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

314 - May 2024
Editorial
Forum
Najib Saab
Urban Greening, Water Security and Desert Ecosystem
Najib Saab
When an advocate of environment and climate action receives an invitation to talk at an international investment conference
more...

Antonio Guterres
UN Secretary-General's Statement on COP29
Antonio Guterres
COP29 comes at the close of a brutal year – a year seared by record temperatures, and scarred by climate disaster, all as emissions continue to rise
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Global Climate Leaders
Global climate leaders want COP29 to succeed but call for urgent overhaul of the process
Global Climate Leaders
It has become clear that constructive, supportive ideas developed some time ago on the COP process have been misinterpreted in today’s context
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Mathis Wackernagel
MY OBSESSION WITH OVERSHOOT
Mathis Wackernagel
There is no other possible future than a regenerative one
more...
 
 
 
Meet the
 Editor-in-Chief Najib Saab 		 
 
Selected articles News
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
 
Major boost in carbon capture and storage essential to reach 2°C climate target 27/9/2024
Large expansion of carbon capture and storage is necessary to fulfill the Paris Climate Agreement. Yet a new study led by Chalmers University of Technology, in Sweden and University of Bergen, in Norway, shows that without major efforts, the technology will not expand fast enough to meet the 2°C target and even with major efforts it is unlikely to expand fast enough for the 1.5°C target. ...more
 
Europe’s deadly floods are glimpse of future climate 25/9/2024
Central Europe's devastating floods were made much worse by climate change and offer a stark glimpse of the future for the world's fastest-warming continent, scientists say. ...more
 
Which Countries Should Pay for International Climate Finance? 18/9/2024
The world needs trillions of dollars annually to combat climate change, but questions remain as to where that funding will come from. Most at stake are poorer countries that are the least protected — and hardest hit — from the increasing ravages of heat waves, storm surges and other extreme weather events exacerbated each year by climate change. Many of these countries lack the resources to undertake a rapid and just transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy without external help. ...more
 
Air pollution levels falling across the Middle East, Abu Dhabi study finds 9/5/2025
Scientists in Abu Dhabi say stricter air quality controls, transitioning to renewable energy and monitoring vehicle emissions are behind a reduction in the levels of air pollution in parts of the Middle East. ...more
 
EU clears final hurdle for softer car CO2 emission targets 9/5/2025
European automakers will have longer to comply with EU C02 emissions targets for cars and vans and could reduce potential fines after the European Parliament gave its backing on Thursday to a softening of the rules. ...more
 
EU countries want red tape cut in energy laws, draft shows 9/5/2025
European Union countries want to include energy policies in the bloc's efforts to slash red tape for struggling industries, according to draft conclusions for a summit of EU energy ministers next month seen by Reuters. ...more
 
COP30 Brazilian presidency calls for new global climate governance 9/5/2025
The Brazilian presidency of COP30, this year's climate summit, called for new global climate governance mechanisms to help nations implement their commitments to curb global warming, according to a letter it released on Thursday. ...more
 
US renewable energy has tripled in a decade – but almost $8bn in projects now face cuts 9/5/2025
Renewable energy in the US has surged to unprecedented levels, with the combined power generated by solar, wind and geothermal more than tripling over the past decade, according to a new report by a network of state environmental groups. ...more
 
New carbon credit scheme targets 60 plants by 2030 for coal phaseout 8/5/2025
The Rockefeller Foundation aims to sign up 60 projects by 2030 to a new carbon finance scheme for phasing out coal-fired power in developing countries, it said on Wednesday, after its rulebook was given the go-ahead. ...more
 
EU lawmakers set to fast-track softer car CO2 emission targets 8/5/2025
The European Parliament cleared the way on Tuesday to rapid approval of softer EU CO2 emissions targets for cars and vans that will allow automakers more time to comply and should reduce potential fines. ...more
 
Two-thirds of global heating caused by richest 10%, study suggests 8/5/2025
Paper in Nature Climate Change journal reveals major role wealthy emitters play in driving climate extremes. ...more
 
Abandoned infrastructure one of the biggest polluters in the world – report 8/5/2025
Emissions from abandoned coalmines, oil and gas wells globally are larger than any single country except China, the US and Russia. ...more
 
Seaweed Could Reduce Methane Emissions from Grazing Cattle, New Study Shows 8/5/2025
The benefits of adding seaweed to the diets of cows confined to barns is well studied, but feeding it to cattle scattered on farm pastures and public lands poses more logistical challenges. ...more
 
'A hidden treasure': Scientists rally to protect the Gulf's overlooked seagrass meadows 7/5/2025
It feeds dugongs, shelters fish, and captures carbon faster than rainforests - so why is seagrass still overlooked? Experts gather in Abu Dhabi to change that. ...more
 
NASA Reveals 'Higher Than Expected' Sea Level Rise in 2024 7/5/2025
As global warming continues to melt Earth's glaciers, sea level rise hits all new heights. However, in 2024 a different mechanism caused most of this water volume increase. ...more
 
Aviation industry is ‘failing dramatically’ on climate, insiders say 7/5/2025
Professionals call for a fundamental transition including controlling flight numbers. ...more
 
UK falling behind on tackling microplastic pollution, scientists say 7/5/2025
Researchers call for urgent action as fragments of plastic found in human brains and pollute food, water and air. ...more
 
First-of-its-kind Hawaii bill raises tourist taxes to fund climate relief 7/5/2025
Lawmakers in Hawaii have passed first-of-its-kind legislation that will increase the state’s lodging tax to raise money for environmental protection and strengthening defenses against natural disasters fueled by the climate crisis. ...more
 
Environment Agency–Abu Dhabi launches Abu Dhabi Coral Gardens initiative, largest project of its kind in Middle East 6/5/2025
Under the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Environment Agency–Abu Dhabi (EAD), the Abu Dhabi Coral Garden initiative has been launched by the agency. The largest project of its kind in the Middle East, the project is a significant step in protecting the marine environment and enhancing marine biodiversity in Abu Dhabi. ...more
 
Reuters Exclusive: US seeks to weaken global development finance efforts, UN document shows 6/5/2025
The United States is seeking to weaken a global deal aimed at helping developing countries struggling with the impacts of climate change and other issues, an internal United Nations document seen by Reuters showed. ...more
 
Satellite view of forest biomass reveals hidden carbon trends 6/5/2025
As the newest Biomass satellite begins its journey in orbit following its launch on April 29, it brings fresh momentum to efforts aimed at understanding how forests shape our climate. ...more
 
Saharan storms ‘threaten Europe’s solar power future’ 6/5/2025
Solar power generation can be affected by dust particles, with traditional forecasting models in need of improvement, scientists say. ...more
 
Collapsing bird numbers in North America prompt fears of ecological crisis – research 6/5/2025
Study using citizen data finds three-quarters of nearly 500 species in decline, with steepest trend in areas where they once thrived. ...more
 
Revealed: Forecasts of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels soar in Trump’s first 100 days 5/5/2025
Donald Trump’s ambitions for the US to “drill, baby, drill” for more fossil fuels have ironically been hampered by the economic chaos unleashed by his own tariffs, but the US is still on track to increase oil and gas extraction, causing a surge in planet-heating emissions, a new analysis shows. ...more
 
Trump budget proposes slashes to renewable energy, farms, EPA 5/5/2025
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Friday proposed cutting billions of dollars in federal funding next year for projects including renewable energy and electric vehicle chargers, and gutting programs aimed at curbing climate change. ...more
 
Glut of early fruit and veg hits UK as climate change closes ‘hungry gap’ 5/5/2025
Warm weather means strawberries, aubergines and tomatoes have come weeks earlier than expected. ...more
 
Research organizations to keep US climate report alive in new journal 5/5/2025
Two major U.S. scientific associations on Friday called for submissions for a special compilation of research that would have fed into the National Climate Assessment, a comprehensive report on climate change impacts across the United States that was effectively canceled by the Trump administration. ...more
 
Dying satellites can drive climate change and ozone depletion, study finds 5/5/2025
Aluminium emissions from satellites as they fall to Earth and burn up is becoming more significant as their numbers soar. ...more
 
 
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