, changing circulation patterns, changing the biological characteristics, increasing in invasive species, and the marine ecosystems will become more tropical.

Conclusion

Anthropogenic climate change has started affecting different organisms in different ecosystems. The IPCC’s 2007 calculations estimated that greenhouse gas emissions would need to be reduced by at least 80% by 2050 to avoid the devastating impacts of climate change. Since humans have created this problem, it is our moral responsibility to solve it. Governments need to improve the resilience of their communities to existing impacts of the changes in the climate; by doing so, they can enhance the prosperity and sustainability of present and future generations.

Additionally, energy production from burning fossil fuels produces about 80 % of the global CO2 emissions, thus renewable energy is a desirable alternative for reducing human impacts on climate change while protecting biodiversity. Further research should be undertaken to broaden our perspective on the impact of climate change on different ecosystems, with an effective communicating platform to share information, experience and knowledge in climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Waste Management Awareness in Oman: A Pilot Study

The four Rs (reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle) of waste management have not yet entered the everyday discourse of Oman, but does this mean that they are not part of everyday life in Oman? We think the people of Oman can help us to answer this question. To get a first-hand understanding of the degree of waste management awareness in Oman, a pilot study was designed, a questionnaire was prepared, and in a series of interviews with individual Omanis we recorded their responses.

waste-oman

Insights into the Survey

The questionnaire covered household consumption habits, food waste and other household waste, and awareness of the four Rs, with particular attention to recycling. The main focus of the survey was on food waste. Of the 21 questions, fifteen were multiple-choice, with write-in options for any needed explanation. There were six open-ended questions, inviting respondents to give their opinion or share something of their experiences and knowledge of the topic.

The respondents were all adult Omani nationals, ranging in age from their early twenties to their late fifties. All respondents reside in Muscat, but the majority were originally from other provinces and maintained a strong connection with their home village or town. The respondents represented various occupations such as: university student, homemaker, bank clerk, teacher, taxi driver and police officer. The interviews were carried out in March and April 2016.

Who take care of grocery shopping?

60 percent of respondents said that in their household, the wife usually took care of the grocery shopping. 20 percent said the husband had that responsibility, and another 20 percent said that both husband and wife regularly did the grocery shopping together. When asked how often (monthly, weekly, daily, or not regularly) the grocery shopping was done in their households, most respondents said that it depended on the commodity.

Dry goods such as rice, pulses, flour, sugar, and coffee were purchased in larger quantities on a monthly basis, while most households shopped for fruits, vegetables, milk and bread at least once a week.

Do you prefer to buy food in bulk or pre-packaged?

In response to this question: Do you prefer to buy food in bulk (by the gram/kilogram) or pre-packaged? they answered patiently (but clearly some thought it was a silly question) that of course “it depends on the type of food.” Some foods were fresher and cheaper in bulk, whereas other foods were cleaner and free of impurities when packaged at the factory.

80 percent of respondents stated that they shopped at a supermarket for most of their household groceries; 50 percent of them said that they regularly shopped at an outdoor market (such as a fish or vegetable market) for certain commodities. No respondents said that they relied on small shops for their grocery shopping.

A few of the middle-aged respondents recalled that when they were children, there was not much choice when one went to the market. Their parents could buy staples such as rice, flour, tea, coffee and sugar, and a few varieties of greens and fruits. Nowadays, one of them remarked, shopping at the supermarket they had trouble deciding between the many processed and packaged products on offer, such as cheeses, yoghurt, juices, sweets, and imported fresh and frozen meats and other produce.

70 percent of those surveyed said they used the free ‘disposable’ plastic bags dispensed by the shops, and only 30 percent took their own reusable fabric bag or other reusable receptacle to do their shopping. However, those who did go to the outdoor markets said they often brought their own cartons or plastic vegetable crates in order to carry the produce home in their cars.

When asked what their parents or grandparents had used for their shopping, 40 percent said “a basket” and 60 percent said “a box” (meaning either a vegetable crate or a carton). Apparently plastic bags were not an option in “the old days.”

Do you find that your household ends up throwing out food?

The interviewer mentioned to each respondent the statistics that came from the 2012 Sultan Qaboos University study on household food waste in Oman, and posed this question: Do you find that your household/family ends up throwing out food that was not eaten before it spoiled? The responses were somewhat unexpected.

Only 30 percent reported that their household regularly had to throw away uneaten food. The other 70 percent said that when there was any food left over from a family meal or a child’s dish, it was fed to animals such as chickens and goats. Several female respondents mentioned that in general they only prepared enough food to feed their own family and perhaps to send a plateful of it to a neighbour.

solid-waste-oman

In a big city no one notices what you throw in your rubbish bin

The exception to this pattern was when they had guests, in which case it was compulsory to prepare greater quantities than usual. Respondents who brought up the subject of hosting and special occasions explained that in Omani culture it was considered a sign of respect for their guests and a point of honour for their family if they served more food than the guests could actually eat.

Therefore, weddings, the arrival of a newborn, the two Eids and other celebrations could be expected to result in substantial quantities of wasted food. However, according to several respondents, “back in the village” this is not what happened. Tribal and local municipal regulations actually prohibited the disposal of large quantities of food waste at dumpsites.

The main reason given was that leaving leftover food outside was “bad for the livestock.” That is, a camel will naturally eat as much food as it finds, and if discarded food such as rice is left out in the open, the camel will continue to eat until it gets sick. This surprising claim about camels eating cooked rice seems to be supported by scientific research: “Yagil (1990) observed that camels selected feed which is highly digestible, especially rich in easily fermentable carbohydrates and having high water contents [sic].” Cooked rice fits all three criteria.

Furthermore, camels are proficient at “eating in excess of their immediate needs and storing the extra as fat in the hump.” So out of necessity to protect the health of the camels, it was forbidden to scatter uneaten food. Instead, whoever hosted an event at which quantities of excess food remained would take the food immediately to any nearby encampment of migrant workers and distribute it there. Alternatively, the hosts would distribute it to needy families in their community. If it was not possible to donate the leftover food to others, it was dried in the sun to preserve it and then fed in small quantities to livestock such as goats and chickens.

Comparison between ‘Now’ and ‘Then’

When asked to compare the level of household food waste generated today and when they were children, there was unanimous agreement among respondents that either no or little food was ever wasted “back then,” whereas modern-day urban living has made it harder to avoid wasting food. The respondent above-mentioned who had remarked on the great variety of options available in supermarkets posited that this meant that people ended up buying more than they could practically consume.

Another factor suggested by respondents as leading to increased food waste is simply living in a big city where no one notices what you throw in your rubbish bin: back in the village or small town, neighbours would know exactly what your family has tossed into the local dump, so there was a sort of peer pressure against food waste.

What type of drinking water does your household consume?

As a follow-on to consumption patterns for food, the survey asked what type of drinking water each household consumed. In most parts of Oman, it is assumed that tap water is not safe for drinking. 80 percent of respondents said they subscribed to a commercial service for drinking water. Of those, two-thirds purchased refillable water dispensers (such as Salsabeel, a local brand), usually delivered to their homes as part of the service; one-third bought water from the ubiquitous blue tanker trucks that also deliver to residences in Muscat and other cities and towns.  No households in the survey used non-refillable plastic water bottles (such as Masafi or Oasis brand) as their primary source of drinking water, but thirty percent said they used them on occasion, especially when travelling by road.

water-bottles-middle-east

Interviewees were asked which of these components (food, plastic packaging/bags, paper/cardboard, plastic bottles or “other”) made up most of the refuse found in their own household rubbish bins. Half of them asserted it was plastic packaging or plastic bags, one-third believed it to be paper and/or cardboard, and the remaining respondents said it was plastic bottles (such as containers for juice, water and household disinfectants).

Are you aware of any local programme for recycling?

The questions about plastic water bottles and what types of material were trashed led to this next query: Are you aware of any local programme for recycling? Only twenty percent of respondents answered “Yes,” and of those, none were aware of any active recycling programme in their neighbourhood or workplace. One respondent thought that the 2013 Dar al Atta’a clothing recycling initiative was still ongoing, because the bins for paper and cardboard recycling set up by the same charity around Muscat in 2015 looked almost identical to those previous bins for clothing.

recycling-program-Oman

A few respondents had heard that plastic bottles were being collected somewhere in the city, but had no idea where. Several respondents mentioned that in the past, they used to see individuals salvaging empty aluminium soft drink cans from municipal rubbish bins near streets and in public parks. A couple of these respondents noted that the remuneration price for those used cans had fallen several years ago, and they believed this to be the reason this type of recycling seemed to have disappeared.

Do you recycle any of these items?

The follow-on question was: Do you recycle any of these items? paper/cardboard, plastic bottles, aluminium/metal, glass, clothing or “other”. The category “other” was intended to catch possible but expectedly rare responses such as batteries, electronics and printer ink cartridges. One would think that this follow-up question would have received “Not applicable” as a response from all respondents. However, a few respondents mentioned that they “recycled” some of their own household’s waste, in that they re-used or repurposed items such as cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, glass jars and old tee shirts. Most (70 percent) said that they regularly donated used clothing to poor families or (especially with children’s clothing) gave them to relatives.

This question spurred a couple of female respondents to comment on clothing “waste” as a problem “particular to Omanis,” as they saw it. They mentioned that Omanis who wear traditional clothing must have most of their clothes tailor made, and that—particularly for women’s wear—the fashions changed quickly from season to season. As a result, many women and girls felt they could not be seen wearing last season’s dresses and scarves, and had to buy the latest styles.

One respondent further remarked that the cycle of conspicuous consumption was affecting Omani society at many levels, and was even more problematic when it involved costly commodities such as mobile phones, especially on the part of the youth, who junked their “old” phones for the latest models with astonishing frequency.

What factors influenced the beliefs and attitudes about wasting food or throwing away useful items?

Interviewees were asked what factors influenced their beliefs and attitudes about wasting food or throwing away useful items. Sixty percent said that religion (Islam) played the greatest role in this. Thirty percent said family upbringing was the main influence and another ten percent attributed their attitudes to their culture. Education and tradition were mentioned by the majority of respondents as the secondary factors.

What do you think that people in Oman can do to help reduce the amount of waste they are making?

The final question in the survey was: What do you think that people in Oman can do to help reduce the amount of waste they are making? This open-ended question elicited a variety of responses: “Be responsible for yourself and your family”; “don’t buy more than you need”; “donate extra food and clothing instead of throwing it away”; and “re-use items in your home and at your farm.”

Note: This is the second article in our special series on ‘Waste Management in Oman’. The first part can be read at this link.

The third and final part analyses the results of the survey and makes a wide range of recommendations to improve the waste management situation in Oman.