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Environment and development AL-BIA WAL-TANMIA Leading Arabic Environment Magazine

314 - May 2024
Editorial
Forum
Najib Saab
Fraud Threatens EU’s Green Ambitions
Najib Saab
The embezzlement of hundreds of millions of European agricultural funds in Greece is not an isolated incident
more...

Nate Blum
Sorghum and the Carbon Economy: Unlocking Nature-Based Solutions for a Warming Planet
Nate Blum
As the planet faces increasing climate-related challenges, there’s growing recognition that some of the most powerful solutions may come from the natu
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Antonio Guterres
A RESCUE PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Antonio Guterres
This month, leaders will gather in Sevilla, Spain, on a rescue mission: to help fix how the world invests in sustainable development
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Tom Pickerell
UN Ocean Conference Ends with Momentum — and Missed Chances
Tom Pickerell
There's real momentum coming out of Nice — but also a lot of unfinished business
more...
 
 
 
Meet the
 Editor-in-Chief Najib Saab 		 
 
Selected articles News
Europe’s Soaring Heat and the Great Air Conditioning Dilemma 21/8/2025
Much of Europe sweltered in August 2025 as a heat dome spread across the continent, pushing peak afternoon temperatures to over 40 degrees C (104 degrees F) in France and Spain. Meanwhile, parts of Greece, Turkey and Albania battled historic and devastating wildfires as high temperatures scorch the land. ...more
 
Planned hydrogen refuelling stations may lead to millions of euros in yearly losses 10/7/2025
As hydrogen infrastructure is rolled out in the EU, refuelling stations must be distributed according to the same principle in all countries. But now a study from Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, points to shortcomings in EU regulations. Using an advanced model, the researchers show that the distribution of refuelling stations may both be incorrectly dimensioned and lead to losses of tens of millions of euros a year in some countries. ...more
 
Ships trigger high and unexpected emissions of the greenhouse gas methane 3/7/2025
Ship traffic in shallow areas, such as ports, can trigger large methane emissions by just moving through the water. The researchers in a study, led by Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, observed twenty times higher methane emissions in the shipping lane compared to nearby undisturbed areas. Despite the fact that methane is a greenhouse gas that is 27 times as powerful as carbon dioxide, these emissions are often overlooked with today's measurement methods. ...more
 
Agricultural waste can become the clothes of the future 17/6/2025
Cellulose-based textile materials can make the clothing sector more sustainable. Currently, cellulose-based textiles are mainly made from wood, but a study headed by researchers from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden points to the possibility of using agricultural waste from wheat and oat. The method is easier and requires fewer chemicals than manufacturing forest-based cellulose, and can enhance the value of waste products from agriculture. ...more
 
Transforming waste into a public asset: Michigan State University leads next-generation anaerobic digestion innovation 10/6/2025
MSU is spearheading next-generation anaerobic digestion technologies that convert agricultural and food waste into renewable energy, recover nutrients and water, and support environmental sustainability across Michigan and the Great Lakes region. ...more
 
Massive Growth Ahead: Low Carbon Building Market Eyes $1.3 Trillion by 2033 14/5/2025
According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, the low carbon building market size was valued at $0.6 trillion in 2023, and is estimated to reach $1.3 trillion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 9.1% from 2024 to 2033. ...more
 
A Step Toward Harnessing Clean Energy From Falling Rainwater 23/4/2025
When two materials come into contact, charged entities on their surfaces get a little nudge. This is how rubbing a balloon on the skin creates static electricity. Likewise, water flowing over some surfaces can gain or lose charge. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Central Science have harnessed the phenomenon to generate electricity from rain-like droplets moving through a tube. They demonstrate a new kind of flow that makes enough power to light 12 LEDs ...more
 
Difficult and costly energy transition unless the EU invests in biomass 22/4/2025
Biomass is currently the EU’s largest renewable energy source, but climate strategies often focus on other energy sources. A comprehensive analysis, led by Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, now shows that biomass is crucial for Europe's ability to reach its climate targets, as it can be used to produce fossil-free fuels and chemicals and also enables carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere. If biomass were excluded from the European energy system, it would cost an extra 169 billion Euros per year – about the same as the cost of excluding wind power. ...more
 
Renting clothes for sustainable fashion – niche markets work best 27/3/2025
Renting clothes can reduce the fashion industry's enormous environmental impact, but so far, the business models have not worked very well. The best chance of success is for a rental company to provide clothing within a niche market, such as specific sportswear, and to work closely with the suppliers and clothing manufacturers. This is shown by a study led by researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, which highlights the measures that can make clothing rental a success. ...more
 
Ice stupas of the Ladakh desert: an ingenious solution to water scarcity – a picture essay 28/1/2025
Farmers in the northern Indian region used to rely on snow and glacier meltwater, but the climate crisis is disrupting the water cycle – which means new ways of storing water are needed ...more
 
Toxic waste from world's deadliest gas leak fuels protests in India 23/1/2025
Vegetable vendor Shivnarayan Dasana had never seen so many policemen descend on his village in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. ...more
 
Natural disasters in the past 12 months have been the most costly and impactful stretch of extreme weather in America in 90 years 18/1/2025
Experts at AccuWeather say extreme weather events and disasters in the past 12 months have had the costliest and most widespread impacts that Americans have faced in nearly a century.    ...more
 
Arab-Israeli Environmental Cooperation: A Controversial Path to Peace Amid Ecocide 28/11/2024
On August 30, 2024, amid the Israeli aggression on Lebanon, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced that Lebanon joined the Saudi-led Middle East Green Initiative (MGI), describing the step as crucial, especially for southern border towns and villages that are suffering significant environmental and agricultural damage. ...more
 
CO2 & Waste-Derived Bioplastics: Pioneering Sustainable Manufacturing 22/11/2024
As the world grapples with the environmental impact of traditional plastics, bioplastics derived from carbon dioxide (CO2) and waste materials present a promising solution. This emerging sustainable market seeks to address two critical global challenges: reducing greenhouse gas emissions and managing waste. By converting CO2 and waste into useful bioplastics, scientists and companies are pioneering technologies that could revolutionize the way we produce and consume plastics. ...more
 
The blue-green sustainable proteins of seaweed may soon be on your plate 15/11/2024
The protein in sea lettuce, a type of seaweed, is a promising complement to both meat and other current alternative protein sources. Seaweed also contains many other important nutrients, and is grown without needing to be watered, fertilised or sprayed with insecticides. However, the proteins are often tightly bound, and their full potential has not yet been realised on our plates.  But now researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, in Sweden, have found a new way to extract these proteins three times more efficiently than before – and this progress paves the way for seaweed burgers and protein smoothies from the sea. ...more
 
Industry royally champions sustainable floriculture project led by Coventry University 9/10/2024
Coventry University is leading a project to reduce plastic, packaging and waste in the British cut-flower industry. ...more
 
IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 to foster global environmental collaboration in Abu Dhabi 2/9/2025
Organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and co-hosted by UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 will take place in Abu Dhabi from 9-15 October 2025. The congress is expected to see the launch of impactful international initiatives that are set to attract wide global attention, given their pivotal role in shaping the future of environmental action and advancing nature conservation worldwide. ...more
 
World Bank urges fresh push on economic threat of pollution 2/9/2025
Degraded land, polluted air and water stress pose a direct global economic threat but using natural resources more efficiently could cut pollution by half, one of the World Bank's senior managing directors told Reuters. ...more
 
Climate change kills, Spanish PM tells deniers at launch of plan to tackle crisis 2/9/2025
Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has announced a 10-point plan to prepare the country for the climate emergency, warning: “If we don’t want to bequeath our children a Spain that’s grey from fire and flames, or a Spain that’s brown from floods, then we need a Spain that’s greener.” ...more
 
UK summer was its warmest since records began, says Met Office 2/9/2025
Britain has experienced its warmest summer since records began in 1884 and is now more likely to see similar hot weather in the future due to human-induced climate change, the Met Office weather forecaster said on Monday. ...more
 
Swiss court to consider climate case by Indonesia islanders against Holcim 2/9/2025
A court in Switzerland will decide on Wednesday whether to hear a legal complaint against Swiss giant Holcim (HOLN.S), one of the world's biggest cement makers, that alleges the company is doing too little to cut carbon emissions and so contributing to global warming. ...more
 
Trump nixes $679m in funding for offshore wind farms amid fossil fuel push 1/9/2025
The cancellation is Trump’s latest move against renewable energy, which the US president has dismissed a ‘scam’. ...more
 
Scientists breathe new life into climate website after shutdown under Trump 1/9/2025
Climate.gov, which went dark this summer, to be revived by volunteers as climate.us with expanded mission. ...more
 
Hot dry summer impacting wildlife, experts say 1/9/2025
The hot, dry summer has put extra stress on natural environments, a conservation charity said. ...more
 
How flash droughts driven by climate change sparked record wildfires in Spain 1/9/2025
Flash droughts are rapidly becoming one of the most dangerous weather extremes linked to climate change. In a matter of weeks, they can turn lush forests into tinder ready to burn, as demonstrated by the devastating fires in Spain in August 2025. ...more
 
An Environmental Villain, Reconsidered (Book Review) 1/9/2025
The award-winning science writer Peter Brannen makes the case for an often vilified compound in “The Story of CO2 Is the Story of Everything.” ...more
 
Latin America and Caribbean: Millions more children could face poverty due to climate change 29/8/2025
Climate change could push at least 5.9 million more children and young people in Latin America and the Caribbean into poverty by 2030 unless governments act now.  ...more
 
Climate change made deadly wildfires in Turkey, Greece and Cyprus more fierce, study finds 29/8/2025
Climate change that has driven scorching temperatures and dwindling rainfall made massive wildfires in Turkey, Greece and Cyprus this summer burn much more fiercely, said a new study released Thursday. ...more
 
Humans inhale as much as 68,000 microplastic particles daily, study finds 29/8/2025
Particles are small enough to burrow into lungs, says report, with health impacts ‘more substantial than we realize’. ...more
 
Collapse of critical Atlantic current is no longer low-likelihood, study finds 29/8/2025
Scientists say ‘shocking’ discovery shows rapid cuts in carbon emissions are needed to avoid catastrophic fallout. ...more
 
Mexico's jaguar population is up 30% since 2010, but still at risk 29/8/2025
Mexico's jaguar population has increased significantly in recent years but the largest feline in the Americas is still in danger of extinction, said a Mexican advocacy group that released a national census of the animals on Wednesday. ...more
 
Deforestation has killed half a million people in past 20 years, study finds 28/8/2025
Localised rises in temperature caused by land clearance cause 28,330 heat-related deaths a year, researchers find. ...more
 
Extreme rain in China caused $2.2 billion in road damage, further straining public purse 28/8/2025
Extreme rainfall across swathes of China caused over 16 billion yuan ($2.24 billion) in road damage, the transport ministry said on Wednesday, highlighting how climate risks are placing additional pressure on the ailing economy's public purse. ...more
 
Methane emissions rising in beef-rich Brazil, climate group 28/8/2025
Brazil's methane emissions increased 6% between 2020 and 2023, when the world's largest beef exporter released 21.1 million tons of the potent greenhouse gas, its second-highest level ever. ...more
 
UK’s richest set to produce 13 times more transport emissions than poorest by 2035 28/8/2025
Thinktank predicts wider inequality gap and calls for revised policies to tackle flying and excess private car use. ...more
 
Parked cars are heating up cities by significantly contributing to urban heat island effect—especially darker cars 28/8/2025
The urban heat island effect describes the way urban areas get significantly warmer than the surrounding rural or suburban areas. There are a number of reasons why this occurs, although it can mostly be boiled down to the fact that there are fewer green spaces containing plants that cool off the surrounding air by evapotranspiration and more buildings and roads, which all have a tendency to hold more heat from the sun and keep the city warmer. ...more
 
Record wildfires burn more than 1 million hectares of EU land this year 27/8/2025
Wildfires have burned more than a million hectares of land in the European Union this year so far, the highest amount in any year since official records began in 2006, EU data showed. ...more
 
China Finds Buyers for Surplus Solar: Africa’s Energy-Hungry Countries 27/8/2025
Overproduction in China has led to slashed prices, and buyers on the continent are taking advantage to sharply increase investments in clean energy. ...more
 
Nature loss will cut UK GDP by 5% without action from private sector, say experts 27/8/2025
Report finds regenerative approach could yield economic benefits while helping to meet environmental targets ...more
 
China's carbon market to introduce absolute emissions caps from 2027 27/8/2025
China will tighten its carbon trading market by introducing absolute emissions caps in some industries for the first time starting by 2027, the cabinet said on Monday evening. ...more
 
Apple Watch not a 'CO2-neutral product,' German court finds 27/8/2025
Apple can no longer advertise its Apple Watch as a "CO2-neutral product" in Germany, following a court ruling on Tuesday that upheld a complaint from environmentalists, finding that the U.S. tech company had misled consumers. ...more
 
 
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