Eco-friendly Features Of Tankless Water Heaters

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If you want to save on energy costs and help in efforts geared towards environmental conservation, then think about installing a tankless eco-friendly water heater. As gas and electricity costs continue to rise, most homeowners are looking for cost-effective alternative sources of energy savings. Tankless water heaters have become increasingly popular because of their energy efficiency. These heaters work by heating and delivering hot water on demand. As such, energy is only used to heat not to store and keep the water hot. Eco-friendly tankless heaters should possess the following features:

ecofriendly tankless heater

1. Efficiency

One of the main benefits of a tankless water heater is energy savings; therefore, it’s a factor you should be keen on when choosing the right unit for your needs. Bear in mind that as the household’s water needs increase, the savings and efficiency of the system is likely to decrease. Even still, a tankless water heater out-performs a traditional storage water tank heater in saving energy.

2. The right warranty

Warranties differ from one manufacturer to another. Some manufacturers may require you to register your tankless water heater after it’s professionally installed for you to be eligible for warranty coverage. Always compare warranties as you select a tankless system. Clear warranty time frames and procedures are an indication that the manufacturer has confidence in the quality and performance of the unit he is selling to you.

3. The right size

Always select the appropriate unit size to meet your needs. Manufacturers often size their units based on the temperature rise required to achieve a specific flow rate. Once these two factors have been calculated and determined, you’ll be able to select a system that best meets your family’s hot water needs. Finding the right unit size to serve the entire household is vital since there won’t be a storage tank to supplement any shortages during the peak seasons.

Adequate information is also required before making the decision to buy a tankless water heater. According to https://watertechadvice.com/tankless-water-heater-reviews/, most people lack adequate knowledge in choosing the right tankless water heaters. With their tankless water heaters buying guide and comparisons from top brands, they’re able to match your needs with the best option for your home.

4. The right fuel

This decision is critical because the size and energy of your unit will largely depend on the type of fuel you select and ultimately, it will determine your daily operating expenses. Deciding to switch fuel sources at some point can be a significant expense, so this is a decision that should be made if you’re building a new home. Fuel sources include electricity, propane, and natural gas.

Whichever fuel type you choose often depends on the fuel that’s available in your area. Always compare the tankless unit’s efficiency to the cost of each fuel before making your final decision. Though gas tankless water heaters cost more than electric units, they tend to perform better from an operating cost and energy savings standpoint.

Bottom Line

Eco-friendly tankless water heaters are fast replacing the traditional water heaters because they require less space and are very economical to operate. As such, the future is likely to see new home constructions adapting tankless water heaters. By then, technology will be better, and the systems will likely gain more popularity and fetch lower prices.

How Small Companies Can Influence Environment Protection

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A business can have a tremendous impact on the environment despite its size. As a small business, you have a key role to play on how to decrease pollution and green your business. Depending on the size of your business you can change how goods are procured or manufactured. Moreover, technology can decrease the use of non-renewable sources of energy.

Every effort, no matter how small can have a positive impact on the environment. Nowadays, there are many sustainable ways of manufacturing goods. If this is incorporated into business ideas, it could have an immense impact on the environment.

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Pollution is a global crisis. This is not only harmful to the earth but also for human beings. Pollution, be it of air, water or soil, causes a lot of problems for ecology. If left uncontrolled, it will leave the future generations without a place to call home.

Luckily, certain measures can be taken to reduce pollution. Statistics show that pollution has reduced in Europe over the last 26 years. This is a promising finding. As far as Middle East is concerned, more sustainability efforts are needed for better results.

Reasons To Protect the Environment

First, you need to understand why you need to protect the environment in the first place. This will then help you to make the necessary changes within your company. Many people are becoming concerned about the environment and climate change. This is another reason you should protect the environment as a company.

Here are other reasons why protecting the environment could be good for your company:

  • Sustainability,
  • Improving your brand image,
  • Decreasing wastage of resources,
  • Increasing customer conversion,
  • Staying competitive,
  • Attracting new talent.

So, How You View the Environment Protection?

A major problem that a business may face is waste disposal, especially, when it comes to equipment. To stay competitive, a company should try to use the latest equipment on the market. This means you have to discard old equipment like computers. Most of the times such equipment will be dumped in landfills. This build up old equipment ends up causing pollution to the environment.

Another source of greenhouse gas emissions is energy consumption in a company. Office building can consume a lot of electricity and energy. Not switching off lights is a practice that causes increased consumption of energy. Poor handling of waste materials in an office also harms the environment.

Many offices fail to use renewable materials. For example, the use of disposable plastic cups is a popular practice in the office. Also, a lot of paper is used to print out documents. This is unnecessary sometimes, especially, in the digital age.

Here are some of the ways you can try to protect the environment as a small company:

1. Have a favorable attitude towards environment

If you are going to take a step towards sustainability, then you have to start with a positive attitude. Understanding why you are doing this will keep you motivated throughout this journey. A favorable attitude will give you more inspiration.

2. Increase awareness

One of the best ways of protecting the environment is by educating others. Customer awareness can be a useful factor. Once more people know about environment protection, more changes can be made.

Share with customers information about your commitment stories. Inform customers of the progress you make and all the measures that you are taking. In this way, you will be attracting more customers. Awareness also improves the image of your brand. So, it is an advantage for your business as well.

3. Adopt new technologies

Educating people about sustainability is not enough. You have to lead by example. So, you should adopt new technologies that can be more effective for the environment. Recently, there has been a surge in technologies that increase sustainability. These technologies ensure the production of goods by using sustainable materials. Adopting such technologies can have a great impact on the environment.

4. Use recyclable materials

Using recyclable materials is the best way to maintain your sustainability plan. Your customers are looking to you to see what they can do to protect the earth. Think of replacing non-renewable materials with renewable ones.

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Try to restrict the use of materials that are harmful to the environment. You don’t have to start of all a sudden. You can start with small steps. An example is replacing plastic cups with mugs.

5. Analyze internal processes

You need to focus on measures that will help you maximize resources. Knowing how to manage your resources will benefit your business. As you will be cutting expenses, you can save a lot of revenue.

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The above tips will help you to expand your business, decrease the creation of waste materials while also minimizing expenses in your company. Other ways you can apply to reduce wastage of materials include:

  • Place recycle bins in your office,
  • Encourage the use of materials that can be recycled,
  • Turn lights off when they are not needed,
  • Use mugs instead of disposable plastic cups,
  • Decrease traveling so that less fuel is used,
  • Use bicycles instead of cars to get to the workplace,
  • Use a building made from renewable materials,
  • Turn off all devices when they are not being used,
  • Cut the use of paper in your office.

You can reduce the usage of paper by avoiding unnecessary printing. Any assignments within the topic can be completed by Australianwritings

6. Check your supply chain

Your sustainability practices do not only rely on the decisions that you take. You should also consider the source of materials and manufacturing of products. It is your duty to make sure that your supply chain is aware of these practices.

Your suppliers should also try to take measures that protect the environment. Supply chain means:

  • How you get material,
  • How goods are processed,
  • How goods are distributed.

If you try all the above measures, you will have a positive influence on the environment. Your company will be contributing a lot towards environment protection. Also, your manager or HR should conduct regular audits to make sure everyone observes the measures.

sustainable-supply-chain

Conclusion

In conclusion, small businesses have a huge role to play in protecting the environment. The smallest effort can go a long way, and a business has a way of influencing others to protect the environment. This joint effort can lead to decreased pollution and safer and healthier planet earth.

A Message on Earth Day

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plastic-wastesEarth Day has now grown into a global environmental tradition making it the largest civic observance in the world and is widely celebrated event in which over one billion people from over 190 countries will participate by taking suitable actions for saving our mother Earth.

The Earth Day was first organized in 1970 to promote respect for life on the planet and to encourage awareness on air, water and soil pollution. Each year a different theme or topic is selected. The theme of Earth Day 2018 is ‘End Plastic Pollution’. Plastic pollution is poisoning our oceans and lands, injuring marine life and affecting public health. Earth Day 2018 is dedicated to providing the information and inspiration needed to fundamentally change human attitude and behavior about plastics.

The Earth Day movement is continuing, to inspire, challenge ideas, ignite passion, and motivate people to action. Let us contribute by reducing our carbon footprint, plastic footprint and digital carbon footprint in all possible manners. This initiative will make a significant and measurable impact on the Earth and will serve as the foundation of a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet for all.

Plastic Pollution – A Real Menace

More than 8 million tons of plastic enters into the ocean each year, which is equal to dumping a garbage truck of plastic every minute. This dumped plastic impact marine wildlife, fisheries, tourism, navigation, affecting marine vessels and human health.

Over the last ten years we have produced more plastic than during the entire last century. 50% of the plastic we use is just once and later throw away. Enough plastic is thrown away each year to circle the earth four times. Unfortunately, we currently recover only 5% of the plastics we produce, which accounts for around 10% of the total waste we generate.

The production of plastic uses around 8% of the world’s oil production. Million tons of plastic can be found in swirling convergences in the oceans making up about 40% of the world’s ocean surfaces, while 80% of pollution enters the ocean from the land. According to estimates, at the rate we are dumping items such as plastic bottles, plastic bags and plastics cups after a single use, by 2050 oceans will carry more plastic than fish and an estimated 99% of seabirds will have ingested this uncontrolled plastic.

The Earth day is observed believing that nothing is more powerful than the collective action of a billion people. Earth Day’s message is to become more sustainable and reduce our carbon footprint and improving our quality of life. We need to plant trees and make our home, area and city as a livable place.

The earth is what we all have in common. We need to audit our actions and see what are we contributing towards our environment and community? Earth Day is about uniting voices around the globe in support of a healthy planet.

All Hands on Board

Earth Day is not limited to 22nd April only but can be celebrated at any day. As the slogan goes ‘Earth Day Every Day’. We need to be part of the biggest grass-root effort in history by at least planting a tree as a “give back” to Earth. We have been mercilessly polluting the natural surroundings and damaging the fragile resources of the earth.

Let us be a part of this green revolution, plan and participate in Earth Day activities moving from single-day actions, such as park cleanups and tree-planting parties to long-term actions and commitments and make our home, area and city, a healthier place to live.

There are many ways to celebrate the Earth Day. We can plant more trees, have indoor plants, plan an outdoor activity with nature, motivate people to reduce the use of unhealthy living practices, avoid littering and use of plastic bags, teach our children about the recycling and reuse of the old materials, promote energy savings and water conservation and tell people that every day of their life is earth day, so they should take care of the earth on daily basis.

Algae Biorefinery – Promise and Potential

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High oil prices, competing demands between foods and other biofuel sources, and the world food crisis, have ignited interest in algaculture (farming of algae) for making vegetable oil, biodiesel, bioethanol, biogasoline, biomethanol, biobutanol and other biofuels. Algae can be efficienctly grown on land that is not suitable for agriculture and hold huge potential to provide a non-food, high-yield source of biodiesel, ethanol and hydrogen fuels. 

Several recent studies have pointed out that biofuel from microalgae has the potential to become a renewable, cost-effective alternative for fossil fuel with reduced impact on the environment and the world supply of staple foods, such as wheat, maize and sugar.

What are Algae?

Algae are unicellular microorganisms, capable of photosynthesis. They are one of the world’s oldest forms of life, and it is strongly believed that fossil oil was largely formed by ancient microalgae. Microalgae (or microscopic algae) are considered as a potential oleo-feedstock, as they produce lipids through photosynthesis, i.e. using only carbon , water, sunlight, phosphates, nitrates and other (oligo) elements that can be found in residual waters. Oils produced by diverse algae strains range in composition. For the most part are like vegetable oils, though some are chemically similar to the hydrocarbons in petroleum.

Advantages of Algae

Apart from lipids, algae also produce proteins, isoprenoids and polysaccharides. Some strains of algae ferment sugars to produce alcohols, under the right growing conditions. Their biomass can be processed to different sorts of chemicals and polymers (Polysaccharides, enzymes, pigments and minerals), biofuels (e.g. biodiesel, alkanes and alcohols), food and animal feed (PUFA, vitamins, etc.) as well as bioactive compounds (antibiotics, antioxidant and metabolites) through down-processing technology such as transesterification, pyrolysis and continuous catalysis using microspheres.

Algae can be grown on non-arable land (including deserts), most of them do not require fresh water, and their nutritional value is high. Extensive R&D underway on algae as raw material worldwide, especially in North America and Europe with a high number of start-up companies developing different options.

Most scientific literature suggests an oil production potential of around 25-50 ton per hectare per year for relevant algae species. Microalgae contain, amongst other biochemical, neutral lipids (tri-, di-, monoglycerides free fatty acids), polar lipids (glycolipids, phospholipids), wax esters, sterols and pigments. The total lipid content in microalgae varies from 1 to 90 % of dry weight, depending on species, strain and growth conditions.

Algae-based Biorefinery

In order to develop a more sustainable and economically feasible process, all biomass components (e.g. proteins, lipids, carbohydrates) should be used and therefore biorefining of microalgae is very important for the selective separation and use of the functional biomass components.

The term biorefinery was coined to describe the production of a wide range of chemicals and bio-fuels from biomasses by the integration of bio-processing and appropriate low environmental impact chemical technologies in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. If biorefining of microalgae is applied, lipids should be fractionated into lipids for biodiesel, lipids as a feedstock for the chemical industry and essential fatty acids, proteins and carbohydrates for food, feed and bulk chemicals, and the oxygen produced should be recovered also.

The potential for commercial algae production is expected to come from growth in translucent tubes or containers called photo bioreactors or in open systems (e.g. raceways) particularly for industrial mass cultivation or more recently through a hybrid approach combining closed-system precultivation with a subsequent open-system. Major advantages of a algal biorefinery include:

  • Use of industrial refusals as inputs ( CO2,wastewater and desalination plant rejects)
  • Large product basket with energy-derived (biodiesel, methane, ethanol and hydrogen) and non-energy derived (nutraceutical, fertilizers, animal feed and other bulk chemicals) products.
  • Not competing with food production (non-arable land and no freshwater requirements)
  • Better growth yield and lipid content than crops.

Indeed, after oil extraction the resulting algal biomass can be processed into ethanol, methane, livestock feed, used as organic fertilizer due to its high N:P ratio, or simply burned for energy cogeneration (electricity and heat). If, in addition, production of algae is done on residual nutrient feedstocks and CO2, and production of microalgae is done on large scale in order to lower production costs, production of bulk chemicals and fuels from microalgae will become economically, environmentally and ethically extremely attractive.

The Surprising Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles

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March 2022 has seen the highest capacity of electric vehicle (EV) registrations than any other month in history – in fact, more were registered in that single month than over the entirety of the year 2019. As interest in EVs continues to rise at a rapid pace, questions about the long-term environmental impact of electric vehicles are coming forward.

Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles

More Resources, Reduced Carbon Emissions

One of the most notable and attractive features of the modern EV is its “zero emission” component. But while these streamlined vehicles can significantly decrease the volume of carbon emissions released into the environment, the resources needed to build them present some complications.

EVs are powered by their high-powered batteries, which are made using precious, highly rarified chemical resources like lithium and uranium. Mining these resources requires a huge amount of energy, water, and air pollution, counteracting the eco-friendly features of an EV.

A Green Manufacturing Issue

While the process of driving an EV does release zero carbon emissions, the other stages of the car’s lifespan do not. The manufacturing of an EV is more carbon emissive than regular gas-powered cars, and the process of degradation at the end of its life also has an adverse environmental impact.

Gas-powered cars still contribute disproportionately more greenhouse gas than EVs, but the way in which they’re produced is much more environmentally compatible than EVs. EVs still have the potential to be as green as everyone wants them to be, but presently their environmental track record could certainly use some assessment.

electric car

Are E-bikes A Sound Alternative?

Until engineers can find a more eco-friendly way to manufacture and dispose of EVs, there are other options to look into. Electric bikes (and regular bikes) both offer comparatively carbon emissive methods of transport, and use up far fewer resources than cars do, whether powered by gas or electricity.

Also known as e-bikes, electric bikes are a more accessible, environmentally compatible, and much more affordable alternative to EVs. Information on electric bike tips and tricks has been searched for millions of times online over the past year, and the growing interest around them can be perceived through their incredible 100% revenue growth in 2021 compared to 2020.

Whether two-wheeled or four-wheeled, it seems that electric transport is going to form a big part of the planet’s future. Let’s hope that improved methods of production are in the works and that carbon emissions can be reduced at every point, from manufacturing to use and eventual scrapping.

Eco-friendly Things To Know Before Buying Your First Home

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As we humans continue to develop, we use more and more resources and put more and more toxins into the air. It’s our responsibility to do what we can help our earth. The first place to start is right at home. There are a number of things we can do in our households to make the world a little bit greener. Here are 10 eco-friendly things you can do at your house.

ecofriendly things to before buying a home

1. Use the right lights

The light bulbs you use in your home can make a big difference on your carbon imprint (and your wallet). While incandescent light bulbs are generally the cheapest kind you’ll find at the store, that doesn’t mean they are the best option. Instead of incandescent bulbs, it’s a good idea to go with either CFLs or LEDs. They last up to 25 times longer and use up to 80% less energy. While it may cost you a couple extra dollars up front, you save a lot more money in the long run.

2. Get energy star appliances

Every home needs to have a washer, dryer, dishwasher, and HVAC unit. These appliances are the cause of a lot of the energy and water used in the home. If you’re buying appliances for a new home, it’s important to buy appliances that will contribute to the environment. But how do you know which appliances to buy? Look for the Energy Star sticker! These products utilize up to 50% less energy than standard appliances.  If buying a home, check to see if the appliances are Energy Star appliances.

3. Use less water and use cold water

We waste more water throughout the day than you could imagine. Here are a number of ways that you and your family can reduce the amount of water you waste:

Don’t flush garbage

Every time you flush the toilet, it uses gallons of water. If you’re simply flushing a cigarette butt or a small tissue, it’s a huge waste of water! Make sure people throw garbage away properly. Also, you might want to consider low-flow toilets or toilets that use less water per flush.

Only wash full loads of laundry and dishes

Have you ever thrown one or two outfits in the laundry machine because you just needed to have them cleaned? Just do a full load. Running the washer requires a lot of water. Only run it and the dishwasher when they are full. Also, cold water requires significantly less energy than hot water, so use cold water when possible.

Shorter showers

Even though a long, warm shower can be relaxing, save those for when you really need that extra couple of minutes to yourself. Generally, try to take shorter, lukewarm showers. Encourage others to take shorter showers as well.

Turn the water off when you don’t need it on

Turn the water off when brushing your teeth and other daily activities. There’s no reason to leave the water running.

To learn more about living a healthier and sustainable life, check out the recent blog posts published by Public Goods. From healthy products to all natural oils, living a more informed life doesn’t have to be difficult.

4. Turn off gadgets

Be careful to turn off all electronics and lights when you leave the house. Leaving them on is a wasteful habit. Also, it’s a good idea to unplug items you are not using instead of leaving them on standby. When electronics are on standby, they are still using power. It doesn’t use as much, but the little amount of power it uses adds up.

5. Recycle

There are a number of items you throw out that can be recycled and reused. Plastic, glass, and aluminum all have the potential to be recycled. Designate specific bins for these items to make separating them easy. Get everyone in the household onboard, including children. If there isn’t a recycling program in your town already, take the initiative to support one in your local government.

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6. Automatic Thermostats

Technology now gives us the opportunity to control many of the things in our home from anywhere with our smartphone. Many of these items can be set automatically as well. For example, the thermostat in your home can be changed every day when you and your family go to work and school. You don’t need to keep the home comfortable when no one is home. Creating this automatic setting helps you from forgetting before you leave in the morning. If you do need to change it, you can do so from work. The same can be said for your lights. If you think you left a light on, you can check with your automation tools on your smartphone.

7. Indoor Air Quality

Ensuring a healthy and eco-friendly home environment involves a critical step: checking indoor air quality. The impact of poor air quality on health and overall well-being cannot be overstated. For instance, radon, a colorless and odorless gas, has the potential to infiltrate homes, posing severe health risks such as lung cancer. So to create a safer living space, it becomes essential to hire home inspectors who can effectively monitor and address indoor air quality issues by employing professional radon testing device. This approach not only safeguards against potential health issues but also contributes to the creation of a safer and more sustainable home environment.

8. Solar Panels

Something becoming more and more popular, especially in areas with a lot of sun, solar panels help make your home self-sustaining by generating and storing its own energy. Instead of using energy from the electric company, your solar panels will supply the electricity for the items in your home. It also stores the energy for when there is no dun. While the initial cost may be expensive, it will greatly reduce the electric bills. It’s also a very attractive feature to the growing amount of homebuyers who want to buy a green home.

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9. Buy with environment with mind

Every item in your home has a carbon footprint from the food you buy to the cleaning supplies you buy. The carbon footprint varies based on items used to make the product, packaging, and manufacturing practices. Look for items made from recyclable materials. Also, do research to learn what companies make decisions with the environment in mind and support those companies. Look for companies that avoid wasteful packaging. Finally, avoid items that are known to be bad for the environment, such as plastic straws.

10. Location

The location of your home will contribute to its carbon footprint in a variety of ways. When buying a home, Jeff Stewart from Homes in Meridian (https://www.homesinmeridian.com/) says that you should consider factors such as neighborhood amenities, the quality and size of the homes in the neighborhood, and statistics on nearby schools. Check to make sure you’re living in an environment that shares your environmental concerns.

Every person has a carbon footprint. You may not think your individual carbon footprint matters, but they add up to contribute to the pollution and lack of resources in the world. Make a difference by starting at home. Hopefully, you can teach younger generations good habits to take with them to their home as well.

Key Questions about COP21 Climate Agreement

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The headlines from the CO21 Climate Summit tell an inspiring story. Agence France-Presse reported an outbreak of “euphoria” as the international climate accord was sealed. Reuters hailed a global “turn from fossil fuels.” The Guardian headlined “a major leap for mankind.” As the euphoria of delegates at the UN climate talks in Paris fades, it is time to get down to the business of saving the planet and ask what it means for me.

This time, they were. They managed to seal a pact that sets a surprisingly ambitious target for limiting global warming, reflects the vast differences between countries in terms of their different historical and current responsibilities for causing climate change, and recognizes poorer countries’ need to eradicate poverty even as they embark on a more sustainable development path.

Unfortunately, however, the main text of the agreement is long on rhetoric and short on action.

Here are the key questions about the COP21 climate agreement.

What have we achieved?

The world’s first comprehensive climate change agreement which will see action to curb rising temperatures by all countries.

Why we needed a new deal?

If we continue to pump greenhouse gases into the atmosphere on current trajectories, we are facing a world with temperatures of more than 4C above pre-industrial levels by 2100 – hotter globally than at any time in human history.

Rising temperatures will lead to sea level rises, more intense storms and flooding, more extreme droughts, water shortages and heatwaves – as well as massive loss of wildlife and reduction in crop yields, potentially sparking conflict, mass migration and public health concerns.

The higher temperatures rise, the worse the situation will be – so we need to curb the emissions that cause global warming.

Why are we only doing something now?

This deal has effectively been 20 years in the making. A first treaty, the Kyoto Protocol – which was adopted in 1997, only covered the emissions of developed countries – and the US never ratified it.

It runs out in 2020 and the Paris Agreement will be its successor.

Why has it taken so much time?

World leaders tried to secure a deal in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2009, at talks which was a failure. A weak agreement came out of acrimonious talks which scarred the UN climate process and everybody involved.

But in Durban, South Africa, two years later, the EU teamed up with some of the world’s poorest countries to get nations to agree to work towards a new deal to be secured in Paris this year.

Why was it different this time?

The world is not just out of recession like in 2009, the costs of technology such as solar panels have fallen while deployment has grown exponentially and countries are keen to tackle the problem for other reasons, such as to cut air pollution in China.

The science is even clearer, with the UN’s global climate science body called IPCCC warning last year that global warming was “unequivocal”.

Countries also started negotiating a lot earlier, with 187 countries covering more than 95% of the world’s emissions putting forward national climate plans for action they will take up to 2030, before or in a few cases during the conference.

Why do we need an agreement too?

The climate plans by countries are not enough, as the emissions curbs in the commitments still put the world on track for a 3C rise in global temperatures by 2100.

So the deal includes a kind of “review and ratchet” system for countries to update and increase their levels of climate action every five years, based on a global assessment of how far nations are off meeting the long term goal to tackle climate change.

Countries are being requested to submit updates, by 2020, to their existing plans out to 2030 after an initial stocktaking exercise in 2018.

So has the planet been saved?

Only history will tell how successful this deal will be.

Tackling climate change will involve a vast, global, transition away from fossil fuels to clean energy, as well as curbing deforestation and emissions from agriculture – with experts warning of the need to reduce emissions to net zero later in the century to stabilize the climate.

The COP21 Paris climate agreement is truly a watershed moment in the world’s fight against climate change. It creates a legally binding framework for progress, and that’s fundamentally new.

But grand ambitions also must be met with concrete action.

Renewable Energy in World’s Top-10 Oil Producing Countries

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renewable-energy-moroccoIn April 2019, Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rosselló signed a bill that aims to power the island totally through renewable energy by 2050. It also aims to completely give up coal by 2028. Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of the United States of America, which is today the world’s largest oil producing country.

This begs the question, what are the world’s top 10 oil producers doing to increase energy from renewable sources? First, let us have a look at how much oil these countries produced in 2017, which was the latest data available at the time of writing this article.

But what are these countries doing about renewable energy? View the interactive chart below to compare and contrast different countries and their renewable energy production, along with their installed capacity. The data was taken from International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

You can also compare the five MENA countries. As you can see, the GCC countries Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE focus more on solar energy, both in terms of installed capacity and actual electricity generation. This is marked by the fact that these countries are closer to equator, which means that they receive a lot of sunlight, coupled with sporadic desert settlements. This enables these countries to harvest more from solar energy. Now however, some of these countries are also investing in other renewable energy.

Priscilla Joseph, part of BactoWatt, a startup which aims to recover biogas from wastewater in the UAE, said, “There seems to be a change in paradigm from solar to bioenergy. Apart from that, the UAE is also looking into generating power through nuclear energy.”

Climate change and shifting goals

While it is important to look at how much countries are interested in renewable energy, it is also equally important to see their future oil production. It is expected that both United States of America and the UAE will increasing their oil production outputs in the future. Iran increased its oil production capacity from 3.5 million b/d in 2004 to over 3.7 million b/d in 2017.

Even with Puerto Rico’s bold announcement, the government of the United States of America seems to be going the other way. For example, the president of the USA Donald Trump announced in June 2017 it was pulling out of the Paris Climate Agreement, even though it was the second largest contributor of the world’s carbon emissions in 2015.

However, according to the terms of the agreement, no country can officially withdraw from it until 4 years have lapsed after the agreement came into effect for that country. For the USA, that date would be November 4 2020, one day after the US presidential elections. So at present, the USA continues to be a signed party to the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabia’s goals to combat climate change seem greatly insufficient, as pointed out by some climate change organisations. For example, Climate Action Tracker reported the country’s Paris Accord goals as “critically insufficient.” The organisation also said, “The envisioned emissions pathway towards 2030 is highly unclear, due to a lack of data availability, including the absence of any national emissions projections and the fact that Saudi Arabia has not published the baseline corresponding to its Paris Agreement target.”

Russia was also rated the same by the organisation. It said that even though the Russian government had drafted the “Ecology” programme in 2018 focusing on air pollution reduction, reforestation and improving waste management, none of the ten directions in the Ecology project relate directly to GHG emissions reductions.”

In fact, Russia remains the only top carbon emitting country to not have signed the 2015 Paris Agreement.

As for the top 10 oil producing countries, all of them except Iran, Iraq, and Russia have signed the Paris Agreement and ratified it at a later date.

What Are the Environmental Benefits of Electric Cars

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People are moving away from driving gas-powered vehicles at a tremendous rate for financial and environmental reasons. We have looked at a few key areas where using electric cars will benefit us in the areas we live in and in our wallets. Considering the first Tesla to hit the road was less than twenty years ago (2003), we have seen a dramatic shift towards electric vehicles from small manufacturers all the way through to major car producing companies. This shift has enormous environmental benefits for all of us and will continue to do so for generations to come.

1. Clean Air in Our Neighbourhoods

If you have ever lived in or visited a major city or town, you would have noticed the poor air quality that traditional gas-powered cars and trucks cause. By switching to electric-powered vehicles, we are immediately improving the air quality in our own neighborhoods. To power our electric vehicles, we still need fuel, but by using the main grid to get this fuel, we help to make the air cleaner near our homes and offices.

According to the world’s air quality index, all the high numbers come from urban areas, like Beijing and Mumbai, that have millions of standard vehicles being driven. Fortunately, for both China and India, both countries are aware of the economic and environmental benefits of electric in the foreseeable future.

2. The Rise in Popularity

Electric vehicles are not a new invention, but the technology behind them (specifically, batteries) has only recently made it a viable option for everyday drivers. Many countries have incentives in place to make owning an electric car more appealing, and this has helped to raise the number of people opting for electric over a gas-powered vehicle. In a recent Australian survey, it was found that 54.1% would choose electric for environmental reasons, while the rest voted for ease of use and the cheaper overall cost.

Electric vehicle sales have grown tremendously in countries such as Norway that offers many incentives to encourage users to switch. Almost half of all car sales in Norway last year were for electric vehicles. Considering Norway has vast petroleum and gas reserves, this shows just how determined they are to go electric.

3. Cost Savings

Electric vehicles are still more expensive to buy compared to a gas-powered car, but this discrepancy is being reduced every year. The main expense of electric cars is the battery packs, which power them, and as technology improves, these costs are naturally coming down. A noticeable saving for electric cars is the fuel costs to run them. In the USA, according to a study conducted at the University of Michigan, the fuel cost of electric vs. gasoline revealed a more than fifty percent saving in favor of electric.

On top of the annual fuel bills, you also must consider that electric cars don’t need the same amount of yearly maintenance, thanks to fewer moving parts. They still need the same maintenance for tires, brakes, and suspension, but none for the engine itself as there is only one moving part. As many vehicle manufacturers offer extremely long warranties on the battery packs, you can drive safely for years before you need to invest in maintenance to keep the car on the road.

4. Improving the Environment

We already know that using electric vehicles will instantly improve the air quality in urban areas. The big focus is on how non-gas-powered cars will improve the environment as a whole. In areas where it is feasible, we are now seeing governments investing in renewable energy alternatives such as solar, wind, and tidal. With our growing reliance on electric, we see many companies and countries looking to find cleaner methods for creating energy.

Nuclear power can be a very clean source of energy, but it does have its drawbacks, as was witnessed after the Fukushima Tsunami, an event that resulted in a nuclear disaster. The best solution for electric power generation is to have a vast network of renewable sources, which can cope with the enormous demands put on our national grids. By utilizing clean energy, we will lessen our reliance on fossil fuels, which in turn will reduce the number of harmful gases that are released into the atmosphere every year.

5. Creating a New Economy

The need for clean energy has created a new economy that has been and will continue to grow to meet demand. The last time we saw a new economy created was when the internet first started being an essential tool for businesses. Many petroleum producers are now investing heavily in renewable energy, including solar, tidal, wind, and geothermal, to stay at the top of the energy-producing market. The continued investment in renewables has created many jobs for engineers and production plants to be able to service the expanding market.

6. Go Green

It’s not a matter of whether you will buy an electric vehicle, but more a case of when. With many incentives available for those who choose to purchase an electric vehicle today, the reason not to make the change is becoming less and less obvious. Check with your local state to find out what tax reductions and incentives they have available. Buying electric may be cheaper than you thought and, crucially, should you decide to take the plunge, you can rest assured that you will be contributing towards a cleaner and greener future for us all.

Solar Energy in Oman: Potential and Progress

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Oman-renewable-energySolar energy is a vital and strategic solution for the provision of electric power in the Sultanate of Oman. Given the vast unused land and available solar energy resources, Oman has an excellent potential for solar energy development and deployment. Solar energy is a viable option in Oman and could not only cater to the growing need for energy diversification but also would help in economic diversification.

With a total dependence on fossil fuels and increasing population combined with rapid industrialization in cities such as Duqm, Sohar and Salalah, Oman’s power infrastructure and hydrocarbon reserves pose a challenge on the economic growth. The strategic importance and geographical location of Oman makes it viable to harness renewable energy technologies on both, smaller and larger scales, for further development of its economy. It not only helps in reducing dependence in fossil fuels but also helps in creating a cleaner and sustainable environment.  Research and development and high-technology services related to renewable energy could create new business and employment in Oman and could bring about a paradigm change in diversification of Oman’s economy.

Solar Power Potential in Oman

Oman receives a tremendous amount of solar radiation throughout the year which is among the highest in the world, and there is significant scope for harnessing and developing solar energy resources throughout the Sultanate.  The global average daily sunshine duration and solar radiation values for 25 locations in Oman are tremendous, with Marmul having the highest solar radiation followed by Fahud, Sohar and Qairoon Hairiti. The highest insolation of solar energy is observed is in the desert areas as compared to the coastal areas where it is least.

A Renewables Readiness Assessment report was prepared by IRENA in close collaboration with the Government of Oman, represented by the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW), to study potential usage of renewable energy. The government seeks to utilize a sizeable amount of solar energy to meet the country’s domestic electricity requirements and develop some of it for export. The Petroleum Development of Oman (PDO) has initiated to conserve Oman’s natural gas resources in the production of heavy oil by harnessing solar energy to produce steam for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR).

A study commissioned by the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW) revealed that Photovoltaic (PV) systems installed on residential buildings in the Sultanate could offer an estimated 1.4 gigawatts of electricity. It is estimated that Muscat Governorate alone could generate a whopping 450 megawatts, similar to a mid-sized gas-based power plant.

Major Developments

The Authority for Electricity Regulation Oman (AER) – Oman’s power sector regulator is taking steps to pave the way for homeowners to install rooftop solar panels with any surplus electricity sent back into the national grid. Some prominent companies, including Majan Electricity Company, Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM) and Sultan Qaboos University have already adopted piloted schemes to generate solar power.

Due to declining costs of photovoltaic (PV) panels, production of solar energy has become an attractive option for the process of water desalination. Solar thermal desalination processes using solar collectors are being tested in pilot projects and expected to soon become available as commercial solutions.

Miraah solar thermal project will harness the sun’s energy to produce steam used in oil production.

Miraah solar thermal project will harness the sun’s energy to produce steam used in oil production.

A combination of concentrated solar power and photovolatic technologies are likely to be deployed for the development in Dakhiliyah Governorate which is one of the largest solar energy projects in Oman’s National Energy Strategy 2040 with a plant capacity of 200MW.

Oman has already geared up in attracting private investors to power and water production by offering Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).  The government has embarked on a mission of opening a stronger and sustainable market giving oil companies a chance to strengthen their footing in the country to tackle with the jeopardy posed by depleting oil resources.

However, there  are challenges arising out of the lack of involvement from stakeholders in framing polices and in decision making; and lack of regulatory policies, in the sector of renewable energy, is hindering its pace of development. Specific resource assessments are needed in order to determine the market potential and should be the key research areas.

Future Perspectives

Solar energy in Oman is expected to become progressively cheaper in the near future and could be a best return for investments.  Its success is merely determined by the government’s regulatory policies, fiscal incentives and public financing.  The challenges that the solar industry faces are entering into a market that has essentially been dominated by oil industry. Subsidies and incentives should be provided by the government in the form of feed in tariffs so as to reassure a guaranteed price for electricity sold to the national grid by merging solar power technologies in power generation.

There is a dire need for political support for renewable energy to take its competition, economically, in the free market. Laws governing power generation regulation should provide more flexibility for renewables and should be incentive-oriented to attract the stake holders.  

A positive investment environment, strong property rights and low tax regimes, with established participation in the power sector from leading international firms, will certainly boost solar energy applications. The country needs to develop clear strategic plans for future in the development of solar energy. If a quick and appropriate regulatory framework is not accelerated, neighboring countries, such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), would take the benefits of becoming regional revolutionary leaders in the use of solar energy.

Parting Shot

With its strong solar resources and existing universities, Oman has an opportunity to pioneer professional demonstration and monitoring capability as an international technology provider and take an active role to establish advanced professional skills base in science and engineering and expand its arenas in modern solar-efficient architecture and energy management.

But the question still remains: Can the solar power bring about a revolutionary change to power most of Oman?

References

http://esatjournals.net/ijret/2013v02/i07/IJRET20130207029.pdf – Volume: 02 Issue: 07 | Jul-2013, Available @ http://www.ijret.org

https://www.y-oman.com/2016/04/watts-up/

Community Engagement in Recycling Initiatives in Qatar

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The current state of environmental custodianship in Qatar leaves much to be desired from the national government and other institutions that publicly endorse initiatives with much fan-fare but do not commit to sustained action. My previous piece titled “Environmental Initiatives in Middle East – Challenges and Remedies” illuminated some of these gaps, but did not provide a detailed description of what underpins this trend and possible solutions might look like. Thus, this article seeks to delve deeper into how state institutions and civil society in Qatar may be able to work cooperatively in staving off further environmental degradation, especially with regards to waste management and recycling.

recycling-qatar

I believe that real success will be achieved through popular buy-in and a paradigm shift towards recognizing the interconnectedness of humans with their surroundings, which can be encouraged through education. Perhaps more importantly, there needs to be a public acknowledgement that all individuals residing in Qatar have a vested interest in pushing for greater environmental protection enforcement and accountability. In a region that is already faced with a lack of potable water and arable land, allowing the existing course to be maintained is not only risky, it is flat-out dangerous to the nation’s survival.

An Uphill Battle, But a Necessary One

Individuals that either live in or visited a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nation, especially a hydrocarbon-rich rentier state like Qatar, are probably quite familiar with the inadequacies of current recycling initiatives. As someone who has visited the country on three different occasions I can tell you that I have searched high and low for something resembling a recycling bin, can, or other receptacle but to no avail, save for a few located in Education City. One might imagine this to be exceptionally jarring coming from the hyper-attentive, green-obsessed Washington, DC where trash and recycling cans typically are placed together on streets and in buildings.

Further adding to my chagrin is the apparent disconnect between high level, widely publicized recycling improvements and the realities (and consequences) manifesting among general society. For example, last year there was much excitement surrounding the announcement of upcoming environmental reforms in July 2014, but it appears nothing further came to fruition.

The article touches upon some of the apparent hindrances for recycling programs and other environmental initiatives: bureaucracy; paperwork; budgetary constraints. I would add to this list based upon personal experiences: general apathy towards recycling; inaccessibility of bins; perception of additional costs to conducting business.

Fair enough – I acknowledge that some of these issues are out of citizens’ and expats’ hands, but that is no excuse for giving up. The predicted 6.8% GDP growth spurred by the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup and hydrocarbon exports will surely put further pressure on an already fragile ecosystem and lead to an uptick in waste production. This is not meant to stoke unnecessary fear, but the equation here is straightforward; more people present in Qatar, more trash will be created from residential and commercial zones. As noted by fellow EcoMENA contributor, Surya Suresh, the nation presently possesses one solid waste facility at Mesaieed and three landfills devoted to particular items, which now seem to be overwhelmed by growing waste inputs.

Possible Solutions: Personal and Community Action

Given this lag in state responses to the existing recycling crisis and future issues stemming from it, readers may be asking what they can do to help. At the personal level, I would encourage Qatari residents, as well as others in neighboring nations, to begin with educating themselves about the current state of recycling initiatives and conducting an inventory of their daily waste generation. EcoMENA website offers a variety of informative pieces and external resources useful to individuals seeking more information.

My latter point about doing a personal inventory is about consciousness-raising about how we each contribute to a wider problem and identifying means of reducing our impact on the environment. Examples from my own life that I believe are applicable in Qatar include counting the number of plastic bags I used to transport groceries and replacing them with a backpack and reusable bags. I also frequently re-appropriate glass jars for storing items, such as rice, spices, and coffee – make sure to wash them well before reuse!

It has taken me several years to get to past the social stigmas surrounding reusing containers and to cultivate the future planning to bring my reusable bags with me, but knowing my actions, aggregated with those of my friends and family, positively affect the environment is quite rewarding and reinforces good behavior. Give it a shot and see what happens.

Furthermore, it may be beneficial for the community at large to begin discussing the topic of recycling and what they would like to see, rather than solely wait on state agencies to address issues. Doing so could initially be formulated on a level that many Qatari residents are probably most familiar with: their place of employment, apartment, or neighborhood. After all, if individuals, specifically employers, are expected to bear the increased costs associated with improved recycling then an understanding of what people want is necessary in hopefully resolving issues effectively and with greater community enthusiasm.

Because of the nature of nation-states’ institutions typically being reactive entities and incapable of being aware of every societal problem, it is up to community-level groups to voice their concerns and be committed to change. Organizations such as the Qatar Green Building Council and the Qatar Green Leaders, offer a variety of informative pieces and training services that may help in establishing dialogues between groups and the government. Perhaps this is too idealistic right now, but Qatari residents have organized popular support for other initiatives, notably in the initial pilot recycling program in 2012. Now let us make that a sustained commitment to recycling!

References

  1. Andrew Clark, “Environmental Initiatives in Middle East – Challenges and Remedies,” on EcoMENA.org, http://www.ecomena.org/environment-middle-east/.
  2. Qatar National Bank, “Qatar Economic Insight 2013,”
  3. Surya Suresh, “Waste Management Outlook for Qatar,” http://www.ecomena.org/waste-qatar/

Green Spaces in Middle East – Perspectives

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Often dubbed as “pockets of green in a grey landscape”, green spaces such as urban parks, vertical gardens and street trees, are increasingly being incorporated into city plans and designs for their multi-functional benefits of ecological, physical and social nature. An obvious benefit from increasing green space within cities is the increase in biodiversity. Often serving as refuges and habitat corridors for wildlife, studies have shown increases in both native and endemic flora and fauna with the expansion of green spaces in cities. Infact it has been observed that city planners choose to incorporate green spaces, such as urban parks and fields, with the purpose of increasing urban biodiversity .

Image source: Urban Park by Mishma Abraham on Flickr. CC BY 2.0.

Unending Benefits of Green Spaces

One of the many other ecological benefits of green spaces is combating the urban heat island effect, primarily caused by the increased density of impervious and heat reflective substances in cities. Green spaces such as urban parks and gardens reduce the impermeable nature of cities, thereby promoting natural cooling through increased absorption and ventilation. Some of the other physical aspects that green spaces can help improve include urban flooding, stormwater runoff and air pollution.

In addition to regulating the urban ecosystem, green spaces also offer a wide range of social benefits to individual and community health. The increase in urban parks often motivate urban dwellers to use them as spaces for exercise, leisure and recreation, thereby providing opportunities to improve their physical fitness and health.

Moreover, spending time with nature has found to be healing and beneficial to ones’ mental health, particularly engaging those with anxiety and depression. And finally, the pockets of green across the city often find themselves as places for gathering and celebration, as communities use them to socialize and congregate. Studies have shown greater improvements in community cohesion and identity with the presence of urban green spaces.

alhambra-garden

Green Spaces in Middle East

Green spaces within the Middle East, however, may not be utilized as successfully as their global counterparts for a variety of regional reasons; the hot and arid climate, the social culture of preferring indoor privacy, and the novelty and unformed attitudes towards green spaces.

The lack of academic studies and research on the usability and availability of green spaces in the Middle East may reflect the current unpopularity towards green spaces in this region. Despite the commercial viability and health benefits of such green spaces, another growing challenge for the Middle East region is the pressure on water and land resources to maintain these spaces.

Nevertheless, there have many ambitious projects over the years such as the recent Mshereib Downtown in Qatar, the world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project, that are increasing access and awareness towards green spaces in the Middle East. Having worked on large scale projects in the Middle East, award-winning architect John Avery links green spaces within developments to increased commercial performance as they serve as “the thread that connects communities”, thus making them more attractable and recognizable.

The Way Forward

As such, the use of such spaces needs to be incorporated into more accessible places to create awareness; for instance, green roofs and allotments that children and young adults can engage with in schools and universities, and vertical gardens and parks adjacent to work places where employees can gather for meetings and breaks.

Moreover, cultural and social activities held through public and private partnerships are a great way to engage residents to use these spaces, either in the evenings or during the winter months, when the temperature is less harsh. The greater public demand for green spaces in cities will serve as pressures for local governments to install more resource-efficient, and accessible spaces for the benefit of the city’s and residents’ health.