Category Archives: Sustainable Development

Runoff and Floodwater Farming in Middle East and American Southwest

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

Floodwater is the water that runs through valleys, streets, arroyos and wadis after a rain storm. Sparse vegetation, little soil development, soil crusts, and low infiltration/absorption contribute to fast peaking flows in arid regions. Storms lead to floods that may continue for minutes, hours or days depending on the rainfall. Flood depths of 5-10 meters may occur in extreme events. Despite the challenges, residents in arid and semi-arid lands have developed a wide range of strategies to hold and capture critically needed water. In many cases, floodwater has been the primary source of drinking water for people and livestock, water … Continue reading →

Future of Smart Sustainable Cities in the Middle East: Case Studies from NEOM and Masdar City

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

The techno-urban phenomenon we now call a smart city became widespread in the 2010s. Many metropolises worldwide have risen to the challenge of several interconnected global shifts, driving new developments that set the latest benchmarks for truly smart and sustainable living. However, some cities go beyond merely meeting expectations — they redefine them. NEOM and Masdar City in the Middle East are among the most ambitious pioneers, reshaping urban living through intelligent design aimed at minimizing the negative impacts of modern cities while creating ideal model communities for the future. Redefining Urban Movement Today, traffic congestion is worsening in the … Continue reading →

Acequias for More Sustainable Irrigation: Rediscover an Ancient Technology

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

Arid and semi-arid lands develop when climatic conditions create water limitations and the water lost through evaporation exceeds the water gained from precipitation.  Severe water limitations and climatic extremes make these arid and semi-arid regions very dependent on careful and conservative water management. Traditional practices that use only gravity to distribute water in these environments have been used for thousands of years, but have been little studied and are under-appreciated. These gravity-based canal systems are known as acequia (Spanish) and secondary and lateral ditches are called laterales, linderos, sangrias, or venitas. The head gates that divide and control water flow … Continue reading →

Powering the Future: Eco-Friendly Electrical Solutions for a Sustainable World

By | | ,
Leave a comment

You constantly seek efficient ways to reduce your carbon footprint, yet the challenge remains daunting. Rising utility bills and growing climate concerns spur you to find new strategies that power your home sustainably. You want simple, effective solutions that don’t compromise comfort or safety. By embracing solar panels, LED lighting, and energy-efficient upgrades, you stay a step ahead. Your commitment to cleaner power starts with a trusted partner. For guidance on greener wiring and maintenance, rely on an Eco Friendly electrician who understands your environmental vision. You can harness renewable energy sources to minimize emissions, reduce costs, and secure a … Continue reading →

Food Wastage in Ramadan: An Urgent Call to Action

By | | , , ,
2 Comments

The month of Ramadan witnesses a great rush of frantic buyers who are buying and storing food items and allied commodities. Unfortunately, Muslims countries, especially Gulf nations, generate huge quantities of food waste which increases manifolds during the month of Ramadan and festivals like Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha whereby the consumption and wastage of food increase at an alarming level. Firstly, the food habits change in the month of Ramadan whereby Sahoor or breakfast/ meal is taken early in the morning. Later after sunset Iftar/ Fatoor (opening of the fast) is taken usually with specially cooked food, … Continue reading →

How Water-Saving Construction Can Future-Proof the Middle East Against Climate Change

By | | , ,
Leave a comment

Water is one of the most precious resources in the Middle East’s arid environment. However, conserving this commodity is becoming increasingly challenging amid the region’s rapid population growth, urban sprawl and rising industrialization. Even more concerning is the necessity of water as it grows scarcer by the day due to climate change. Fortunately, technological advances and emerging construction practices create a path toward water resilience in Middle Eastern countries, particularly in bustling cities like Dubai, Mashhad and Cairo. Water Challenges in the Middle East Decades of poor water management and the growing threat of climate change across the Middle East … Continue reading →

كلّ ما يجب معرفته عن التصحر

By | | ,
Leave a comment

مع تجاوز عدد سكان العالم 7 مليارات نسمة، فإن الضغط على الأراضي ازداد بشكل هائل في العقود الأخيرة. أصبح الأمن الغذائي والمساكن وسبل العيش من أهم المفاهيم الرائجة في الوقت الحالي. والمفارقة أنه بالرغم من الطلب المتزايد على الأراضي، فإن أكثر من 10 ملايين هكتار من الأراضي الصالحة للزراعة تتحول إلى صحراء كل عام. وتكمن العوامل الرئيسية المسببة للتصحر في إزالة الغابات والرعي الجائر وطرق الزراعة غير المستدامة وممارسات الري الضعيفة، إلى جانب تغير المناخ. ونقلاً عن السيد لوك غناقادجا، السكرتير التنفيذي لاتفاقية الأمم المتحدة لمكافحة التصحر، حيث قال: “يعد تدهور الأراضي ظاهرة عالمية، حيث يحدث 78 في المئة من التدهور … Continue reading →

District Cooling in Middle East: Potential and Challenges

By | | , ,
2 Comments

District cooling produces chilled water in a centralized location for distribution to buildings, like offices and factories, through a network of insulated underground pipes. The chilled water travels to different buildings, where the water circulates through refrigeration coils or uses absorption technology to enter the air-conditioning system. During winter, the source for the cooling can often be seawater, so it is a cheaper resource than using electricity to run compressors for cooling. What is District Cooling District cooling provides effective control over internal temperature of a building, requires less maintenance than a standalone air-conditioning system, consumes lesser space and reduces … Continue reading →

Energy Efficiency in Residential Sector in Saudi Arabia

By | | , ,
2 Comments

The energy demand in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has increased steadily with an average annual increase close to 5% since 2010[1]. Such rise is driven mainly by the economic prosperity of the region, the rapid industrial development of the Kingdom, and the population growth. However, the per capita energy consumption of KSA is almost three times higher than the world average[2], explained by the presence of energy-intensive industries, harsh climate conditions, and a high energy demanding lifestyle encouraged by historical low energy prices. Link between Economic Growth and Energy Consumption Although the link between economic growth and energy consumption … Continue reading →

Why Rotational Grazing Matters?

By | | ,
Leave a comment

In a world increasingly focused on sustainable practices, agriculture stands at a critical crossroads. We’re challenged to produce more food with fewer resources while minimizing our environmental impact. Amidst this challenge, an age-old practice is experiencing a powerful resurgence, hailed as a key to unlocking a more resilient and productive future for farming: rotational grazing. But beyond the buzzwords, why does rotational grazing truly matter? And how does shifting from continuous grazing to a well-managed grazing system offer such transformative benefits? Imagine lush green pastures stretching as far as the eye can see, vibrant ecosystems teeming with life both above … Continue reading →

Eco-friendly Tyre Manufacturing for a Greener Tomorrow

By | | , ,
1 Comment

We all have a responsibility to reduce our impact on the environment. Fortunately, more of us are aware of those harmful everyday habits previous generations overlooked than ever today. For example, widespread coverage of plastic pollution has encouraged people to cut down on plastic consumption and take advantage of alternatives. And that’s a crucial aspect of building a greener global culture, considering eight million pieces of plastic enter oceans every single day, posing significant danger to marine life. One problematic product billions of people use every single day is the humble car tyre. It’s so easy to take them for … Continue reading →

Desertification in MENA – Causes and Solutions

By | | , ,
8 Comments

Desertification is a worldwide phenomenon afflicting countries all over the world. The desert is making a comeback in the Middle East, with fertile lands turning into barren wastes. According to UNDP’s 2009 Arab Human Development Report, desertification is threatening around one-fifth of the MENA region. China is experiencing desertification at an alarming rate – as much as 1,300 square miles each year. Sub-Saharan Africa is drying up, as are regions of Turkey that were once rich agricultural lands. During the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, the world’s leaders adopted the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and agreed on the desertification definition … Continue reading →