Organic Industrial Wastes in the Middle East

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Organic_Wastes_Middle_EastOrganic industrial waste includes a wide range of organic materials obtained from industrial and commercial operation. Industries in Middle East countries produces a large number of organic residues and by-products whose disposal is a major problem for stake-holders. In recent decades, the fast-growing food and beverage processing industry has remarkably increased in importance in major countries of the Middle East.

Since the early 1990s, the increased agricultural output stimulated an increase in fruit and vegetable canning as well as juice, beverage, and oil processing in countries like Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. There are many technologically-advanced dairy products, bakery and oil processing plants in the region.

Organic Waste Generators in Middle East

Solid wastes include peelings and scraps from fruit and vegetables, food that does not meet quality control standards, pulp and fibre from sugar and starch extraction, filter sludges and coffee grounds. Liquid wastes are generated by washing meat, fruit and vegetables, blanching fruit and vegetables, pre-cooking meats, poultry and fish, cleaning and processing operations.

Organic Waste Management Strategy

Organic industrial wastes, either liquid or solid, are a good substrate for biogas generation by making use of anaerobic digestion process. Anaerobic digestion of organic industrial waste is fast gaining popularity worldwide. Many industries produce liquid and solid wastes that are suitable for anaerobic digestion, such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, organic chemicals, paper manufacturing and tannery industries.

The use of biogas technology for wastewater treatment is increasing rapidly for industrial wastewater treatment. There are thousands of vendor-supplied systems in operation or under construction throughout the world. Over 30 types of industry have been identified as having wastewater amenable to anaerobic digestion treatment, including processors of beverages, chemicals, food, meat, milk, pulp and paper, and pharmaceutics.

Some of the wastes might be difficult to digest as a sole substrate, but they can be biochemically degraded in combination with manure or sewage sludge. The combined digestion of different wastes is called co-digestion.

Digital Literacy: Empowering Sustainable Development

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Digital literacy is no longer optional; it’s a vital tool for empowerment and sustainability. Older adults with digital literacy skills experience greater life satisfaction, highlighting its powerful impact. Through digital connections, they access resources that encourage sustainable living.

As technology’s role expands, understanding how digital literacy fosters sustainable practices becomes crucial. It enables people to engage more effectively in sustainable actions and access information essential for environmentally conscious living.

digital literacy and sustainable development

For seniors, digital know-how means staying informed, connected, and active within their communities. This article examines how digital literacy and sustainable development intersect, aiming to empower people and communities toward a greener future.

We’ll explore how digital literacy bridges the divide among seniors, boosting community involvement and fostering economic growth. Additionally, we’ll discuss practical strategies to enhance digital literacy across demographics, ensuring everyone reaps the benefits of the digital age.

Understanding Digital Literacy

Digital literacy involves the ability to utilize digital devices, comprehend digital content, and communicate effectively online. It encompasses a range of skills, including navigating the internet, utilizing software applications, and evaluating online information critically. Today, possessing these skills is integral for personal and professional development.

Digital literacy enables individuals to engage with technology confidently, aiding in tasks such as online banking, accessing government services, and staying in touch with loved ones. It also supports continuous learning, enabling individuals to acquire new skills and knowledge through online platforms.

In the context of sustainable development, digital literacy is pivotal to educating people about environmental issues and solutions. By accessing digital content and participating in online discussions, individuals can make informed lifestyle decisions and contribute to sustainability goals.

The Role of Digital Literacy in Sustainable Development

Digital literacy is a catalyst for promoting sustainable practices. It facilitates access to information on reducing energy consumption, minimizing waste, and adopting eco-friendly habits. Individuals can learn about green technologies, sustainable products, and conservation efforts through digital platforms.

Consider apps that track carbon footprints or online courses offering sustainability education. These tools empower users to make environmentally conscious choices. For instance, energy-saving apps help monitor and reduce electricity usage, while online communities provide support and resources for sustainable living.

Digital literacy fosters community engagement in sustainability initiatives. Social media platforms, forums, and online campaigns encourage collective action towards environmental goals. By sharing knowledge and inspiring others, digitally literate people can drive positive change within their communities.

Bridging the Digital Divide for Seniors

The digital divide, particularly among seniors, poses significant challenges to sustainable development. Many older adults face barriers to technology access, limiting their ability to participate in digital literacy initiatives and sustainable practices.

Despite these challenges, a growing trend of seniors engaging with digital technology is growing. According to recent statistics, telehealth visits among seniors have increased notably, highlighting their willingness to adopt digital solutions. This shift presents an opportunity to bridge the digital divide and enhance digital literacy among seniors.

To overcome this divide, solutions must focus on providing user-friendly technology and support for seniors. Companies like Consumer Cellular offer senior-friendly tech solutions, facilitating easier access to digital resources and promoting digital inclusion.

Accessible Technology for Seniors

Designing accessible technology is essential to empower seniors with digital literacy skills. User-friendly interfaces, larger fonts, and intuitive navigation can enhance the online experience for older adults, enabling them to engage effectively with digital tools.

Consumer Cellular serves as a model for providing senior-friendly tech solutions. Their products are designed with simplicity, allowing seniors to connect with family, access information, and utilize digital resources easily. By empowering seniors with digital literacy, we can improve their access to information and increase participation in sustainable practices.

Empowering seniors through digital literacy benefits them individually and contributes to sustainable development. When seniors can access digital resources, they participate actively in community and environmental efforts.

Economic Implications of Digital Literacy

Low digital literacy levels can have a substantial economic impact. According to recent data, the U.S. economy loses an estimated $2.2 trillion annually due to low adult literacy rates. This statistic underscores the importance of improving digital literacy to enhance economic opportunities and growth.

Improving digital literacy enhances employment prospects by equipping individuals with crucial skills for the modern workforce. Digital literacy training can empower individuals to pursue careers in technology, finance, healthcare, and other industries, contributing to economic development.

Strategies must focus on improving digital literacy across demographics to maximize economic benefits. Efforts should target underserved populations, ensuring equitable access to digital resources and opportunities.

online education

Strategies for Enhancing Digital Literacy

Enhancing digital literacy requires a multi-faceted approach. Community workshops, online courses, and educational programs are effective initiatives for improving digital skills. These programs can cater to different demographics, from seniors to young adults, ensuring widespread digital literacy.

Organizations and educational institutions play a crucial role in promoting digital literacy. They can equip individuals with the skills to thrive in a digital world by offering courses and workshops. Collaboration with tech companies can also provide access to resources and tools for digital learning.

Individuals can enhance their digital literacy by engaging with online tutorials, seeking mentorship opportunities, and practicing digital skills regularly. Continuous learning is critical to staying updated with technological advancements and leveraging digital literacy for personal and professional growth.

Towards a Digitally Literate and Sustainable Future

Digital literacy is integral to achieving sustainable development goals. By equipping individuals with digital skills, we empower them to make informed decisions, contribute to environmental initiatives, and drive community engagement.

How To Score Deals When Shopping For Eco-Friendly Essentials

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Shopping for green and sustainable products is a great initiative you can do to be a more responsible citizen. With so many products on the market today that harm the environment and deplete natural resources, the damage done to the planet is getting worse. However, while many individuals would want to do their part to minimize this damage, they might find it challenging to use green products.

Organic materials and other natural products usually have higher price tags. This could be why many industries use unnatural ingredients, chemical compounds, and other more affordable materials that are unfriendly to the environment just to save on costs. While it might seem unfeasible to shop for eco-friendly essentials at this rate, the following tips and methods would show you how to score deals when buying green products.

Score Deals When Shopping For Eco-Friendly Essentials

1. Purchase From Online Sellers Of Sustainable Products

One way to get amazing deals on green products is to shop online. There are many online shops and e-commerce sites that offer eco-friendly stuff. You can check them out for promotions and discounts. Sometimes, even expensive brands have promotional offerings. Just browse through their sites, and you’d find some great deals.

There are online selling sites that offer coupons, which you can use to buy green products at a lower cost. For instance, there’s an Amazon Promo Code for green products and similar deals, which would allow you to get freebies if you buy a certain number of products.

Online platforms are usually generous at giving discounts through coupons, so keep an eye out for these. You can visit their sites from time to time or just turn on your notifications.

2. Subscribe To Eco-Friendly Subscription Boxes

To become an eco-friendly product enthusiast, you don’t need to go all out. There are easy ways to achieve this. For instance, you can start by investing in eco-friendly subscription boxes. Through these boxes, you’ll know which essentials are being offered by companies and brands today. You’d also gain access to quality green products without doing much research and exerting much effort on your end.

If you decide to go green, you’d need to make thorough research on companies’ supply chain methods. But you won’t have to do this if you subscribe to eco-friendly boxes. Doing so would save you time and energy as these products are already carefully curated to fit your needs and preferences. These products were handpicked by providers, and they add only those that pass the criteria. Hence, each product in the box provides value for their subscribers.

You can cut the time and effort spent hunting down sustainable alternative products at brick-and-mortar shops. Instead, rely on suggested products included in these eco-friendly boxes. You’d be more familiar with a wide range of products and get to try items you’d perhaps stick to using. With a guide to green shopping and a subscription to eco-friendly boxes, you’d be almost ready to be a green supporter all the way.

3. Stay On The Lookout For Flash Sales

Even expensive and high-end brands selling sustainable products also go on sale. This is the perfect time for you to buy fantastic quality green products, especially if you’re on a tight budget. There are many ways for you to score the best deals from these brands. You just need to conduct research and know when they’d have discount events and grab that chance. Also, try to find out if they have partnerships with other distributors that sell the products at lower costs.

Some sites have quick sale events, which would accommodate only the fastest and keenest customers. Hence, to score deals, you need to be quick in checking them out and spotting bargains as they’re the ones that sell out fast.

plastic bag alternative

While sustainable products are often priced higher than regular ones, it’s understandable how shoppers would clamor for these quick sales. But you can increase your chances of finding these sale events by knowing which sites to visit often and signing up for an account. Consider being included in their email list, too, so you’d be prompted whenever they have upcoming flash sales.

4. Consider Buying From Garage Sales

Buying eco-friendly essentials can also be made possible by visiting garage sales and looking for eco-friendly items. You may find handcrafted products, which are usually green and sustainable as they generally require fewer natural resources and less energy to make. The best benefit you’d get from buying at garage sales is acquiring your green essentials at very low costs while saving the environment from junks that can still be repaired, reused, or recycled.

Conclusion

Being eco-friendly is perhaps the best decision you can make today. The environment needs saving, and it’s a way for you to help contribute to conserving nature. By following the advice enclosed in this article, you’d learn some diverse ways to find the best deals to buy eco-friendly products. Subscribe for eco-friendly boxes, do online shopping, visit garage sales, and stay alert for flash sales. All these tactics will make you reap amazing rewards after.

What to Study if You Are Interested in the Environment?

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Caring for the environment is everyone’s job. Therefore, many young people have projected this desire to preserve ecosystems and protect the planet to a professional field, choosing a university career that allows them to achieve this goal.

In this sense, careers related to the care of the environment covering areas such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, geology and botany – are crucial when it comes to training professionals capable of contributing to the market from a responsible perspective with the environment.

Do you think your path lies in environmental and ecology careers? Then check out the following professional alternatives.

Courses to Study if You Are Interested in the Environment

Degrees that are closely related to the environment

1. Ecotourism Management

With an ethical-environmental focus and oriented towards the construction of sustainable business models, studying Ecotourism Management enables you to enter the tourism industry in the world, and you can work as a manager in public and private organizations, administrator of tourism companies, consultant or advisor, tourism service provider, researcher and executor of tourism projects or as a teacher.

2. Bachelor of Science

If your scientific vocation is clear, but you have not yet decided in which area to specialize, this is one of the careers related to environmental care that will allow you to acquire key knowledge in any area you wish to address.

The Bachelor of Science degree will give you four semesters of training so that you can advance to one of three areas of specialization: Life Sciences, Health Sciences, and Exact Sciences and Engineering.

Thus, studying a Bachelor of Science leaves the door open to the possibility of pursuing careers such as Biochemistry, Nursing, Speech Therapy, Medicine, Marine Biology, etc.

3. Biology

An important career in the field of life sciences that will prepare you professionally to provide solutions to threats of biological impact. As a biologist, you can decide to focus on basic and applied research, provide consulting in public and private organizations, or pursue a specialty to become a professor, among many other options.

4. Marine Biology

Marine biology is one of the careers related to the environment and nature, essential for the conservation of the planet since these professionals are trained to evaluate the impact of human activities on aquatic ecosystems.

By choosing this career you will be able to work in public, private, and non-governmental organizations, environmental institutions, service companies, and the aquaculture industry, among others.

5. Biochemistry

A career that provides solid training in biological sciences (cellular biology, bioinformatics, biomedicine, etc.), with emphasis on scientific research, opening the way to clinical and productive areas, among others. The labor field includes institutions of higher education, technological centers, agro-industrial and biotechnological sectors.

6. Environmental Engineering

If you study environmental engineering, you will acquire all the necessary knowledge to work as a manager and operator of sanitation projects, environmental auditing, environmental impact assessment, and more.

7. Biotechnology Engineering

This career offers complete training in basic and applied sciences, with emphasis on biological principles and how to use them in favor of the development of new technologies. You will be able to work in the design, production, and quality control of biological products or services, the aquaculture, agroforestry, pharmaceutical, biomedical, and food industries.

halobacterium

There are different educational alternatives closely linked to nature and its care, such as Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Archeology, Botany, among others, whose professionals carry environmental responsibility in their veins.

More study options that are related to the nature

Just as these areas are linked to the environment, there are also other study options in business and engineering, whose work allows the conservation of the planet and its natural resources. What are they? We tell you about them below:

Architecture

This career allows you to become a landscape architect to design outdoor infrastructures such as parks, gardens, neighborhoods, etc., promoting the reduction of the negative consequences of urban development.

As an architect, you will also be involved in environmental restoration and projects related to agriculture and forestry. In simple words, you will return spaces to nature and help to conserve them in cities.

Hotel and Tourism Services Management

In this study option, you will be trained to learn about the management of tourist destinations through the planning, enhancement, and use of the country’s natural and cultural resources with the help of tools, technologies, and languages.

Your functions as an administrator, related to the environment, will be the management of protected natural areas and tourist attractions, the development of sustainable and competitive tourist destinations, among others.

ecotourism-jordan

تشهد السياحة البيئية في الأردن تطوراً متعدد الجوانب

Economics

This career is linked to the environment because the main economic activities that are carried out will always need natural resources to be executed correctly. As a professional in this area, you will recognize the value of the environment and the economy in making decisions that promote sustainable development and efficient use of the resources of a region or country.

Industrial Engineering

As a professional in this career, you will take into account the environmental approach in each of your functions, for example, during the development of projects based on the principles of sustainable development.

Likewise, you will be in charge of designing strategies that minimize the environmental impact of companies on the environment. You will also formulate profitable ventures that promote environmental protection while incorporating the social component.

Conclusion

If you are sure you want to study a career in the field of environmental sciences but have not been able to decide which one, you can take the Vocational Test to thoroughly examine your academic interests and define which university program you are most compatible with. This will make it easier to choose the ideal career for you.

Biggest Risks in the Oil and Gas Industry and How to Mitigate Them

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The oil and gas industry is universally considered one of the riskiest industries and arguably one that faces several challenges. Over the years, there have been notable cases of oils spills and refinery explosions linked to devastating environmental effects. Other concerns include the construction of oil and gas infrastructure, which causes environmental pollution and disruption of wildlands and wildlife habitat. All these are serious concerns that the entire industry and government institutions are trying to solve.

In recent years, oil and gas giants have developed risk assessment and mitigation measures to help them stay competitive in the highly volatile market. These strategies seek to identify risks, map the potential impacts and suggest possible solutions. Due to the nature of the industry, environmental risks are considered the most pressing concern that can affect both the industry’s reputation and finances.

Below, we’ve highlighted the major environmental concerns, other risks affecting the industry, and how risk assessment and mitigation play a significant role.

ruwais-oilfield-abudhabi

Environmental Risks in Oil and Gas Industry

Like any other economic sector that employs millions of people and generates billions in taxes, the oil and gas industry has been in operation for decades without a keen consideration of its negative impacts on the environment. Several efforts to regulate the industry have proven challenging to implement due to the complexity of the industry’s operations.

One of the critical concerns is the pollution impact that oil drilling has on communities. There are nearly 1.2 million oil and gas production facilities in the U.S alone, i.e., from oil wells to processing plants. To make it worse, almost 12.6 million people live within a half-mile radius from these sites, meaning they are exposed to various pollutants daily.

These emissions do not only affect humans but also the climate. Carbon dioxide emitted from oil refineries, and processing plants trap heat in the atmosphere causing global warming. Several oil and gas developments have also ruined wildlands, causing irreversible damage to the pristine wilderness.

Other adverse environmental risks of oil and gas drilling operations are oil spills that damage the marine ecosystem. The BP’s Deepwater Horizon spill, for instance, killed nearly 1 million seabirds, 1000 sea turtles, and 5,000 marine mammals. And while most oil spills don’t make the headlines, they still cause devastating effects.

A recent report, for instance, found that there were 2,179 oil spills in New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming combined in 2020 alone. These spills affect marine life through inhalation, direct contact, and ingestion of harmful chemicals.

Other Risks Facing Oil and Gas Sector

Besides the environmental risks, oil and gas sector faces several other threats categorized as short-term or long-term risks. Short-term risks include dynamic regulatory policies and political stances, while long-term risks include the dwindling natural supply and a wholesale market shift to renewable resources. The other risks include:

1. Cyber Risks

As the oil and gas industry adopts digital transformation, they are rapidly scaling and moving their legacy systems to the cloud. This rapid digitization exposes the company to potential cyber threats. Therefore, oil and gas industries should invest in cybersecurity risk assessment to anticipate and mitigate cyber risks.

2. Financial Risks

Like any other commodity in the market, oil and gas prices are subject to price volatility, supply and demand constraints, as well as cost risks. All these factors can affect the industry’s profitability, and companies should hedge their risks by diversifying their investment options.

3. Political Risks

Political stability plays a critical role in the success of oil and gas companies due to their reliance on partnerships and long-term leases. Shifting political landscapes and inconsistent regulatory environments are always a cause for concern for many oil and gas companies, especially those operating overseas.

4. Safety Risk

The oil & gas drilling and refining processes can be dangerous. Over the years, machinery breakdown, human errors, negligence, and natural disasters have led to severe injuries and even deaths. This recurring risk can be mitigated by prioritizing system safety engineering and nurturing a safety-first culture.

Managing Risk in Your Oil and Gas Company

The majority of the top risks facing oil and gas industry can be mitigated by anticipating the threats and taking appropriate action to counteract any potential impact. This often means setting aside the resources for risk management and having the talent to execute the necessary risk mitigation processes and operations.

peak-oil-middle-east

Managing all the risks can be difficult, but not impossible. You just need to allocate time and effort into overseeing all the risky operations. The essence of mitigating risks is to protect your company’s assets and reputation without undermining profits.

That said, risk management isn’t a one-time event, rather a continuous process that keeps evolving with time. Today’s challenges are different from yesterdays’, so regular risk assessments are necessary to stay updated. And regardless of the risks, industry stakeholders should invest in risk mitigation technologies, processes, and operational cultures that prioritize safety and compliance.

إدارة النفايات الصلبة في قطر

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تعتبر إدارة النفايات البلدية الصلبة أحد أخطر و أصعب التحديات التي تواجهها جميع البلدان في الشرق الأوسط. و قد أدت عوامل عديدة في زيادة تراكم هذه النفايات الصلبة على أرجاء المنطقة. و من هذه العوامل على سبيل المثال إرتفاع معدل النمو السكاني، المدنية، الهجرة، النمو السريع في المجال الصناعي والتوسع الاقتصادي أيضآ. فمن المثير للإهتمام، أن معدل النفايات الصلبة التي تنتج من الشخص الواحد في دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي تعد الأعلى نسبة في العالم. و قد أدى هذا الإرتفاع في حجم النفايات الصلبة إلى خلق بيئة غير صحية لسكان منطقة الشرق الأوسط. حيث قدر حجم هذه النفايات ب 150 مليون طن سنويا.

 

النفايات البلدية الصلبة في قطر

تعد النفايات البلدية الصلبة ثاني أكبر مولد للنفايات في قطر. فتنتج هذه الدولة ذات المليون و 800 ألف نسمة أكثر من 2.5 مليون طن من هذه النفايات سنويآ, أي ما يعادل 1.6 كجم لكل فرد في اليوم الواحد, و وفقا لدراسات حديثة، إرتفعت هذه النفايات إلى 7000 طن يوميآ. و أيضآ أشارت هذه الدراسات أن ما يقارب 60 بالمائة من هذه المخلفات تتألف من مواد عضوية. في حين تعتبر بقية هذه النفايات قابلة للتدوير مثل الزجاج المعادن والورق والبلاستيك.

تعتبر البلديات المحلية هي الجهات المسؤولة عن جمع النفايات الصلبة في قطر بشكل مباشر، عبر إتخاذ خطوات لوجيستية بالشراكة مع جهات معينة في القطاع الخاص. فيتم جمع و نقل هذه النفايات عبر شاحنات كبيرة مخصصة تغطي أنحاء قطر. ولكن للأسف الطريقة الوحيدة و الشائعة للتخلص من هذه النفايات هو عبر دفنها في مرادم مع العلم بأن هذه الطريقة لا تعتبر حل جيد و بالخصوص في دولة تتميز بصغر مساحتها كدولة قطر. و من أشهر المرادم في قطر أم الأفاعي المخصصة للنفايات الضخمة, مردم روضة راشد لنفايات البناء و الهدم, و أخيرآ مردم الكرانا لنفايات الصرف الصحي.

 

إستراتيجية الدولة

وفقآ للإستراتيجية التنموية الوطنية في دولة قطر 2011-2016، توضح أن قطر تتوجه في إعتماد إستراتيجية متعددة الأوجه لإحتواء مستويات النفايات الناتجة عن الأماكن السكنية, المواقع التجارية والصناعية و أيضآ تعزيز خطط لإعادة التدوير. و تعتزم الدولة أيضآ على إعتماد التسلسل الهرمي في تبني هذه الخطط. حيث أن الخطوات المراد تتبعها هي كالتالي: الوقاية من أخطار هذه النفايات، تقليل كميتها ، إعادة إستخدامها، إعادة تدويرها و توليد طاقة منها. أما دفن هذه النفايات فهو الخيار الأخير المتبع في التخلص منها.

و تعمل دولة قطر في المستقبل القريب على تبني خطة شاملة لإدارة النفايات الصلبة, والتي من أهم أجندتها تنسيق أنشطة متعلقة بإدارة هذه النفايات سواْء في المنشآت المنزلية, الصناعية, التجارية و في صناعة البناء والتشييد أيضآ. فالهدف المنشود من هذه الخطط هو إعادة تدوير ما يعادل 38٪ من النفايات الصلبة مع العلم أنها لم تتجاوز نسبة 8% حاليآ.

 

مركز إدارة النفايات الصلبة المحلية القطري

بعد أن تم ملاحظة حجم الخطر الناتج من النفايات الصلبة، ، أنشأت الحكومة القطرية مركز لإدارة النفايات الصلبة المحلية في مدينة مسيعيد الصناعية. و قد وصلت تكلفة المشروع إلى 2 مليار دولار. تم تصميم المركز بحيث يتم تحقيق أقصى قدر من استعادة الموارد والطاقة من النفايات عن طريق تثبيت تقنيات لفصلها, معالجتها وإعادة تدويرها، و من ثم تحويل هذه النفايات إلى طاقة. وفقا لأهداف هذه الإستراتيجية، من المتوقع أن يقلل المركز من كمية النفايات المحلية الي تدفن لتصل إلى 3%- 5% مما سيقلل من نسبة النفايات التي يتم التخلص منها بهذه الطريقة بشكل عام إلى 64 %- 92%.

صممت هذه المنشأة، و التي تعالج حوالي 1550 طن في اليوم الواحد، صممت لتوليد طاقة كافية لتشغيل و الأجهزة و المعدات المختلفة و تلبية مطالب المصنع، كما أنها توفر طاقة بحجم 34.4 ميغاواط لدعم شبكة الكهرباء الوطنية. بالإضافة إلى ذلك سيكون هناك خمس محطات تحويل (جنوب الدوحة وغرب الدوحة، المنطقة الصناعية، دخان و آل خور) مجهزة لإستقبال المواد القابلة للتدوير مثل الزجاج الألمنيوم والورق والبلاستيك، والتي سوف تساعد على تقليل كمية النفايات التي تذهب لمردم أم الأفاعي. يهدف هذا المشروع لجعل قطر دولة رائدة في الإدارة المتكاملة للنفايات الصلبة.

 

ترجمة:

 محمد زياد يامين-طالب بكالوريس في علوم البيئة (جامعة أبوظبي) – ناشط في مجال البيئة– مهتم في الطاقة المتجددة و إدارة النفايات.

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The Vital Role of the Environment in Inclusive Mental Health

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Everyone in this world has a story. With diverse backgrounds and different privileges, we all have an abundance of factors that influence our well-being for better or for worse, and in both physical and mental wellness spaces, it’s important to keep these things in mind. One of those factors is the environment that we live in. So, how exactly does the environment play a role in inclusive mental health, and how can we bridge the gap for those disproportionately affected by environmental impacts?

Defining Inclusivity

First, let’s talk about inclusivity and discuss what it means for mental health. The definition of inclusivity is “The practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those having physical or intellectual disabilities or belonging to other minority groups.”

Inclusive Mental Health And The Environment

Inclusivity in mental health means acknowledging disparities candidly. It’s critical that we identify the ways people are often excluded, marginalized, or misunderstood and address mental health with these things in mind. 

Inclusive Mental Health and the Environment

If the question is, “how do inclusive mental health and the environment go together?” the answer is relatively apparent. People of lower socioeconomic status (SES) not only face a higher risk of some physical and mental health conditions, but they also may face barriers to both physical and mental health care. Cost and the area a person lives in are two things that may affect a person’s ability to get care.

Consequently, lower income areas are often the same as those with a higher level of pollution, and many of the things that can affect a person’s income – like unemployment – disproportionately affect various marginalized groups. Then, there’s the fact that pollution itself can impact mental and physical health, which may explain part of the link between lower SES and health detriments in addition to factors like the stress of marginalization and poverty. 

housing for poor

The WHD is aimed at drawing the people’s attention towards the need of poor people for an adequate housing.

Increasing Inclusivity in Mental Health Care

Now that we’ve taken a moment to define inclusivity, what inclusivity means in mental health, and the ways that some people have disproportionate access to care despite higher levels of risk, let’s talk about how to expand inclusivity within the mental healthcare field. Here are some things we can do:

1. Support low-cost and free services

One useful step to take in our own communities is to support the funding and accessibility of low-cost and/or free mental health services. If you want to get involved, volunteering for hotlines and other resources and backing or voting in favor of initiatives meant to increase access to care are two ways an individual may be able to help. If you are in need of care yourself, local information hotlines, social workers, and primary care physicians may have information about or referrals to low-cost or free services near you.

2. Increase understanding

Raising awareness around mental health and disparities among marginalized or low-income groups and other similar topics is an important part of inclusive mental health. To raise awareness, we can bring the research we have to the public, both broadly and in our immediate local areas, and use it to promote understanding of the need we have for inclusive, accessible mental health care. When more people understand the need, they may be both more empathetic and more likely to get involved.

3. Promote online or remote therapy options

Online therapy options are helpful for increasing access to care in a number of ways. First, you do not have to drive to get to your therapist or counselor if you see a therapist in a fully remote setting. This is helpful both for those who aren’t able to drive to appointments and for those who live far away from a provider who meets their mental health needs.

Second, many websites have a diverse selection of occupational health providers who have different backgrounds and specialties. This means that you are more likely not only to find care but the right kind of care, if applicable.

online physiotherapy

4. Increase research and access to help in underserved areas

Some areas have very few options for mental health care at all, let alone affordable, affirming, or inclusive mental health care. Additionally, some populations and areas in the world are under-researched. Increasing the amount of research we have, especially with potential biases in mind, can help give us more information on how to help people in our communities.

It is important to fund both research and quality care in these areas, just as it is vital to promote environmental maintenance and justice for our communities.

رحلة عائلية خضراء بمنتجات بلاستيكية أقل

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الرحلات العائلية هي أجمل اللحظات التي تجمع افراد العائلة في مكان واحد كالمواقع السياحية التي تبرز جمال الطبيعة مثل شاطئ البحر، العيون المائية ، الأودية، الكثبان الرملية الخ. لكن طالما الاستمتاع بروعة هذه المناظر لا يكتمل، فأصبحت القمامة تغزوا أرجاء الموقع و تشوه المنظر الطبيعي. حيث أن نسبة المنتجات البلاستيكية تشكل الجزء الأكبر من القمامة الملقاة.  تتراكم المنتجات البلاستيكية بألوانها وأشكالها المختلفة في الطبيعة لمدة زمنية كبيرة بدون تحلل و يرجع ذألك للخواص الكيميائية المكونة للبلاستيك، والتي ينتهي بها المطاف إلى مجاري المياه مثل الانهار والمحيطات، انتشارها في المناطق المحيطة او تراكمها في مرادم النفايات حيث يتم حرقها او دفنها.

ecofriendly family trip

في ظل التطورات و الازدهار زاد الطلب على المنتجات البلاستيكية التي توفر الخيار الأسهل في الحمل والاستخدام وبأقل تكلفة مالية، لذلك يستسهل الكثير من الناس شراء المنتجات البلاستيكية لتكفيه أغراض الرحلة مثل الاكواب، علب الماء والعصير، الاطباق، حاويات الطعام، الأكياس، الملاعق وغيرها الكثير. كل هذه المنتجات البلاستيكية تعتبر مواد دخيلة على الطبيعة و تشكل خطر تهديد للعوامل البيئية الحية والغير حية.وجود البلاستيك في مياه السطحية يتسبب في موت الاسماك الصغيرة و الحيتان، عن طريق ابتلاع أجزاء البلاستيك، كذلك العوالق البحرية التي تعرف  Zooplanktons، مما يتسبب في تدهور النظام البحري وتقلص التنوع الأحيائي البحري.  بينما لا يختلف الوضع في اليابسة حيث أن قطع البلاستيك يتم ابتلاعها كذلك من قبل الحيوانات و الطيور و والزواحف ليتسبب ذلك في نفوقها و تدهور النظام.

plastic trash on a beach in the UAE

كل ذاك حاصل، ولكن ماذا عن نشر التوعية البيئية بين أفراد المجتمع للوصول إلى استخدام أقل للمنتجات البلاستيكية في الرحلات والمناسبات العائلية .هناك عدة طرق لتحقيق هذه المسألة؛ اولاً، ابتعد تماماً عن شراء منتجات بلاستيكية ذو الاستخدام لمرة واحدة فقط. ثانياً، استخدم المنتجات القابلة لإعادة التدوير. ثالثاً، علب الماء البلاستيكية استبدلها بقوارير الماء الشخصية ذات الاستخدام اليومي و التي لا يمكن رميها كعلبة البلاستيك. رابعاً، استخدم اكياس القماش لجمع وحمل الأغراض بدلاً من الاكياس البلاستيكية. خامسا,  في موقع الرحلة قدم النصيحة لجميع افراد أسرتك لجعل المكان نظيف و آمن في أثناء وقت الرحلة وبعده. كذلك لا تنسى وضع كيس بلاستيكي قابل لإعادة التدوير كحاوية نفايات مبسطة وبعد ذلك يمكنك رميها في اقرب حاوية نفايات. وأخيراً استمتع بالوقت مع عائلتك وانتم بأمان.

 كل فرد مسؤول عن تدهور النظام البيئي الذي يشكل خطر في وجود البشرية و وجود الكائنات الحية كذلك. أحد أشهر مقولات الزعيم الهندي الأحمر سياتل: “عند اقتلاع آخر شجرة و تسمم آخر نهر و نفوق آخر سمكة، سنكتشف أننا لا نستطيع أن نأكل المال“.

التنزه والبيئة

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يحب الشباب الخروج من البيت والاستمتاع بوقتهم. وفي نفس الوقت هناك الكثير من المحاضرات البيئية التي تحدث. ومن احدى مشاكل الجمعيات هو قلة الحضور وضعف المتطوعين. من هنا أتت لي فكرة دمج التنزه مع التوعية البيئية. فبدل عن دعوة الشباب الى حضور الجلسات وهم في الوقت عينه يريدون الترفيه بعد الدراسة او العمل، دعونا نمزج الاثنين. وذلك يكون عبر النشاطات البرية والمائية. مثلا المشاركة او التحضير للمشي في الطبيعة وخلالها نقوم بالتكلم عن أهمية التنوع البيولوجي الذي يحيط بنا والحفاظ عليه. وننبه الى أهمية عدم الدوس على النباتات البرية لان ذلك يؤثر على الدورة الايكولوجية في المنطقة.

ويمكننا هنا دمج اهداف التنمية المستدامة كهدف 15 المتعلق بالحياة البرية. يمكن للناشطين البيئيين التواصل مع عالم نباتي والقيام برحلة التقاط فطر فيتعلم المنتسبون أنواع الفطر وما يمكن اكله منها وفوائدها للطبيعة.  كما يمكننا التخطيط للرحلات البحرية الجماعية والتكلم خلالها عن هدف التنمية المستدامة 14 والذي يتعلق بالحياة تحت الماء. والتطرق من بعدها الى تأثير اعمال الانسان على هذه الحياة وكيف يمكن لكيس بلاستيكي ان يقتل سلحفاة بحرية.

ومن احدى الأفكار هو التواصل مع التجمعات، أي تجمع للغطاسين وتجمع اخر للمشاة ومحبي التسلق والقيام بأنشطة مشتركة. وبذلك نكون نحن ذهبنا الى الناس وطرحنا افكارنا وناقشناها معهم.

كما يمكن الناشطين البيئيين القيام بحملات تنظيف للغابات او المتنزهات او الشواطئ واخراط الكشاف واليافعة في هذا النشاط فننشئ جيلا واعيا يهتم بالنظافة والحفاظ على الطبيعة. ونمنح الشباب فرصة للتواصل مع شباب اخرين مثلهم مهتمين بالاكتشاف فتخلص صداقات وجماعات مهتمة بالحفاظ على البيئة.

ولقد نشأ في الآونة الأخيرة ما يعرف بالسياحة البيئية. ومن الممكن للناشطين البيئيين ان يستفيدوا من هذا الموضوع فيشجعوا على السياحة البيئية الداخلية وينظموا أنشطة تعليمية تساهم في تنمية المجتمع الإقليمي وتمكين اقتصاده ويروجوا للمكان عبر الصور الفوتوغرافية التي يلتقطونها. ومن الجيد والمميز تشجيع هذه السياحة وخلق مسارات بيئية للتنزه والمشي والتفاعل مع المجتمع المحلي لان ذلك يؤدي الى تذوق المأكولات المحلية والتعرف على أنواع الطيور والحيوانات البرية.

وعلى المدى الطويل تؤدي هذه الانشطة الى خلق الوعي وتوقف رمي النفايات وسط الأشجار وعلى الشواطئ وسنخلق بلدا نظيفا نتغنى بجماله. فالحفاظ على البيئة مسؤولية حكومية ومجتمعية أيضا.

خمسة أشياء يمكنك تعلمها من كونك متطوعًا بيئيًا

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هناك مقولة تقول “إذا كنت جيدًا في شيء ما، فلا تفعله مجانًا”. ومع ذلك وفي عالمنا المادي اليوم، ستندهش عندما تكتشف أن الأشياء التي تجعلك تنمو وتتطورهي كل الأشياء غير المال. إنها التجارب التي تبنيها والفرص الجديدة التي تجربها والذكريات التي تصنعها، والحياة التي تعيشها، والتغيير الذي تحدثه في العالم. إحدى هذه التجارب التي تغير الحياة هي:التطوع البيئي.

environmental-education

وفيما يلي  خمسة أمورٍ  رائعة يمكنك تعلمها من كونك متطوعًا بيئيًا

1. كيف تعزز مهارتك

بشكل عام فإن أي عمل تطوعي يساعدك في سبر أغوار نفسك بشكل أفضل، ويعزز مهارتك الشخصية والتفاعلية والمهنيه كذلك بشكل كبير، فإنك عندما تشترك في أي برنامج تطوعي فإنك تعزز المهارات التالية:

القيادة: إن التطوع يعطيك الفرصة لكي تواجه المواقف التي لا بُدّ لك أن تواجهها، وتساعدك على إيجاد حل لها لوحدك، ويغرس بك شعور المسؤولية والمُلكية ويبرز القائد بداخلك. هنالك الكثير من القادة الذين كانوا معتادين قبل تجاربهم التطوعية أن يقولوا “لا استطيع قيادة الناس، أنا لم أولد قائداً!” لم يكونوا يدركون أنهم يستطيعون، وقد ساعدهم التطوع على كيفية اكتساب مهارة القيادة عندما واجهوا الامر الواقع.

الثقة: عندما تتولى القيام بمهام مختلفة وتدرك بأنك قادر على عمل او تنفيذ مشاريع لم تكن تتخيلها، وتتعامل مع مواقف معينة لأول مرة، فستدرك حينها بأن إمكاناتك أكبر مما كنت تعتقد، وسوف تعمل بثقة أكبر وسوف تعرف أنه لا يوجد شيء لا تستطيع فعله إذا بذلت كل جهدك.

المهارات الشخصية: إن كان بإعتقادك أنك إنسان إنطوائي ولا تعرف كيف تتعامل مع الناس، فإن هذا الامر سيتغير بمجرد أن تتطوع بشيء يحرك شغفك، حيث أن التطوع يساعدك على التوسع بشبكة علاقاتك والتعرف على الاخرين الذين يشاركونك شغفك، وهنا فأننا نتحدث عن حياة مليئة بعلاقات حقيقية وثمينة سوف تقوم بصنعها.

إكتساب  الخبرات المهنية: يعد التطوع في مجال ترغب به طريقة رائعة لبدء مهنة إذا أردت أن تواصل مسيرتك المهنيه بهذا المجال، لأنك ستتعرف على طبيعة وبيئة العمل وتفهمه جيدا قبل المواصلة به.

إدارة الوقت وإدارة الذات: وهذا الامر مهم جدا خاصةً إذا كنت ستسافر خارجاً للتطوع، حيث أنك سخرج من نطاق “منطقة الراحة” الخاص بك. ستتعلم كيف تعتني بنفسك، وستتعلم كيف تدير وقتك لتناسب عملك التطوعي بكل ما تفعله بحياتك. لأنك تؤمن بقضيتك، واخترت أن تقوم بذلك من غير التزام خارجي وسوف تجد أي طريقة للقيام بالتطوع بالرغم من كل الظروف.

2. تعلم القصص

إن القصص لا تقتصر على البشر فقط، ولكل منا قصة! فالتطوع البيئي يأخذك لعالم يتجاوز البشر، وسيجعلك تدرك أن كل شيء في الطبيعة له قصته الخاصة به. سوف تتمكن من فهم الكوكب الذي نعيش عليه بشكل أفضل، وستدرك حينها بما ندين به له. لا توجد في حياتك تجربة أعظم من هذه التجربة لتتعلم منها، فكل أسرار الطبيعة ستنكشف لكل من يبحث عنها.

education-for-sustainable-development

3. مساعدة من يفعلون الخير للكوكب

عندما تبحث عن برنامج تطوعي صديق للبيئة، فإن هنالك خيارات متعددة، حيث أنه بامكانك التسجيل في حملات تنظيف مصادر المياه في منطقتك، أو العمل مع المنظمات المدافعه عن البيئة، أو حتى إيجاد حلول صديقة لإدارة النفايات والصرف الصحي، وكذلك التطوع مثلاُ في مزارع حضرية ومساعدة المزارعين بنفس الوقت.

4. إدفعها للأمام (تقديمها للاخرين)

إن التطوع غير مقتصر على الذين يريدون تعلم شيء جديد وحسب، بل أنه وسيلة رائعة لدفع أو نقل المعرفة والخبرة لأشخاص يسعون اليها، بإمكانك أن تتطوع لتصبح دليلاً للرحلات، أو تعليم الاخرين عن أسرار البيئة وكيفية المحافظة عليها بطرق أفضل، إن تمكين الاخرين من اكتساب معرفتك وخبرتك التي اكتسبتها خلال سنوات تطوعك هو من أسمى الامور التي يمكنك القيام بها.

5. كيف تحدث فرقاً

ما هو إرثي؟؟؟ كثير من الناس يخافون ترك هذا العالم بسبب عدم تركهم إرثاً جيداً ليذكره الاخرون به، بعض الناس يسعى للشهرة، وبعضهم يسعون للنجاح والمال، أما أكثرهم حكمة فهم من يبحثون عن طرق لترك وإبقاء العالم مكاناً أفضل لمن يليهم، وما أفضل طريقة لذلك إلا تركه أفضل “حرفيا”؟

environmental education in Middle East

تجربة تغيير الحياة بالتطوع البيئي

من أهم الصفات الرائعة ويتمتع بها تقريباً كل المتطوعين هي الشغف، شغفهم بتعلم شيء جديد، شغفهم للنمو والتطور وأيضا شغفهم بإحداث فارق وتحدي العالم أجمع.

وبغض النظر، إن كنت ترغب في تعلم مهارة جديدة أو تقديم خدمة لمجتمعك أو حتى تنظيم رحلة شاطئية مستدامة ومعرفة المزيد عن الارض وكيفية المحافظة عليها، فإنك ستجد كل ما تتمنى في تجربة التطوع البيئي، إنها تجربة ستغير حياتك وتجعلك ترغب في المزيد.

ترجمة: ماجدة هلسه

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

Note: The English version of the article is available at this link.

Islamic Perspectives on COP

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It is a ripe time to reflect briefly on the upcoming COP from an Islamic perspective. By now everyone is well aware of the cause of severe climatic disturbances which affect us all and the poorest and most vulnerable in particular: sheer greed and unbridled, reckless, consumption.

Islam has always provided the keys to a harmonious life in which humans refuse to take more from nature than they need for their sustenance and enjoyment. Islam has repeatedly warned about the imbalances and inequalities that would arise if one were not to follow its recommendations.

God created the world in balance (mizan): habitats, ecosystems and all forms of life. A balance that only humans are capable of breaking, due to their capacity to corrupt the Earth (fasaad), as repeatedly mentioned in the Quran. So much so that man’s actions have led to the climate change we are witnessing in the form of chronic drought, devastating floods and all manner of extreme meteorological phenomenon.

Mankind as Viceregent

Man, as vice-regent, or God’s representative on Earth – “Lo I am about to put a vice-regent on Earth” (Quran, 2:30) – has the highest degree of responsibility, al-Amanah, with respect to the rest of Creation: his peers and other living and non-living things. Therefore, he is responsible for exercising justice on Earth. This concept of justice is firmly rooted in the Islamic tradition, although it is not always exercised:

“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.” (Quran, 4:135).

Islam considers mankind to be stewards of resources endowed by Allah

Islam considers mankind to be stewards of resources endowed by Allah

In this practice, environmental justice is vital, based on fair and equitable management of the natural resources that have been created and which are available to all without exception: animals, plants and people. It is necessary to create sustainable and lasting economic models, distinct from the current financial debauchery, which reaches all sectors of the population and all regions of the planet with equanimity.

Islam Loves Nature

Islam is the Green Civilization. A civilization which loves nature and which is conscious of its value and fragility. Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) set an example as to how to relate to the world, and consistently urged restraint in our dealings with nature. He was especially careful in the use of water, this resource which is so rare and scarce in certain regions of the planet. His zeal reached such a degree that he encouraged people to carry out their ablutions with as little water as possible, even if they were bathing by a river.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) prohibited the killing of animals that were not intended for the table, and the felling or uprooting trees without just cause. He also called for frugality in eating, urging people not to consume more than necessary and what the body is able to assimilate, thereby preventing disease and the hoarding of food.

This brief overview invites us to become aware and to take individual and collective action, based on the most genuine Islamic principles, which are true for all mankind.

What You Need to Know Before Installing Solar Rooftop Systems

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Middle East is blessed with ample sunlight all throughout the year. In addition, most of our homes boast of spacious rooftops that bathe in sunlight during the day. These are ideal circumstances for harnessing the energy produced by the Sun and convert it into electricity for domestic use.

This can be achieved by interfacing the energy with the help of an inverter. This inverter would convert the DC energy generated by a rooftop solar plant into AC energy and make it usable for our electrical appliances.

But while rooftop solar plants are excellent for generating electricity from the sun, there are a few factors that you should keep in mind before installing solar rooftop systems. Let’s take a look at a few of these factors.

installing a rooftop solar plant

Types of Rooftop Solar Plants

There are three kinds of rooftop solar plants that you can choose from.

1. On-grid Systems

An on-grid rooftop solar plant is directly linked to the main grid supply. This system enables electricity to be used from the grid when the rooftop solar plant is unable to generate the required amount of energy. However, a well-planned rooftop solar plant can efficiently generate enough power without using grid supply, enabling significant cost saving.

In fact, on-grid rooftop solar plants can also generate excess electricity that can be supplied back to the grid and earn you compensation through a process called net-metering.

2. Off-grid Systems

The off-grid system is one in which the rooftop solar system is not connected to the main grid. This system is self-contained and has its own battery. The battery is charged by the solar energy generated by the rooftop solar plant, which is then used to power different appliances.

When there is no grid supply or when the supply is exceedingly irregular with frequent breakdowns, this system comes in handy.

3. Hybrid Systems

The third option is a hybrid rooftop solar plant. This system combines on-grid and off-grid power sources. Although a battery is included  in this type of system, the advantage is that once the battery has been fully charged, the extra power generated is fed into the grid, creating added profits for the user.

The Nature of Your Rooftop

The next thing to keep in mind before installing solar rooftop systems is the nature of your roof and how feasible would it be to install a rooftop solar power plant over there. Here are a few things you need to consider:

  1. How much sunlight is available throughout the year
  2. Available area on the rooftop
  3. Whether the orientation of the roof is towards the sun or not

The cost of a rooftop solar plant is influenced by the nature of your roof. Certain rooftop layouts may require additional elements and those elements might add to the cost of your rooftop solar plant.

How Much Area to Use?

The availability of sunlight and the space available on the roof determines the maximum energy that can be generated through your rooftop solar plant. The type of system you opt for (on-grid, off-grid, or hybrid) can help you decide how much space needs to be allocated on your roof for installing solar panels and producing electric power.

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Costs

The homeowner can conduct a cost analysis and determine the amount of electricity required in order to be profitable. This could involve satisfying the homeowner’s energy requirements as well as the amount of energy that can be transferred to the grid to create additional profits.

Aside from these factors, another factor that you need to keep in mind before installing a home solar plant is the brand. While there are several companies that offer these systems, you must opt for reputable brands in order to get your hands on a system that not only offers superior quality but also lasts longer.