Water Usage and Human Health: a Preliminary Study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Water Usage and Human Health: a Preliminary Study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Ashwaq Alamri for the degree of Master of Science in Environmental Science presented on June 10, 2019 Title: Water Usage and Human Health: A Preliminary Study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Abstract approved: ______________________________________________________ Sunil Khanna Saudi Arabia is one of the most arid countries worldwide with limited surface water sources. In most areas of the country, there are no natural rivers or lakes and precipitation is unpredictable and low. The entire region is susceptible to climate change, especially considering that the country is experiencing unprecedented growth in population and urbanization. The purpose of this study was to understand water usage among urban households and whether water quality had a negative impact on the health of household members. Furthermore, the study aimed to explore the implementation of water conservation methods in households. The data collection took place in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia through a close- ended household survey in addition to conducting structured interviews with a microbiologist. The results suggest that water conservation methods were not used in 70% of the households. Moreover, household members were not fully aware of water-related topics such as water-borne disease, water resources, and the implication of climate change on the availability of water resources. Further, it appears that in household’s water quantity or quality did not adversely impact human health as 95% of the households reported no cases of water-borne diseases such as cholera, or hepatitis. Key Words Water conservation method, water scarcity, health outcomes. ©Copyright by Ashwaq Alamri June 10, 2019 All Rights Reserved Water Usage and Human Health: A Preliminary Study in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia By Ashwaq Alamri A THESIS Submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Presented June 10, 2019 Commencement June 2019 Master of Science thesis of Ashwaq Alamri presented on June 10, 2019 APPROVED: Sunil Khanna Major Professor, representing Environmental Science Direct of the Environmental Science Program Dean of the Graduate School I understand that my thesis will become part of the permanent collection of Oregon State University libraries. My signature below authorizes release of my thesis to any reader upon request. Ashwaq Alamri, Author ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am overjoyed that I finished writing my thesis despite all the challenges I went through; I was not in a good place emotionally writing it. I felt skeptical about my ability to complete this daunting task. Fortunately, I had nice people who helped me throughout this process. I owe them my most sincere thanks. First, I am sincerely grateful for my advisor Dr. Sunil Khanna for accepting to be my advisor. Also, I thank him for his feedback on this project. In addition, thanks go to my committee members, Dr. Lisa Gaines, Dr. Susan Shaw, and Dr. Tammy Bray, who were so kind to be willing to serve as my committee members. Also, a special appreciation goes to Dr. Gaines for being willing to serve as PI while Dr. Khanna was out of the country, thank you very much for that. Moreover, thanks go to Dr. Carolyn Fonyo, the director of the Environmental Science Graduate program, for her unconditional support, thanks for all the efforts she did to accommodate my interest in this program. Also, I want to thank Renee Freeman, receptionist/ESGP administrative assistant CEOAS student services, who was so supportive and helpful since the moment I stepped in this program. Moreover, I want to thank the Graduate school and the Graduate Success center, especially Michael Dumelle for his help with some questions regarding statistical software and data analysis. Thank you for the Graduate Writing Center Staffs, especially, Chris Nelson and Rachel Polisher; also, sincere thanks and appreciation goes to Valerie Goodness for her support and assistance with checking the entire thesis. Thank for the Valley Library for providing resources that were very helpful, thank you for Counseling & Psychological Services; I would like to express my appreciation to Michele Ribeiro and Fernando Frias for their support. Also, I am so grateful to have my wonderful friend Ayat to share this journey with. Honestly, she had the most impact on my thesis completion. She inspired me by working so hard on her own project, sharing information with me, giving some valuable advice, sharing the good news with me, and spending time together. Thank you so much dear Ayat, I always will be grateful for you. Thank you very much for contacting me and introducing yourself to me in the first place, I appreciate it. Thanks go to my parents and my sisters who were so supportive during this journey, especially, Nejood, Reem, and my favorite sister Zezo, who was checking on me every time I was not ok. I also want to thank some of my other friends who might not necessarily have had a direct impact on my thesis, but definitely they had a very positive impact on my life in other ways. I want to thank my friend Janet Selby, thank you for the time we spent together the last two years, thank you for the delicious meals you made, thank you for everything. Also I want to thank Kate, Lauri, Susan, Finn, Clara, Casey, and Andrew ( Casey, Andy, thank you so much for inviting me to study with you guys, that was so nice of you, I owe the A I got in Julie’s class to you). You guys were so nice and supportive in many ways, thank you very much. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Chapter 1: Introduction...…… ……………………………………………………… 1 1.1 Research purpose……………………………………….……………….………4 1.2 Problem Statement……………………………………………….……..………4 1.3 Thesis Layout …………………………………………………………….….6 Chapter 2: Literature Review .………… ………………………………………...….. 8 2.1Water Resources …………...…..…………………………….……….…….8 2.1.1 Surface Water……………………………………………..………………9 2.1.2 Groundwater……………………………………………………….…..….9 2.1.3 Seawater Desalination ……………………………………………………10 2.1.4 Wastewater Treatment ………………………………………………….12 2.1.5 Fog Water Harvesting ………………………………………………….13 2.1.6 Rainwater Harvesting ………………………………………………….14 2.2 Climate Change Implications…………………………………………….14 2.3 Water and Human Health ……………………….......……………..…….16 2.4 Domestic Water Use……………….......…………………………………19 2.5Water Conservation Practices……………………………………….…….20 Chapter 3: Methodology …………………………………………..............………25 3.1 Study Design and Data Collection ……………………………………...25 3.2 Recruitment and Sampling Method……...………………………………28 3.3 Instruments …....………….....…………………………………………...29 Chapter 4: Results ………………….………………………………………………31 TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Page 4.1 Household’s Survey ……………………………………………………31 4.1.1 Water and Human Health ….......……………………………………..31 4.1.2 Water Conservation Impactions ………………............……….……..35 4.2 Structured Interview .........................................................................…...38 Chapter 5: Discussion …….....……………………………………………………..39 5.1 Water Conservation Implications ……………………...……………….39 5.2 Water and Human Health ………………………...…………………..…44 5.3Limitations ……………………...…………..............................................46 Chapter 6 Conclusion ………………………………………….....………………..47 6.1 Implication and Recommendation …………….............…………………...48 Bibliography ………………………………………………………………………..51 Appendices …………………………………………………………………………56 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Saudi Arabia Map…………………………………………………………………..3 2. Summary of Saudi Arabia Water Dilemma ………………….…………………....6 3. Water Type ……………………………………..............................……………...31 4. Water Delivery Methods……................………………………………………….32 5. Shower Duration............………………………………………………………….32 6. Water Demand……………………………………………………….....………...33 7. Water Quality…………………………………………………………………….34 8. Health Outcomes……………………………………………………..........……..34 9. Eye/Skin Irritations …………………….…………..............................................35 10. Conservation Methods Applications……………………………………………..36 11. Knowledge of Water Resources ………………...................…………………….37 12. Knowledge of Climate Change ………………...................................…………..37 13. Conservation Methods Applications in Future……………..............................…42 14. Water Conservation Kit ........................................................................................43 LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. Summary of Water Resources Production In Saudi Arabia……………..….. 8 2. Household’s Survey ………………………………………………….……. 25 3. Interview Questions……………………………………………………….. 27 4. The Estimate Water Quantity that Could be Used During a Shower with Different Periods of Times and Different Devices …………..…………………………..40 LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix Page A. Consent Form (Arabic) ………………………………………………...56 B. Consent Form (English)…………………………………………………57 C. Recruitment Flyer (Arabic) ………………………………………………58 D. Recruitment Flyer (English) …………………………………………..…59 E. Household’s Survey (Arabic) …………………………………………....60 F. Interview Questions (Arabic) ……………………………………………63 LIST OF ABBREVATION MANA …………………………………. Middle East and North Africa countries TDS ……………………………………... Total Dissolved Solids PPM …………………………………….. Parts Per Million MCM ……………………………………… Million Cubic Meters Mm ………………………………………Millimeters EDCs …………………………………….Endocrine Disruptor Chemicals GPHD ……………………………………Gallon per house per day GPM……………………………………….Gallon per minute UNCED …… National Report for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development MOVE…………………………………….. Ministry of Water and Electricity 1 Chapter 1: Introduction
Recommended publications
  • Download Pre-Qualification
    Engineering, Environmental & Management Consultant SKADO Ltd Engineering, Environmental & Management Consultant. 2 Alexandra Gate,ffordd Pengam, Cardiff CF24 2SA United Kingdom Phone: +44-2920 448160 Fax: +44-29204488163 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Http://www.skadoconsult..com Http://www.skado.co.uk Engineering Environmental & Management Consultant إ ﻟﻲ ﻣﻦ ﻳﻬﻤﻪ ا ﻷ ﻣ ـﺮ To whom it may concern ﻳﺴﺮﻧﺎ ان ﻧﻘﺪم ﻟﻜﻢ ﻧﺒﺬة ﻋﻦ ﺷﺮآﺔ ﺳﻜﺎدو اﻻﺳﺘﺸﺎري ﻓﻲ We are pleased to introduce to you SKADO اﻟﻬﻨﺪﺳﺔ واﻟﺒﻴﺌﺔ واﻻدارة. & ENGINEERING, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT COMPANY . ﺳﻜﺎدو هﻲ ﺷﺮآﺔ ﻣﺘﻌﺪدة اﻻﺧﺘﺼﺎﺻﺎت ﺑﻌﻨﺎﺻﺮهﺎ اﻟﺬﻳﻦ ﻳﻔﻮق SKADO is a multi-discipline engineering company, ﻋﺪدهﻢ ﻋﻠﻰ 75 ﻣﻬﻨﺪس وﻣﺼﻤﻢ ورﺳﺎم. with a present staff of over 75 engineers, designers and draftsmen. ﻟﻘﺪ ﻗﺪﻣﺖ ﺷﺮآﺘﻨﺎ ﺧﺪﻣﺎﺗﻬﺎ ﻓﻲ ﻣﺠﺎل اﻻﺳﺘﺸﺎرات اﻟﻬﻨﺪﺳﻴﺔ ﻣﻨﺬ SKADO engineers have served industry in the Middle ﻋﺎم 1980 ﻟﺠﻬﺎت ﺣﻜﻮﻣﻴﺔ ﻣﺨﺘﻠﻔﺔ ﺣﻴﺚ ﺗﻮﻟﻰ ﻣﻬﻨﺪﺳﻮﻧﺎ East since 1980, and have provided engineering services دراﺳﺔ اﻟﺘﺼﺎﻣﻴﻢ واﺟﺮاء اﻟﺪراﺳﺎت اﻟﻬﻨﺪﺳﻴﺔ اﻟﻲ آﻞ ﻣﻦ to many governmental businesses, ministries, private اﻟﻘﻄﺎع اﻟﻌﺎم واﻟﺨﺎص. .(investors and companies (Public and Private Sector ﺳﻜﺎدو هﻲ ﺷﺮآﺔ ﻋﺎﻟﻤﻴﺔ ﻣﺘﺨﺼﺼﺔ ﻓﻲ اﻳﺠﺎد اﻟﺤﻠﻮل ﻟﻠﻤﺸﺎآﻞ SKADO is an international company specialising in the اﻟﺒﻴﺌﻴﺔ وﺧﺎﺻﺔ ﻓﻲ ﻣﻌﺎﻟﺠﺔ اﻟﻤﻴﺎﻩ واﻟﻬﻮاء واﻟﺘﻲ اﺻﺒﺤﺖ اﻟﺸﻐﻞ solving of environmental issues SPECIFICALLY اﻟﺸﺎﻏﻞ ﻟﻤﻌﻈﻢ اﻟﻘﻄﺎﻋﺎت اﻟﺤﻜﻮﻣﻴﺔ واﻟﺨﺎﺻﺔ. WATER AND AIR which are becoming more of a problem for most of public and private sectors. وﺗﺄﺗﻲ أهﻤﻴـﺔ ﺳﻜﺎدو ﻣﻦ وﺟﻮد ﺷﺮاآﺎت ﻣﻊ ﺷﺮآﺎت -The potential of SKADO is based on its associate con اﺳﺘﺸﺎرﻳﺔ ﻋﺎﻟﻤﻴﺔ اﺧﺮى واﻟﺘﻲ ﺑﺪورهﺎ ﺗﻘﺪم ﺧﺪﻣﺎﺗﻬﺎ sultants offering consultancy and design support for اﻻﺳﺘﺸﺎرﻳﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ اﻟﻤﺴﺘﻮى اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻤﻲ وﻟﺬا ﻓﺈن ﺷﺮآﺔ ﺳﻜﺎدو ﻟﺪﻳﻬﺎ -companies, contractors and public sector on a world آﻞ اﻻﻣﻜﺎﻧﺎت ﻟﺪراﺳﺔ اﻟﺘﺼﺎﻣﻴﻢ ﻟﻤﺸﺎرﻳﻊ اﻟﻤﻴﺎﻩ وﺗﻨﻘﻴﺔ اﻟﻬﻮاء wide basis.
    [Show full text]
  • OSAC Country Security Report Saudi Arabia
    OSAC Country Security Report Saudi Arabia Last Updated: August 10, 2021 Travel Advisory The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication indicates travelers should not travel due to COVID-19. The advisory further highlights that travelers should reconsider travel due to the threat of missile and drone attacks on civilian facilities. Exercise increased caution due to terrorism. Do not travel to within 50 miles of the Yemeni border, including Abha, Jizan, Najran, Khamis Mushait, and the Abha airport due to missile and drone attacks; and terrorism. In addition, do not travel to Qatif in the Eastern Province and its suburbs, including Awamiyah due to terrorism. Review OSAC’s report, Understanding the Consular Travel Advisory System. The Institute for Economics & Peace Global Peace Index 2021 ranks Saudi Arabia 125 out of 163 worldwide, rating the country as being at a Low state of peace. Crime Environment The U.S. Department of State has assessed Riyadh as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests. The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for Saudi Arabia. Emergency contact information differs in regions and cities. In the Riyadh and Makkah regions, call 911 police and fire department/civil defense. Elsewhere in Saudi Arabia, call 999 for police and 998 for the fire department/civil defense. Review the State Department’s Crime Victims Assistance brochure. Crime: General Threat Crime in Saudi Arabia has increased over recent years, but remains at levels far below most major metropolitan areas in the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Right Issue Prospectus for Malath Cooperative Insurance Company
    Right Issue Prospectus for Malath Cooperative Insurance Company Malath Cooperative Insurance Company, Saudi Joint stock company, established in accordance with Royal Decree No. M/60, dated 18/09/1427H (corresponding to 11/10/2006G) with Commercial Registration No. 1010231787, dated 07/04/1428H (corresponding to 24/04/2007G). Offering of thirty eight million (38,000,000) Ordinary Shares through Rights Issue at an Offer Price of ten Saudi Riyals (SAR 10) per Share, representing an increase in the Capital by three hundred and eighty million Saudi Riyals (SAR 380,000,000), representing 317.7% of the Company’s Share Capital. Offering Period: From 19/01/1439H (corresponding to 09/10/2017G) to 29/01/1439H (corresponding to 19/10/2017G) Malath Cooperative Insurance Company (”The Company” or “Malath”), a Saudi Joint stock company, Investors in order of the price of the offers with the highest first until all of the Rump Shares have established in accordance with Royal Decree No. M/60, dated 18/09/1427H (corresponding to been allocated, with the Rump Shares being proportionally divided among Institutional Investors that 11/10/2006G) with Commercial Registration No. 1010231787, dated 07/04/1428H (corresponding to tendered offers at the same price. Fractional Shares will be added to the Rump Shares and treated in 24/04/2007G). the same manner. All proceeds resulting from the sale of the Rump Shares shall be distributed to the The current Share Capital of the Company is one hundred and twenty million Saudi Riyals (SAR Company and any proceeds in excess of the paid Offer Price shall be distributed to the Eligible Persons 120,000,000) divided into twelve million (12,000,000) Ordinary Shares (“the Shares”) with a nominal no later than 27/02/1439H (corresponding to 16/11/2017G).
    [Show full text]
  • Private & Confidential
    vvvvvv Private & Confidential Private & Confidential Al Rajhi Capital, Riyadh, KSA – August 2020 Valuation Report (16) REAL ESTATE ASSETS, VARIOUS LOCATIONS, KSA AL RAJHI REIT FUND REPORT ISSUED 10 AUGUST 2020 ValuStrat Consulting 703 Palace Towers 6th floor, South tower 111, Jameel square Dubai Silicon Oasis Al Faisaliah Complex Tahlia Road Dubai Riyadh Jeddah United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia Tel.: +971 4 326 2233 Tel.: +966 11 2935127 Tel.: +966 12 2831455 Fax: +971 4 326 2223 Fax: +966 11 2933683 Fax: +966 12 2831530 www.valustrat.com 2 of 66 Valuation Report – (16) Portfolio of Real Estate Assets Private & Confidential Al Rajhi Capital, Riyadh, KSA – August 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 Executive Summary 4 1.1 THE CLIENT 4 1.2 THE PURPOSE OF VALUATION 4 1.3 INTEREST TO BE VALUED 4 1.4 VALUATION APPROACH 4 1.5 DATE OF VALUATION 5 1.6 OPINION OF VALUE 5 1.7 SALIENT POINTS (General Comments) 5 2 Valuation Report 8 2.1 INTRODUCTION 8 2.2 VALUATION INSTRUCTIONS/INTEREST TO BE VALUED 6 2.3 PURPOSE OF VALUATION 8 2.4 VALUATION REPORTING COMPLIANCE 9 2.5 BASIS OF VALUATION 9 2.6 EXTENT OF INVESTIGATION 11 2.7 SOURCES OF INFORMATION 12 2.8 PRIVACY/LIMITATION ON DISCLOSURE OF VALUATION 13 2.9 DETAILS AND GENERAL DESCRIPTION 13 2.10 ENVIRONMENT MATTERS 29 2.11 TENURE/TITLE 30 2.12 VALUATION METHODOLOGY & RATIONALE 32 2.13 VALUATION 39 2.14 MARKET CONDITIONS & MARKET ANALYSIS 41 2.15 VALUATION UNCERTAINTY 47 2.16 DISCLAIMER 48 2.17 CONCLUSION 48 APPENDIX 1 – PHOTOGRAPHS 3 of 66 Valuation Report – (16) Portfolio of Real Estate Assets Private & Confidential Al Rajhi Capital, Riyadh, KSA – August 2020 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE EXECUTIVE 1.1 THE CLIENT SUMMARY AND Mr.
    [Show full text]
  • COVID-19) Situation Report No
    Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Situation Report No. 29 - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Data as reported by national authorities by 23:59 local time 12 April 2020 HIGHLIGHTS SITUATION IN NUMBERS Total (new) cases in last 24 hours • Total confirmed cases 4,462 on the 12th of April, 429 new cases. • Out of the total, 761 recovered and were discharged and 7 new mortalities were Globally recorded; there are 3,642 active cases, 65 in a critical condition. 1,696,588 confirmed (85,679) • Distribution of newly reported cases: Riyadh (198), Makkah (103), Madinah (73), 105,952 deaths (6,262) Jeddah (19), Dammam (10), Yanbu (7); in addition to cases in 6 other localities; • More than 7,000 are currently quarantined, including nearly 2,000 of returning Eastern Mediterranean Region nationals who are in stable conditions. 95,945 confirmed (3,719) • 5% of individuals in quarantine have been confirmed with COVID-19. 4,943 deaths (172) • Curfew extended across the nation until further notice. Kingdom of Saudi Arabia • A baby delivered at a hospital in Madinah is the first case in Saudi Arabia to be 4,462 confirmed (429) born to a coronavirus-infected mother. 59 deaths (7) • Saudi FDA approves conducting an international clinical trial for COVID-19 in collaboration with WHO in 5 hospitals. DISTRIUBUTION OF COVID-19 CASES • Saudi CDC warns against the use of COVID-19 rapid tests for the diagnosis of COVID-19 # City Total Active • Saudi CDC releases second version of Guide to Health Requirements for Workers 1 Riyadh 1,304 990 Housing for COVID-19 (see link below), including an assessment checklist.
    [Show full text]
  • Rainfall Trends and Extremes in Saudi Arabia in Recent Decades
    atmosphere Article Rainfall Trends and Extremes in Saudi Arabia in Recent Decades Mansour Almazroui Center of Excellence for Climate Change Research/Department of Meteorology, King Abdulaziz University, P. O. Box 80208, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; [email protected] Received: 24 July 2020; Accepted: 8 September 2020; Published: 10 September 2020 Abstract: The observed records of recent decades show increased economic damage associated with flash flooding in different regions of Saudi Arabia. An increase in extreme rainfall events may cause severe repercussions for the socio-economic sectors of the country. The present study investigated the observed rainfall trends and associated extremes over Saudi Arabia for the 42-year period of 1978–2019. It measured the contribution of extreme events to the total rainfall and calculated the changes to mean and extreme rainfall events over five different climate regions of Saudi Arabia. Rainfall indices were constructed by estimating the extreme characteristics associated with daily rainfall frequency and intensity. The analysis reveals that the annual rainfall is decreasing 1 (5.89 mm decade− , significant at the 90% level) over Saudi Arabia for the entire analysis period, while it increased in the most recent decade. On a monthly scale, the most significant increase 1 1 (5.44 mm decade− ) is observed in November and the largest decrease (1.20 mm decade− ) in January. The frequency of intense rainfall events is increasing for the majority of stations over Saudi Arabia, while the frequency of weak events is decreasing. More extreme rainfall events are occurring in the northwest, east, and southwest regions of Saudi Arabia.
    [Show full text]
  • Saudi Arabia Beyond Oil: the Investment and Productivity Transformation
    SAUDI ARABIA BEYOND OIL: THE INVESTMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY TRANSFORMATION DECEMBER 2015 In the 25 years since its founding, the McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) has sought to develop a deeper understanding of the evolving global economy. As the business and economics research arm of McKinsey & Company, MGI aims to provide leaders in the commercial, public, and social sectors with the facts and insights on which to base management and policy decisions. MGI research combines the disciplines of economics and management, employing the analytical tools of economics with the insights of business leaders. Our “micro-to-macro” methodology examines microeconomic industry trends to better understand the broad macroeconomic forces affecting business strategy and public policy. MGI’s in-depth reports have covered more than 20 countries and 30 industries. Current research focuses on six themes: productivity and growth, natural resources, labor markets, the evolution of global financial markets, the economic impact of technology and innovation, and urbanization. Recent reports have assessed global flows; the economies of Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, and Japan; China’s digital transformation; India’s path from poverty to empowerment; affordable housing; the effects of global debt; and the economics of tackling obesity. MGI is led by three McKinsey & Company directors: Richard Dobbs, James Manyika, and Jonathan Woetzel. Michael Chui, Susan Lund, and Jaana Remes serve as MGI partners. Project teams are led by the MGI partners and a group of senior fellows, and include consultants from McKinsey & Company’s offices around the world. These teams draw on McKinsey & Company’s global network of partners and industry and management experts.
    [Show full text]
  • An Exploratory of Residents' Views Towards Applying Renewable
    Available online at www.sciencedirect.com ScienceDirect Energy Procedia 75 ( 2015 ) 1341 – 1347 The 7th International Conference on Applied Energy – ICAE2015 An exploratory of residents’ views towards applying renewable energy systems in Saudi dwellings Farajallah Alrasheda,*, Muhammad Asifa,b aSchool of Engineering and Built Environment, Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK bDepartment of Architectureal Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Abstract Saudi Arabia is experiencing a rapid growth in the demand for energy and residential buildings. The residential sector alone is responsible for over 50% of the total national electricity consumption. The energy supplies in Saudi Arabia are completely reliant on fossil fuels that are regarded to be the main source of greenhouse gas emissions. In order to promote sustainable development it is vital for Saudi Arabia to reduce the usage of fossil fuels. The country is yet to meaningfully explore the renewable energy recourses. Public perception is a key factor in the take-up of renewable energy in any society. Given the importance of the residential sector in the energy scenario of Saudi Arabia, the presented work aimed to investigate the acceptability of renewable energy systems (RESs) amongst the domestic users through a questionnaire based survey. It covered three RESs including solar photovoltaic (PV), micro-wind turbines and solar water heaters. The results revealed that, solar PV is the most preferred choice. © 20152015 The The Authors. Authors. Published Published by Elsevier by Elsevier Ltd. This Ltd. is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (Selectionhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ and/or peer-review under responsibility).
    [Show full text]
  • Classification of Sandstorms in Saudi Arabia
    Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, 2021, 11, 177-193 https://www.scirp.org/journal/acs ISSN Online: 2160-0422 ISSN Print: 2160-0414 Classification of Sandstorms in Saudi Arabia Ayisha A. Arishi Jazan University, Jazan, KSA How to cite this paper: Arishi, A.A. (2021) Abstract Classification of Sandstorms in Saudi Ara- bia. Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, 11, The aim of the study is to classify the Sandstorms according to year seasons as 177-193. well as their spatial variation in Saudi Arabia. Factor analysis has been used https://doi.org/10.4236/acs.2021.111012 for data collection. Three factors have been presented: the first factor related Received: November 14, 2020 to Spring as a prime Season for Dust Sandstorms. Factor two shows that Sa- Accepted: January 23, 2021 mar months concern as ascend season for Sandstorms, while the Autumn Published: January 26, 2021 Season comes as a third period for Dust Sandstorms. With regard to spatial variation, Al-Ahsa station came as the most closely related station in the Copyright © 2021 by author(s) and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. spring season, followed by Hafr Elbatten, Jazan and Al-Jouf stations, while This work is licensed under the Creative Jazan and Yenbo stations were the most connected stations in the summer Commons Attribution International season, Turaif is more closely related, to Fall season. By the end of the study License (CC BY 4.0). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ several results and recommendations have been addressed. Open Access Keywords Sandstorms, Classification, Spatial Variation, Saudi Arabia 1. Introduction Sandstorm is meteorological phenomenon in which the wind speed increases to reach between 54 and 63 km/h, the relative humidity drops to less than 70%, and is loaded with dust and sand raised from topsoil, sand wedge, sand dune, where the winds raise the dust to high altitudes of thousand meters.
    [Show full text]
  • Spatial Capital of Saudi Arabian Cities
    SPATIAL CAPITAL OF SAUDI ARABIAN CITIES TITELSPATIALSTREET CONNECTIVITY FRAMSIDA STUDY CAPITAL FOR THE OF 17 SAUDICITY PROSPERITY ARABIAN INITIATIVE RAD CITIES 2 BackgroundUndertitel report Draft June 25thDatum 2015 SPATIAL CAPITAL OF SAUDI ARABIAN CITIES STREET CONNECTIVITY STUDY FOR THE CITY PROSPERITY INITIATIVE Spatial Capital of Saudi Arabian Cities. Street connectivity study for the City Prosperity Initiative Copyright © United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) 2015 All rights reserved United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) P.O. Box 30030 00100 Nairobi GPO KENYA. Tel: 254-020-7623120 (Central Office) www.unhabitat.org HS/076/15E ISBN: 978-92-1-132684-0 Disclaimer The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries regarding its economic system or degree of development. Excerpts may be repro- duced without authorization, on condition that the source is indicated. Views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, the United Nations and its member states. Acknowledgements Authors: Eduardo López Moreno, Regina Orvañanos Murguía Background Documents: Manuel Madrid, Alexander Ståhle, Joel Hernbäck, Patrick Lamson-Hail, Pinar Caglin Data Analysis: Regina Orvañanos Murguía, Manuel Madrid, Antony Abilla Institutional Review: Claudio Acioly, Rogier van den Berg, Kamel Bouhmad, Salvatore Fundaró, Åsa Jonsson, Marco Kamiya, Robert Lewis- Lettington, Liz Paterson, Raf Tuts, Design and Layout: Regina Orvañanos Murguía Programme Future of Saudi Arabian Cities: Tarek El-Sheikh, UN-Habitat Programme Director, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • The Missile War in Yemen (CSIS)
    JUNE 2020 The Missile War in Yemen AUTHORS Ian Williams Shaan Shaikh A Report of the CSIS Missile Defense Project JUNE 2020 The Missile War in Yemen AUTHORS Ian Williams Shaan Shaikh A Report of the CSIS Missile Defense Project About CSIS The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world’s greatest challenges. Thomas J. Pritzker was named chairman of the CSIS Board of Trustees in 2015, succeeding former U.S. Senator Sam Nunn (D-GA). Founded in 1962, CSIS is led by John J. Hamre, who has served as president and chief executive officer since 2000. CSIS’s purpose is to define the future of national security. We are guided by a distinct set of values—nonpartisanship, independent thought, innovative thinking, cross-disciplinary scholarship, integrity and professionalism, and talent development. CSIS’s values work in concert toward the goal of making real-world impact. CSIS scholars bring their policy expertise, judgment, and robust networks to their research, analysis, and recommendations. We organize conferences, publish, lecture, and make media appearances that aim to increase the knowledge, awareness, and salience of policy issues with relevant stakeholders and the interested public. CSIS has impact when our research helps to inform the decisionmaking of key policymakers and the thinking of key influencers. We work toward a vision of a safer and more prosperous world. CSIS is ranked the number one think tank in the United States by the University of Pennsylvania’s “Global Go To Think Tank Index.” CSIS does not take specific policy positions; accordingly, all views expressed herein should be understood to be solely those of the author(s).
    [Show full text]
  • * Saudi Arabia Counterterrorism
    Received by_NSD/F ARA Registration Unit 05/25/2017 4:23:27 PM SAUDI* ARABIA and COUNTERTERRORISM SUMMARY: COUNTE.RTERRORISM WHiTE PAPER APRIL 2017 Saudi Arabia takes a multifaceted approach to fighting terrorism that relies on hunting down the men, cutting off the money and changing the mindset that terror organizations create and rely on. The Kingdom is committed to working in close collaboration with the U.S. and its other international partners in this fight against t_he scourge of terrorism. Combatting the Men Over the past decade, the Saudi government has fundamentaily restructured its operations tQ add re~ m1ti9niil seg.irity thre~ amt to p~of te_rroris_t atJ;acks. lhi_s ind!Jdl!$ finding iind eliminatingterrorists within the Kingdom. Saudi Arabia has successfully dismantled AI-Qa_eda's organizational presence.in the Kingdom. Saudi Special Forces continue to aggressively pursue counterterrorism operations against Al-Qaeda in Yemen, where it hasreorganized as Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). Saudi security forces maintain r_i_gorous security stan_dard_s and are cominuously train_ing on the best practices for combating terrorist threats. Saudi forces recently dismantled several terrorist cells and arrested dozens of individuals connected to terrorism, effectively preventing a number of terrorist attacks. • In early January 2017, t_he Ministry of Interior a_n_nounced th.at Saud_i Secmity Forces had arrested more than 300 foreign nationals frorh nine nations over the past two years for involvement with Daesh. In 2016, Saudi Special Forces thwarted planned and imminent terrorist attacks at the Prophet's Mosque during Pilgrimage season, the U.S. consulate during Ramadan, an international football rr_iatch at the al Jawa_hara Stadi_um i_n Jeddah, a checkpoint in Damman, tourist areas on Taro.ut lsland on the Arabian Gulf.
    [Show full text]