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

314 - May 2024
Editorial
Forum
Inger Andersen
Why the UN Environment Assembly is essential to a safer, more resilient planet
Inger Andersen
As geopolitical challenges and tensions escalate globally, one thing is clear: fragmented politics will not fix a fractured planet
more...

Najib Saab
Coalition of 'climate willing' partners needed
Najib Saab
Climate action is facing unprecedented challenges, due to the rise of populist movements led by the United States administration
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
more...

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
more...

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
Climate Action Has a Messaging Problem 14/9/2025
In the summer of 2024, Dutch citizens ranked climate change as the most serious problem facing the world. Just a few months later, they elected a national government that ran on a platform of pulling back its climate policies. ...more
 
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
 
EU strikes deal on climate target to cut emissions by 90% by 2040 11/12/2025
The European Union agreed on Wednesday to set a legally binding climate target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% from 1990 levels by 2040, and buy foreign carbon credits to cover 5% of the emissions cuts, goals that fell short of its original plan. ...more
 
Synthetic chemicals in food system creating health burden of $2.2tn a year, report finds 11/12/2025
Scientists issue urgent warning about chemicals, found to cause cancer and infertility as well as harming environment. ...more
 
Wind and solar power frozen out of Trump permitting push 11/12/2025
U.S. President Donald Trump's freeze on approvals for major onshore wind and solar projects is leaving thousands of megawatts of clean power capacity in limbo at a time of soaring demand for electricity, a Reuters review of permitting data and interviews with industry officials shows. ...more
 
‘Even the animals seem confused’: a retreating Kashmir glacier is creating an entire new world in its wake 11/12/2025
Kolahoi is one of many glaciers whose decline is disrupting whole ecosystems – water, wildlife and human life that it has supported for centuries. ...more
 
‘We look ridiculous’: US government website removes fossil fuels as cause of global warming 11/12/2025
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has removed any mention of fossil fuels – the main driver of global warming – from its popular online page explaining the causes of climate change. ...more
 
2025 will be world's second or third-hottest year on record, EU scientists say 10/12/2025
This year is set to be the world's second or third-warmest on record, potentially surpassed only by 2024'S record-breaking heat, the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) said on Tuesday. ...more
 
‘Food and fossil fuel production causing $5bn of environmental damage an hour’ 10/12/2025
UN GEO report says ending this harm key to global transformation required ‘before collapse becomes inevitable’. ...more
 
More than 200 environmental groups demand halt to new US datacenters 10/12/2025
Exclusive: Congress urged to act against energy-hungry facilities blamed for increasing bills and worsening climate crisis. ...more
 
Caribbean reefs have lost 48% of hard coral since 1980, study finds 10/12/2025
‘Destructive’ marine heatwaves driving loss of microalgae that feed coral, says Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network. ...more
 
UN Report: Investing in planetary health would deliver higher GDP, fewer deaths, less poverty 10/12/2025
The most comprehensive assessment of the global environment ever undertaken has found that investing in a stable climate, healthy nature and land, and a pollution-free planet can deliver trillions in additional global GDP, avoid millions of deaths and lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and hunger. ...more
 
UAE to use AI to support millions of farmers in climate fight 9/12/2025
The UAE on Monday set out ambitious plans to use artificial intelligence to deliver a critical lifeline to millions of farmers bearing the brunt of the growing threat posed by climate change. ...more
 
EU to weaken more environment reporting rules, draft document shows 9/12/2025
The European Commission has drafted proposals to cut back more EU environment laws, targeting requirements for industries to report on their pollution and waste, a draft EU document seen by Reuters showed. ...more
 
Seven EU countries pressure European Commission to rethink 2035 diesel and petrol car ban 9/12/2025
Pressure from EU countries, lawmakers and the automotive industry is likely pushing the European Commission to delay the revision of the bloc's ban on diesel and petrol cars by 2035. ...more
 
Emissions from global wildfires far higher than previously thought 9/12/2025
The total emissions of greenhouse gases and airborne particles caused by wildfires are almost 70% higher than previously assumed. Researchers at Wageningen University & Research discovered this in a long-term study conducted in collaboration with NASA, BeZero Carbon, and American universities in Maryland and Irvine, California. ...more
 
New book explores ‘visual life of climate change’ 9/12/2025
A new book suggests that the pictures we use to tell stories about climate change fundamentally shape how we respond to the issue. ...more
 
EU broadens its efforts to combat environmental crime 8/12/2025
The European Commission welcomes the EU's signature of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law. ...more
 
From extreme heat to poor mental health: How climate change is harming the workplace 8/12/2025
More than one billion workers are exposed to high heat episodes - with almost a third experiencing negative health effects. ...more
 
Heathrow expansion will harm London's climate, noise levels and air quality - Government warned 8/12/2025
Heathrow's expansion plans would undermine progress made on air quality in London, conflict with the capital's climate goals and expose residents to "harmful" levels of noise, a City Hall cross-party committee has said. The airport's proposals, which could increase the annual number of flights from 480,000 to 756,000, are gaining significant momentum, with a scheme put forward by Heathrow Airport Holdings adopted by the government last month. ...more
 
Microplastics in Mussels Raise Serious Concerns for Greek Seas 8/12/2025
Scientists have documented a worrying increase in microplastic contamination across the seas surrounding Greece, according to recent findings by researchers conducting systematic environmental testing. A new study by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) experts used mussels as natural “pollution detectors.” The team discovered widespread presence of microplastics — even in areas previously considered remote or pristine. ...more
 
Streets named after birds in Britain on rise as species’ populations plummet 8/12/2025
RSPB says growing trend for honouring species that are in decline is not matched by action on conservation. ...more
 
Morocco to secure 60% of water needs from desalination, minister says 5/12/2025
Morocco, which has endured seven years of drought, plans to supply 60% of its drinking water from treated seawater by 2030, up from 25%, its water minister said, as Rabat accelerates investment in desalination plants powered by renewable energy. ...more
 
Middle East, North Africa temperatures rising twice as fast as global average, says UN weather agency 5/12/2025
The Middle East and North Africa recorded their hottest year on record in 2024, with temperatures rising at twice the global average of recent decades, the U.N. weather agency said in a report. ...more
 
Trump proposes weaker vehicle mileage rules, cutting climate policies 5/12/2025
The proposal would significantly reduce fuel economy requirements, encouraging vehicles that burn more fuel. ...more
 
Parliament backs 'carbon monitoring' of heavy industry imports into EU 5/12/2025
European lawmakers voted to boost heavy industry imports monitoring a few days before the European Commission is due to reinforce legislation for the bloc's carbon border tax. ...more
 
Global race to secure critical minerals for weapons threatens climate, warns report 5/12/2025
Study reveals US earmarked billions to stockpile critical minerals for military use, including precision-guided weaponry and AI-driven warfare. ...more
 
 
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Arab Environment 9: Sustainable Development in a Changing Arab Climate
‎مجلة البيئة والتنمية Environment & Development‎
ان جميع مقالات ونصوص "البيئة والتنمية" تخضع لرخصة الحقوق الفكرية الخاصة بـ "المنشورات التقنية". يتوجب نسب المقال الى "البيئة والتنمية" . يحظر استخدام النصوص لأية غايات تجارية . يُحظر القيام بأي تعديل أو تحوير أو تغيير في النص الأصلي. لمزيد من المعلومات عن حقوق النشر يرجى الاتصال بادارة المجلة
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