Biomass Energy in Jordan

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Jordan has promising biomass energy potential in the form of municipal solid wastes, crop residues and organic industrial wastes.  Municipal solid wastes represent the best source of biomass in Jordan. In terms of quantity per capita and constituents, the waste generated in Jordan is comparable to most semi-industrialized nations. Agricultural biomass offers a low energy potential due to arid climate in most of the country.

The major biomass energy resources in Jordan are:

  • Municipal waste from big cities
  • Organic wastes from slaughterhouse, vegetable market, hotels and restaurants.
  • Organic waste from agro-industries
  • Animal manure, mainly from cows and chickens.
  • Sewage sludge and septic.
  • Olive mills.
  • Organic industrial waste

The total generation of municipal waste in Jordan is estimated at more than 2 million tons per year. In addition, an annual amount of 1.83 million cubic meter of septic and sewage sludge from treatment of 44 million cubic meter of sewage water is generated in Greater Amman area. The potential annual sewage sludge and septic generated in Amman can be estimated at 85,000 tons of dry matter. Jordan also generate significant amount of animal manure due to strong animal population in the form of cattle, sheep, camels, horses etc. 

Organic industrial wastes, either liquid or solid, is a good biomass resource and can be a good substrate for biogas generation. Anaerobic digestion is fast gaining popularity as one of the best waste management method for biomass utilization. The use of anaerobic digestion technology for biomassl waste management would be a significant step in Jordan’s emergence as a renewable energy hub in the MENA region. Jordan is planning to implement 40-50 MW of waste-to-energy projects by 2020.

Biogas Plant at Rusaifeh Landfill

The Government of Jordan, in collaboration with UNDP, GEF and the Danish Government, established 1MW biogas plant at Rusaifeh landfill near Amman in 1999.  The plant has been successfully operating since its commissioning and has recently been increased to 4MW. The project consists of a system of twelve landfill gas wells and an anaerobic digestion plant based on 60 tons per day of organic wastes from hotels, restaurants and slaughterhouses in Amman. The successful installation of the biogas project has made it a role model in the entire region and several big cities are striving to replicate the model.

How to Avoid Drinking Heavy Metals?

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Heavy metals naturally occur in our environment. Even so, they aren’t the kind of substances you’ll want in your body. Each of the common heavy metals produces different reactions within the body. In some cases, metals of this nature may contribute to heavy metal poisoning or certain diseases and illnesses. Here’s what you need to know about heavy metals and how to avoid drinking them.

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Signs You Have Issues with Heavy Metals

It’s not always easy to tell if you have heavy metals in your drinking water. The symptoms related to heavy metal ingestion can range from mild to severe, although they tend to develop slowly over time. Some of the common symptoms associated with heavy metal exposure include:

  • Diarrhea, nausea, and/or vomiting
  • Abdominal pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • General weakness

The World Health Organization (WHO) has cited the United States as one of the countries in the world with higher levels of arsenic in groundwater. Other common heavy metals that may be in your household water include copper, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and lead. More specific symptoms are associated with each of the different heavy metals. With mercury poisoning, for instance, you might notice a lack of coordination, speech and hearing issues, vision changes, or nerve damage in your hands or face.

Get Your Water Tested

The first step you can take to avoid drinking heavy metals is to get your water tested for the presence of heavy metals. The results will determine if there are high amounts of any common heavy metals in your household water. You’ll be more likely to avoid drinking heavy metals if you know for sure what’s in the water coming into your home.

Avoid Seafood with High Levels of Mercury

If it turns out that you are being exposed to higher-than-normal levels of heavy metal in your drinking water, taking additional steps to avoid upping those levels even more can be helpful. Seafood is a good starting point. Not all seafood is loaded with heavy metals. In fact, many types of seafood are a reliable source of beneficial nutrients.

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What you will want to avoid, however, is seafood with high levels of mercury. Specifically, this means avoiding excessive consumption of:

  • Swordfish
  • Marlin
  • Bigeye and ahi tuna
  • Tilefish

Have Pipes Checked and Replaced (If Necessary)

Most homes constructed prior to 1980 have lead solder that was used to secure pipe joints. Some homes also have issues with lead and copper in serve lines and other types of household plumbing. If testing shows high levels of heavy metals in your home, one of the culprits could be your plumbing. A thorough plumbing inspection can determine if the issue may be your pipes. If it is, you may benefit from appropriate plumbing updates.

Don’t Frequently Use Old Dishware

Old ceramic dishware may contain lead. If you normally use older dishware, it’s best to only use it for special occasions. Choose non-toxic plates and related accessories for everyday use.

Replace Mercury Thermometers with Digital Ones

It may seem unlikely that an old mercury thermometer could break and get into your household drinking water. Still, it’s best to err on the side of caution and replace mercury thermometers, especially ones used in your kitchen or dining area, with newer digital ones.

Be Cautious with Herbicides

If you regularly work in the garden around your home, be aware that some herbicides contain heavy metals. Take time to choose products of this nature that do not contain heavy metal levels.

Check the Content of Your Medications

It may seem like a long-shot, but certain medications do contain heavy metals as key ingredients. Check the specific contents of any medications you normally take on a regular basis. If you notice unusually high levels of heavy metals, talk to your doctor about the possibility of changing to other medications that still address your health-related problems.

Replace Older Paint

Older homes are more likely to have lead paint. According to the EPA, the consumer use of lead-containing paint was banned in 1978. So, if you have a home that’s older than this and you haven’t updated your paint, this is a step worth taking.

Another way to avoid heavy metals in your drinking water is to use a reliable water filter. A top-quality filter can leave you with cleaner household water that’s also healthier and safer to use and drink on a regular basis. Ultimately, you deserve drinking water that’s not going to negatively affect your health and live a happier life. With the proper precautions, you can achieve this goal and enjoy much-appreciated peace of mind.

A Beginner’s Guide to Buying Crypto: Step-by-Step Instructions

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The dawn of the digital currency era was initiated by an anonymous individual or team using the alias Satoshi Nakamoto, who created Bitcoin in 2009. Subsequently, countless other cryptos have blossomed into existence like Ethereum, Ripple, Solana, and others. Although this industry has gained remarkable traction in recent years, it is faced with issues such as regulatory impediments, fluctuation, and security vulnerabilities. However, these roadblocks cannot impede its progression; new applications are being developed daily for cryptocurrency’s ever-expanding presence! In this article, we will discuss what is cryptocurrency and how to purchase it.

beginner's guide to cryptocurrency

What is Cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is an innovative, digital form of money that utilizes encryption to protect transactions and monitor the generation of new units. Unlike typical currencies which are subject to government oversight or central banking authority, cryptocurrency operates independently as a decentralized entity.

Cryptos are largely underpinned by blockchain technology, a decentralized ledger that maintains secure and transparent records of transactions. Furthermore, the restricted availability of these digital assets lends them an air of exclusivity as prices tend to spike unpredictably. As such, cryptos can be seen as valuable investments with the potential for significant returns on investment over short periods of time.

Cryptocurrencies are encrypted using sophisticated cryptographic algorithms, making them hard to breach or counterfeit. Not all digital currencies provide full anonymity, yet many offer a certain level of privacy and obscurity for their users.

Despite the fact that cryptocurrency regulations are still in flux, a plethora of individuals and businesses, both locally and globally, have begun to embrace cryptocurrencies as a viable payment option and investment vehicle. The potential for this revolutionary technology is immense; it could easily revolutionize many industries!

The crypto sector is ever-evolving with never-ending improvements and emerging use cases. Decentralized finance (DeFi) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs), just to name a few, are examples of these advancements in the industry. Many beginners wonder, “How do I buy and sell cryptocurrency?”. Let’s talk about it.

How to Buy Crypto?

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to buy crypto, and we will take the WhiteBIT exchange as an example.

Founded in 2018, WhiteBIT is an Estonian crypto exchange that provides traders with a variety of services such as margin and spot trading along with multiple cryptocurrencies to choose from. Whether you’re looking for reliable digital asset liquidity or just want to diversify your portfolio, WhiteBIT offers something for everyone.

WhiteBIT is renowned for its high-grade security protocols, safeguarding user data and funds via cold storage, two-factor authentication, and consistent audits. Furthermore, the platform follows all AML/KYC regulations to thwart fraudulent behavior while protecting users at every turn. With these comprehensive measures in place, everyone can rest assured that their investments will be safe on this reliable exchange.

On top of its security measures, WhiteBIT is celebrated for its intuitive user interface and affordable trading fees. All trades are charged a flat fee of 0.1%, regardless of the currency or size traded, making it an alluring choice for both novice and veteran traders keen to minimize expenses.

Tradable assets abound on WhiteBIT – from Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Cardano to a host of other digital coins. For those who prefer traditional currency, USD and EUR are all accepted; enabling users to effortlessly deposit or withdraw the money they need in whichever format suits them best.

Taking all factors into consideration, WhiteBIT is an ideal solution for anyone wishing to trade cryptos securely and conveniently. Its incredibly low fees coupled with the vast array of available assets make this exchange a great choice for traders regardless of skill level or expertise.

How to buy and trade cryptocurrency? Here is the manual.

Step 1 – Registration

Take the initiative to join WhiteBIT. Go ahead and explore their website, then press “Sign up” for your own unique account. Fill in the required personal information accurately and follow the instructions provided to complete registration quickly.

Step 2 – Verification

To ensure adherence to government guidelines, we kindly request you verify your account by providing essential identification documents such as a passport or ID card. Follow the steps outlined by WhiteBIT and finish off the verification process in no time.

Step 3 – Add Funds

After verifying your account, you can easily add funds to your profile with either cryptocurrency or traditional currency. To do so, simply hit the “Deposit” button and choose one of our many payment options like a bank transfer or credit card. Quickly and conveniently get started on investing today.

Step 4 – Select an Asset

Once your funds have been securely deposited, venture over to the trading tab of WhiteBIT and pick out the cryptocurrency of your choice.

Step 5 – Open an Order

Select the type of order you would like to place, such as a market or limit order, and enter the desired cryptocurrency quantity. Double-check your entries and click on “Buy” to finalize the transaction.

Step 6 – Withdraw or Trade Further

Once your order is completed, the crypto will be transferred to your WhiteBIT account. To move it to an external wallet of yours, simply click on “Withdraw” and follow these easy steps supplied by WhiteBIT.

It is essential to keep in mind that trading crypto involves risks and it is imperative you properly research these potential drawbacks before investing. Also, various countries may have different regulations for buying or selling digital currency, so make sure you comply with all relevant laws and regulations.

choosing the right cryptocurrency exchange

Investing in crypto on the WhiteBIT exchange offers a plethora of benefits that you won’t find anywhere else, including:

  • Low fees. WhiteBIT provides some of the most competitive trading fees in the industry, making it a tempting choice for buyers searching to downscale their transaction costs.
  • Wide range of cryptos. With this platform, you can pick from some of the most popular coins like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin. But why stop there? Dive into more obscure altcoins to discover which ones offer the highest potential for your investments.
  • High liquidity. On WhiteBIT, investors can effortlessly and quickly buy and sell digital assets due to its impressive liquidity that ensures minimal slippage.
  • Advanced trading tools. With WhiteBIT, savvy traders have access to cutting-edge tools like limit orders and stop-loss orders; these features assist investors in mitigating their risk while simultaneously optimizing trading plans.
  • Strong security measures. WhiteBIT has implemented reinforced security measures, including two-factor authentication and cold storage of funds, to safeguard users’ assets from nefarious activities such as hacking or theft.
  • User-friendly interface. WhiteBIT’s user experience is designed to be intuitive, making it a breeze for both beginners and experienced traders to navigate.

Before investing in crypto, it’s essential to note that risks abound. It is vital to thoroughly research the potential of these risks and familiarize yourself with them before proceeding. Given varying regulations between countries and regions related to buying/selling crypto, ensure you abide by any applicable laws or mandates relevant for your locale as well.

Conclusion: Should You Buy Cryptocurrency in 2023?

In 2023, investors may encounter notable benefits when investing in crypto, particularly with many cryptos having seen significant growth over the years, there is potential for high returns. Furthermore, including digital coins in your portfolio offers diversification as it operates separately from traditional investments like bonds and stocks.

With an ever-changing environment, the crypto industry offers new possibilities for growth and advancement. Not to mention, your investments are protected with sophisticated cryptography that makes them almost impossible to be hacked or counterfeited, making security a huge plus when buying crypto assets.

Cryptos are assets that can be traded quickly and easily on crypto exchanges. Notably, they also provide a fantastic privacy option for those who value anonymity – many of them offer some level of privacy to their users’ finances.

Despite its many benefits, it’s essential to recognize that investing in crypto carries potential risks like market unpredictability, regulatory instability, and security worries. Therefore, investors should meticulously do their research and understand the possible risks before they decide to invest. Also remember: you must adhere to regional laws and regulations when trading with digital currency if you want your investment to remain secure.

To learn more about how to buy and sell cryptocurrency, welcome to the WhiteBIT blog. This blog provides comprehensive content about topics that are pertinent to the industry, such as blockchain advancement, global cryptocurrency tendencies, and trading techniques. The WhiteBIT blog provides users with market analysis updates, allowing them to keep up-to-date on the price analysis and trends of the market. Furthermore, they can take advantage of our cutting-edge news coverage and events impacting crypto trading.

The blog keeps you up to speed with the newest developments, such as fresh cryptocurrency listings and development in trading pairs, along with any platform enhancements. Moreover, our blog covers industry news that may sway the market like regulatory updates and partnerships.

The WhiteBIT blog is an invaluable asset for investors trying to stay up-to-date on the most recent breakthroughs in crypto trading. With its valuable insights and data, traders can make more knowledgeable decisions and continue to lead the charge in this everchanging arena of finance.

كورونا – درس مطلوب فهم بعده البيئي

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العالم يحتفل بيوم الأرض العالمي للعام 2020م في ظروف إستثنائية بالغة التعقيد تعيش واقعها الصعب البشرية بسبب جائحة الوباء كورونا وما رافقها من منعطفات خطيرة أكدت على مؤشرات العلاقة غير الموزونة مع النظام البيئي لكوكب الأرض وبعدها الكارثي على الأمن الصحي والبيئي للإنسانية، وبعثت المنعطفات الكارثية رسائل تدعو البشرية للإستفاقة من غفوتها وتبدأ في إعادة حساباتها ومراجعة مواقفها وعنادها التي كانت حتى مرحلة قريبة ترفض التراجع عن خططها الاقتصادية والصناعية المدمرة لكوكب الأرض.

جائحة الوباء كورونا سجلت رسائل مهمة في منظومة الأمن الإنساني المرتبطة بمتطلبات الأمن البيئي والاقتصادي والغذائي للبشرية، وتلك الرسائل تؤكد على الضرورة الإستراتيجية في مراجعة مناهج الاستغلال الجشع للموارد الطبيعية واستخدام الطاقة والالتزام بالمعايير البيئية في الأنشطة الصناعية والبيئية بما يضمن تبني إجراءات وقف حالات التعدي على الأنظمة الطبيعية والاستغلال غير الرشيد الجائر والجاني للثروات البيئية، والانتهاكات الجسيمة الحاصلة في العلاقة مع المعالم البيئية وكبح جماح المخاطر على الأمن البيئي لكوكب الأرض التي تسببها الأنشطة الخارجة عن العقلانية للتطور الصناعي والاقتصادي والعسكري أيضا والذي أوجد خللًا عميقًا في توازن منظومة النظام البيئي لكوكب الأرض، تسبب في التلويث الشامل للغلاف الجوي للكرة الأرضية وتزايد مخاطر تدهور طبقة الأوزون وأضحت تهدد بفناء الحياة على كوكب الأرض.

إحياء يوم الأرض في بلادنا له خصوصيته إذ يتوافق مع ظروف الأزمة الاستثنائية لمشكلة تراكم المخلفات المنزلية بسبب عدم تمكن عمال النظافة من التواجد في مواقع عملهم لكنس المخلفات من الشوارع للظروف الاستثنائية لجائحة الوباء كورونا، وذلك الواقع بين جوانب الخلل في منظومة السلوك الاجتماعي في العلاقة مع النظافة العامة وضعف التدبير في التخطيط الإداري في منظومة العمل المؤسسي والاجتماعي في بناء خطة بديلة للتدخل في الحالات الطارئة لمعالجة مشكلة النظافة، ومن جانب آخر أكد على مؤشرات ضرورة التفكير الجدي في بناء منظومة العمل الفني والإداري لإعادة تدوير المخلفات المنزلية وتوفير متطلبات الالتزام بآلياتها وإجراءاتها فنيًا وقانونيًا، وبناء الوعي الاجتماعي في كيفية التحكم في تقليل النفايات المنزلية وطرق تنظيم آلية التخلص منها.

زبدة القول جائحة كورونا درس ينبغي فهم بعده البيئي، ورسالة من الطبيعة توقظ البشرية من سباتها لتتخذ قراراتها الحكيمة والفاعلة في إجراء تغيير جذري ومسؤول في سياساتها لتحسين حالة الأمن البيئي لكوكب الأرض.

5 Tips for Starting and Growing an Environmentally-friendly Business

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It is fantastic that there is currently a big surge in companies becoming more environmentally aware and introducing sustainable and eco-friendly policies. And more and more startups are choosing to focus on being as green as possible.

If you are considering starting your own environmentally-friendly business, you can help to save the planet while also potentially creating high levels of revenue.

Tips for Starting an Eco-friendly Business

But before you decide to launch your green company, make sure you take note of the following five helpful tips.

1. Determine the Type of Business You Want to Launch and the Opportunities for Making it Green

The first step in starting an environmentally-friendly business is to determine what kind of business you want to launch. You could focus on a business that is about promoting greenness, such as a recycled furniture business.

Alternatively, you could begin any type of business and ensure it puts eco-friendliness at its heart and is green through and through, such as only using sustainable materials and avoiding manufacturers and distributors that create a high carbon footprint.

Once you figure out what it is you want to do with your startup, you can determine how to do it in an environmentally-friendly way.

2. Make Sure You Have Strong Business Skills

Regardless of the type of business you decide to set up, you will be able to achieve your goals and grow your business if you have strong business skills.

If you do not currently have good business acumen, it could be worth enrolling in a bachelor’s degree related to business.

If you already possess good business skills, it could be worth learning even more, by completing an MBA program for instance, so that you can make the business you launch successful from day one.

Trusted MBA lenders are available to help you fund your education. And it can be more than worth spending the time and money required to study for an MBA if it means you have the opportunity to create and grow a successful company and generate higher revenue.

Once you have the necessary skills and knowledge, you need to come up with an effective business plan for your environmentally-friendly business.

Also Read: How to Conduct Customer Satisfaction Surveys for Solar Business

3. Look at How You Can Achieve Eco-friendliness for Each Element of Your Business Operations

To create a fully eco-friendly business, you need to think green throughout your business decisions. That means considering the environmental impact of every element of your operations.

Sustainability needs to be at the heart of your business operations. You should have a system in place that allows your company to reduce, recycle, and reuse. You also need to focus on keeping your carbon footprint at a minimal level.

Energy consumption is another factor you need to consider carefully. You will need to make your energy consumption as low and as green as possible.

Ways to Make Your Business Eco-Friendly

4. Find Out About National Green Incentives

Many countries have implemented measures that incentivize new businesses to maintain sustainable and environmentally-friendly business models.

So, you may be able to access grants or pay lower taxes, for example. In fact, the reporting rules for form 1099K might revert back to the $20,000 (or 200 transactions) threshold for 2024 instead of the $600 threshold that is currently imposed.

Look at the grants and other assistance that is available in your specific country and determine what you will need to do to qualify.

By accessing national green incentives, you could potentially reduce your startup expenses and continuing costs significantly while also ensuring your business has excellent green credentials.

5. Hire Local or Remote Employees

One thing many businesses that strive for eco-friendliness often overlook is the environmental impact that their employees have when they need to commute to workplaces.

Carbon footprints can be very high when you employ workers who need to travel to work. The longer the distance, the higher the carbon footprint will be.

You can mitigate this problem by hiring employees who are based locally or hiring remote workers as much as possible.

Useful Resource: How to Make Your Website More Sustainable

Impact of COVID-19 on Slums and Informal Settlements

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An estimated one billion people across the globe live in slums or informal settlements. As much of the world is already braced and battling with coronavirus crisis, there are others perplexed as to how this one billion people can possibly deal with the current pandemic. The general recommendations to global population are to wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, if sick to self-isolate, and when out and about to practice social distancing of keeping 2 meters away from other persons. Three simple directives or are they?

How feasible are these recommendations for people living in informal settlements and slums?

As the pandemic is on the doorstep, there has been noticeably little discussion of how to combat the pandemic in slums and informal settlements around the world. How can these people groups deal with the looming threat of COVID-19? The answer is simply, they cannot. The virus is invisible but so are the health conditions of the residents along with the social needs of these communities.

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The actual common health threats of the people living in these marginalized areas is undocumented and poorly understood by national authorities. Research has been conducted reviewing the post-Ebola urban health of the people in Sierra Leone. A second research initiative has also been conducted looking at the accountability of the informal urban equity information. From these two research projects, some insights have been made into the potential understanding of possible management of COVID-19 in these marginalized areas.

The key findings from previous epidemic studies include:

  1. Paucity of data and detailed information of the people residing in these areas.
  2. People from these informal settlements have strong interdependence with the population of immediately adjacent urban city.
  3. Extreme vulnerability to a wide range of potentially dangerous diseases and health issues.
  4. High levels of vulnerability to disease and undocumented ongoing health issues
  5. The level of order or chaos within the informal settlements would be very ill-defined to outsiders although it maybe very apparent and structured for the local residents.

A lack of demographic data

There are very large data gaps as the slums are very informal in layout and in many instances are illegal settlements. These two factors impede the collection of local data of the population living in such areas. It is so randomly organized that it is difficult to implement effective health and sanitary measures. There are no official population statistics of the number of persons actually living in these areas. Because there is no demographic data, it is impossible for epidemiological models to predict the likely spread of infectious disease.

Interdependence with adjacent urban centers

The informal settlement may even butt right up to a formal urban settlement. The residence of the informal settlement may have very close ties and associations within the formal settlement in terms of employment, both casual and regular in its nature of commitment and financial reimbursements.

This association with very different socio-economic neighbourhoods with a very high level of dependency makes it very difficult to implement and enforce containment and minimization of movement as the hired hands obviously return to their shanty lifestyle at the end of the work day. The dependency of the hired workers is critical for basic survival so quarantine measures are very unlikely to be put into effect and adhered to with any degree of success.

High levels of vulnerability to disease and undocumented ongoing health issues

The occupants of informal settlements often lack general knowledge of the type of illnesses and diseases that frequent these people groups. Health providers will be from within the informal sector and may be mainly traditional and herbal, or the dispensing of pharmaceutical medicines with minimal knowledge of the substances being used. This would be particularly the case for fevers and coughs.

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The majority of people will lack having health issues correctly diagnosed and treated. Therefore, the inhabitants may very likely be living with chronic health conditions. It would be reasonable to assume that there may be very large pockets of highly vulnerable individuals that if a pandemic got into the mix, their lives would be highly threatened with limited support or potential care.

Food security would be a very real problem in such communities at different times depending on natural catastrophes and their highly variable financial means. This could affect their overall state of fitness and general health.

The degree of order or chaos

The level of and degree of internal structure and hierarchy will be concealed from outsider and organizations wanting to offer aid and assistance. Likewise the leadership could be any number of different personalities ranging from traditional healer, council member, business person, youth leader, gang member, and so on.

Therefore, planning intervention measures for the pandemic would be very complex and require time to establish connections, good rapport and understanding between the people within the informal settlement with organizations offering medical advice and services for handing the pandemic.

These living conditions could place the inhabitants at frequent occurrence of natural disasters and life threatening situations such as cholera, influenza, flooding, mudslides, and many other types of life threatening happenings.

Therefore, it is safe to say that community engagement would be essential but requires lead time to establish relationships and levels of trust between local residents and outside organizations wanting to work with the community.

Returning to the Covid-19 pandemic

This may well be a long-overdue turning point in many regions of the globe. Epidemics, and in this instance a pandemic, may be the trigger for the urban elite to reassess the plight of the informal settlement areas. Because there is a symbiotic dependency of both people groups and a potential threat to all lives by the poor levels of health and unsanitary living conditions, on the less desirable sector, action may finally be essential.

The threat of COVID-19 will be better managed in the more developed urban sectors. This means that the risks are both real and very high for these urban poor community groups. It may not be a favourable outcome for the present pandemic but it may open up the need for urban communities to take greater responsibilities for the informal settlement areas.

It may not be until after the passing of the pandemic, that the more structured sector will have to take more responsibility for redefining human redevelopment, ensuring improved and sustainable health conditions and standards of housing and overall living conditions in the present informal settlement area. This would be long-term improvements for the informal clusters that have been ignored for too long and must be addressed if humanity hopes to succeed through the coming centuries.

Is Lockdown a Viable Option to Control the Coronavirus in Africa?

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The African nations have had plenty of recent infectious disease outbreaks such as HIV and Ebola to learn ways of tackling an epidemic. Therefore, they might be better equipped in mental fortitude to handle the current coronavirus crisis. One significant factor that the African people are aware of is that the communities must be actively involved in responding to the virus outbreak.

Some nuggets of truth already learnt from previous experience with infectious diseases is that the outbreaks can be released differently in different communities and environments. This is in part due to the social conditions of the people concerned. The second important understanding is that the control measures implemented need to be applied with the consent and full agreement of the people concerned.  helped end Ebola in West Africa in 2015

From their recent hands-on experience, epidemic control measures will only be embraced and adhered if the local people are actively involved in determining the future destiny of their own lives. This implies that even though Covid-19 is a pandemic that is spreading across almost the entire globe, it can also be considered as a series of localized epidemics that are popping up simultaneously across the globe.

The methods of transmission are the same across the globe but the speed of transmission may vary as well as the overall pattern of spread. These variations can be observed and the differences observed between densely populated lower-income township areas compared with less-dense, mid-level suburban neighbourhoods. Likewise, the spread of infection will be markedly different in refugee and displaced persons camps. The spread will be different again amidst nomadic people.

The social behaviour of the African people are of great importance in their cultural settings. These behaviours include greetings, mixing and mingling across generations as a normal daily practice, as well as the variation in physical distancing and hand washing procedures.

The international recommendations for dealing with the transmission of infectious diseases is largely determined by westernized, middle and upper class people groups centralized in urban dwellings with ample natural resources such as fresh, clean water within their living abodes, personal means of transportation, indoor living and working environments, and so forth.

African nations tackle the spread of disease in their communities in very different ways because the aforementioned socio-economic and spatial factors. There are also very significant differences in the general health conditions of the people, and the type of medical concerns that are more prevalent in the African people.

The immunity of the people on the African continent is much weaker due to the history and prevalence of HIV condition. The fear of infection is more acute because also because many millions of people are with tuberculosis. There is also a high occurrence of malaria and severe malnutrition. Thus, it is reasonable to say that the people on the African continent are likely to be very vulnerable due to their decreased levels of immunity, and their various medical conditions which are life threatening.

In contrast to these negative factors, there is one very encouraging positive factor and that is the populations across the continent are extremely young. The are countries where up to fifty percent of the population are under the age of 30 years. There is a very small percentage of the population, less than 2%, who are over 65 years. This is a good indicator that the mortality rate could be much lower across the African continent when the coronavirus strikes in this part of the globe.

The infectious disease prediction rates and data models have been developed for the more developed westernized regions of the globe. The main epidemic control measure adopted by China, Europe and North America has been the lockdown concept enforcing self-isolation which is in itself a very long-standing traditional approach to managing infectious diseases. There is neither adequate data nor time available for enhancing the models and predictors for the African continent.

The lockdown approach also required some rigorous medical, emergency response and policing systems to already be in existence in the nations (or counties /states) within the region. The lockdown approach also required a centralized operations base which is not possible in many African nations. Nations such as South Africa and Rwanda could operate lockdowns but there would still be areas within these countries where it is not a feasible approach.

There are a number of reasons why lockdown is not a viable option to tackle Covid-19 pandemic in Africa. Many of the people are subsistence farmers so need to work in the fields. The little cash flow comes from regular sales of produce in the local market so a longterm lockdown might control the virus but will lead the people to poverty and potential starvation. The various regions are already subjected to long term droughts, swarms of locusts, and occasional flash floods, as well as long term unemployment due to very limited work opportunities. During these events, individuals and even communities are dependent on extended family members for support. This is their social security system. Therefore, a lockdown would disengage family connections and make the people more vulnerable and destitute.

Many nations are already very dependent on international aid for normal everyday living. With the present pandemic conditions, the financial aid options are threatened and will be severely reduced. Likewise, supply chain systems were also be severely threatened and reduced. The level of medical and health support across the globe is also very weak and vulnerable in comparison with those developed nations which are themselves struggling to maintain adequate medical supplies and equipment.

As significant regions of the African continent have experienced recent epidemics, there is large resources of local knowledge. The medical community and international emergency support initiatives such as Doctors without Borders have medical data for trends and patterning of the spread of disease in these communities while the local communities are able to provide contextual and cultural information. Together, these data sources can be brought together to identify applicable methods used in the recent decades of managing the outbreak of diseases in this region of the globe.

Therefore, the African nations will need to design and tailor their response to the corona virus in such away that it addresses their specific needs based on their demographics and medical conditions of the people.

Climate Change in the Holy Quran: Perspectives

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Imagine being stuck in the middle of the desert, with little or no water and all of a sudden you completely submerged in an Ocean. Covered from more than head to toe in water. Springs gushing forth from where there used to be ovens and all havoc breaking loose, with only one ship. Not a single flood barrier in sight nor the ability to be able to capture the rainwater for use later on. This is a glimpse of what it must have been like for the people of Prophet Nuh (AS). In the process he also lost his own family members. The Almighty told him to build his Ark and the people mocked him, but he listened and obeyed.

Quranic verses about climate change

The story of Nuh (A.S) shows us an excellent example of climate change in the Holy Quran. It also highlights to us the impact which flooding can have on society and focuses on effort and not necessarily results. This is clear in the fact that Nabi Nuh preached to his people for almost 1000 years, yet very few accepted the message.

“We did indeed send Noah to his people and he lived among them a thousand years save fifty. Eventually the Flood overtook them while they were engaged in wrongdoing”. Quran (29:14)

One thing that stands out for sure in the entire lesson is that we need to look at the Ark as a sign of hope. There will always be a tool for us to use if we are truthful and steer the course

One other Flood in the Holy Quran, which also had major impacts, was that of Musa (A.S). This is highlighted in the Quran:

“Then We afflicted them with a great flood and locusts, and the lice, and the frogs, and the blood. All these were distinct signs and yet they remained haughty. They were a wicked people.” Quran (7:133)

This leads us to think about the dynamic interplay between events like flooding and disease and how we really need to examine the way we are studying science. We should actually be taking approaches related to multi and interdisciplinary work with large teams of various scientists from numerous backgrounds tackling big problems to solve them holistically.

The story of Yusuf (A.S) is the only one in the entire Quran which occurs in one surah of the Quran, in order from start to  finish This can be seen in Surah 12 of the Holy Quran. The verses pertaining  to the climate variability could be seen as :

And the king said: Lo! I saw in a dream seven fat kine which seven lean were eating and seven green ears of corn other (seven) dry. O notables! Expound for me my vision, if he can interpret dreams. They answered: Jumbled dreams! And we are not knowing in the interpretation of dreams. And of the two who was released and (now) at length remembered, said : I am going to announce unto you the interpretation,  therefore send me forth. (And when he came to Joseph in the prison, he exclaimed): Joseph! O thou truthful one! Expound for us the seven fat kine which seven lean were eating and the seven green ears of corn and other (seven) dry, that I may return unto the people so that they may know. He said: Ye shall sow seven years as usual, but that which ye reap, leave it in the ear, all save a little which ye eat. Then after that will come seven hard years which will devour all that ye have prepared for them, save a little of that which ye have stored. Then, after that, will come a year when the people will have plenteous crops and when they will press (wine and oil) “(Quran 12: 43-49)

The analysis of the dreams occurs in the latter verse with a further analysis suggesting that grain should be stored in the seven good years for the seven tough years. Furthermore, after the seven years of drought a good year will occur with plentiful water and in turn good crops of olives and grapes for people to process oil and wine. This is not in the dream nor part of its interpretation but was used by Yusuf (A.S) to garner hope for the population.

climate-change-lebanon

The Quran shows us, by means of   case studies, what the effects of climate change can be as well as how to minimise the impacts thereof. The stories of Nuh (A.S), Yusuf (A.S) and Musa (A.S) have numerous lessons. These should spill over into our lives and we could make a major impact in terms of saving this beautiful planet of ours and being the vicegerent the Almighty wants us to be.

It also seems as if two distinct patterns of Climate Change could be deduced. The first pattern was a slow persistent change in climate, like the event affecting Yusuf (A.S). The second pattern, in the case of Musa (A.S) as well as Nuh (A.S), was a sudden one in the form of a flood. It also seems as if the modern data favours more intensive climatic changes, but it could also be said that the effects are likely to be erratic.

It should however be noted that the decisions made by human beings in certain instances without proper planning and consultation could have these types of disastrous impacts. This can be seen in instances whereby construction has occurred alongside rivers, knowingly that the river spills its banks on a regular basis.

The Question we should be asking ourselves in a modern context is – What is our Ark in the desert? What do we need to build in order to be resilient to the impacts of Climate Change?

How to Make an Environmentally-Conscious Person

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The public discourse on industrial pollution, climate change, global warming and sustainable development has made environmental protection a top priority for one and all.  Concerted efforts are underway from governments, businesses and individuals to make Earth a clean and green planet.  When it comes to sustainability, everyone has a role to play. We can contribute to the global environmental movement by adopting changes that are within easy reach.

Here are some tips to prove that you are an environmentally-conscious person:

1. Use Solar Power

Solar power is the most popular form of alternative energy. Worldwide, millions of businesses and households are powered by solar energy systems. A potential way to harness solar power is to install solar panels on your roof which will not only provide energy independence but also generate attractive revenues through sale of surplus power.

solar-street-light

Another interesting way to tap sun’s energy is use solar-powered lights for illuminating streets, boundary walls, gardens and other public spaces. Solar-powered lights by Deelat Industrial provide a reliable and cheap source of energy in rural and isolated areas.

2. Recycle Stuff

Recycling keeps waste out of landfills, thus conserving natural resources. The first step in recycling is to buy a multi-compartment recycling bin for separate collection of paper, plastics, food waste and metal. Paper, plastics and metals can be recycled and reused while food waste can be composted or anaerobically digested to produce biogas and nutrient-rich fertilizer.

3. Switch to Efficient Bulbs

The traditional incandescent light bulb consumes lot of electricity, and a better alternative is an LED light. LEDs are important because due to their efficiency and low energy consumption, they are beginning to replace most conventional light sources.

Energy-Efficient-Lights

A LED reduces pollution by a ton per light per year, with almost 80 percent reduction in energy consumption. Although the price of such a bulb is higher, it will surely cover expenses through energy savings.

4. Unplug Gadgets

A simple method to protect the environment is to remove the power source when you turn off the gadgets. Putting gadgets (or appliances) on stand-by mode consume a lot of power and substantial cost savings can be made by stopping this practice.

unplug-gadgets

Pull that plug!

Prevent energy wastage by unplugging any gadgets not in use or that are fully charged. You may also use smart power strips that cut the power supply to devices that no longer need it.

5. Use Filtered Water

Buying packaged water in plastic bottles is good for your health but this does create a problem. Plastic waste is something that everyone should worry about. At the same time the water you buy will be transported for a long distance until it reaches the supermarket. This means that precious fossil fuel is used in its transportation.

clean-water-for-home

An alternative that reduces its environmental impact is to filter your own water and use a refillable water container. Tap water is good for consumption and you can always use filtration systems to increase water quality.

Impact of School Closure on Marginalized Children

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We are seeing schools close as a protective measure of reducing the potential exposure to the coronavirus across the globe. This is due to the fact that schools could be a major source of transmission from one child to another child within a classroom, from one classroom to the whole school, to within the families and the greater community. And all at a very speedy rate of transmission of Covid-19.

The action of closing schools is an acceptable move in the more developed sectors of the global community as children tend to all have access to the internet, and in many instances have their own ipads, tablets or laptops. So with school closures in the physical sense, it is a very viable option to open up the classrooms to online learning from with the safety of their own homes.

School and university closure has been introduced in over 120 countries. This has impacted around three-quarters of the global student population according to UNESCO. This translates to an estimated 1.2 billion students.

School Closure and Marginalized Children

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, school children around the world could lose out on more than just their education, and at a much more serious level of concern. The issue is not just about education, but their general well-being, especially in developing countries of Asia, Africa and the Americas. The marginalized children are often from low-income households. These children often receive school meals which might be their only source of nutrition for the day.

Even in developed nations, the governments need to include appropriate action to counter balance not just the loss of school lessons but school nourishment for the young learners during and after the pandemic.

Image Source: www.weforum.org

The other challenge is for governments and learning authoritative bodies to provide upskill training for teachers to be able to convert from in classroom teaching and learning to online teaching and learning within a very narrow window of preparation time.

The Fear of Distance Learning

The whole concept of “online”, “remote learning” or “distance learning” has struck fear and anxiety into the hearts of many parents and educators across the developed nations. It may have been speculated and talked about as the way of education in the future. But the future is now. Questions and concerns rose very quickly and were voiced very loudly.

  • How were teachers supposed to transition to digital learning for their students within hours or maybe several days’ notice?
  • How were parents supposed to learn how to teach their children at home, while some are also working from home?
  • How were educators supposed to turn their hands-on, interactive lessons and games into something teachers and students could use on a digital platform?

No answers are given for these questions here. But a translation of what this might mean for education across the globe.

The Scale of the Problem

The number of children who were suddenly out of school or university, was equivalent to the entire population of India. The lockdowns proposed were initially for 2 or 3 weeks. But many of these lockdowns have been extended to 4 weeks, 6 weeks and even 8 weeks.

Even after the lockdown is lifted, there will still be many restrictions and limitations to our lifestyle. Hundreds of millions of students will not be returning to normal classes for months. There will be important exams that are postponed or cancelled altogether. Exams that would determine the future lives of many young people.

Yes, one option would be to cancel out this academic school year and start all over again after Covid-19. Except we do not know the end date of the pandemic, just as we did not know the beginning date.

It is already a known fact that the longer students are out of school, the more likely it is that students will never return to school. Necessities of existence and survival will direct their efforts elsewhere. This is especially true for girls who could be simply married off,  and those from low-income households who could be redirected into low-wage earning situations to help eke out a survival mode of living.

Need for Easy-to-Use Distance Learning Tools

All these reasons and considerations are why it is so critical, so important for governments to put in place easy-to-use distance learning tools with immediate effect. It is also vitally important to ensure that the learning methodologies and technology used do not exclude poor, disabled or marginalized children.

So the pressure is on for education providers to be creative and inclusive, ensuring that educational options are available in the home setting. Some options may sound a backward move but if they are the only option for home schooling, then it is a viable option. Radio and short-wave radio were the modes of education for outback stations in the central desert region and in the Northern Territory of Australia and up in the high country farm stations of NZ in the 1950’s through into the 1970’s. Today, in communities with limited or no access to the internet, for example, radio programs could enable children to continue their learning.

The Most Vulnerable Groups

The children hardest hit of all with regards to any form of learning during this pandemic are the most at-risk children across the globe. They were already marginalized by their circumstances but the current global situation is moving their advancement even further from their reach.

We are referring to homeless, parentless, refugee-status, abandoned and neglected children. These are children who are simply without any semblance of family or communal living existence.  Refugee and displaced children in temporary camps are even more vulnerable than they were before this current crisis.

There are also the young people who are disadvantaged because of physical limitations or intellectually challenged that could be marginalized during these extreme situations.

Low-income families and families with a subsistence lifestyle, may be urgently required to keep their children at home to work on the land, or to work on the streets for their merger funds in order to help bolster an already meager family income. Girls often carry a very disproportionate responsibility of caring for families in such states of deprivation. Their opportunities for any form of schooling could easily vanish totally.

Bottom Line

As in any troubled times, it is those who are marginalized the most, in both the short term and in the long term. Perhaps something good might come out of all this chaos. Maybe countries will be held responsible to care for and provide for their disadvantaged children. Something that really has not happened at a level that lifts the marginalized children out of their level of deprivation.

What Makes a Good Essay and How Can You Get Started?

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Writing a great essay is not as difficult as it seems. With the right tips and guidance, anyone can create a well-crafted piece of writing that can impress any reader. This guide will provide you with essential tips on how to write an essay that will help you get started on your journey to becoming an excellent essay writer.

how to write better essays in college

Writing essays can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With a little practice and dedication, you can become a great essay writer. By understanding the basics of grammar and composition, developing strong research skills, and honing your writing style, you can craft compelling essays that will impress your readers. Through hard work and dedication, you too can become a great essay writer.

If you’re looking for reliable economics essay writers Essaysforme writing service hires only the best experts in the web.

Understanding the Basics of Essay Writing

Writing an essay can be a daunting task, especially if you are unfamiliar with the structure and basic elements of an essay. However, understanding the basics of essay writing can help make it much easier to craft a well-structured argumentative or academic essay. This article will explore the various aspects of essay structure, including the introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. Additionally, we will discuss the different types of essays and how to effectively use evidence to support your arguments. With this knowledge in hand, you will be able to confidently write any type of essay with ease.

Writing an essay can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With the help of modern AI writing assistants, you can create a compelling essay with ease. These tools are designed to understand the structure of language and generate high-quality content quickly, allowing you to confidently tackle any type of essay without breaking a sweat.

Tips for Brainstorming and Pre-Writing Your Essay

Writing an essay can be a daunting task, but with the right approach it can be much easier. Brainstorming and pre-writing are two essential steps that will help you get started on your essay. Brainstorming will help you come up with ideas for your essay, while pre-writing activities such as outlining and freewriting will help you organize those ideas into a coherent structure.

how to write a great college essay

In this article, we will discuss some useful tips for brainstorming and pre-writing your essay so that you can start writing with confidence:

  • Create a list of topics to explore: Make a list of possible topics you can cover in your essay. Consider your interests, personal experiences, and things you are passionate about.
  • Free-write: Start writing without worrying about grammar, spelling, or punctuation. Use this time to explore the ideas you’ve brainstormed and see where they lead you.
  • Brainstorm with others: Talk to people who know you well and get their help in brainstorming topics and ideas to write about.
  • Take notes: Write down any interesting ideas that can be used to create compelling and engaging content for a variety of audiences, and explore new methods for utilizing AI copywriting assistants in a professional setting.

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Crafting a Thesis Statement and Introducing Your Argument

Crafting a thesis statement is one of the most important steps in writing a research paper. It is the central point around which the entire paper revolves and sets the tone for your argument. A strong thesis statement can help you make an argument in your essay and provide readers with a clear direction for what you are trying to prove or argue.

In this article, we will discuss how to craft a thesis statement, provide examples of research paper thesis statements, and explain how to make an argument in an essay. By understanding these concepts, you will be better equipped to write a successful research paper or essay.

Research writing can be a daunting task, but with the help of AI writing assistants, it doesn’t have to be. AI writers are equipped to provide students with the tools they need to write a successful research paper or essay. They can generate original content quickly and easily, allowing students to focus on their research and make sure their work is of high quality.

Developing Body Paragraphs with Evidence and Analysis

Writing body paragraphs with evidence and analysis is an essential part of any essay. It is the part where you can show your knowledge, understanding, and critical thinking skills. To do this effectively, you need to incorporate evidence from reliable sources and then analyze it critically to make your point.

Plastic Waste Management in UAE

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Plastics are an inseparable part of modern society. However, their safe disposal is a big and highly challenging issue. A typical UAE resident uses 450 plastic water bottles on an average in a single year1. With the equivalent of 43 gallons on an average per person in 2011, the United Arab Emirates had the fourth-highest level of bottled water consumption in the world.

A whopping 11 billion plastic bags are used annually, according to statistics from UAE’s Ministry of Environment and Water. This goes on to add up to an annual overall waste of 912.5 kilogram per capita2, 3, and 4. These statistics reflect on the extent of use of plastic bags and water bottles in UAE and the consequent generation of plastic waste.

plastic-water-bottles-middle-east

Plastics are used globally in industries like packaging, construction and medical equipment among others. This is because plastics are durable, water-proof, lightweight and versatile. However, some countries use them more than others due to certain socio-economic factors. UAE has witnessed rapid growth in the last decade or so. This has been in terms of population as well as GDP per capita, both of which have more than doubled in this period5.

The above two factors result in higher consumer spending. Moreover, the latter translates to greater importance, given to ‘convenience and hygienic shopping’ resulting in higher demand for plastics in packaging and shopping.

All this consequently leads to increased waste generation. From the supply side also, plastic manufacture (for all purposes including packaging) is a booming industry in UAE and rest of Gulf, one factor for it being abundance of petrochemicals, the raw material for plastics, in this region6.

Had it not been for the damage caused by plastic waste to environment and human health, trend of increasing use of plastics would have been acceptable. However, since waste is being generated at a dangerous rate and its management has become a critical challenge, a reality-check is called for.

Plastics can take as much as thousands of years to degrade. Till then, they take precious space in landfills, are eaten up by unsuspecting animals and birds leading to their death or end up in sea, accumulated in certain areas called ‘gyres’.

marine-waste

 

While in landfills, plastics emit harmful greenhouse gases, which lead to ‘global warming’. This is apart from plastic waste being an eye-sore and civic menace. When in open areas, animals ingest plastic bags, mistaking them for food. Estimates suggest that 50 percent of the camels that die every year in the UAE die from ingesting them which can lead to massive calcified balls of plastic in the stomachs that eventually kill the animals.

The ultimate destination of this waste is ocean. Plastics and Styrofoam (used in disposable cups and plates) comprise 90% of the floating debris in oceans. Marine animals and birds are killed by entanglement or ingestion7, 8, 9 and 10. Further, plastic manufacture is an input-intensive process, using significant amounts of oil, water and power.

Realizing the flip-side of high use of plastics, UAE has initiated definitive corrective measures. The Ministry of Environment and Water has reported that it will ban circulation and marketing of non-biodegradable plastic products in UAE from early next year11. In that direction, Dubai Municipality have launched a “Say No to Plastic Bags” campaign starting May 2013 targeting a 20 per cent reduction in the estimated 2.9 billion plastic bags used annually in the emirate, by the end of this year. This is to be done by means of creating consumer-awareness and offering reusable and recyclable alternatives like jute and paper bags in major supermarkets12.

In Sharjah, a private company, in partnership with Sharjah Municipality, is working towards a 100% landfill diversion target set for the Emirate of Sharjah by the end of the first quarter of 201513. This is being done through development of waste management infrastructure on one hand and community education of the importance of environment principle of 3Rs – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

The Government of Abu Dhabi has established ‘The Center for Waste Management’ (CWM) to control and coordinate all activities related to sustainable waste management. Several non-government organisations as well as community groups are also working towards the goal of better plastic waste management in UAE.

References

(4) Bee’ah. (2010). Sustainability Report 2010. Retrieved May 4, 2013, from Bee’ah-UAE

(5) National Bureau of Statistics UAE. (n.d.). UAE in figures – 2001 and 2009.

(6) Yousef, D. (2011, December 18). Petrol to plastics: Bagging the future. Retrieved May 8, 2013, from GulfNews: https://gulfnews.com/business/general/petrol-to-plastics-bagging-the-future-1.952591

(9) California Coastal Commission. (2012, June 20). Public Education Program. Retrieved May 8, 2013, from https://www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/marinedebris.html

(10) Science for Environment Policy. (2011, November). Plastic Waste: Ecological and Human Health Impacts. Retrieved May 8, 2013, from https://ec.europa.eu/environment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/IR1.pdf