Pakistan’s Thirst for Water: Towards a National Sustainable Water Policy

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Being the world’s 6th most populous country, Pakistan is home to about 210 million people. The growing population reduces average water availability every day. In 2017, Asian Development Bank reported that the agriculture sector of Pakistan consumes 93% of the water resources and contributes 21% – one-fourth – to the Gross Domestic Product. Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources published a report titled “Water requirements of major crops in Central Punjab,” that has mentioned that over 60% of water is lost in transmission and applications. This implies that the agriculture sector that consumes 93% of water resources wastes two-third of it.

Water scarcity will affect agricultural activities in Pakistan leading to lower yields for a growing population, a matter of food security. Virtual water trade is exploiting our groundwater. Scientific journal “Nature” claims in a published paper of 2017 that Pakistan was the biggest exporter of groundwater in 2010. Wheat, rice and cotton are among the top five water-intensive crops and these are the most cultivated crops in Pakistan.

In a national newspaper, Dawn, it is stated that at the time of independence, per capita water availability was 5 thousand cubic meters, and now it has fallen below 1 thousand cubic meters. Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources has predicted a severe water shortage by 2025 that will leave Pakistan dry if no measures are taken. It is not the first time international and national institutions are addressing water scarcity issues. World Bank issued a report in 2005 named “Pakistan’s water economy: running dry,” but we made no effective water policy.

Pakistan relies on Indus River, a single basin for its freshwater resources. Furthermore, being a semi-arid country, Pakistan receives an annual rainfall of less than 500 mm, most of which end up in a runoff. Groundwater pumping has also crossed the sustainable limit of consumption. According to the State Bank of Pakistan, Lahore is facing an annual reduction of 0.5 meters of the water table for the past 30 years. Urbanization has proved salt on injury as people are moving from rural areas increasing water consumption of limited water resources of urban areas. Wastewater is discharged without treatment, making groundwater unfit for use and biodiversity of water bodies is at stake.

The situation becomes more critical when water scarcity is accompanied by climate change as Pakistan ranks 7th in Global Climate Risk Index. According to the task force on climate change, 0.6°C rise of temperature was observed from 1901 to 2000 in Pakistan. Asian Development Bank writes an increase of 18-32% rainfall in the Monsoon period throughout 1960-2007 and sea-level rise of 1.1mm per year in the past century. Glaciers, a freshwater resource are retreating because of global warming. Rising temperatures and sea levels, droughts, flood events all are contributing to the instability of the country.

There is no single solution to the problem. Multiple strategies must be developed to tackle the problem. Policy reforms and good governance are the biggest challenges. The agriculture sector must be the focus to address water consumption as 93% of water is consumed by this sector. There is a dire need for maintenance of canals to decrease losses and metering infrastructure for pricing the quantity of water consumed. Drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation must be introduced for the efficient use of water.

Rainwater harvesting is an attractive way to store rainwater that can be used for many household purposes other than drinking. Virtual water trade should be given due importance and our focus of exports must be changed from water-intensive products to water-efficient products. Desalination solves water shortage in coastal areas and rising sea levels. It is the need of the hour to find long-term sustainable solutions to the problem or otherwise, its effects will be devastating.

Recommended Reading

  • Climate change profile of Pakistan, Asian development bank report 2017
  • Water sustainability in Pakistan- key issues and challenges, State bank of Pakistan’s annual report 2016-2017
  • Pakistan getting from water, World Bank report 2019
  • Virtual water export dries Pakistan from Daily Times written by M Arshad Rafiq, May 15, 2019
  • Over 60% of irrigation water is wasted from The News International written by Myra Imran, September 24, 2018
  • Pakistan likely to face water crisis from newspaper Dawn written by Zahid Hussain, March 28, 2018

About the Authors

Eza Tahir is a student of M.Phil. in Environmental Sciences at Sustainable Development Study Center, Government College University Lahore. She has completed her bachelor’s degree from Lahore College for Women University, Lahore (Pakistan). She has also participated in environmental awareness campaigns and community service programs to address the environmental issues of Pakistan in collaboration with several international organizations.

Naveed Anwar is an Environmentalist and an active researcher with a special focus on Climate Change, Sustainable Development, Air Pollution, Water Scarcity, and Clean Energy. He possesses master and undergraduate degree in Environmental Sciences along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Environmental Laws from the premier national institutes of Pakistan. Naveed is currently teaching and doing research at the Sustainable Development Study Center, Government College University, Lahore. He has published several international peer-reviewed Journal Articles and Book Chapters on the themes and Environmental Policy – Climate Change and Air pollution Mitigation.

A Glance at Plastics Recycling

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Plastic consumption has grown at a tremendous rate worldwide, and Middle East is no exception. Plastics now play an increasingly important role in all aspects of modern life. and used in the manufacture of all sorts of items including protective packaging, mobile phones, domestic appliances, furniture items, medical devices etc. Each year around 1trillon plastic bags are used worldwide with most of them ending up in landfills, dumpsites and water bodies. Due to the rising demand, the global plastic consumption is expected to reach 300 million tons by 2015. Per capita consumption of plastics in the GCC is estimated to be 33kg per annum which is much above the world average.

Disposal of Plastic Wastes

Disposal of plastic waste has emerged as an important environmental challenge and its recycling is facing roadblocks due to non-degradable nature. Because plastic does not decompose biologically, the amount of plastic waste in our surroundings is steadily increasing. More than 90% of the articles found on the sea beaches contain plastic. Plastic waste is often the most objectionable kind of litter and will be visible for months in landfill sites without degrading.

Recycling and reuse of plastics is gaining importance as a sustainable method for plastic waste disposal. Unfortunately, plastic is much more difficult to recycle than materials like glass, aluminum or paper. A common problem with recycling plastics is that plastics are often made up of more than one kind of polymer or there may be some sort of fibre added to the plastic (a composite).

Plastic polymers require greater processing to be recycled as each type melts at different temperatures and has different properties, so careful separation is necessary. Moreover, most plastics are not highly compatible with one another. Apart from familiar applications like recycling bottles and industrial packaging film, there are also new developments e.g. the Recovinyl initiative of the PVC industry (covering pipes, window frames, roofing membranes and flooring).

Polyethlene terephthalate (PET) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles have proven to have high recyclability and are taken by most curbside and drop-off recycling programs. The growth of bottle recycling has been facilitated by the development of processing technologies that increase product purities and reduce operational costs. Recycled PET and HDPE have many uses and well-established markets.

In contrast, recycling of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bottles and other materials is limited. A major problem in the recycling of PVC is the high chlorine content in raw PVC (around 56 percent of the polymer’s weight) and the high levels of hazardous additives added to the polymer to achieve the desired material quality. As a result, PVC requires separation from other plastics before mechanical recycling.

Can Inflatable Hot Tubs be Used in Winter?

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Although most of the time, it is not recommended to use inflatable hot tubs in air temperatures below 40 degrees F, it has become common for most people to use mobile hot tubs in the wintertime. It turns out that the experience is relaxing.

Considering the diversity of the market of tubs nowadays, it might be frustrating for consumers to pick out the most suitable inflatable hot tub. Nevertheless, once you have figured out the best one and bought it, there are certain precautions you need to take.

inflatable-hot-tub-winter

Key Considerations

Testing inflating hot tubs has proven that these products can maintain their maximum water temperature well when it is below freezing in air temperatures, and you can enjoy them all winter. Before I go deep on the hardware issue, I would want to clarify the inflatable hot tub temperatures of the air rating and what it means.

The rating or the air temperature is the guarantee given by the manufacturer to the consumer that if they fill up their spa with cold water, the tub will increase the water to the maximum temperature and maintain it as long as the ambient temperature is equal to the tub’s rating (source: https://traditionalgardening.com/best-inflatable-hot-tub/).

Suitable inflatable hot tubs to use during winter

Intex 77in PureSpa Bubble Massage Spa Set

What would it be like to possess a mobile hot tub that you can easily set up anywhere? The product is many degrees inflatable than the normal inflatable pool and other hot tubs. It has a built-in treatment system that makes the product gentle on the skin and gives you a relaxing experience. At the top, there is an insulated lock that helps reduce the loss of heat and provide added safety features.

However, there are a few more things you need to know about PureSpa. To start with, the temperatures of water while using this product can only reach 104 degrees F. This is not a bad thing because some people can still be satisfied by this feature, but it won’t work for those who desire hotter temperatures.

Moreover, for this hot tub to function properly and achieve its temperatures, the external temperatures need to be at least 50 degrees. This can prove to be troublesome if you happen to plan to set it up in colder climates.

Bestway Hawaii Air Jet Hot Tub

This product provides you with the best spa experience ever. Its square shape gives the ultimate relaxation, and the 114 air jets massage feature gives you a luxurious treat. Usually, setting up an inflatable hot tub outside can prove risky, especially in areas where there are many trees, dirt, rain, or leaves falling off. Fortunately for people who choose to use Bestway inflatable hot tub, the product contains a leatheroid cover that protects it from everything. You can confidently leave your Bestway hot tub outside.

Using an inflatable hot tub in winter

1. Insulate the tub

Most spas contain a mat or disk sitting between the floor and tub’s spa, thus creating a heat barrier. But, this barrier cannot deal with cool temperatures, and therefore, it is vital to beef the barrier up before doing anything else.

2. Hook up a Heater

Put the tank containing propane inside the hot tub cover and run the hose to a Ecotank L5 tankless heater. You can either place it inside the housing or outside for a clear look.

3. Connect the pump with the hose

This procedure might need a hose clamp because you are supposed to link the pump to two hoses. Place the lengths of the hoses in the spa. The ecotank heats the water quickly.

4. Use the wired 12v switch to attach the pump to the adapter

This procedure seems a bit complex and requires the use of the instruction manual.

5. Put together the AC power adapter

Attach the Kaster 12v to the adapter and the pump so that the plugin adapter powers it. Once a plugin unit powers the entire system, your hot tub is ready to use.

Conclusion

To sum up, whether hot tubs can be used during winter can be answered by a qualified yes. There are various options for you in the market to get a suitable inflatable hot tub to help you enjoy the winter season. Once you find out the best that can work for you and understand the procedure on how to use it, then you will be able to enjoy your winter holidays.

Recommended Reading: How to Use Your Whirlpool Bath More Sustainably

Water Stress in the Mediterranean

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For many years now, the Mediterranean has been facing problems leading to a situation of serious environmental degradation. An increase in the temperature and salinity levels has been recorded during the second half of the 20th century in the Mediterranean Sea. However, this increase does not follow progressive trend and periods of temperature alternation have been observed. Following several climate change scientific reports, sea level trend at the global scale is higher than at the regional scales.

mediterranean-sea

Furthermore, in the regional scale there are other influence factors such the atmospheric pressure and the wind. In addition, the small rises in temperature registered in the Mediterranean Sea, would have been compensated with an increase in the salinity, even though this fact is uncertain owing a lack of historical data.

Nevertheless, we can establish a prediction for the future: “The increase in the water stress in the Mediterranean basin (due to a higher evaporation rates and a decrease in rainfalls and water courses levels) will cause the raise of salinity would made up for the raise in temperature”*.

Drought in the Mediterranean and Middle East, resulting from lack of rainfall, reduces run-off, thus also affecting, among other things, power generation. In combination with high rates of evaporation and lack of moisture, it alters soil properties making the soil less productive, thus holding back agricultural development, the backbone for the economy of the Mediterranean basin countries.

The main cause of the water stress suffered by the Mediterranean and Middle East is the increasing use of natural resources by the rising population and the higher demand for water per capita. This is not only because customs are being adopted that do not allow for balanced water use but also, and especially, because economic and industrial development in the region has turned its back on any type of sustainable management of resources and conservation of the natural environment.

Industrialization is not only responsible for the shortage of water but also for the high levels of pollution in the Mediterranean sea which are destroying natural habitats. Over the last century, water has become a much-valued resource leading to disputes between different peoples, causing internal and even international conflicts.

Proper water management is necessary, especially because water is a limited resource in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Before this is possible, it is necessary to create a greater awareness amongst society. Industries must become more respectful of the environment, national policies must be adopted to promote such industries and sustainable, equitable water management must be set up. The countries in the region must continue working together on research to resolve the problems of the Mediterranean. Fair, common policies must be adopted, preventing further international conflicts.

Note: This article is being reproduced with the kind permission of our esteemed partner Med-o-Med which has adopted a firm commitment to water use, not only because of its symbolic importance in Islam, but also because Islamic civilization was behind a real revolution in water use. The example survives even today in certain institutions, one such being the Valencia Water Tribunal in Spain which continues to function effectively today as it did in the past.

Water Diplomacy in the Middle East for Transboundary Water Supplies

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Increased pressure on transboundary water supplies as a result of rising economic and population needs, exacerbated by climate change processes, can have catastrophic consequences in the Middle East. Management of groundwater extraction from transboundary aquifers must involve sharing the amount of accessible water and preserving its quality in order to ensure that future generations will have access to safe groundwater supplies.

Transboundary water movement in the Middle East

The Middle East is afflicted by internal water mismanagement and conflicts. This necessitates not only the building of water governance institutions but also diverse engagement platforms and other water diplomacy techniques.

The negotiations about water management create the need for having water diplomacy that is a dynamic process that seeks to develop reasonable, sustainable, and peaceful solutions to water management while promoting or informing cooperation and collaboration among riparian stakeholders.

Water diplomacy topics are at the heart of discussions and conversations regarding the necessity of peace-building, cooperation between countries, and cooperation regarding transboundary surface and groundwaters: water diplomacy should not be restricted to diplomats and foreign policy experts, it is primarily the responsibility of water professionals who negotiate management agreements for shared water resources, but this should include representatives of NGOs to participate in transboundary water conversations, the involvement of these parts at all levels will help to establish is the most effective format of diplomacy.

According to experts, the sustainable growth of the Middle East and its political stability rely heavily on the region’s countries’ continued access to potable water. There are few recorded instances in which conversations on shared water resources led to prolonged efforts to address the underlying causes of an intrastate or interstate violent conflict.

Water Diplomacy Tracks

More technical professionals and actors in foreign policy need to have access to and be able to participate in transdisciplinary water diplomacy tracks and tools such varied discussion platforms, fact-finding missions, study tours, and joint scientific conferences.

Conventionally (water) diplomacy is seen as high-level interaction and dialogue between nation-states. Diplomacy is now defined according to various tracks which vary in terms of formality, actors involved, and purpose.

  • Formal Diplomacy (Track 1) Official/Formal communication between state actors with the authority and mandate to speak and make decisions on behalf of their governments or institutions.
  • Informal Diplomacy (Track 2 and 1.5) Dialogue between non-officials to build relations, resolve conflict, manage a crisis, or build trust, based on the agreed mandate, roles, and responsibilities. It can include officials in informal roles (Track 1.5), academics, NGOs, faith-based organizations, business partners, media, retired civil servants, and other ‘’insiders’’[1]

Transboundary water in the Middle East

The fact that 82% of wastewater is not recycled in the Middle East presents a tremendous opportunity to meet water demands. The region is anticipated to suffer the biggest economic losses due to climate-related water scarcity, between 6 and 14 percent of GDP by 2050.[2]

1. Israeli-Arab situation

In the Middle East as part of an arid region, groundwater reservoirs are regarded as the most dependable source of water, where the flow in the majority of perennial rivers is very variable due to seasonal fluctuations in rainfall quantity and distribution.

All groundwater reserves in the Middle East, are shared by at least two nations. And it will play a significant part in all peace conflicts. Water agreements are allotment is prominent in the present peace agreement between Israel and Jordan, as well as in the Oslo deal with Palestine.

Jordan-River

Israel and the Palestinians jointly exploit all main groundwater sources in the Middle East, including the coastal Mediterranean and highland aquifers. [3] The transboundary (Arava) Araba alluvial aquifer in the Jordan Rift Valley is shared by Israel and Jordan. The Arava Valley aquifer is shared by Jordan and Israel between the Red and Dead Seas.

Israel and Jordan have struck an agreement to jointly develop this international transboundary aquifer in the future, following a thorough examination of the aquifer’s future potential in terms of its quality and safe supply. This agreement is incorporated into the Israel-Jordan peace treaty of 1994.

However, Syria, Israel, Jordan, the West Bank, and Lebanon all utilize the Jordan River’s resources. The western Nubian sandstone aquifer is located beneath Sinai (Egypt) and the Negev desert.

2. Jordan and the Syrian Arab Republic

Implementation of agreements signed between the two countries, especially with regard to shared water in the Yarmouk River Basin. They also agreed to continue a study on the Yarmouk River Basin based on previous studies. Currently, the Joint Jordanian–Syrian Higher Committee is discussing how to make use of the Yarmouk River Basin water and how to protect Yarmouk water against depletion. Talks will also include preparations for winter and storage at the Wadha (Unity) Dam in the Yarmouk River.

The southern Syria Mountain ridge (Jabel Druze) partially recharges the Azrak aquifer, which spans over eastern Jordan.

3. Jordan-Saudi

Jordan and Saudi Arabia both extract water from the Disi aquifer. An agreement was signed between Jordan and Saudi, in 2015 that includes a mathematical model to be upgraded. With annual monitoring of the aquifer regarding existing wells which does not reflect the real picture, minimal changes have been encountered. The agreement includes a buffer zone of 10km on both sides have been agreed upon with the Saudi side. (10 km on each side).

4. Iraqi Turkey Syrian Situation

The river basin that supplies Syria and Iraq, the Tigris-Euphrates, is rapidly drying up. This large region is already struggling to provide for at least ten million people uprooted by conflict. And things could soon worsen; Iraq is approaching a point of crisis.

Both the Euphrates and the Tigris rivers originate in Turkey and flow to the Shatt al-Arab basin in southern Iraq. The Euphrates crosses Syria and Iraq, with Turkey and Syria contributing 90% and 10% to its water flow respectively. On the other hand, the Tigris flows from Turkey to Iraq, with Turkey, Iraq, and Iran contributing 40%, 51%, and 9% of its flow respectively [4]

Initiatives

EcoPeace Middle East’s “Good Water Neighbors” initiative in the Lower Jordan Valley is a well-known illustration of a bottom-up method. In this approach, Palestinian, Jordanian, and Israeli mayors and villages collaborate with their transboundary neighbors to rehabilitate their shared water resources.

water-islamic-culture

Academics and water professionals from Turkey, Syria, and Iraq participated in the Euphrates-Tigris Initiative for Cooperation (ETIC) to promote shared knowledge through data exchange and collaborative planning. As these many instances illustrate, the tools of water diplomacy may contribute to the creation of routes across societies for inclusive involvement and strong partnerships in water decision-making – a prerequisite for attaining a water-smart and peaceful global community.

The techniques of water diplomacy can help to the creation of paths between countries for inclusive involvement and strategic relationships in water decision-making, which is essential for attaining a water-wise and peaceful global community.

Suggestions and Solutions

The World Bank (2017) in a study of essential problems regarding water security raised three questions:

  1. Are the region’s water resources managed efficiently and sustainably?
  2. Are water services provided dependably and affordably?
  3. Are risks associated with water being effectively identified and mitigated?

Transboundary basins and aquifers in the Middle East can generate a network of hydrological, economic, and social connections between communities. Governments must work together to manage transboundary water resources. More cooperation is required, particularly to overcome the sensitivity to climate change consequences where water is already scarce.

Economic cooperation is essential. Agriculture, industry, energy, and water supply and sanitation, which rely heavily on water, must collaborate on a transnational level

Data voids must be filled. Governments in the Middle East must quickly enhance their systems for monitoring transboundary waters, particularly groundwater, and exchanging data with other governments as part of cooperation agreements.

Transboundary water management necessitates tackling a number of difficult environmental, socioeconomic, and political challenges that may incur substantial expenses, such as those related with infrastructure construction, the acquisition of monitoring equipment, and the creation of studies.

At various stages of management and development, distinct finance and financing sources may be necessary. Typically, national budgets should pay at least the core costs of joint bodies, mostly for reasons of sustainability. In some instances, national budgets may not be adequate to solve such difficulties, especially in underdeveloped countries where funding may be redirected to other priorities. In these situations, new and alternative procedures could be a viable choice for filling financial shortfalls.

Financial resources are required to fund institutional expenditures such as salaries and office space, as well as program expenses such as the collecting of data and information to monitor the condition and quality of water.

[1] Klimes, M., Michel, D., Yaari, E.A., Restiani, P. (2019). “Water diplomacy: The intersect of science, policy and practice”, Editorial, Journal of Hydrology, March 2019, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2019.02.049

[2]“World Bank. 2018. Beyond Scarcity: Water Security in the Middle East and North Africa. MENA Development Report. Washington, DC: World Bank. © World Bank. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/27659 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”

[3] Adar, Eilon, Water World, Transboundary aquifers source of conflict or peace https://www.waterworld.com/home/article/16200402/transboundary-aquifers-source-of-conflict-or-peace

[4] Kibaroglu, Aysegul, and Waltina Scheumann. “Evolution of Transboundary Politics in the Euphrates-Tigris River System: New Perspectives and Political Challenges.” Global Governance 19, no. 2 (2013): 279–305. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24526371.

5 Places Where You Can Use Cable Railing to Improve Home Style

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People nowadays prefer to have a sustainable lifestyle and a green way of living and choosing eco-friendly items has become a norm. Therefore, you can find that people are using cable railing of stainless steel while taking up any kind of home improvement project.

It is nowadays very common to see stainless steel railings in many different homes. Also, stainless steel can be quite durable and strong.

The following are a few places where people prefer to use cable railings while considering home improvement.

1. Balcony and terrace

Most of the home has a balcony area, where you can have a railing option. Not only this will offer safety, but also cable railing can offer a secure and versatile structure for opening up this space.

cable-railing

In case, your balcony is large enough for hosting dining, then such railing can be an ideal option for creating an unobtrusive barrier, and also you will be able to soak up surrounding garden areas.

In most modern homes, cable railing is used for getting an outstanding view of the scenery, and with such a unique idea; it can provide a beautiful transition to all your indoor and outdoor areas.

2. Outside decking

Perhaps this area is the most popular place where cable railing can be incorporated because it can create quite an uninterrupted feel for your garden area. With this option, you can make maximum use of the exterior space during summer.

You can also think of creating dining alfresco to enjoy its distinctive aesthetics. Your cable railing needs low maintenance, as they are easy to clean and will keep it looking untouched all year round.

This kind of railing will be able to withstand various weather conditions and yet will look as if it is just installed.

3. Internal staircases

Even for your internal staircases, cable railing will provide very stylish solutions. In your home, railings are a very important part to provide safety features to the staircase, but that should not be the reason to use a material that will not work with your original interior design.

While innovating, often the staircase gets lower priority, but putting a little change into this area will open up space and can create light pockets to offer a contemporary look.

4. Poolside railing

Those who have built a swimming pool in the backyard, putting barriers usually are necessary for keeping everyone safe. You can have several options for incorporating barrier, but few may need lots of maintenance.

For offering a chic poolside feature, you can use cable railing. Not only cable railing of stainless steel will provide unobtrusive elements around your pool, but also it will offer a style to properly match your garden themes.

It can also be easily installed and maintained although it can be near water; it may not affect the appearance of the metal.

5. Entrances and pathways

For creating an ultimate curb appeal, cable railing of stainless steel is ideal for having striking entrance-ways. You can easily incorporate into your landscaping of front garden areas and your beautiful floral arrangements will not be disturbed at all.

The Environmental Impacts of Minimalist Lifestyle

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The concept of a minimalist lifestyle is more and more popular nowadays and a lot of people try to have a better mindset by adopting it. However, eco minimalism has implications not only on the population’s mental health but also on the environment and we are going to tell you all about it in this article.

What is the meaning of the ‘minimalist lifestyle’?

Minimalism is a term that comes from the early 60s when several artists started to simplify art, like visual art and music. The concept was that with very simple techniques they could capture the essence of the feeling that they wanted to instill in their audience.

This phenomenon was very popular in the United States and, slowly, it began to be applied in other different areas like judicial philosophies and computer science. Even though the whole purpose of minimalism is to simplify things, it is not always easy to catch the essence of things with less. But, when applied to lifestyle, it makes a lot of difference to wellbeing.

The minimalist lifestyle is also referred to as ’simple life’. Even if in other field areas it doesn’t have a long history, in terms of simple living things are different. Mahatma Gandhi was a promoter of this way of living and the concepts have been widespread in the eastern cultures for centuries.

The concepts are very simple. They involve changing habits in an intentional way and deciding to live intentionally instead of being driven by society’s trends. This involves the reduction of consumption, possessions and working time. Also, people who adopt this philosophy try to increase self-sufficiency and to simplify their diet.

Essentially, it relies on decluttering the mind. The fewer possessions you have, the fewer worries you have, the less you consume, the less you have to keep in mind, the less complicated your meals are, the more time you have to focus on other important things that you have in your life.

How can a minimalist lifestyle help the environment?

When we talk about how minimalism can impact the environment, the implications are multiple. So, you have to think in terms of consumption and production.

Let’s think about your diet. If you limit your meals to simple, natural and healthy types of food, that means that you would have to reduce junk food. Junk food includes drinks as well. So you won’t be buying snack foods, fizzy drinks, sauces and anything that is processed which usually comes in plastic packaging.

Some people go even further and have their own homesteads where they produce their own vegetables and raise animals that give them all the animal products they need, reducing industrialized animal farm numbers and the number of factories that produce processed meat.

These people need a reduced work schedule that allows them to take care of their gardens and animals. They usually buy what they need for their gardens and homes from producers like Seeds & more and try to simplify their lives as much as possible. One of the concepts is to reduce everything that can give you worries.

If you think about it, the reduction of consumption is the one that influences the environment the most. We consume more and more food and also throw away a lot of food that we do not eat, we buy more clothes and the concept of fast fashion which 20 years ago was just a supposition is now a fact, and we produce a lot of waste that harms the environment.

If you are not familiar with the term ‘fast fashion’, you should know that the production of clothes has reached its peak point.

Opposed to the 70s, when our mothers and grandmothers used to buy clothes that would last for as long as 30 years because their quality was the highest possible, now we buy clothes that we throw away the next year because of two reasons: they are not fashionable anymore and they have poor quality.

If all the fibers that clothes are made of would be biodegradable, the problem wouldn’t be such big of a deal, but a lot of fiber nowadays is not biodegradable, like polyester, which is used in a lot of fashion items. So we are polluting the environment because of a caprice.

Conclusion

While there are many aspects in which a minimalist lifestyle can benefit us, it would be a Utopia if everybody would adopt it. But many of its concepts can be applied only partially to our lifestyles and it would still make a lot of difference to the world.

If you buy one less fashion item a month, or if you decide to have one less plastic home decoration, if you decide to buy one less plastic bag a day, all of these put together and multiplied by 7 billion, the current Earth’s population, we would be able to make a major difference to the environment.

Green Tips for Renovating Your Home

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Renovating your home sounds like a great choice for when you need to make your home more functional, comfortable, spacious, and efficient. What is even greater is taking the step to renovating your house with a green viewpoint. This kind of perspective can help your house become more sustainable and also reduce the negative impact on the environment.

Here are some tips for a green home renovation:

1. Maximize Your House’s Efficiency

First of all, if you need your house design to be more sustainable, then you must start increasing its efficiency. You can start by inspecting the appliances in your home and see if they are becoming outdated, or if you should replace them with more efficient models. Not to forget the fact that it has to be more functional and efficient.

If you live in Houston, you can find several specialists for remodeling your kitchen. Based on the suggestion of Trifection, renovation professionals that work in kitchen remodeling in Houston, your kitchen is made to suit all your cooking, entertainment, and budget needs. Thus, while renovating, make sure you think of what would look good for your kitchen renovation and at the same time, works efficiently.

2. Design Passively

Passive design is one of the great techniques for having a green and energy-efficient house. It mainly focuses on minimizing the usage of artificial heating, cooling, and lighting. In order for one to have a passive design, you must first know the seasonal weather patterns of their home in order to distribute the spaces in the right position.

For example, in cold climate regions, it is better to have your house openings on the north side of the house so that the winter sun can be directed to the walls and the floor. Thus, the entire space gets heated and you won’t be in need of any artificial heating. Bottom line, the passive design elements will help you get better airflow as well as an efficient thermal mass to your indoor climate.

3. Minimize Construction Waste

The construction industry contributes to 40% of the environment’s pollution. Since you’re renovating using sustainable techniques, then you must consider construction waste and seek ways to minimize it as much as possible. You can simply do so by limiting the harmful materials that you use, such as rubber, bricks, timber, metal, and any other hazardous materials that need to be cleaned up by sustainable skip bins or licensed professionals. Check out this link for dumpster rental to help you with this process.

4. Reuse Water

Reusing water instead of wasting it is one of the green techniques to consider when renovating your house. You can do so through one of these methods:

  1. Install a Rainwater Tank: to collect rainwater that can be used for house cleaning chores.
  2. Reuse Greywater after Recycling it: to reduce your water consumption and waste.  

Having an eco friendly home renovation can be very beneficial as it helps you have a more sustainable house and at the same time save the environment. However, you need to make sure you tackle the specifications of every aspect of your house. Once you do so, you can rest assured that your renovated house will be more functional, efficient, and environmentally safe.

Top Ways to Achieve Zero Waste at Your Home

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Zero waste is a movement that has been vastly popularized by millennials. It is essentially a culture of not leaving anything behind. With the condition that our planet is in right now, in terms of trash, it makes a lot of sense. People are becoming more conscious of their footprint and it’s a great thing.

Although a lot of people know about it, not many actually commit.

  • I could never stop using tissues, I’m allergic to pollen!
  • I love snacks too much, this is impossible.
  • Someone else will take care of the planet, I don’t have to do it.

People come up with all these excuses, but what they really need to do is assess the amount of trash they make. We all leave a massive scar on our home planet that will take centuries to heal. So, is it really that hard?

In this article, we will look into the ways you can make your home zero waste (or at least reduce your carbon footprint). Let’s dive in!

1. Reduce

We all have heard this popular motto by now: reduce, reuse, recycle. But what does it actually mean?

First, you have to analyze the items in your home. Think about what you use on a daily basis and what items are just lying around waiting to get tossed. That’s the reduce part. But reducing doesn’t necessarily mean throwing away. A lot of things have much more uses than you might think. If it says “vinegar” on the packaging, it doesn’t mean that it cannot be turned into a multi-purpose cleaner.

Remember all the papers you have lying around? Your old essays, books, and lecture notes don’t need to take up that much space. You can use a recorder during the lectures and type your essays. Nowadays, most schools accept digital submissions. Besides, if you ordered an essay from Essay Pro, you wouldn’t have to go through any trouble at all! So, start with decluttering. Pile up all the old paper, plastic and everything that doesn’t have a use in your household. But read till the end before tossing it all in the trash!

2. Reuse

Now, think again. Which of the things you don’t need can have another life? You can look up upcycling projects if you like to DIY. Donating your old clothes and your child’s toys is always a good thing to do. Our generation is more likely to toss something, while our parents would always mend and fix the old things.

We should all learn from them! If something is broken, it doesn’t mean that it’s never going to work again. Call your dad, he’ll know what to with a broken kettle or a TV remote. If you replace an item, there’s no guarantee that the new one won’t break in the same amount of time. But if you fix it, you will boost your self-esteem, not to mention the broken item working again.

3. Recycle

If you live in a big city, recycling is as easy as it can be. A recycling bin is probably right around the corner. It only takes a little more walking than usual. Almost every plastic container is recyclable, so zero-waste doesn’t mean you can’t buy snacks anymore.

reduce_reuse_recycle

You just need to learn some ground rules:

  • Wash the plastic thoroughly;

If you put a container that has a small trace of food in it into a recycling bin, the whole batch will be wasted.

  • Recycle it right.

Every recyclable plastic item has a number on it. That number indicates the kind of mix used. You have to toss the right things in the recycling center for them to get recycled properly.

  • Research.

Find the closest place to you that accepts organic waste. If you live in a house, make place for a compost pile. If there isn’t enough space, you can buy a composting bin, or make it yourself.

How Do I Get Started?

You don’t have to quit cold turkey. But once the idea gets planted into your mind, you will see yourself becoming more mindful of what you buy and what you toss. Start little by little. Follow these simple steps below.

  • Buy in bulk

If you buy in bulk, you won’t suddenly run out of something. Making a pantry essentials list is also beneficial.

  • Bring your own containers or bags to the store

Even if you don’t have those fancy reusable bags, it’s not a problem. Everybody has plastic bags lying around. Keep a few in your purse in case you go to the grocery store after work. Plastic is durable and reusable.

  • Have containers for food takeout as well
  • Refuse the unnecessary

Do you really need to pick up a receipt at the store? What about that flyer from a promoter in the street? Politeness should not be the reason to bring trash to your home.

  • Use the same cleaner for everything

A whole shelf of cleaners for every single surface is just marketing. If you look at the ingredients, they are mostly the same. Dilute vinegar with water and use that to clean surfaces in your home. You can even use it on glass, it doesn’t leave traces.

  • Stop buying single-use items;

Paper towels are not a necessity. You can use regular towels for as long as you want. Just wash them regularly.

Wrapping Up

There are many brands that support the zero waste movement. You don’t have to suddenly start making beauty products yourself if you have never done that before. You can just take your own containers to the store, or bring the old one for a refill. Once you start doing that, you will see that you’re not alone. If you get a friend or your whole family to join you, the journey to zero-waste will become a walk in a park!

3 Eco-Friendly Conference Giveaway Ideas For Your Next Business Event

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For many years, giveaways have been an essential part of business events. These gifts have become a tool for increasing brand awareness. These items help in drawing attention to your company.

In today’s fast-paced world, where businesses are always looking for ways to improve their reputation, eco-friendliness has become one of the key elements in the success of any business event or conference. Businesses are now more aware of their environmental impact and are taking steps to reduce it. This is why eco-friendly conference giveaways have become so important.

eco-friendly giveaways for business events

Ensuring that your giveaways will not have a negative environmental effect helps reduce the causes of global warming. It can also showcase your company’s values. This article will cover three eco-friendly conference giveaway ideas that can help businesses positively impact the environment while promoting their brand.

1. Printed Paper Bags

Many companies choose to give recyclable or recycled bags. These bags have less impact on the environment while becoming an ideal gift. Yet, if you want to go the extra mile, you can use printed paper bags.

There are many benefits to giving this type of bag. Sponsoring a printed paper bag for conference giveaways is a great eco-friendly alternative to a plastic or leather one. The reason is that it’s often made from cellulose fiber, a renewable natural resource.

Choosing to sponsor a printed paper bag for conference giveaways is a great eco-friendly alternative to a plastic one. This can help to align your brand with eco-friendly messaging, while exposing your logo to lots of people at once in the venue. Good suppliers like Steel City provide you with an account manager to help you design the perfect paper bag for your promotional campaign.

2. Organic Cotton Clothing

Using branded clothing as conference giveaways dramatically helps in promoting your company. But that doesn’t imply that you must choose the less costly and least sustainable clothing. One way to tackle this issue is to choose t-shirts, jackets, sweaters, and polos made from pure organic cotton.

Organic cotton is grown without harmful chemicals and pesticides, making it a more sustainable choice for both the environment and farmers. When companies choose organic cotton clothing as their corporate giveaways, they send a message that they care about the planet and are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact.

Additionally, organic cotton is soft, breathable, and hypoallergenic, making it a comfortable choice for your participants and potential clients. This is particularly important for clothing that will be worn frequently, as comfort can significantly impact the wearer’s overall experience with your brand.

Another benefit of choosing organic cotton clothing is its durability. Your audience will appreciate receiving high-quality items that will last for years to come, and this will also reflect positively on your brand.

And speaking of brand, organic cotton clothing is an excellent way to promote your brand, as the items can be customized with your company logo or message. When your clients and employees wear these items, they will be spreading your brand message to everyone they encounter, increasing your brand’s visibility and reach.

3. Wheat Straw Tea Cup

Whenever wheat grains are harvested, a stalk will be left over. This stalk is called a wheat straw and is generally considered a waste. This is true, particularly in other places where it’s burned. Doing this is terrible as it pollutes the air and harms the public’s health.

sustainable giveaways for conference

On the other hand, wheat straw is a material that can be used as a disposable giveaway. Using this stalk as a gift, you’re choosing a renewable material that can be reclaimed. More so, you can send your clamshell to the nearest commercial composting facility for reusing it.

To add, you can give a traditional tea cup made from wheat straw as a conference giveaway. These tea cups consist of similar types of wheat straw barrel mixed material. It has a wider mouth and is relatively smaller. The cups also come in various colors, such as charcoal, beige, and grey, and you can add your company logo to the cup’s body.

Wrapping Up

Conference giveaways help in showcasing your brand. But it’s helpful if the giveaways you choose are eco-friendly. Fortunately, sustainable giveaways enable your company to reduce its impact on this phenomenon.

Another reason to choose eco-friendly giveaways is that they can show what your company stands for. If your company focuses on caring for the environment, this can send an excellent image to your audience.

Ultimately, this article outlined three sustainable giveaways you can offer to your staff, potential clients, and partners. You can use them as your options to have a memorable and eco-friendly conference event.

Things To Know About The Environmental Impacts of Fracking

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Fracking, or Hydraulic Fracturing, is a method to stimulate or improve fluid flow from rocks in the subsurface. Advancements in extraction technologies have enabled drillers to reach previously inaccessible gas in geological formations The technique involves pumping water-rich fluid into a borehole until the fluid pressure at depth causes the rock to fracture. The pumped fluid contains small particles, such as quartz-rich sand or chemicals, which serve to prop open the fractures. After the fracking job, the pressure in the well is dropped and the water containing released natural gas flows back to the well head at the surface.

environmental consequences of fracking

Fracking (or unconventional gas drilling) has a long history in the United States where approximately one million oil and gas wells have been drilled and fracked. The United States produces 75 percent of its crude oil supply due to massive hydraulic fracturing taking place across the country. Infact, fracking is being increasingly seen as seen as one of the key methods of extracting unconventional oil and gas resources around the world, including Middle East.

Fracking in the Middle East

Middle East is also showing good deal of interest in fracking technology as there is significant potential for producing unconventional gas in several MENA countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Oman, Jordan, Algeria and Tunisia. Oman is making serious efforts in unconventional gas development and is developing one of the most ambitious unconventional gas drilling projects in the world.

Fracking projects at Khazzan field in Oman is producing around 1.5 billion standard cubic feet of gas per day. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia, with estimate shale gas reserves of 600 trillion cubic feet, is expected to produce 2 billion cubic fee of shale gas from Jafurah project by 2030.

Environmental Implications of Fracking

Despite the obvious economic benefits, fracking has become a controversial energy and environmental issue in recent years.  Hydraulic fracturing has come under widespread international scrutiny, with some countries suspending or banning it due to environmental and public health concerns. These concerns have included geomechanical risks, groundwater contamination, air pollution, migration of gases and chemicals to the surface, waste mismanagement etc.

The injection of large volumes of pressurised water into a borehole may alter in-situ stress state and change the propensity of existing fractures to open or faults to slip, thus triggering potential seismic activity. The development of shale gas deposits is an energy-intensive process involving heavy equipment to pump water and create adequate drilling pressure required to extract gas from underground rocks.

According to The Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, heavy CO2 emissions are linked back to the engine-powered fracking process, including the blending of fracturing chemicals and sand that are pumped from storage, and the high pressure compression, injection and recovery of materials into and out of the well. The process is extremely water-intensive where several million gallons of fluid are injected underground at high pressure to fracture the rock surrounding an oil or gas well. The use of huge amount of water in the fracking process is a contentious issue in areas where water supplies are scarce.

fracking and its environmental impacts

The US Environmental Protection Agency has repeatedly raised concerns that some of the fracturing chemicals could contaminate drinking water. Recent studies have detected high concentrations of salts, including those of radium and barium, in the flowback waters from late-end fracking operations. A report conducted by Cornell University concluded that hydraulic fracturing could potentially be worse for the environment than coal.

Another contentious issue is the air pollution caused by hydraulic fracturing which may result in serious health problems for communities in the vicinity of drilling sites. A recent study, based on three years of monitoring at Colorado sites, found a number of potentially toxic petroleum hydrocarbons in the air near the wells including benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene and xylene. The potential source of the chemicals is a mix of the raw gas that is vented from the wells and emissions from industrial equipment used during the shale gas production process.

أفكار لمشاريع صديقة للبيئة لطلاب المدارس

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كل يوم نقوم بقتل البيئة، ويلزم ان نرعاها وان نوقف قتلها. لهذا السبب تقوم بعض المدارس بتعليم الطلاب وتوعيتهم حول كيفية حماية طبيعتنا. هنالك العديد من المشاريع البيئية المبادرة لانقاذ الطبيعة، وهنا سنذكر عشرة أفكار لمشاريع صديقة للبيئة تستهدف طلاب المدارس ومن شأنها تعزيز مشاركتهم للإتجاه نحو  ” القطاع الأخضر”، وممكن أن يستفيد المعلمون من المعلومات الموجودة هاهنا لاستنباط بعض الافكار لنشاطاتهم.

environmental-education-arabic

بداية نود أن نلفت انتباهكم لعوامل الخطر الرئيسية التي تؤثر بشكل سلبي على البيئة لنلقي نظرة على القائمة أدناه  –

  1. تغير المناخ
  2. الكوارث الطبيعية
  3. التلوث بجميع أشكاله
  4. إبادة الغطاء النباتي والحيواني
  5. إبادة الغابات
  6. القوانين والسياسات البيئية غير الفعالة
  7. النفايات الكيميائية
  8. التكنولوجيا والانتاج… إلخ

وممكن لهذه القائمة أن تطول ولكن الآن لنقم بمراجعة بعض الافكار لمشاريعنا:

1. المشروع

كإقتراح أولي، بإمكاننا استغلال بعض المساحات في المدارس لزراعة الخضروات العضوية، وممكن أن تُباع للطلبه في المقاصف المدرسية أو حتى لبنوك الغذاء التي توفر الطعام للناس غير القادرين على شراء الطعام.

وأيضاً، ممكن تبني هذه الفكرة في الجامعات، حيث يقوم الطلبة بالزراعة ومراقبة النباتات ويقوم المعلمون بتزويد الطلبة بمعلومات عن الاصناف المزروعة، وبذلك يجمعوا بين التعليم والعمل و تزيد معرفتهم بفوائد وميزات النباتات.

فكرة: من الممكن طلب تمويل من بعض  مؤسسات المجتمع المحلي إن لم يتوفر التمويل لمثل هذا المشروع.

2. المشروع

إشراك الاطفال في “إعادة التدوير”. حيث أن الكثير من الناس يقومون برمي القمامة وخلافها في الشوارع، مما يسهم في تدمير الطبيعة، فبإشراك الاطفال بهذه النشاطات من شأنه أن يعلمهم أن هذا الامر مخالف وأنه يجب إستخدام حاويات منفصلة وخاصة لكل نوع من القمامة او النفايات.

بإمكان الاطفال أن يقوموا بزيارة لمكب للنفايات او منشآت تعنى بإعادة التدوير حتى يتمكنوا من إدراك كيفية الاستفادة من النفايات. وبذلك سوف تتنمى عادة الفصل واعادة التدوير/الاستخدام عند الطلبة. وبالامكان تزويدهم أيضاً بمعلومات عن تحلل بعض المواد السامة وكيف ان بامكان إعادة التدوير ان يقوم بتنقيتها بالإضافة الى تنقية البيئة المحيطة.

فكرة: تنظيم حملة لجمع النفايات في المنطقة وفصلها/فرزها وإرسالها إلى منشآت إعادة التدوير.

3. المشروع

من الضروري أيضا تنظيم نشاط لزراعة الاشجار حيث يعتبر هذا النشاط من افضل المشاريع البيئية الذي يأسر جميع الاطفال، لأن معظم الاطفال مغرمون بزراعة الاشجار لذا سيتعلمون بسرعة عن فوائد الزراعة واهميتها، ويعتبر هذا النشاط مفيد للمعلمين لشرح كيفية تنفس النباتات بامتصاصها ثاني اكسيد الكربون وانتاج الاكسجين.

فكرة: بالعادة وفي مثل هذه الحالات لا بكون هنالك مساحة واسعة في المدارس، فمن الممكن الزراعة في احدى الحدائق المحلية او حدائق منازل الطلاب، بالامكان اختيار زراعة الاشجار سريعة النمو حتى يتمكن الاطفال من مشاهدة نتائج عملهم وجهدهم.

4. المشروع

إطلاق فكرة “المنافسة الخضراء” تعتبر ايضا من الافكار الرائعة، حيث ان مشروع كهذا سوف يزرع ويحفز روح المنافسة بين الطلاب للحصول على الجوائز والتقدير. ممكن ان يقوم المعلمون بعمل بطولة او نوع من المسابقات الصغيرة على مشاريع الاطفال المختلفة، مثل: تنظيم حديقة، زراعة الاشجار ومقالات بيئية… وهكذا.

فكرة: من الضروري إعطاء الاطفال الحرية للكشف عن قدراتهم وابداعهم فيما يهتمون.

5. المشروع

بإمكاننا ان نطلب من الاطفال تزويدنا بتوصياتهم وافكارهم حول بعض وسائل التنظيف الصديقة للبيئة، فالناس يستخدمون العديد من الوسائل لتنظيف المنتجات والملابس، لكن للاسف معظم هذه المواد يكون ساماً وخطيرا، ممكن أن يقوم المعلمون بمساعدة الطلاب لاكتشاف مواد بديلة وآمنة بيئياً.

فكرة: يمكن الطلب من كل طالب أن يعطي مثالا واحدا على الاقل لاستخدام البدائل الامنه بيئياً، على سبيل المثال، استخدام الطاقة الشمسية.

6. المشروع

من المهم أن نتأكد من جودة الهواء، وذلك بتركيب عدادات لقياس جودة الهواء مع الطلاب، حيث أن هذه العدادات من أفضل الوسائل لمعرفة مستوى جودة الهواء وأخذ التدابير اللازمة لتحسينه، وهذه فرصة جيدة لنعلم الاطفال عن اسباب وعوامل ملوثات البيئة عن طريق الهواء.

إن التعليم البيئي يعد المفتاح لمستقبل أفضل

فكرة: من الممكن طلب تمويل من بعض  مؤسسات المجتمع المحلي إن لم يتوفر التمويل لمثل هذا المشروع-

7. المشروع

يستطيع المعلم تنظيم ما يسمى “يوم الغذاء” حيث يستطيع الطلاب بهذا اليوم إحضار منتجات طبيعية وآمنة. ومثل هذا اليوم يجب أن ينظم بشكل دوري. ويتم به مكافآة الطلاب المشاركين وتعليمهم وتزويدهم بمحاضرات عن المنتجات او الطعام غير الصحي.

فكرة: ممكن التنسيق مع المزارع والمطاعم المحلية لتنظيم مهرجانات للطعام وتأمين بعض الدعم الغذائي.

8. المشروع

القيام بتأسيس “النادي الأخضر”، حيث يكون هذا النادي عبارة عن مجتمع خاص للطلاب ويعنى بالبيئة، ممكن تأسيسه داخل المدرسة/الجامعة، وبذلك يقوم الطلاب تعليم زملائهم حول حماية البيئة.

فكرة: تشجيع وتنظيم العديد من النشاطات “الخضراء” المختلفة.

9. المشروع

تركيب عدادات لقياس الطاقة، وهذا مشروع شبيه لتركيب عدادات الهواء، حيث يقوم المعلم بالتوضيح للطلاب عن اهمية الحفاظ على الطاقة وكيفية استخدامها بشكل معقول ومنطقي.

فكرة: تحضير قائمة بمصادر الطاقة البديلة والامنة.

10. المشروع

إنشاء مبادرة “زجاجة الماء”، حيث نقوم بتحفيز الطلاب لجمع زجاجات الماء البلاستيكية وإرسالها لمنشآت إعادة التدوير، والتوضيح لهم عن مدى الضرر الممكن أن يلحقه البلاستيك للبيئة المحيطة.

فكرة: تشجيع الاطفال على استخدام زجاجات/حاويات صديقة للبيئة.

إيماننا كبير بأن التعليم الصحيح للأطفال سيساعدهم على الفهم الامثل للبيئة وكيفية الحفاظ على الطبيعة. بإمكان المعلمين تبني هذه الافكار والمشاريع لغرس وتنمية بذور الفهم لدى الاطفال.

ترجمة

ماجدة هلسة؛ أردنية متعددة بل متشعبة الاهتمامات، لديها من الخبرة ما يقارب العشرون عاماً في مجالي المالية والإدارة بالمؤسسات المحلية والدولية.

وتعمل ماجدة حالياً مع الوكالة الألمانيه للتعاون الدولي كموظفةٍ ماليةٍ في الأردن. ومع ذلك كله وعلى صعيدٍ آخر فإن لديها شغفاً كبيراً  بالترجمة بكافة المواضيع والمجالات، وقد بُني هذا الشغف بالخبرة الشخصية والعملية لا الدراسة وهي تمارسها باعتبارها هواية وعمل تطوعي وليس مهنة.