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Role of International Solidarity in Environmental Conservation

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Environment is a global public good and a prerequisite for the enjoyment of human rights. Environment has no respect for international boundaries and borders, and belongs to all countries and peoples. However, the capacity of environment is limited and a common issue for the entire mankind is to conserve this limited global environment so that all people on earth (and coming generations) can enjoy a healthy life. The Right to Healthy Environment The right to a healthy and sustainable environment is getting increasing importance in the light of climate change concerns. With fast-changing geo-political situations and ever-increasing conflicts, conservation of … Continue reading →

مستقبل المدن الذكية المستدامة: حالات دراسية من نيوم ومدينة مصدر

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ينتشر مصطلح ما نسميه اليوم “المدن الذكية” على نطاق واسع دلالة على ظاهرة المدن التكنو-حضرية، خصوصاً في العقد الثاني من القرن الحادي والعشرين. وقد وصلت العديد من المدن الكبرى إلى مستويات عالية من التحدي لمواكبة التحول العالمي المرتبط بهذا الخصوص، والذي من شأنه أدى الى تطورات جديدة ومتعددة وصولاً لأحدث معايير الحياة الذكية والمستدامة. وبالرغم من ذلك، فإن بعض هذه المدن تجاوزت تلبية التوقعات المطلوبة، بل قامت بإعادة تعريفها، فمثلاً تعد مدينة نيوم ومدينة مصدر في الشرق الأوسط من أكثر المدن الرائدة في هذا المجال الطموح، إذ أنهما تعيدان تشكيل الحياة الحضرية من خلال تصاميم ذكية تهدف إلى الحد من … Continue reading →

Solar Energy in Oman: Potential and Progress

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Solar 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 … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

معوقات التنمية الزراعية وطرق التغلب عليها

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أقر الله سبحانه في كثير من الآيات في كتابه العزيز حول أهمية الزراعة وأنه هو الذي يحي الأرض وهو الذي يخرج الحب ويجعل الجنات ويفجّر الأنهار. يقول الله تعالى في سورة يس: (وَآيَةٌ لَهُمُ الْأَرْضُ الْمَيْتَةُ أَحْيَيْنَاهَا وَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهَا حَبّاً فَمِنْهُ يَأْكُلُونَ وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا جَنَّاتٍ مِنْ نَخِيلٍ وَأَعْنَابٍ وَفَجَّرْنَا فِيهَا مِنَ الْعُيُونِ) (يّـس32،34) كما ورد التأكيد على شرف العمل الزراعي وديموميته إلى يوم القيامة في كثير من الاحاديث النبوية الشريفة ومنها في الحديث الشريف عن الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم: “إذا قامت الساعة وفي يد أحدكم فسيلة فليغرسها”. يعتبر القطاع الزراعي من أهم القطاعات الحيوية ومن ركائز التنمية الاقتصادية التي … Continue reading →

Why Battery Energy Storage is an Unsustainable Solution in a Zero Carbon Future

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Batteries rarely come up in discussions about sustainable energy. People tend to think of only solar panels, wind turbines, and other devices that capture energy from the atmosphere. However, the fact is that without a form of energy storage, the vast majority of the captured energy would be wasted. Plus, without storage, the environmental limitations of renewable energy will be insurmountable. If we can only use solar energy when the sun is out or wind energy when the wind is blowing, then we’ll never be able to power civilization over the long run. The unfortunate effect of that common oversight is that people … Continue reading →

الشرق الأوسط يستعد لمواجهة الاحتباس الحراري وسوق الكربون

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تعد منطقة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا من أكثر المناطق عرضة للتغير المناخي، بسبب ندرة المياه، والاعتماد الكبير على الزراعة الحساسة للمناخ، وتركيز السكان والنشاط الاقتصادي في المناطق الساحلية الحضرية، ووجود المناطق المتضررة من النزاع. وعلاوة على ذلك، فإن المنطقة هي واحدة من أكبر المساهمين في انبعاثات الغازات المسببة للاحتباس الحراري وذلك بسبب ازدهار اقتصاد النفط والغاز فيها. وقد تسبب اعتماد العالم على موارد الطاقة في منطقة الشرق الأوسط في الحصول على أكبر معدلات آثار الكربون للفرد الواحد في جميع أنحاء العالم. وليس من المفاجىء أن تكون انبعاثات الكربون في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة ما يقرب من 55 طن للفرد الواحد، أكثر من … Continue reading →

Why Airports Should Go Green: Case Study from Bahrain

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Can airports ever be green? This is an overwhelming concept in a carbon-driven, and carbon-intensive industry. The reality is that air travel is often the only realistic option for the movement of both people and cargo in the current lifestyle and demands encompassed with time constraints. This is especially critical for the island nation of Bahrain that is so heavily dependent on air travel in terms of food security. With over 90% of all goods: perishable and manufactured, imported into the nation, this carbon-intensive industry is not going to disappear. Airports themselves, may only contribute 5% to the carbon emissions … Continue reading →

Runoff and Floodwater Farming – Examples from MENA and American SW

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To better understand the options for runoff agriculture, below is a review of some of the imaginative and effective techniques developed for use of runoff and floodwaters in the MENA region and the American Southwest (SW). Experimentation and experience over more than 5,000 years led to remarkable systems that enabled people to live well even in some of the most arid environments. These systems can be built and maintained by local people using available tools. Two major goals are to hold the water back so it doesn’t run off and to concentrate the water so that even the most arid … Continue reading →

What is a Solar Power Bank?

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The introduction of solar power bank has been among the top energy storage solutions in recent years. Thanks to it, people no longer have to experience the horror of running out of power at a critical point or worry about their devices going off at an impromptu moment. Read on to find out what a solar power bank is and why you should consider getting one. What is a Solar Power Bank? A solar power bank is an energy storage device that obtains energy from the sun and uses it to charge/power various electronic gadgets, like phones, tablets, laptops, torches, … Continue reading →

The Importance of an Environmentally-Friendly Hajj

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Despite the spiritual perfection of the rites of the Hajj pilgrimage, there are some deep issues with its practical implementation. In a journey where one is meant to recalibrate one’s consciousness of the one true Creator, it seems paradoxical that such an excursion should lead to environmental harm (or destruction). Why is it then that I walk the street of the Haram (sacred land) and find them littered with boxes of chicken and rice, strewn on the curb in front of beggars who offer to pray for you in exchange of spare change? A Deluge of Waste In 7:31, the … Continue reading →

Runoff and Floodwater Farming in the MENA and SW North America

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When it rains some water enters the soil, the rest runs off. As it gathers strength it becomes the floodwater 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[1]. 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. 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 … Continue reading →