Build Your Tiny Home From Recycled Materials

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People are turning to tiny living in order to save money. Living simply is about getting back to the earth, leaving a smaller footprint on the planet, and also, for many people, about being frugal. Why create a mountain of debt when you can build a home from recycled materials that can be found for free?

Building your tiny home from recycled materials is not as difficult as you may think. In fact, when you learn what to look for, it’s actually not hard to find the materials and put your imagination to work.

home-from-recycled-materials

Image Source: https://tinylivinglife.com/2019/05/how-much-do-tiny-houses-cost-are-they-worth-the-investment/

What Materials Do You Need?

Most small homes need wood unless you’ve got other ideas. Earthships, for example, are made from used tires that are filled with rammed earth. These are fantastic because they are their own insulation and dirt is free if you’ve got enough property. The tires can be picked up all over the place. People toss them in ditches, in the woods, and dump them in ways that other people are left seeking others to come and get them. You could be that person.

Pallets make great finished floors, walls, decks, furniture, and outbuildings. They are often given away free from industrial plants that don’t want them after receiving their materials on them. They’ll be tossed in huge piles behind businesses and companies that consider them trash.

You know what they say about one man’s trashing being another man’s treasure. Sure, disassembling pallets takes some time, a crowbar, a saw, and a lot of muscle, but it’s free wood and nails. If you are careful, you can save enough nails that you don’t even have to buy them to build your little home.

Places to Find Goodies

Feed stores tend to throw out pallets. Large manufacturers will toss all sorts of pallets in odd sizes and crates too. Quarries that sell rocks have crates that are made from wood and the frames can be used to fashion all sorts of things, such as chicken coops, watering troughs for livestock, small fish ponds with a plastic liner, and a thousand other things.

Tiny-Homes-Salvaged-Material

Image Source: https://tinylivinglife.com/2019/05/how-much-do-tiny-houses-cost-are-they-worth-the-investment/

Old windows are being sold on Craigslist and if you roam that site, look at the “free” section. You can roam around on your day off and pick up all sorts of things that people are just getting rid of. Sometimes you’ll score items that are like brand new.

Look for places that are seeking construction clean-up crews or inquire with insurance companies for jobs cleaning up wreckage after fires, tornadoes, etc. I was lucky to come across a couple of people who had old mobile homes that weren’t worth anything and would cost them a mint to move. They allowed them to be demolished on the property and then burned what wasn’t able to be used.

The aluminum side, wood paneling on the interior walls, insulation, light fixtures, kitchen sink, bathroom fixtures, hot water heater, stove, and more were all salvaged material that could be used. FREE. Old campers are also a great source for axles, a frame that you can strip it down to and create a whole new house on.

The appliances, plumbing, and fixtures are often salvageable materials. This can cost you little to nothing. I’ve seen old campers that are basically junk to others that you can pick up for a hundred bucks and strip $1000 worth of goodies out of. Aluminum siding can be used as roofing material or sold for extra money. The same goes for any copper wiring that you don’t want.

All that is required to find cheap materials for your tiny home building project is to think outside the box and scan through the things that other people consider garbage. This applies to homesteading, prepping, and tiny home building and living. Think outside the box and constantly be on the lookout for new ideas. Join groups, message boards, and use apps like Pinterest for ideas.

Water Management in the United Arab Emirates

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The United Arab Emirates is among the top water-scarce countries in the world. However the country has one of the world’s highest per capita water consumption of 550 liters per day. The country is experiencing a rapid increase in population which has in turn resulted in huge demand for water. In 2009, the total water demand in UAE was estimated at 4.5 billion m3 (BCM) which was met by groundwater (72%), desalinated water (21%) and retreated water (7%).

Water consumption in UAE is primarily divided among three sectors:

  • Private households
  • Agriculture
  • Industries

Private Household Sector

This sector accounts for about 24% of total water consumption in the UAE. One of the largest contributors to water consumption is the use of air conditioning systems which is in widespread use because of high temperatures almost throughout the year. An air-conditioning system not only consumes vast amounts of energy, but also uses large quantity of water via chilled water pumps.

In addition, the country has the world’s highest per capita consumption of bottled water of 285 liters per year. The water used to fill the bottles is mainly desalinated water, which costs approximately 11.8 billion AED annually. In addition, it takes around 3 liters of water in order to make 1 liter of bottled water.

Water misuse is another important factor in slow progress of water management initiatives. An example of misuse is garden or landscape irrigation through spray irrigation which consumes about 12 to 15 liters of water per m2 every day. Some of the urgent steps for promoting water conservation in private households include:

  • Introduction of new tariff system based on a water meter.
  • Mass awareness on water conservation measures.
  • Introduction of new methods of irrigation, such as subsurface drip irrigation.
  • Supply of safe drinking water through taps

Agricultural Sector

Agricultural sector is responsible for two-thirds of all water consumption in the Emirates. Rapid population growth has led to a surge in food demand, which has resulted in additional stress on water resources. One of the largest contributors to water wastage is low irrigation efficiency. As mentioned above, it takes about 12-15 liters to water 1 m2 of land daily, 30 percent of which is lost to evaporation while using traditional irrigation methods, such as spray irrigation.

United Arab Emirates has taken crucial steps to battle this crisis. The government has introduced new irrigation techniques that are more efficient, such as drip irrigation, which use 35% less water than traditional systems. The country has also moved away from crops that are water-intensive, and is also experimenting with use of wastewater for irrigation. A change to less water-intensive crops coupled with a change in irrigation techniques would dramatically decrease the amount of water used in this sector.

Spray irrigation has higher efficiency than traditional methods.

Industrial Sector

Industries consume around 9 percent of all water consumption in the country. Most of the water is used to cool and clean impurities from machinery, which is then transformed into run-offs causing pollution in nearby environments. The wastewater produced is not lost and can be used for irrigation.

The government has taken steps into utilizing industrial wastewater. For example, in Abu Dhabi, a total of 600 million m3 of treated wastewater is produced a year, but only 352 million m3 is used for landscaping and district cooling. Industrial wastewater will need to play a more prominent role in all three sectors if the country is to move forward.

The Way Forward

Water management in the United Arab Emirates can be improved through a variety of measures. The government has made sufficient arrangements for supply of clean and drinkable tap water from desalination plants. However, on its journey to households, the water is contaminated in two ways: The first is through old and rusted pipes. Water flowing through ageing pipelines would become contaminated with bacteria, which makes it undrinkable. The second is through storage tanks. Dead birds, rats, insects and metals can be found in storage tanks, which would eventually cause water to become harmful. This happens because storage tank cleaning, which has to be done approximately every 6 months, is left to the owner of the property. Because there is no law enforcing it, most landlords are not too keen to spend money on it or simply forget to clean them.

To resolve this problem, the government should consider the following:

  • Replace old pipelines to stop water contamination.
  • Enforce a law requiring landlords to clean storage tanks.
  • Hire professionals to assist in tank cleaning.
  • Hire experts to carry out surprise inspections.
  • Incentivize people to use tap water by increasing bottled water prices.
  • Educate people about the benefits of consuming tap water.
  • Water partnerships at local, regional and global levels.

UAE has introduced drip irrigation as a means to conserve water, however its widespread use is yet to pick up. The government should make it mandatory for farm owners to use drip irrigation which could save upto 8 litres of water per m2 every day. Following initiatives are required on the part of the government to promote drip irrigation in the Emirates.

  • Motivate farmers to install drip irrigation systems.
  • Provide subsidy for installation of drip irrigation systems.
  • Educate farmers on how to operate and maintain drip irrigation systems.
  • Educate farmers and general public about long-term effects of water scarcity on agriculture.

In a country where water might one day become more expensive than oil, one cannot ignore the fact that a big crisis is looming ahead. United Arab Emirates is one of the largest consumers of water per capita globally, but is also one of the most water-scarce countries in the world. Management of water is essential due to increasing population, growing industrialization and dwindling natural water resources. The biggest challenge for the UAE is not finding different water sources, but decreasing the demand for it and minimizing water losses. There are currently 100,000 hectares of cultivated land in the UAE and huge amount of water can be saved by making use of basic water conservation measures. Implementation of effective policies/legislations and public support is key to success of water conservation programs in the country.

Everything You Need to Know About Whole House Water Filters

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Whole house water filters are exactly what they sound like: a water filtration system for your entire home. While many may find whole house water filters unnecessary because tap water has already been chemically treated, we are here to tell you why this may not be enough. Here, we will discuss everything you need to know about whole house water filters, their purpose, the different types, the benefits, and any additional whole house water filter tips, in order to improve your overall quality of life.

Why Whole House Water Filters?

For the modern day household, clean, filtered water is essential. While many tend to focus on drinking water, it is also important to pay attention to the quality of the water that you use around the house on a daily basis. Remember: this is water that you clean your dishes with, clean yourself with, etc. Hence, the importance of whole house water filters.

Again, water from your local water district has most likely already been treated. But it’s important to keep in mind that you have no idea as to what extent and how well the water has been cured or treated. Having your own personal, whole house water filter, is a great way to grant peace of mind that the water you are using has been both treated and filtered for any harsh contaminants that you wouldn’t knowingly want in your water. Whole house water filters are typically installed in the main water line of your home to ensure that all water outlets in your home gives out water that has already been filtered.

Benefits of a Whole House Water Filter

Before getting into technicalities such as filter types, tips and maintenance, let’s discuss benefits that are common for all water filters regardless of the type, model, or brand.

  • Whole house water filters are convenient. Rather than having to worry about or install individual filters or external filter extensions, all the water entering your home is filtered upon entry at the main water line.
  • Whole house water filters save money. Since all the water entering your home is filtered from the initial line, you don’t need to constantly change multiple filters or check for maintenance for every single water spout in your household. A simple one and done that saves time and money.
  • Clean water. This is the most obvious benefit, but it is important to emphasize cleaner water from every water source in the house ensures maximum cleanliness in terms of personal hygiene. Cleaner water means healthier showers for healthy skin and hair.
  • Softened water. While a whole house filter is not the same as a water softener, whole house filters are able to soften water by getting rid of harsh contaminants up to a standard level which within itself, has many benefits.

Different Types of Whole House Water Filters

Like most home services, water filtration is not “one size fits all” and needs to be chosen accordingly in order to accommodate your lifestyle. Here are some of the different types of whole house water filters:

Carbon Water Filters

Carbon water filters are among the most common in terms of whole house water filters as they require less maintenance, are less expensive compared to other alternatives, and are more eco-friendly. Carbon-based whole house water filters are most practical for averaged sized families and specialize in filtering out sediment, chlorine, rust, and other traces of metals such as  copper, mercury, and other harmful components that wouldn’t have been filtered out otherwise.

Reverse Osmosis Filters

Reverse osmosis whole house water filters are great for if you want access to purified water from all water outlets in your household. Reverse osmosis water filters use polarity in order to filter out any and all substances that are not pure water molecules. These filters are not recommended as drinking water filters are reverse osmosis strips water of minerals, but for whole house use and cleaning, these are great filters.

Heavy Duty Filtration Systems

Heavy duty filtration systems are whole house water filters that use more advanced methods and technology to filter out water. These methods are different from carbon based or reverse osmosis filters in some cases even using a combination of those methods in collaboration with newer technology in order to filter water. These whole house filters tend to be more expensive and are great in terms of eco friendliness and water waste.

Factors to Consider

Just like all household decisions, there are some important factors to consider and external research that needs to be done before settling in on a whole house water filter. Ask yourself or consider the following:

  • Do you use all the water outlets in your home? For an average family in the average sized home, the answer is usually yes. If anything otherwise, you may want to reconsider whether or not you will be able to maximize the use of a whole house water filter if you don’t use water through the whole house.
  • How well does your water district treat/cure your water? What contaminants are used? This is a consideration that may require external research. This is a very important aspect to consider because the answer can lead you to which filter you need. For example, if your water district treats your water with chlorine, this indicates that you need any type of whole house water filter that will filter out chlorine.
  • Run water quality tests. A whole house water filter is an investment, and it is important to make sure that it works. Make sure that you have a professional install the system, and make sure that you demand your water quality tests and reports in order to get the most out of your whole house water filter.
  • Not drinking water. It is very important to realize that the standard and quality of water for home use is completely different from water filtered by a filtration system made specifically for drinking water. Whole house water filters are made to filter water for standard use such as cleaning, not drinking. If you want to drink water from your home line, there are external filters that can be attached to your water outlets to provide filtered drinking water.

Conclusion

To wrap it all up, a whole house water filter is one way in which you can take matters into your own hands when it comes to your household and its wellbeing. Investing in a whole house water filter is an added layer of protection that saves time, money, and supports household improvement.

Water Conservation in Islamic Teachings

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Water occupies a pivotal role in Islam, and is recognized by Muslims as a blessing that “gives and sustains life, and purifies humankind and the earth”. The Arabic word for water, ma’a, is referenced exactly 63 times throughout the Holy Qur’an and is a recurring topic in many of the sayings of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him).

water-conservation-islam

Water is not only praised for its life providing and sustaining properties, but it is essential in the daily life of a Muslim. A follower is required to complete ablution prior to the performance of the prayer, five times a day. This ritual cleansing before the prayer signifies the attainment of cleanliness and purification of the body and soul. According to a Hadith narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira, no prayer is accepted without ablution (Sahih al Bukhari, Vol. 1, Book 4).

The Holy Quran and the Hadith teach its followers principles of social justice and equity which extends into the practice of preserving earth’s natural resources, particularly water conservation. According to Islam, water is community resource and is a right for all humankind. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) highlights this in the following Hadith:

“Muslims have common share in three things: grass [pasture], water, and fire [fuel]” ( Musnad Vol. 2, Book 22 ).

The Holy Qur’an has set down the foundations of water conservation and demand management by making it known to humankind that earth’s water resources are finite in verse 23:18 of Surah Al Mu’minun (The Believers):

 “And We sent down from the sky water (rain) in (due) measure, and We gave it lodging in the earth, and verily, We are Able to take it away.”

Furthermore, God has instructed humankind not to be wasteful in the following verse: “O Children of Adam! Eat and drink but waste not by excess, for God loveth not the wasters” ( Surah al Araaf, The Heights 7:31 ).

Also Read: Qanats – A Sustainable Water Management Tool for Arid Lands

water-conservation-mosque

تشجيع الناس على عدم تضييع الماء خاصة في المساجد و دور العبادة

Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) exemplifies the “logical approach to sustainable water use” through the manner in which he performed the ritual ablution. The principle of water conservation is beautifully illustrated by the rule which says that while making ablutions (wudu) we should be abstemious in the use of water even if we have a river at our disposal. :

“Do not waste even if performing ablution on the bank of a fast flowing large river” (Al Thirmidhi).

The Prophet himself would perform ablution with just one mudd of water (equivalent to 2/3 of a liter), and take bath with one saa’ of water (equivalent to around 3 liters in modern volume measurements).

As per Islamic law (shariah), there is a responsibility placed on upstream farms to be considerate of downstream users. A farm beside a stream is forbidden to monopolize its water. After withholding a reasonable amount of water for his crops, the farmer must release the rest to those downstream.

Furthermore, if the water is insufficient for all of the farms along the stream, the needs of the older farms are to be satisfied before the newer farm is permitted to irrigate. This reflects the emphasis placed by Islam on sustainable utilization of water.

References:

  1. Naser I. Faruqui, Asit K. Biswas, and Murad J. Bino. (2001) Water Management in Islam, UN University Press
  2.  Abumoghli, I. (2015), Islamic Principles on Sustainable Development, EcoMENA <available on http://www.ecomena.org/islam-sustainable-development/>
  3. Zafar, S. (2016) Environment in Islamic Teachings, Cleantech Solutions <available on http://www.cleantechloops.com/islam-environment/>

Popular Methods for Plastic Wastes Collection

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Plastic consumption has grown at a tremendous rate over the past two decades as plastics now play an important role in all aspects of modern lifestyle. Collection and disposal of plastic waste has emerged as an important environmental challenge and its recycling is facing roadblocks due to their non-degradable nature. There are four basic ways in which communities can offer plastic waste collection services for plastic bottles and containers – curbside, drop-off, buy-back or deposit/refund programs.

Recycling_bins

Curbside Recycling

The first, and most widely accessible, collection method is curbside collection of recyclables. Curbside (or kerbside) collection is considered a low-risk strategy to reduce waste volumes and increase recycling rates. Materials are usually collected in large bins, colored bags or small open plastic tubs specifically designed for content.

Curbside recycling programs are generally the most convenient for community residents to participate in and yield high recovery rates as a result. Communities that provide curbside collection generally request residents to separate designated recyclables from their household garbage and to place them into special receptacles or bags, which are then set out at the curb for collection by municipal or municipally-contracted crews.

Drop-Off Recycling

In this method, containers for designated recyclable materials are placed at central collection locations throughout the community, such as parking lots, mosques, schools, malls or other civic associations. The containers are generally marked as to which recyclable material should be placed in them. Residents are requested to deliver their recyclables to the drop-off location, where recyclables are separated by material type into their respective collection containers.

Drop-off recycling programs are more suitable when residents are taking their garbage to a central waste collection facility or transfer station. Such programs suffer from low or unpredictable throughput.

Buy-Back Centers

Most buy-back recycling centers are operated by private companies and pay consumers for recyclable materials that are brought to them. Buy-back centers usually have purchasing specifications that require consumers to source separate recyclable materials brought for sale.

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These purchase specifications can greatly reduce contamination levels and allow the buy-back center to immediately begin processing the recyclables they purchase, while providing consumers with an economic incentive to comply with the specifications. Buy-back centers are similar to drop-off centers expect they pay waste generators for their items based on market values.

Deposit/Refund Programs

These programs requires collection of a monetary deposit purchase of a plastic container. When container is returned to an authorized redemption center, or to the original seller, the deposit is partly or fully refunded to the redeemer. These programs are familiar to anyone in the USA who has ever purchased a beverage in a can or bottle.

سيارات تتحدث مع بعضها

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تعد تقنية السيارة "المتواصلة لاسلكيًا" إحدى التقنيات الحديثة اللاسلكية، التي تمنح السيارة (الصغيرة والكبيرة) بأن تتواصل لاسلكيًا مع بعضها بعضا بواسطة تقنية (كمبيوترية) متصلة بها، بإستطاعتها أن يستطلع (أوضاع) الطريق للسائق (لاسلكيا) قبل الوصول إلى الوجهة المطلوبة، مثال ذلك الطرق المغلقة أو المكتظة، وكذلك تقليل الأخطار المترتبة من تقلبات الظروف المناخية.  كما تهدف السيارات المتواصلة لاسلكيا؛ للاستفادة من الاتصالات اللاسلكية بين المركبات أثناء عملها، وكذلك البنية التحتية وأجهزة اتصال الركاب.

هذا و تُعرّف إدارة النقل الأمريكية هذه التقنية الحديثة " بأنها الحصول على جودة هواء أفضل عبر تقنية وسائل النقل الذكية" ويكون ذلك بالتنسيق مع مصانع السيارات وغيرها من القطاعات المبتكرة العامة والخاصة، وجميعها تتكاتف لتطوير البنية التحتية للاتصالات التقنية بين المركبة والأخرى، من جهة وبين المركبة والبنية التحتية من جهة أخرى، وتلك الجهود"المشتركة" تهدف إلى منع الحوادث المرورية قبل حدوثها. حيث يتم إرسال تلك المعلومات لاسلكيا لضبط حركة السيارات، وتجنب الاختناقات المرورية، وتحسين البيئة، وفي النهاية تمكن هذه التقنية من الحصول على معلومات وقتية عن طريق نظام الكميوتر المحمول داخل المركبات (كالسيارات، والشاحنات، والحافلات) والذي بدوره يقوم بتحليل المعلومات المتوفرة عن أحوال الطريق، وأيضاً التواصل مع أجهزة الشرطة عن طريق البنية التحتية.

المزايا المتعددة للنظام

ويعد الأثر البيئي أحد مزايا هذا النظام، حيث يحد من التلوث البيئي الناجم عن اكتظاظ الشوارع السريعة والفرعية، وكذلك التحكم في معلومات النقل البيئية الوقتية، واستخدامها لاستصدار معلومات ذات أثر نفعي لمساعدة وتسهيل الخيارات النقلية، ويظهر أن هذا النظام المبتكر يتمركز حول تحسين نوعية الهواء بتقليل إنبعاثات الغازات الدفيئة، وكذلك يتمتع بميزة التقليل من إستهلاك الوقود. هذا، وتسهم تقنية المركبات المتواصلة لاسلكيا في تلطيف "هجمة" المناخ المتقلب، والحصول على أهداف خفض انبعاثات الغازات الدفيئة.

ومن مزايا تقنية المركبات المتواصلة -أيضاً- سيحظى السائقون بمعلومات دقيقة عن الاختناقات المرورية وخلافها، والتي ستمكنهم من إعادة جدولة، أوتأخير، أو الغاء، أو تنظيم الرحلات الجماعية. وبهذا التنظيم المسبق يتفادى السائقون خطوط الاختناقات المرورية، واستخدام البدائل المتوفرة، وكذلك استخدام الممرات العامة، وإعادة جدولة رحلاتهم، بهدف حماية البيئة، وتقليل استهلاك الوقود.

هذه التقنية "الثورية" تسعى إلى تطوير القيادة "الصديقة للبيئة" والمدعمة بحزمة من التوصيات المرورية للسائقين؛ للتقليل من استهلاك الوقود، وكذلك ضبط مكابح المكائن مستقبلاُ، بدون تدخل السائقين.

قابلية إستخدام النظام في المملكة العربية السعودية

سيكون لنظام المركبات المتصلة دور في حل مشاكل النقل وتسهيل الحركة المرورية في مدن المملكة الرئيسة: مثل الرياض والدمام وجدة المكتظة بالحركة المرورية؛ وستمكن تطبيق هذه التقنية مستخدمي الطريق من اتخاذ القرارات الصائبة، والتمتع بممارسات مرورية متجانسة. إضافة الى ماتقدم فإن نظام المركبات المتواصلة لاسلكيا سيكون في متناول أيدي الناس عامة، وأداة مثالية للتخفيف من التأثيرات البيئية المتنامية في قطاع النقل. يضاف إلى ذلك، فإن نظام المركبات المتواصلة لاسلكيا يستند إلى معلومات تهتم بالسلامة والحركة، والتي بدورها ستسهم في إنقاذ حياة البشر؛ وتمنع الأضرار الناجمة عن الاختناقات المرورية أينما كانت!

Now Is The Best Time To Switch To An EV

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Electric vehicles (EVs) have been around for a while now, but it’s only recently that they’ve started to become more mainstream. With the current climate crisis and increasing awareness of the need for sustainable transportation, now is the best time to switch to an EV. In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the reasons why you should consider making the switch to an EV, and how a new Kia could be the perfect choice for your next car.

why switch to an EV

1. The Environmental Benefits of EVs

One of the most significant benefits of electric vehicles is their positive impact on the environment. EVs produce zero emissions, which means they don’t contribute to air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, or the depletion of natural resources. In fact, studies have shown that EVs emit up to 70% less CO2 than gas-powered vehicles over their lifetime.

If you’re someone who cares about the environment and wants to do your part to reduce your carbon footprint, switching to an EV is a great way to start. And with the new Kia Niro EV, you can do so without sacrificing style, comfort, or performance.

2. The Cost Savings of EVs

Another significant advantage of electric vehicles is their cost savings. While the upfront cost of an EV may be higher than that of a gas-powered vehicle, the long-term savings can be substantial. EVs require less maintenance, as they have fewer moving parts, and the cost of electricity is significantly less than gasoline. Additionally, EVs may qualify for tax incentives and other incentives that can help offset the initial cost.

The new Kia Niro EV is a great example of an affordable electric vehicle that can save you money in the long run. With an estimated range of up to 239 miles on a single charge and a starting price of under $40,000, the Niro EV is an excellent choice for those looking for a cost-effective and environmentally-friendly car.

Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles

3. The Convenience of Charging

Charging an electric vehicle is much more convenient than filling up at a gas station. With an EV, you can charge your car at home, work, or at one of the many public charging stations popping up all over the country. And with a range of up to 300 miles on a single charge, you won’t have to worry about running out of juice on a long road trip.

The new Kia Niro EV is designed with convenience in mind, featuring an available 64 kWh battery and a DC fast charger that can charge the battery from 0-80% in just 54 minutes. Plus, with Kia’s UVO link system, you can remotely check your battery level and charging status, so you always know when it’s time to top up.

4. The Fun of Driving an EV

Electric vehicles offer a unique and exciting driving experience. With instant torque and acceleration, EVs can go from 0-60 in just a few seconds, making them quick and responsive on the road. And with regenerative braking, you can recharge your battery every time you slow down or stop, making your driving experience even more efficient.

The new Kia Niro EV is a blast to drive, with its electric motor delivering 201 horsepower and 291 lb.-ft. of torque. Plus, with a low center of gravity and a sport-tuned suspension, the Niro EV handles like a dream on the road.

5. The Future of Transportation

Finally, switching to an EV is not just a smart choice for your wallet and the environment, it’s also an investment in the future of transportation. As more and more people make the switch to electric vehicles, the demand for EVs will continue to grow, driving down the cost and making them even more accessible to the average consumer.

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The new Kia Niro EV is an excellent example of the future of transportation. Kia is committed to sustainability and reducing its environmental impact, and the Niro EV is just one example of this commitment. With its sleek design, advanced features, and impressive performance, the Niro EV is a great choice for anyone looking to make the switch to an electric vehicle.

In addition to the Niro EV, Kia also offers a range of other electric and hybrid vehicles, including the Soul EV, the Niro Hybrid, and the Optima Plug-In Hybrid. Whether you’re looking for a fully electric vehicle or a hybrid option, Kia has something to suit your needs.

Conclusion

If you’re considering making the switch to an electric vehicle, there’s never been a better time to do so. With the current climate crisis, increasing awareness of the need for sustainable transportation, and the many benefits of EVs, now is the time to take action. And with the new Kia Niro EV and other electric and hybrid models available, making the switch to an EV has never been easier or more accessible. So why wait? Start exploring your options today and make the switch to an electric vehicle – your wallet, the environment, and future generations will thank you.

Everything You Need to Know About a Biorefinery

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A biorefinery is a facility that integrates biomass conversion processes and equipment to produce fuels, power, and value-added chemicals from biomass. Biorefinery is analogous to today’s petroleum refinery, which produces multiple fuels and products from petroleum. By producing several products, a biorefinery takes advantage of the various components in biomass and their intermediates, therefore maximizing the value derived from the biomass feedstock.

what is a biorefinery

A biorefinery could, for example, produce one or several low-volume, but high-value, chemical products and a low-value, but high-volume liquid transportation fuel such as biodiesel or bioethanol. At the same time, it can generate electricity and process heat, through CHP technology, for its own use and perhaps enough for sale of electricity to the local utility.

The high value products increase profitability, the high-volume fuel helps meet energy needs, and the power production helps to lower energy costs and reduce GHG emissions from traditional power plant facilities.

Working of a Biorefinery

There are several platforms which can be used in a biorefinery with the major ones being the sugar platform and the thermochemical platform (also known as syngas platform).

Sugar platform biorefineries breaks down biomass into different types of component sugars for fermentation or other biological processing into various fuels and chemicals. On the other hand, thermochemical biorefineries transform biomass into synthesis gas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide) or pyrolysis oil.

biorefinery basics

Etihad Airways flight from Seattle to Abu Dhabi in January 2012 was the first in the Middle East to be powered by sustainable biofuel.

The thermochemical biomass conversion process is complex, and uses components, configurations, and operating conditions that are more typical of petroleum refining. Biomass is converted into syngas, and syngas is converted into an ethanol-rich mixture.

However, syngas created from biomass contains contaminants such as tar and sulphur that interfere with the conversion of the syngas into products. These contaminants can be removed by tar-reforming catalysts and catalytic reforming processes. This not only cleans the syngas, it also creates more of it, improving process economics and ultimately cutting the cost of the resulting ethanol.

Biorefineries would help utilize the optimum potential of wastes and help solve the problems of waste management and greenhouse gas emissions. Each of these three components could be converted, through enzymatic/chemical treatments into either hydrogen or liquid fuels. The pre-treatment processes involved with these, generate products like paper-pulp, HFCS, solvents, acetate, resins, laminates, adhesives, flavour chemicals, activated carbon, fuel enhancers, undigested sugars etc. which generally remain untapped in the traditional processes.

biorefinery in MENA

Biorefinery Prospects in MENA

The MENA region has significant biomass energy potential in the form of municipal wastes, crop residues, industrial wastes etc. Around the region, pollution of air, water and soil from different waste streams continues to grow. The major biomass producing countries in MENA are Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, Syria and Jordan. Traditionally, biomass energy has been widely used in rural areas for domestic purposes in the MENA region, especially in Egypt, Yemen and Jordan.

The escalating prices of oil and natural gas, the resulting concern over energy-security, have led the MENA nations to explore alternative sources of energy.  Biorefinery offers a plausible solution for augmenting energy supply, obtaining clean energy and production of a wide range of chemicals from a host of waste material, apart from associated waste management benefits.

How Can The Effects Of Climate Change Be Mitigated?

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Climate change will affect us all and it’s important to consider how climate change will have wide reaching consequences for generations to come.

This article investigates how the effects of climate change will affect all of us and what measures we can take to mitigate the effects of climate change.

climate change mitigation methods

What is climate change mitigation?

Climate change mitigation refers to actions taken to limit climate change by either reducing greenhouse gas emissions or removing those gases from the atmosphere.

Mitigation actions can include using new technologies and renewable energies, making existing equipment more energy efficient, and ensuring carbon sinks continue to absorb carbon and remain intact.

What are some strategies to mitigate climate change?

Climate change mitigation strategies include retrofitting buildings to make them more energy efficient; adopting renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and small hydro; helping cities develop more sustainable transport such as bus rapid transit, electric vehicles, and biofuels; and promoting more sustainable uses of land and forests.

Celestial Green Ventures looks at the benefits and drawbacks for some of the solutions for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

1. Retrofitting

Retrofitting can help to improve the energy efficiency of homes, reduce fuel bills and create comfortable even temperatures all year round as well as helping to eliminate draughts.

There are plenty of challenges when it comes to retrofitting. Whether it’s the social and income divide, or a lack of funds, policy, trust, and experts to carry out the work, it’s still an uphill struggle to bring retrofitting to the fore, regardless of any climate change commitments.

2. Renewable Energy

The main benefit of renewable energy is that renewable energy sources will not run out. Examples of renewable energy sources are solar power, wind power, bioenergy and hydroelectricity. The most important difference between renewables and fossil fuels, is that renewable energy sources provide an infinite source of energy.

renewable-energy-arabic

Why invest in renewable energy?

Renewable energy is reliable, as opposed to fossil fuels which are always subject to disputes and wars between countries.  Renewable energy is also environmentally friendly as they use natural sources for energy generation and can therefore be considered clean.

Although renewable energy technologies can cause some emissions, overall, they are minimal and certainly lower than generating traditional fossil fuels.

There are also the economic benefits too as renewable technologies can create many jobs. This is especially important in some poorer regions. In fact, this is an emerging job market that can empower people in many parts of the world.

Renewable energy can help reduce turmoil in global energy prices, therefore helping to make the global energy market more stable.

What are some of the challenges related to renewable energy?

Unfortunately, most natural forces are strongly dependent on the weather conditions. Therefore, it is advisable to utilise a mix of sustainable power sources, to maximise the production of power across multiple inputs.

Another challenge regarding renewables is the initial cost and investment required for implementing them is high. The initial cost for renewable energy solutions is disproportionately high and sometimes unaffordable, in comparison with how much energy would be produced.

Celestial Green Ventures PLC is extremely aware that renewable energy requires significant resources to harness nature’s energies but this can present numerous challenges to providing the world with cleaner energy.

3. Sustainable Travel

Transportation is one of the largest contributors to climate change. By choosing sustainable travel methods, you can significantly help in the mitigation of climate change.

There are many benefits to sustainable transportation. Whether it be the benefits to your health, the Earth, the community or even financial benefits, sustainable travel can be better for them all.

Electric Vehicles Pros and Cons

Why is sustainable travel good for the planet?

Sustainable travel emits less pollution. Transportation accounts for nearly 24% of greenhouse gas emissions in the United Kingdom.

However, about 82% of those emissions come from personal vehicles. Buses and trains only account for a mere 6% of greenhouse gas emissions, making these modes of transportation much greener than cars and vans. Additionally, sustainable travel also promotes good health because it reduces emissions and air pollution.

A further benefit is that as people choose sustainable transportation over driving themselves, leading to a decrease in congestion and lower emissions.

Celestial Green Ventures PLC recognises that the main disadvantage of implementing a sustainable travel infrastructure to any city or town is the initial cost and disruption.

4. Biofuels

Fuels that have been extracted from plants and crops are known as biofuels. Of these, the most commonly extracted and used one is Bioethanol or simply Ethanol and Biodiesel.

It is blended with gasoline and can be used as an alternative fuel for your car. Plant-based fuels come from renewable sources, can be grown anywhere and have lower carbon emissions as compared to fossil fuels.

Biofuel is made from renewable resources and relatively less-flammable compared to fossil diesel. It has significantly better lubricating properties.

Etihad_Biofuels

Etihad Airways flight from Seattle to Abu Dhabi in January 2012 was the first in the Middle East to be powered by sustainable biofuel.

Some things that biofuels are made out of include:

  •  Manure
  •  Waste from crops
  •  Other farming by-products
  •  Algae and plants grown specifically for biofuel.

Why are biofuels important in terms of economic security?

Economic security is also an interesting opportunity brought to light due to the increased demand for biofuels. Not every country has large reserves of crude oil.

For these countries that don’t have the natural crude oil resources, importing the oil puts a huge strain on the economy. If more people start shifting towards biofuels, a country can reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

Some of the disadvantages of using biofuels are that even with all the benefits associated with biofuels, they are quite expensive to produce in the current market. Biofuels also promote the use of fertilisers and consume vast amounts of water to produce the crops.

Growing these crops can also lead to other problems such as monocultures and potential food shortages. With the attractive yield for growing biofuel friendly crops this may sway farmers away from growing other crops we use for day to day food consumption.

What are some land-use strategies for mitigating climate change?

Nature-based solutions are recognised as being able to contribute significantly to the mitigation of climate change.

Land use strategies include sustainable forestry practices, reforestation and avoided deforestation actions. These actions also help to conserve biodiversity within these areas which is a further positive consequence from implementing these mitigation actions.

What are some policies that will implement change?

The Paris Agreement is an example of policy change to help mitigate climate change and to avoid dangerous climate change.

The agreement sets out the global framework for limiting global warming to well below 2° C and to limit the increase to 1.5° C.

195 countries signed the Paris Agreement in 2015 agreeing to these targets. The expectation was that keeping to the Paris Agreement, the risks and impact of climate change would be significantly reduced.

Conclusion

Celestial Green Ventures recognises that climate change is the most significant problem facing the world.

Global warming is increasing day by day and it cannot be ignored. If we continue the current trajectory, our world will face undesirable consequences.

Celestial Green Ventures PLC is concerned the expected effects of climate change could seriously compromise the ability of the agriculture sectors to feed the world, and severely undermine progress toward eradicating hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

It is now as important as ever to focus on the mitigation of climate change, both individually and collectively.

Biomass Potential of Date Palm Wastes

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Date palm is one of the principal agricultural products in the arid and semi-arid region of the world, especially Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. There are more than 120 million date palm trees worldwide yielding several million tons of dates per year, apart from secondary products including palm midribs, leaves, stems, fronds and coir. The Arab world has more than 84 million date palm trees with the majority in Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and United Arab Emirates.

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Egypt is the world’s largest date producer with annual production of 1.47 million tons of dates in 2012 which accounted for almost one-fifth of global production. Saudi Arabia has more than 23 millions date palm trees, which produce about 1 million tons of dates per year. Date palm trees produce huge amount of agricultural wastes in the form of dry leaves, stems, pits, seeds etc.

A typical date tree can generate as much as 20 kilograms of dry leaves per annum while date pits account for almost 10 percent of date fruits. Some studies have reported that Saudi Arabia alone generates more than 200,000 tons of date palm biomass each year.

Date palm is considered a renewable natural resource because it can be replaced in a relatively short period of time. It takes 4 to 8 years for date palms to bear fruit after planting, and 7 to 10 years to produce viable yields for commercial harvest. Usually date palm wastes are burned in farms or disposed in landfills which cause environmental pollution in date-producing nations. In countries like Iraq and Egypt, a small portion of palm biomass in used in making animal feed.

date-palm-biomass

The major constituents of date palm biomass are cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin. In addition, date palm has high volatile solids content and low moisture content. These factors make date palm biomass an excellent waste-to-energy resource in the MENA region. A wide range of thermal and biochemical technologies exists to convert the energy stored in date palm biomass to useful forms of energy. The low moisture content in date palm wastes makes it well-suited to thermo-chemical conversion technologies like combustion, gasification and pyrolysis.

On the other hand, the high volatile solids content in date palm biomass indicates its excellent biogas  potential in anaerobic digestion plants, possibly by codigestion with sewage sludge, animal wastes and/and food wastes. The cellulosic content in date palm wastes can be transformed into biofuel (bioethanol) by making use of the fermentation process. Thus, abundance of date palm trees in the GCC, especially Saudi Arabia, can catalyze the development of biomass and biofuels sector in the region.

Rethinking Sustainability: Islamic Perspectives

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The 21st century is characterized by a number of global environmental challenges that shaped and defined the discourse and agenda of the West with respect to the developing world, specifically the Islamic world. Islam provides new sustainability perspectives for discovering and explaining the root causes for the current environmental, economic and social crises as manifested in climate change, HIV, poverty and human security. For example, the Islamic perspective on climate change is that the root cause of this global issue is the absence or lack of human stewardship and is an indication of market failures.

environmental-therapy

Pitfalls of the Western Model

The Western model of economic development with its free market economies, political, economic and social institutions created a number of externalities and environmental costs. In the name of development local and indigenous people are deprived of their rights in the developing world. Rights and natural resources of local people are taken away and substituted by needs that are defined by the west.

Sustainability is not a product manifested in a sector like energy, tourism, agriculture, trade or urban environment but rather a worldview that encompasses all domains of life from spiritual realms, norms and consumption and production patterns to macro-economic policies. This system thinking and perspective towards culture, economy and ecology is fundamental for re-thinking sustainability and root it in local knowledge and embed it as a model for human-centred development.

The global financial crisis which started in 2008 along with poverty, AIDS and climate change challenges compel and incite a dire need for a new economic model that address these global challenges. There is a need to critique and rethink the underpinning of the current market economy that look at both human nature and culture as a commodity. The main pitfalls of the existing market model are that it discounts the future and is based on compound interest rate and a banking system that encourages loans and over-consumption.  When looking at the benefit-cost analysis of climate change, the interest rate (how much we discount the future) will justify the rationality of taking preventive action. In other words, the more the future was discounted the more it made economic sense for climate change impacts to take place.

Islamic Perspectives on Sustainability

The high cost and irreversible environmental costs of the market-based economic model is evident. It is argued that markets do not tell us the ecological truth and that climate change and global financial crises issues are evidence of the market failure. Re-defining the basic notion “what constitutes a good life” and how to pursue happiness are critical in understanding sustainability from an Islamic perspective.

media and sustainable development

The pursuit of happiness from an Islamic perspective is about adding value to life through good deeds and knowledge as part of human role in the construction of universe, helping others, bringing up good children, and also about living lightly on earth and elimination of waste and over-consumption. The Islamic dream is not linked to accumulation of wealth and living in luxury but rather on conserving the human, social and natural capitals which are considered as necessities.

There is a need for a macro-shift in our worldviews; a re-thinking of the fundamentals of the western economic model to ensure a humanistic and sustainable model that resonate with culture and ensures balance (mizan), social equity (adl) and respects harmony between nature, people and markets. Above all, what is needed is a new and fresh look at Islam as a source of both inspiration and restoration of the natural state of humans as referred to in Islam as fitra. The following is a brief outline on how Islam looks at the three pillars of sustainability (environment, social and economic).

Environment and Spirituality

The most interesting feature of the worldview of Islam is that it presents an interactive and integrated outlook. Therefore, a contemporary understanding of the notion of maslaha (public interest) may lead to a theoretical understanding of sustainability in its broader terms. Islam represents the natural state (fitra) or the intrinsic state of goodness. The natural state (fitra) implies a full harmony with nature, people and the built environment. It also means a full realization and consciousness of the role of the human as a trustee and a witness (khalifa). Humans are trustees (khalifa) to make sure that all resources are used in a sustainable manner.

Islam views the potential risks of climate change as a problem of absence of human trusteeship which is referred to as mischief (fasad). Islam looks at species as nations like humankind. Reading Quran informs the mind and the soul that our natural capital and social capital are interconnected and inter-dependant.

Islam teaches that species including plants and wildlife are in a state of prayers (tasbeeh). The harm of any species means that we are disrupting the symphony of life and silencing worshipers. Quran elevates and deepens the notion of aesthetic intelligence, bio-mimicry, and learning from nature. Both Quran and nature contain many signs (ayat) that demonstrate and offer insights and guidance to nurture naturalistc intelligence, innovation and learning.

Ihsan is a key concept in Islam which is the driver and fuel for human stewardship, responsibility and excellence. Zohd means living lightly on earth which is an Islamic concept that promotes conservation and rational use of resources. Waqf which is endowment fund resourced by civil society and private sector as an economic tool to ensure socio-economic and environmental security and also as a vehicle to contextualize the notion of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and a value-based organization.

sustainable development in islam

Social Dimension

From an Islamic perspective, losing the social compass means the lack or absence of embodiment of the teachings of Islam (as a code of reference). This will result in a state of both ecological degradation (fasad) and human and social alienation. The second pillar of sustainability is the realization of the human and social dimension of development. The notion of equity, social justice (adl), public participation (shura) and the deep concern for future generation are cornerstones in Islam. The role of Ummah as a community of practice is to set standards for ethical codes of conduct and also to create new knowledge based on the values and public interest.

Within the framework of the Islamic way of development, material and spiritual aspects of life are complementary. To be able to live the good life of devotion to God, we have, therefore, to make the best use of the material resources of our world. Talking about development without considering the spiritual side of people is meaningless; development must preserve the essence of our humanity.

Among the dynamic principles of social life Islam has particularly emphasized two – firstly the optimal utilization of resources that God has endowed to man, and his physical environment; and secondly their equitable use and distribution and the promotion of all human relationships on the basis of rights and justice. Care for the poor and the marginalized through sharing resources and financial contribution of Zakat and Waqf a key concept in Islam that need to be harnessed through institutional innovation (ijtihad) and reform of governance.

islam and sustainable development

Economic Dimension

Islamic economics prohibits the compound interest which is the basic concept of the western banking system. Also, Islam provides regulatory framework that ensures the development projects are in the interest for the wider community, not for few individuals. Islam also provides a framework for valuing and weighting interest and value that transcends humans to species and natural resources and future generations.

The fundamental concept is that Islamic economics is that it prohibits usury (riba) and does not discount the future implies that fossil oil at the present is not discounted in the future and hence Islam limits over-use of fossil fuels and hence contributes to limit CO2 emissions due to climate change. Unlike the existing banking system which encourages loans and mega-projects that exploits our natural capital.

Islam encourages small-scale development which will result in lessening the distance that goods are transported and hence lowering of greenhouse gas emissions and the ecological footprints in the business sector. Islamic economics in its profit-sharing and absence of usury provides sound constraints to prevent borrowers from running into un-payable debts whilst encouraging wealth to be distributed evenly. This in turn will help to have a greener economy that is reformed by Islam.

Everything You Need to Know About Recycling of Plastics

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Disposal of plastic waste has emerged as an important environmental challenge in the Middle East where plastics make up as much as one-tenth of the solid waste stream. In affluent GCC nations, plastic waste composition in municipal solid waste is around 12 – 16 percent. Plastic waste in the region is continuously increasing due to increasing use of plastics in daily life. The Middle East is responsible for about 8 percent of the global plastic production.

menace of plastic water bottles

 

Plastic waste is a source of greenhouse gas emissions and ecological damage. Majority of the items found on beaches across the region contain plastic which pose a serious danger to marine life. Plastic waste disposal is a major challenge due to non-biodegradable nature of plastics and such wastes are visibly present in landfill sites for a long time.

Recycling of Plastics

Recycling of plastics is one of the best methods for sustainable disposal of plastic wastes. 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 recycling machine

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 like covering pipes, window frames, roofing membranes and flooring.

Commonly Recyclable Plastics

  • High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) used in piping, automotive fuel tanks, bottles, toys,
  • Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) used in plastic bags, cling film, flexible containers;
  • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) used in bottles, carpets and food packaging;
  • Polypropylene (PP) used in food containers, battery cases, bottle crates, automotive parts and fibres;
  • Polystyrene (PS) used in dairy product containers, tape cassettes, cups and plates;
  • Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) used in window frames, flooring, bottles, packaging film, cable insulation, credit cards and medical products

Five Steps in Plastics Recycling

  • Collection: This is done through roadside collections, special recycling bins and directly from industries that use a lot of plastic.
  • Sorting: At this stage nails and stones are removed, and the plastic is sorted into three types: PET, HDPE and ‘other’.
  • Chipping: The sorted plastic is cut into small pieces ready to be melted down.
  • Washing: This stage removes contaminants such as paper labels, dirt and remnants of the product originally contained in the plastic.
  • Pelletization: The plastic is then melted down and extruded into small pellets ready for reuse.

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

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.

plastic recycling process

Plastic Recycling in the Middle East

Plastic recycling is still in early stages in the Middle East. Some countries have started plastic waste collection programs but their efficacy is yet to be ascertained as most of the collected waste is still sent to countries, like China and India, for recycling. In recent years, several government initiatives have been launched and plastic recycling centers have been established in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar etc. which is a welcome development.

Apart from infrastructural roadblocks, lack of awareness and low level of community participation are major factors behind increasing generation of plastic wastes. The staggering amount of plastic wastes generated in the Middle East demands a concerted effort from policy-makers and urban planners to devise an effective plastic waste collection and recycling strategy to tackle the menace of plastic wastes.