$100 BILLION Thirst for Water and Still Rising

issue 000 - 2008 en.v water edition

POCKETBOOK World Future Energy COMMERCE A Precious Commodity PEOPLE & SOCIETY Jose M. Figueres THE VERVE Green is the new Black CREATIVE CONSCIOUS Art Festival IMPRESSIONS Beirut Rising THINK FORWARD Coming Soon...

$100 BILLION thirst for water and still rising

issn 1998-1023

a publication dedicated to social responsibility in the Arab world

TREE OF HOPE

The Tree of Hope is dedicated to organizations and individuals who support en.v as we embark on a thought-provoking journey. Log on to envearth.com and download our mediakit to learn more about how you can support en.v’s initiatives.

4 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 5 CONTENTS en.v 1 en.v 4 Tree of Hope 6 Editor’s Letter 7 Opinion: The Green Step Forward

9 POCKETBOOK 10 Lingo p.16 11 Statistics 12 Calendar 13 Trends

15 COMMERCE 16 Initiatives: Dubai Cares 17 Economics: Capitalizing on Our Capital 18 Business: A Precious Commodity

20 PEOPLE & SOCIETY p.21 21 Culture: Tradition Lost 22 Community: Out of Africa 25 Personality: Making A Diﬀerence, One Heritage Building at a time 27 Corporate Social Responsibility: One Earth - One Source 30 Informed: The Water Crisis 35 Leader: Jose Mario Figueres 38 Innovation: Constructive Measures are Being Taken to Conserve Water

p.22 40 THE VERVE 41 Fashion: Green is The New Black 42 Food: Arabesque Guacamole 43 Shopping: A Few Easy Tips on How to be Eco- friendlyDuring The Holidays 44 Sports: Play Clean Stay Green 45 Travel: Eco-Luxury On Orxy Land

47 CREATIVE CONSCIOUS 48 Film p.35 49 Books: 3 Books 50 Music: 4 Albums 51 Art: Gulf Environmenta Art Festival 52 Design

54 IMPRESSIONSBeirut Rising

56 Directory

p.54

4 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 5 EDITOR’S LETTER

en.v

Dear Reader,

In the past, we were brought up to consume. We were taught to follow through with our choices and feel success MANAGING EDITOR CIRCULATION DIRECTOR from our achievements. Zahed Sultan Abdulwahab Al Ghanim Today, a new type of citizen is emerging. Their eyes are CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ADVERTISING open and look for change. Deena Al Shatti El Boutique Creative Group They think out loud, without fear of judgment, and pursue ARABIC TRANSLATION PUBLISHING their passions without fear of disappointment. They & EDITING El Boutique Creative Group are proactive, dynamic, and Sara Abdul Aziz motivate others to follow PRINTING suit. ARABIC CONSISTENCY Atlas Printing Press L.L.C. Through them, we will Abdulwahab M. Rabie ﬁnd change. We will feel CONTACT challenged and, in turn, CONTRIBUTORS www.envearth.com challenge others. They are a contemporary breed of Sandra Al Saleh www.elboutique.com do-gooders. Reham Al Samarei Lashea Delaney ALL CONTENT COPYRIGHT I like to call them‘the Sarah Schmidhofer en.v 2008 creative conscious.’ Nouf Sultan This month, my team and I Tahir Sultan unearth en.v. Nasser Al Qatami Mariam Al Foudery Through en.v, we seek to inspire and inform. We Sara Al Ramadhan endeavor to ﬁnd individuals, George Dardarian groups, and organizations from around the region that ARTWORK are working towards a more thought conscious tomorrow Mo Jamal and give them credit for their work. PHOTOGRAPHY Alfred Moussa We invite you to participate in our pursuit to raising Karim Dakki awareness. The world bottled water LAYOUT DESIGN market represents an annual Zahed Sultan volume of 89 billion liters. Zahed Sultan no one drinks more than the TECHNICAL DESIGN Italians (107 liters per year Huzaifa Rajodwala per inhabitant).

6 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 7 OPINION

The Green Step Forward Shagufta Rahman

b. a-b. Beirut campaign to generate awareness for rising sea levels.

Customer values are shifting towards supporting business organizations that have adapted environmentally sustainable practices.

The future of our planet depends can equal a stronger bottom line but on the decisions we take today ‒ as it can also mean inspiring the commu- both consumers and corporations. It is nity around them. The act of behaving becoming increasingly important for responsibly, known as Corporate Social businesses to turn green: to be ethical Responsibility (CSR), is a growing trend. risen to new heights in elite markets. and responsible, taking the environment While it is still a voluntary action, more Others are doing their bit as well, in the and the communities around them into and more organizations are realizing its social arena. Richard Branson of Virgin consideration. importance Airlines and Bono of the band U2 are working in Africa to help end AIDS and Many see Earth’s resources as dispens- Customer values are shifting towards poverty. Tesco, Wal-Mart, Carrefour and able. But with research showing that supporting business organizations that Marks & Spencer are other examples of resources are slowly dwindling, it is have adapted environmentally sustain- CSR driven entities. clear that we have a responsibility able practices. As consumers, people to preserve our Earth and to help its have the power to influence and change While there are many ways to make a rejuvenation. While taking small steps business practices. More and more, difference, in your home and in your at home is one way to go, businesses customers are looking at dealing with a way of life, CSR is a new trend that not also need to take the environment into supplier that is responsible ‒ environ- many are following. It isn’t just about account. mentally and socially. Ben & Jerry’s ice turning off the lights when you leave cream became famous for its approach the room ‒ it’s about going further. The corporate world bears a large to eco-responsible business ethics. The By doing business (both personal and amount of responsibility. Business late Anita Roddick of The Body Shop work) with companies that behave in a decisions can be powerful and influ- was one of the first entrepreneurs of socially responsible way, we can help ential. Making a value-based decision ‘Ethical Retail’ whose products have make a difference. en.v

6 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Zahed Sultan envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 7

POCKETBOOK

ONE DROP PER SECOND EQUALS 7000 LITERS OF WATER WASTED PER YEAR POCKETBOOK Lingo

Measure of carbon dioxide units indicating the impact your CARBON FOOTPRINT company’s activities have on the environment in terms of greenhouse gases.

CONSERVATION Preservation or restoration from loss, damage, or neglect.

A concept whereby organizations consider the interests of society by taking responsibility for the impact of their activities CSR on customers, employees, shareholders, communities and the environment in all aspects of their operations.

An ecological community together with its environment, ECOSYSTEM functioning as a unit.

Water obtained from common household chores like washing dishes, doing laundry and taking baths that can be recycled GREY WATER and reused.

Inability of a substance to be broken down, and retaining its NON BIODEGRADABLE form for an extended period of time.

RECYCLE To put or pass through a cycle again, as for further treatment.

Capable of being continued with minimal long-term eﬀect on SUSTAINABLE the environment.

Virtual water is the amount of water that is embedded in food or other products needed for its production. For example, to VIRTUAL WATER produce one kilogram of wheat we need about 1,000 liters of water.

The total volume of freshwater that is used to produce the WATER FOOTPRINT goods and services consumed by the individual, business or nation.

For crops, it means they were grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artiﬁcial fertilizers, human waste, or ORGANIC sewage sludge, and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives.

10 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 11 POCKETBOOK Statistics

THE WORLD’S GOLF COURSES GUZZLE A MIND BOGGLING 10 BILLION LITERS OF 1 WATER A DAY. 2 THAT’S ENOUGH WATER TO SUSTAIN A SINGLE FAMILY HOUSEHOLD FOR APPROXIMATELY 5000 3 DAYS. 75 LITERS OF WATER 5000 LITERS OF WATER CAN BE SAVED IF CAN BE SAVED BY EATING WE TURN OFF WATER 75 GRAMS LESS MEAT WHILE BRUSHING OUR A WEEK. 4 TEETH FOR 1 WEEK. 1” OF RAIN ON AN AVERAGE ROOF GIVES YOU OVER 3600 LITERS OF WATER FOR YOUR 5 GARDEN OR TREES. 6 3600 LITERS OF 50 LITERS OF WATER IS WATER IS SAVED BY USED BY A PERSON IN USING A FRONT LOADING THE SHOWER. WASHING MACHINE IN 7 50 DAYS. 8 9 THAT’S HALF THE WEIGHT THE AVERAGE OF WATER THAT WOMEN EUROPEAN USES 10 IN AFRICA AND ASIA TIMES (200 LITERS) CARRY ON THEIR HEADS THAT WATER EVERY (COMMONLY 20KG.) DAY.

THAT’S ENOUGH WATER TO FULFILL THE NEEDS OF THE AVG. PERSON IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD FOR 10 20 DAYS. 10 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Shutterstock envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 11 POCKETBOOK Calendar

World Future Energy Summit - 21 - 23.01.08 The world’s largest conference and exhibition on renewable and future energy solutions, innovations, policy and vision. Speakers include Lord Norman Foster of Foster and Partners, and Dr Gerd Leipold, CEO of Greenpeace International. www.wfes08.com

Earth Day - 20.03.08 The idea of Earth Day was ﬁrst introduced by John McConnell at a UNESCO Conference on the Environment in 1969. It has been a traditional global occasion since 1970.

MIDDLE EAST SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE 17-19 January 2008 La Royal Hotel, Amman, Jordan

ARABLAB EXPO 10-13 February 2008 Dubai International Exhibition Center Dubai, UAE www.arablab.com

RECSHOW 17-20 February 2008, Kempinski Hotel Ishtar, Dead Sea, Jordan www.eng-forum.com/recshow

CLEANBUSINESS 11-12March 2008 ENpark, Dubai, UAE www.enpark.ae

issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Shutterstock، Mo Jamal envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 13 12 POCKETBOOK Trends

Recycling Rachel Ray Everyone knows Rachel Ray as the new Martha Stewart. Now she can be known for doing something even Oprah’s magazine couldn’t deliver.

Starting October 2007, her popular magazine Everyday Her Checks Don’t Lie With Rachel Ray is being A Nobel Gift Columbian pop singer printed on 85% recycled Former Vice President Al Shakira has donated $40 paper. The chlorine-free Gore has announced he will million dollars towards relief recycled paper is 10 percent donate all the money he will efforts in Peru and Nicara- post-consumer waste and 85 receive for the 2007 Nobel gua. Peru was hit hard by percent post-printing waste, Peace Prize to charity. an earthquake last August, according to the magazine. leaving hundreds of people Gore won the award for his dead and thousands injured. “We’re printing our maga- environmental work, calling Meanwhile, Nicaragua is also zine on recycled paper and people’s attention to the saving 11,500 trees with in a state of emergency after The Punkiest Store in LA. threat of climate change as Hurricane Felix, which wiped every issue̶that’s 115,000 highlighted in his film An trees a year!’ Ray wrote Remember Punky Brewster? out entire villages, leaving She’s all grown up and Inconvenient Truth. Gore, 160,000 people affected. in the November issue’s who shared the award with editor’s note. To borrow her ready to do some good. Soleil Moon Frye, former star of the United Nations Intergov- The singer donated the mon- catch phrase ‒ how good is ernmental Panel on Climate that? the show, recently opened ey from the Latin America an eco-friendly children’s Change, will receive half of for Solidarity Foundation boutique in Los Angeles. the total $1.56 million prize (ALAS), a foundation she money for the award. co-founded in 2006. ALAS’s The Little Seed is a chil- donations are providing dren’s specialty boutique shelter and basic necessi- that exclusively carries eco- ties to over 37,000 people. friendly and organic prod- Shakira also announced that ucts. The store’s goal was to another $5 million will be create a one-stop shop for donated by ALAS to be spent parents seeking products on health and education in from skincare to bedding to Latin American countries. toys. All products are made with organic or eco-friendly materials. Sample products include sustainable furniture, non-toxic crayons and paints, and a great selection of organic toys. But the products aren’t the only things that are green. The entire store environment is safe and non-toxic, from the paint on the walls to the recycled shopping bags.

12 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Shutterstock envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 13

COMMERCE

44% OF THE WATER USED BY HOUSEHOLDS IS USED OUTDOORS COMMERCE Initiatives

Dubai Cares Sara Al Ramadhan

134 million children between the ages of seven and 18 have never been to school.

ings, walk-a-thons and school renova- tions, Dubai Cares is pushing to reach their target of educating one million poverty stricken children. Other projects include contributing teaching materials and recreational equipment, as well as sponsoring school scholarships and feeding programs.

Dubai Cares is the U.A.E.’s contribution to the U.N. Millennium Develop- ment Goals ‒ a set of eight goals by the U.N., ranging from extreme poverty to HIV/AIDS. One of the goals aims to achieve universal primary education by the year 2015. Sheikh Al Maktoum has repeatedly emphasized that education is key to ending poverty.

Stories posted on Dubai Cares’ website (www.dubaicares.ae) showcase fundraising success stories and personal experiences. One story tells of a teacher Every second child in the world the vicious circle of poverty,” Sheikh auctioning her wedding dress and suffers from poverty, and 121 million Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime giving all the proceeds to the organiza- of them go uneducated, according to Minister, states on his website. tion. Another story describes students UNICEF. Although individuals may recruiting their parents and friends to participate in helping to eliminate such Although organizations, such as the participate in running and swimming tragedies, few major Arab organizations Arab Fund for Economic and Social contests for Dubai Cares. Monetary exist solely to address this issue. Dubai Development, participate and contrib- donations were collected for each lap Cares, a United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) ute to education it’s usually on a social that was swam or ran. non-profit organization has been a service level. In contrast, Dubai Cares recent exception. is one of the first organizations entirely Although there are numerous individual focused on education for underprivi- efforts supporting the cause, the orga- In an attempt to unify and educate leged children. nization holds major fund raising events the Emirati people on the devastating as well. During Dubai Cares Week, for nature of poverty, Sheikh Mohmammed According to care.org, about 134 mil- example, Disney’s Philharmonic Concert Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has attempted lion children between the ages of seven donated all proceeds from ticket sales to vocalize his mission.“If we want to and 18 have never been to school. In to the organization. It is through such champion prosperity and progress, we the Middle East in particular, women efforts that Sheikh Al Maktoum has cannot ignore poverty. We should there- are three times as likely to go unedu- expressed his commitment, not just to fore emphasize the role of education as cated than men. Through a variety of raising money but also to raising aware- the most powerful weapon in breaking projects, including community gather- ness. en.v

16 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 17 COMMERCE Economics

Capitalizing on our Capital Mariam Al Foudery

to the World Bank Trends in Mathemat- ics and Sciences Study (TIMSS). We are not going to see the next Silicone Valley popping up in the Arabian Desert anytime soon.

Unfortunately, the high-tech industry is For the first time since the early new skills or an open investment cli- not the only one the region will be un- 1980s, the Arabian Gulf is reliving the mate to create new jobs. able to take advantage of. By and large, glories of the petrodollar age. With Middle Eastern economies are not in- the price of oil reaching over $70 a Although the Middle East has made vestment-friendly towards any business barrel, the oil exports of countries like important strides in education, with currently. The costs of starting a new Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emir- literacy rates more than doubling in business are high, contract enforcement ates, Kuwait, Qatar, Libya, Oman and almost every Arab country since the is riddled with delays and unneces- Bahrain have more than doubled in 1960s, too many are still being left sary complexity, and the transport and the last three years. Today, oil exports behind. Female literacy rates in every telecommunications sectors are weak. from these countries alone translate country but Lebanon are about 20 To once again put this into perspective, into a $440 billion annual revenue percent lower than men’s and almost if Singapore is the easiest country in stream that is helping fuel a regional 10 million children worldwide are out the world to do business in overall, the construction and consumer boom on of school today, according to UNICEF. UAE is number 68, Jordan is number an unprecedented scale. Neither the ski 80, Lebanon is 85, Yemen is 113, and slopes of Dubai nor the couture shops Perhaps even more worryingly, the edu- Egypt is 126, according to the World that have become synonymous with the cation that children are receiving will Bank. And wealth does not necessarily region help answer the question of how not necessarily make them competitive improve the situation. Oil-rich Kuwait the Middle East will sustain its current in the global marketplace. Countries like ranks as number 121 in terms of ease growth rate of six percent per year go- Kuwait rank 54 places lower than coun- of starting a new business - not so far ing forward though. tries with comparable income levels in above the Democratic Republic of the educational achievement, according to Congo at number 146. The reality is stark: 58 percent of the an educational performance index cre- population is under the age of 25 and ated by OXFAM. Saudi Arabia ranks 48 The writing on the wall is clear: Arab there are five to eight new entrants to places, Qatar 38 places and Oman 36 countries are not capitalizing on their the job market for every person retiring. places lower, according to the same in- capital, human or financial. If petro- Yet despite the fact that both unemploy- dex. To put this in relative terms, whilst dollars are not translated into much- ment and youth unemployment rates in the percentage of student reaching the needed reforms soon, the Middle East the Middle East are already the highest “low” international benchmark for region will run the risk of fulfilling an in the world after sub-Saharan Africa, math is only 1 percent in Singapore, it is old Arab proverb that warns of the“the Arab countries are still not investing 32 percent in Lebanon and a whopping camel going into labor and producing a heavily enough in education to create 81 percent in Saudi Arabia, according mouse.”en.v

16 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Shutterstock envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 17 COMMERCE Business

A Precious Commodity

A Precious Commodity George Dardarian

Water is the single most important economic input to the global economy and, more specifically, to individual enterprises. The disparity between supply of and demand for clean water is an inevitable problem; yet the persistent demographic demand for its uninter- rupted supply makes water by far the en.v most stable of all commodities. In order to maintain existing water infrastructure globally and also grow it to meet the targets of the UN, it is estimated that $1.5 trillion dollars needs to be spent Meanwhile, governments in the Middle ... governments in the Middle East over the next 20 years. East region are expected to boost investments in fresh water projects by region are expected to boost invest- The World Bank has warned the coun- approximately 60% between 2005 and ments in fresh water projects by tries of the Middle East and North Africa 2015 compared to the previous decade. that they will face a crisis in water Where there is a problem, there must be approximately 60% between availability unless they develop more a solution and where there is a solution, 2005 and 2015. transparent and efficient policies. They there must be an opportunity. Investing estimate that by 2050, per capita water in the third largest industry in the world availability in the region will fall by is a start. If all the fund flows that have or invest into new infrastructure proj- 50%. In particular, the Gulf countries been forecasted come to fruition, com- ects. No economy can flourish for long have low water reserves but at the same panies that operate in water markets by polluting the water that sustains its time are regarded as its largest global will reap the benefits. New water-qual- workforce. en.v consumers. Having been neglected ity standards are being put in place in for years, the urgency of the issue is various countries like India and China, increasingly coming to the forefront. which will force new major investments Population and economic growth are in water treatment and purification. stretching the supply of fresh water and Furthermore, countries that currently making the scarce commodity into an mismanage their water supplies will even more critical resource to humanity. have to unearth new sources of water,

18 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 19 18 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 19 PEOPLE & SOCIETY

CUTTING DOWN YOUR SHOWER TIME BY JUST 2 MINUTES CAN SAVE 300 LITERS OF WATER A MONTH 20 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 21 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Culture

Enter any Indian community and you will find a sea of color. Greens, Tradition Lost reds, pinks, yellows ‒ nearly every Tahir Sultan color under the sun is represented in the traditional sari. The sari has been around for centuries and would be care- fully handcrafted on handlooms, with industry virtually died out by 1825. anything other than the Janta (the gov- weavers regularly producing yards of 200 years later, the sari industry has ernment sponsored sari), and they get the colorful fabric. slowly started returning to India. How- paid as little as nine rupees per day (20 ever, for every one sari that is still pro- cents/day). If they change professions, However, with the onset of industrializa- duced by handloom, there are hundreds they lose their professional dignity and tion, the careful craftsmanship is being more cheaply produced in factories. The could wind up working as laborers. If threatened by mass production. The boom has led to the death of a lot of they move cities, they risk losing their expensive, delicate fabrics are quickly traditional techniques in the manu- ancestral homes. Meanwhile, weavers in being replaced by synthetic fabrics and facturing of yarn. The once-abundant other cities, such as Saunsar, are unable fibers. Cheaper? Yes. But while cheap handcrafted saris are now treasured and to weave the soft, 100-thread count production may be a plus, there are an hard to find. cotton saris because the kind of yarn array of problems that come with it. needed is simply not available anymore. The hand loomed saris are highly Mass production of the sari first began prized, and made by skilled craftspeople Today, there are many patrons of this in the late 18th century, with the devel- whose knowledge has been passed lost art that are working hard to keep opment and growth of machine spin- down for generations. Every year, a few the traditions of weaving and textiles ning and weaving. The new machines traditional saris are weaved, for the alive. They are actively trying to save also adapted and modified the tradi- upper-class clientele, but the majority of these communities and keep the art of tional Indian cotton dying technique, creations are the cheaper, lower quality weaving these textiles alive. At the same making it more efficient. With heavy sari. Generally, craftspeople are paid time, these patrons are trying to raise tariffs and import prohibitions imposed minimum wage by the government to awareness about the natural cloth, and from England, India was importing mass make these saris. To illustrate: Raipur, its importance ‒ not only for the cloth- quantities of inexpensive English cotton a village in central India, is home to ing made, but for the heritage and the textiles. As a result, the local handloom 120 weavers. None of them produce stories it holds. en.v

20 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Shutterstock envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 21 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Community

Out of Africa Sara Al Ramadhan

Dressed in shorts, slippers and a polo and I didn’t just pack a suitcase full of In an effort to analyze the effects of t-shirt Bader Al-Jamili stepped off the summer clothes,” he said. climate change on some of the lakes of plane in early August ‒ unaware, that Rift Valley, Al-Jamili and 11 other global in Kenya, he would be arriving in the It would be the first of many lessons on HSBC employees volunteered for the re- middle of winter.“I remember secretly his trip. cent Earth Watch program. A non-profit wishing that it was just a cold breeze, organization based out of Maryland,

22 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 23 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Community

to Earth Watch’s generous eﬀorts, turning what was a simple step into a signiﬁcant leap. Al-Jamili has been one of the 2,000.

He remembers responding to what he thought was a common corporate email forward, which was a recruitment call that HSBC had sent to its 9,500-some of- ﬁces around the world.“I replied never even thinking that I’d be chosen,” he said.

The next day, he was invited to participate in an experience he now refers to as being a wild adventure.“I’m a banker,” he said.“Give me numbers, give me ﬁnancials, I can work with it. But Kenya?”

Like many other everyday bankers, who might’ve become accustomed to the safe environment of cubicles, water coolers and two-piece suits, Al-Jamili found himself in the middle of a country famous for its roaming “Big Five”‒ lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and rhinoceroses. Aside from the technological disconnect and sepa- ration from his comfortable lifestyle, the every year Earth Watch recruits about facing a decrease in quality as well as experience was further embraced with 4,000 volunteers who participate in dif- soil erosion. In turn, these life sources tents, tin-water bottles and kakis.“We ferent scientific research studies across could have a significant effect on the were allowed only one bucket of water a the world. Companies, such as HSBC, surrounding animal population. The day for personal use. have taken environmental initiatives to search to answer such questions has After coming from a city and being partner with Earth Watch and commit been one of the many efforts HSBC has allowed to use as much as I please, it to some of their missions and research undertaken towards becoming eco- was a definite adjustment,”he says. projects. This particular program, Lakes conscious. Bankers from Bahrain, China, Tunisia of the Rift Valley, focused on preserving and the UK all participated on the trip the waters of Kenya, affected by climate In 2005, HSBC became the world’s as well.“I personally kept on changing change. first major bank to become carbon my mind about going, but then just real- neutral ‒ which was the first of its green ized I needed to experience something For 20 days, the 15-person team initiatives. In addition to requiring its like this for myself.” worked in broken-down groups. They global offices to efficiently use energy, shifted between different observations the bank also partnered with Earth Al-Jamili and his colleagues camp was and studies on a variety of lakes. Home Watch in 2002 and launched their stationed five hours outside the closest to thousands of animals including hip- $50 million campaign,“Investing in city by Lake Bogoria, which is particu- pos, giraffes, birds and fish, scientists Nature.” Since then, HSBC has had over larly known for its importance to the have found that the waters have been 2,000 volunteers who have contributed hundreds of thousands of flamingos

22 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Karim Dakki envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 23 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Community

c. d.

that live there.

The research was divided into six different concentration groups: water, bird, invertebrate, fish, plant and laboratory work. Each involved different routines, starting from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m., which were led by Earth Watch scientists. All the groups shifted between the six different research studies.

Work varied depending on the group. For example, bird-group volunteers would observe, note and attempt to mark all the surrounding birds in hope of establishing a concrete population estimate. Their work was then meant to be passed on to scientists who would keep such records for comparison in the future.“Depending on their findings, scientists plan to compare today’s numbers with future numbers,” explained Al-Jamili. Through such data collection, animal population decreases could provide sufficient proof that the surround- a-d. HSBC Studies Climate Change in Kenya ing waters and climate were having severe consequences on animals. polite.” ria and its surrounding area, Bader now In the evenings educational videos retains a personal affection for preserv- and seminars were held to help inform The local assimilation didn’t end there. It ing nature, particularly in Kuwait. the bankers on the bigger meaning of was during his struggle with a Kenyan “Our water-life in Kuwait is a great their project, and how climate change monkey, who was trying to take his attraction and source of enjoyment,” affects different parts of the world. The mobile phone that he seemed to truly he said.“We should always look out for volunteers were also encouraged to connect with the“safari” experience. nature, including here - it’s given back to start personal initiatives and programs Despite scratches and eight injections, us so beautifully.” to help make sure their environmental it all still seemed worth it. Then, his contribution became a daily footprint, colleague was almost mugged for his Since then, Al-Jamili has started a instead a mere phase. watch. All was well and good, until the recycling program in Kuwait’s HSBC monkey called his 20-some monkey offices, and reserves what he considers, “On the weekends we could go into friends to come fight.“Big guy teases a great personal voyage and experience the city , meet people and discover the small guy, small guy calls his cousins,” from his trip to Kenya.“It’s not everyday country,” Al-Jamili said. He recalled said Al-Jamili.“It was all very Kuwaiti.” a banker gets to just go to Africa and most locals contribute to something like this,” being welcoming about the researchers Aside from the lessons on Kenyan sea- Al-Jamili said.“I left with a lot from this and scientists.“I made friends with the sons, the stubbornness of wild animals experience ‒ and, definitely, a warmer locals. They were very generous and and scientific discoveries of Lake Bogo- outfit.”en.v

24 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Karim Dakki envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 25 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Personality

Making A Difference, One Heritage Building at a Time Mariam Al Foudery

At the site of one of Kuwait’s last re- maining traditional mosques, an all-male construction crew is busy stripping a wall of the peeling plaster that covers the original building blocks. Supervising the reconstruction and issuing orders in a mismatch of Arabic and Farsi is the lone woman in sight, architect Evan- gelia Simos Ali. It is the twentieth such mosque that she has helped save since the late 1980s.

“Evy,”as she is known to friends and colleagues alike, is an Australian-born Greek married to a Kuwaiti. A quiet woman with a twinkle in her hazel eyes, Evy began what would become a life- time of advocacy work to save Kuwait’s heritage buildings when she moved to the country soon after her marriage.

“I ﬁrst came to Kuwait in 1977 for my wedding party,” she says.“Being both a foreigner and an architect, I was instantly fascinated with its old buildings ‒ they seemed to convey a sense of living history.”

“Buildings can tell you so much about a particular time and place,” she says, town, losing something of its essence store them to their original form. There smiling.“For example, if you look at the in the process. The few buildings that were many challenges along the way. walls of the old nurses’ hostel in Kuwait remained were neglected ‒ no one knew “Especially in the beginning, doing this City, you will see that there are jagged what they were, who they belonged to, sort of work was really about changing bits of glass from soda bottles embed- or any of the stories behind them.” people’s attitudes ‒ encouraging them ded into the cement to keep intruders She decided to make it her personal to embrace their culture and heritage from climbing the walls and fraterniz- mission to ﬁnd out. rather than destroying it in favor of the ing with the young nurses. Those little new and shiny,” she points out. colorful spikes in the wall give you real Evy began working at the Kuwait Mu- Working with both the National Council insight into the people that lived within nicipality, creating a heritage building for Arts and Letters as well as the them.” register to“list” traditional structures Awqaf Ministry and Foundation, Evy left standing and grade them in terms has since taken the lead on every single When Evy returned to Kuwait some of historical importance. She also began mosque restored in Kuwait since 1998. years later, she knew that traditional photographing buildings and analyzing She has also worked as a consultant on buildings were her passion.“I wasn’t them to see how they had evolved over a number of other renovation projects really interested in working on anything time, using aerial photographs from the for historic buildings. else. Beautiful old buildings were being 1950s as her reference point. knocked down like crazy and Kuwait Evy then mobilized a campaign to save Her work has not stopped there, how- was emerging as a totally modern the most important old buildings and re- ever. Evy continues to try to inﬂuence

24 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Zahed Sultan envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 25 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Personality

¥ôØdG πªYEG ájÉæH ó©H á«KGôJ ájÉæH

the attitude of the next generation by lecturing to young architecture students at Kuwait University on heritage buildings, and also conducts a“heritage walk” several times a year for the public through the Dar Al-Athar Al-Islamiya. Her latest project is to try to convince governmental authorities to rebuild the old town-wall that protected Kuwait against foreign invaders in the 1920s. Her vision is to construct one segment of the wall per year, using a design chosen from an annual competition open to university students.

“It will become a permanent national art instillation in the heart of the City, marked along its length by heritage markers that tell the story of old Ku- a. A restored mosqe off the Gulf Road in Kuwait. wait,” she says enthusiastically.“Imag - ine it: maybe one segment of the wall b. Evy Al Foudery will be made of a sheet of running water and the next will be an illusory light projection, and the third segment will “It will become a permanent national projection, and the third segment will be formed of clay and sea stone with art instillation in the heart of the City, be formed of clay and sea stone with colorful mosaic images on its surface.” marked along its length by heritage colorful mosaic images on its surface.” “Together though, it will form a seam- markers that tell the story of old Ku- “Together though, it will form a seam- less bridge that brings Kuwait’s past wait,” she says enthusiastically.“Imag - less bridge that brings Kuwait’s past into its future.” It is a bridge that Evy ine it: maybe one segment of the wall into its future.” It is a bridge that Evy has been building in her work every day will be made of a sheet of running water has been building in her work every day for over twenty years. and the next will be an illusory light for over twenty years. en.v

26 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Zahed Sultan envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 27 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Corporate Social Responsibility

One Earth One Source Sandra Al Saleh

Rusted water pipes.

From space this living planet was a great conductor of electricity, none and bad management policies. Climate first glimpsed as a swirl of blue, as two of our thoughts (which are technically change has now also emerged as a thirds of its surface proudly displayed messages transmitted by electrochemi- growing threat to water supplies. The its most striking feature: Earth is the cal signals) would take place without most successful governments and soci- only planet in the solar system to have water as a medium. Everything down eties will be the ones that learn to pre- water in liquid form, thanks to our to our bones, the solid frames that hold serve and protect their water resources strategic distance from the sun. A little our wobbly mass of watery flesh and for generations to come. closer and water would have evapo- organs up, made up of water. The eyes rated, a little further and it would be with which you can read these words The greatest civilizations and most frozen. Our sister planets can attest to are filled with liquid. It is clear that prosperous cities have always risen this. Water is also the only substance on water is essential to our survival and by the water, from Mesopotamia to earth that is found in three states (solid, yet everywhere you look, water is under the great Egyptian cities and the great liquid and vapor) and it has no known threat. civilizations around the Mediterranean, substitutes. It is little wonder then that to Paris, Hong Kong and New York. By so unique a substance should play the But of all the water on our planet, only the same token, the lack of access to greatest role in producing, sustaining 3% is fresh water fit for human con- water can also hinder development and and even threatening life on earth. sumption. Two thirds of that fresh water destroy the future of cities. Popula- is locked away in ice and glaciers, which tions need water to grow food, and to are necessary to keep the planet at a feed the animals they depend upon, it Water, found in almost every living temperature safe for life, and to keep is necessary for hygiene and for basic thing, carves huge canyons out of tough water levels from rising and destroying health. Access to water routes has rock and falls on the most delicate coastal populations. Just 1% of water resulted in the flourishing of trade and plants without harming them. It is a key for human use sounds terrifying, but it economic success. Without adequate player in every single one of our bodily is in fact enough to sustain all our basic access to safe water, societies are driven functions. It regulates our temperature, needs. Our earth’s current water crisis to poverty and disease, which further just as it regulates that of the earth. is a result not of too little water but of restricts their development, weakens The blood running through our bodies its uneven distribution. The crisis is their economies, destroys their health keeping us alive is 83% water. Even our also made worse by pollution, popula- and limits their access to yet more vital brains are 75% water. Since water is tion growth with reckless consumption resources.

26 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Zahed Sultan envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 27 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Corporate Social Responsibility

... of all the water on our planet, only 3% is fresh water ﬁt for human consumption.

“The Human right to water is indis- pensable for leading a life in human dignity. It is a prerequisite for the real- ization of other human rights.” UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Today, one in ﬁve people in the world have little or no access to safe water, and that number is rising. UNICEF estimates that at least 4,000 children die each day because they do not have clean water. Women and children in developing nations walk an average of 6 km every day to fetch water, disrupting their lives, education and development as members of society.

It is one of the ironies of our planet and our politics that, despite the staggering abundance of water, our access to it is Roadworks in Beirut restricted. Not only by its salinity, but water is restricted by the fact that the tiny amount of fresh water is not evenly the average person elsewhere does. The ground, this number is set to increase. distributed. So where can fresh water huge water subsidies for agriculture, in Kuwait relies heavily on desalination as be found? Importance sources include arid water scarce regions of the Middle a source of fresh water and leads the underground aquifers, some of which East, are a short-term national interest- world in the field. It has provided safe are replenishable (like those in China food security- but a long-term recipe water for all in a country that is water and India), and others which are not for water depletion and insecurity. scarce. Saudi Arabia has the largest (like the ones in Saudi Arabia, Libya, Places like Yemen will need to consider desalination plant in the world and is Yemen, and across the MENA region). what options they have for water very overextending its fresh water resources. Once the non-replenishable aquifers soon. Will they have to import water Unfortunately, a recent WWF report are used up, they will not be refilled and grain or will they be able to afford claimed that desalination should be an for hundreds of years to come. Yemen, expensive and polluting processes like absolutely last resort, since it is expen- which will have pumped out its last desalination? sive, polluting and contributes to cli- drop of ground water by the end of the mate change. The process raises water decade, is facing a major water crisis. Its The Gulf region contains some 60% of temperatures, increases concentrations residents, according to the World Bank, the world’s desalination plants and with of salts and pollutants and disrupts the already use only 2% of the water that water fast disappearing from under the delicate marine environment.

28 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Zahed Sultan envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 29 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Corporate Social Responsibility

A New Breed of Citizen

envearth.com

it has now become famous for such as endocrine disruption, cancers and other Technologies in the desalination field forced to privatize water supplies in an illnesses. are improving, the waste products are attempt to introduce efficiency but the handled better and energy use is de- obvious problems associated with priva- It can be overwhelming to consider the creasing, but investment in these clean- tization of a human right have beeabun- scale of the potential water crises to er desalination options will only come dant, and we are privileged not to have come, but solutions are possible, and we about if measures to outlaw pollution to suffer from them. By handing over a can start with our homes. Using water and waste are seriously implemented. vital and dwindling resource to private conservatively, by using less of it and That said, the effects of the process will companies it has become obvious that employing water saving technologies, is never be clean enough if desalination there is a conflict between the necessity vital. To assume that water is in endless continues to expand and increase. The of providing safe clean water to every supply just because it costs so little is main culprit in intensifying the need for single person no matter what they can inaccurate. Refusing to use the hose to more and more desalination is our reck- afford and the natural corporate drive clean cars and driveways, even planting less desire to overuse such a precious to maximize profits. There is, further- the proper plants for the climate can and endangered resource like water. more, an incentive to sell more of water reduce water in astonishing ways. Just if it is a commodity than there will be showering three minutes less can save Besides the ever-dwindling supply of to reduce and conserve it. This could over 1000 gallons of water. Eating water, the Gulf region has had its fair and has spelled disasters; skyrocketing less meat saves water: it takes 15,000 share of water pollution to tackle, from prices and water cut-offs in the US, UK tons of water to produce a ton of beef oil spills and toxic war legacies over and Australia, hundreds of thousands of but only 1,000 tons to produce a ton the years to industrial and domestic people losing access to water resulting of grain. There are an endless number waste discharges and lax pollution law in civil unrest in Bolivia, and reduced of ways water is wasted everyday, and enforcement. In a region with so much standards and misconduct across the conscious consumption is not only wise, water traffic and so little water flow board, notably in Argentina, South it is necessary. regeneration, it is better to err on the Africa and Tanzania. side of caution. The region has seen As for large business, industrial water fish kills and red tides, which occur as There is no simple solution to providing consumption and pollution should be materials such as waste and fertilizer for the safe, just and efficient avail- strictly regulated and irrigation of crops are released into waters and decrease ability of a natural resource that is a made more efficient. It is estimated the oxygen content. Warming waters life source for all. But what is important that over half the water used to irrigate as a result of higher global tempera- is that everyone realize how vital and crops worldwide, is wasted due to inef- tures also contribute to the increase in threatened it is. Every time we turn ficient watering systems and incorrect algae and oxygen depletion. There are on the tap, what flows out of it is the field construction. The Gulf region is beaches strewn with non-biodegradable most precious resource our planet has lucky to have water provided at so low materials like plastic bags, bottles and to offer and we have the greatest stake a cost, since it is a human right to have tires just to name a few. This plastic and in protecting it and preserving it. The access to this vital resource. However, waste does not only choke marine life, region’s water crisis is set to get worse, that should not allow us to abuse this but will also find its way back into our and we can avert disaster now, or bear gift that is in such short supply. Many food and bodies and cause all the havoc the costlier consequences in the very countries have chosen to, or have been near future. en.v

28 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 29 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Informed

The Water Crisis Sarah Schmidhofer

As much as 60% of the world’s available freshwater is within the borders of Canada, China, Brazil, Russia, Indonesia, the United States, India, Co- lumbia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo ‒ less than ten countries.

The 20 MENA countries have a population that is 6% of the world total ‒ yet has less than 1% of the world’s water.

Average freshwater available per person within the MENA region is only 13% of the global average, and falling.

Much of the MENA region (including Oman, West Bank/ Gaza, Yemen, Jordan, Bahrain, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Ku- wait) have already reached or surpassed “the water barrier,” below which it is diﬃcult to survive. Wastewater from a desalination plant in Kuwait.

THERMAL DESALINATION (BOTTOM) MIMIC’S THE EARTH’S HYDROLOGIC CYCLE (TOP). SALT WATER IS EVAPORATED BY HEAT. AS IT COOLS, THE VAPOR CONDENSES INTO SALT-FREE DRINKING WATER.

Water, Water.... Everywhere? I’m a little confused about the so called “water crisis” getting so much press lately. Last I checked, the Earth’s surface was dominated by ocean, weighing in at over 70% of the total surface area. With waters averaging a depth of 4 km, that is truly an enormous amount of water ‒ so much in fact, that with recent sea level trends rising as they are, we is too pure for our bodies to absorb technologies, the product contains less are literally almost drowning in it. So effectively). salt. how is it that over 1.1 billion people this year will go without adequate water But there is more to it than simply supplies? Membrane Distillation boiling water on a stove. Two central Most new plants rely on membrane dis- techniques are commonly used to de- The answer is that a full 97% of the tillation procedures, based on osmosis. salinate seawater: Thermal desalination Earth’s water is saline ocean water; only Osmosis is a natural process involving and membrane distillation. 3% is potentially potable. Even worse, passage of water across a membrane. over two thirds of that freshwater is tied When a membrane is placed between up in glaciers and ice caps. In total, po- Thermal Desalination pure and salty water, the water flows to table water (groundwater, lakes and riv- Thermal Desalination mimics Earth’s own dilute the saltier side, creating osmotic ers) represents less than 0.3% of water hydrologic cycle, alternately evapo- pressure across the membrane. on earth ‒ and a substantial portion of rating water to remove the salt, and groundwater is contaminated. This tiny condensing vapor into freshwater by number is falling further as we speak, cooling. This process is hugely energy because of rapid population growth, cli- intensive, as it relies on heating and Reverse Osmosis (RO), the most com- mate change, contamination and leaks cooling enormous quantities of water. mon type of membrane distillation, ap- in water management systems. Thermal methods are overwhelmingly plies pressure to the salty water, forcing used in the Middle East, as the area has only the water through a membrane “Ok fine,”you say.“I get it. We won’t a unique surplus of energy resources. and reversing the usual flow. Since drink ocean water straight ‒ but people pure water would naturally flow to the have been removing salt from seawater One of the largest thermal desalination salty side, RO stets up a situation where for centuries, by boiling it and collecting plants is in Shuweihat (UAE), producing water flows away from the salty side, the vapor. Can’t we do that?” Well, that about 455,000 m3 of water/day. It uses leaving salt behind and the water salt- just might work, and such desalination Multi-Stage Flash technology involving free for drinking. plants currently exist all over the world. successive distillations through multiple This process is actually so effective at chambers, each stage requiring less The membrane can be used to remove removing salt that other compounds pressure for evaporation than the previ- contaminates from other sources of must be re-added to the product water ous. Though thermal distillation has feed-water as well, proving useful in to make it potable for humans (i.e., it a lower recovery rate than membrane recycling waste waters and purifying

30 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 31 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Informed

OSMOTIC FLOW FRESH WATER

Pressure REVERSE OSMOTIC FLOW FRESH WATER

contaminated waters. This is cheaper Intake Issues So many options, but only one solution and more eﬃcient than using seawater, At the water intake site, plants ac- usually prevails. An overwhelming because the impurities in these waters cidentally remove crucial marine habitat majority of plants choose the cheap are less concentrated. The total amount components and organisms. Using barri- and simple way out: returning waste of energy required ultimately depends ers, taking water from beach wells and straight back to the ocean. Since waste on how much‘stuﬀ’mustbe removed. intaking waters with lower concentra- is not returned with the same amount of

tions of sea life (e.g., deeper water), water‘buffer’with which it came, this Reverse Osmosis ranges from 30-80% are some strategies used to minimize results in extremely high concentrations effective, depending on the quality of environmental damage. Unfortunately, of salt and impurities in the discharge the feed-water. The largest existing RO these approaches involve structural areas. plant at Ashkelon, Israel produces 320, changes to existing plants, increased 000 m3 of water per day. This is rapidly costs, or reduced flow rates, making While distressingly little research has becoming the most popular method for them less appealing. been done on habitat and marine life ef- desalinating water, due to lower costs fects in these dumping areas, scientists and energy requirements. Discharge Issues remain concerned of damage. Increas- Turning our attention to the other end ing mortality of ocean species not only Problems of the plant, it is obvious that large has effects on local ecosystems, but also Unfortunately, the obvious solution to quantities of brine and impurities must damages the local fishery trade, which desalinate is actually quite complicated be disposed of once freed from our may experience lower catch yields. when viewed from an environmental drinking water. This waste contains perspective. Not surprisingly, just as we chemicals from processing and pre- Oceans with particularly delicate eco- need freshwater for our survival, the treatment, impurities, toxic metals, systems such as the Arabian Gulf and millions of species living in the ocean dead organisms (casualties of intake) the Red Sea are especially vulnerable need seawater for theirs. When desali- that consume O2 as they decompose to changes in chemical composition nation is involved, the two issues are no ‒ and, of course, salt. The waste can go and salinity. These waters in particular longer separate. Even the design of the straight back into the ocean or be mixed house some of the most threatened plant can have damaging effects on its with run-off from other processes first. coral reefs worldwide, and suspiciously, surroundings. It can also be dried out in a landfill or a large proportion of global desalina- sent to sewage facilities for more treat- tion capacity. Though exact cause-effect ment. processes are hard to tease out of such

32 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 33 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Informed

Water Storage in Beirut

By 2050 the majority of the MENA region will be dynamic systems, high salinity has been implicated in the reef damage, indirectly water scarce, as predicted by the World Bank – pointing its finger at the nearby desali- meaning that the need for water conservation, wise use nation plants. and pollution control are absolutely vital to the region. Better discharge procedures involve diluting and dispersing waste to reduce concentration in any one area (though this doesn’t address toxic effectsof heavy metals) and utilizing“zero spill” What About the MENA Region? practices resulting in solid waste for ciency improvements, taxes, or emission Desalination plants are found in many salt mines or chemical uses. Effects of reductions elsewhere. countries and in various colors and dumping need to be researched in much flavors, but nowhere does desalina- more detail. Using waste run-off from power plants tion have bigger impact than in the (“co-location”) is a good way of recy- MENA area ‒“the most arid region in An upcoming NASA satellite (part of the cling thermal energy without bringing the world.” About 60 % of worldwide Aquarius Mission) will help, provid- in fresh sources. This is popular in the desalination occurs here, with almost a ing real time sea-surface-salinity (SSS) MENA region because of the abundant full third of it in Saudi Arabia. readings to determine how sensitive the energy resources of the region. Some ocean is to salinity changes. reports estimate that using 100% waste It is clear that despite environmental Energy Issues energy can cut CO2 emission as much concerns, desalination has a role to play as 93%. in this water-starved region to aug- The consequences of desalinating are ment the feeble water supplies. Indeed, inseparable from consequences of the Alternative power sources hold promise Ronald Spiers, an executive at electricity colossal amounts of energy driving for fueling the industry without harmful utility International Power warns that it. When fossil fuels are used as the greenhouse gases. Solar energy is a “in the Middle East, there isn’t any primary energy source (as in the Middle major field of current research in the choice. If desalination plants in the Gulf East), the consequences entail huge “sunbelt countries” of the MENA stopped operating, the countries would carbon gas emissions and, therefore, region and it is estimated that harness- die in days.” Even so, the environmental a hearty contribution to the mounting ing sun-energy on just 6000 km2 of impacts must not be ignored and must global climate change. Ironically, global N. African desert would provide the be eliminated whenever possible. climate change itself contributes to the energy equivalent of 9 billion oil bar- water shortages these plants are built rels. The UAE, Egypt and Yemen all have Educating the masses about this pre- to address. solar-desalination projects underway. cious resource is a good starting place. Nuclear power plants can also be used According to the director of environ- Ways of reducing this carbon footprint in co-location to drive the desalination mental policy at IDRC,“Almost all states are being addressed by many organiza- while avoiding fossil fuel pollution. of the Arabian Peninsula are consuming tions such as MEDRC and WADImena. Wind power is another renewable en- much more water than their annual re- Suggestions include requiring CO2 ergy source, seen most successfully at a newable water supply.” In other words, emissions to be offset with energy effi- wind-driven plant in Libya. people use more water than they can

32 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Zahed Sultan envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 33 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Informed

An oil Fired power Station in Jiyeh.

replace, but do not know that they and milk, when it would actually be portedly use four times the minimum need to conserve it. Since saving water cheaper to import. Farmers often find amount of energy required to de- effectively increases supply while reduc- financial incentives through domestic salinate a volume of water, while the ing need for desalination, conservation price support, subsidized credit, energy least efficient can use up to 25 times efforts by every person are vital. subsidies and foreign import barriers to that amount. Clearly there is room for over-irrigate low-value crops. Switch- improvement. Current government subsidies on ing to lower quality water for agricul- water in the MENA region (making it ture would free up the best water for There is clearly a role for desalina- so cheap) remove incentives for people drinking and reduce the need for heavy tion in the Middle East, but it must be to conserve, and could be reduced. If desalination. used to augment (not replace) water prices more accurately represented the conservation. Efficiency improvements value of the scarce resource, consumers Since plant efficiency depends on impu- should continue, alongside research and would be more likely to use it sparingly. rity concentration, using non-oceanic concern for environmental impacts. en.v The subsidies on desalination plants sources of water should be viewed as in particular encourage their liberal cheaper, less energy-intensive ways to use (harming the environment), when produce and conserve water. Domestic conservation would prevent the need waste-water (from showers, sinks, etc...) for creating such large quantities of can be recycled through some of these manufactured water in the first place. plants, as can contaminated groundwater. Increasing water use efficiency will also help reduce the plants’impact on the Not only will these measures help environment. Agricultural practices, increase the supply of water, they can consuming over 85% of water in the also relieve pressure from overused region, could use water more efficiently. natural sources, allowing wetlands to Due to the desert climate of the MENA rejuvenate and aquifers to recharge. region, crops are currently being grown and watered with non-renewable water. Plants need to continue moving quickly Saudi Arabia, for example, uses a good towards renewable power sources, as portion of its water to produce wheat even the most efficient plants pur-

34 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Creative Commons envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 35 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Leader

José Maria Figueres

A graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point), and later the KSG School of Government at Harvard University where he completed his graduate studies, José María Figue- res (www.josemariaﬁgueres.org) served as the youngest president of a Central American country, Costa Rica, from 1994 to 1998.

Prior to his presidency, Figueres served his country as Minister of Foreign Trade (1987-1988) and later Minister of Agriculture (1988-1990). After leaving public service his achievements include establishing and leading the United Na- tions Information and Communication If you had one selﬁsh wish, what would it be? Technologies Task Force (ICT), aiding in the establishment of the Fundación Spend all my time with my children. Costa Rica para el Desarrollo Sostenible, and working at the World Economic Forum becoming its ﬁrst CEO in 2003.

Renowned for his work in the ﬁeld of sustainable development and its linkage to technology applications, Figueres is proving to be an international dynamic leader in the cause for mitigating climate change.

At the oﬃces of the National Projects Holding Co. in Kuwait, en.v engaged in an open discussion with Figueres regarding his perspectives on climate change and the role of today’s global community in combating it.

34 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 35 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Leader

Is it true that you drove an electric car during your time in ofﬁce?

José María Figueres: I did. My‘presi - dential limousine’ was a small electric car manufactured by a company called Given that oil production and export is Solectria. And I drove an electric car Figueres: You have a growing aware- a major source of revenue for the region, because I was absolutely convinced that ness with respect to climate change how well do you think the leaders will if we wanted to achieve a shift towards around the world. Now we need to greener ways of transportation I should move from awareness to action by all receive the notion of alternative energies? lead by example. sectors of society. Governments need to enact proactive environmental policy Figueres: The world will continue to use How did Costa Rica position itself as one frameworks creating good opportuni- oil for the next 20 or 30 years. I don’t of the leading eco tourism destinations in ties for business to come in and help see oil prices diminishing. Most countries in this region had budgeted their the world? solve the environmental challenges. Businesses can then make mitigating oil at about $30. Today it is hovering climate change a profitable undertaking in the $90 range ‒ three times more in- Figueres: With much hard work. Just by investing in environmental solutions, come than was originally budgeted. The like businesses, countries need a strat- new technologies, energy efficiency, and challenge is to invest this surplus creat- egy to successfully tackle the process carbon sequestration. And all of us need ing new comparative and competitive of globalization. Our strategy in Costa to change our attitudes and especially advantages for the region. This includes Rica was to move towards sustainable our consumption patterns. investing in alternative energies, such development, giving equal importance as solar power that could provide the to macroeconomic balances, strategic It’s no secret that the Middle East is region much of its needs thus liberating social investment mainly in health and more oil to be exported. education, and building an alliance with trailing behind the world in terms of eco nature. On top of that we began to cre- development. How has your experience What is the role of corporations and the ate clusters of national competitiveness. been, thus far, in the region? One such cluster that capitalized on our business community with regard to the biodiversity, was‘eco tourism’. We environment? Figueres: I disagree. I feel that the entire used this term as a branding for tourism world has fallen behind. However differ- and it worked. Growing numbers of A very important one. Leading ent to the rest of the world that needs Figueres: tourists were coming to experience our businesses are already looking at the to correct so much of what they have natural parks, and bio-reserves. Pres- environment as an opportunity and no done, in this region we can take advan- ervation generated economic returns. longer as a cost. And it is only with the tage of new developments to make sure Today, eco tourism in Costa Rica has entrepreneurship, capital, and leader- they are environmentally responsible become a good business opportunity. ship of the private sector that we are and set an example for the rest of the going to be able to solve the challenges world. What environmental initiatives did you of climate change. That’s why govern- pioneer during your presidency and since? ments need to be proactive and enact Whom from the Arab community would good policies that give businesses you say we should keep our eyes open for incentives to play its role! Figueres: One was the promotion of as an up and coming leader for regional clean energy. Today about 90% of my country’s energy is renewable, includ- eco-change? Use of the term Corporate Social Respon- ing hydroelectric, geothermal and wind. sibility (CSR) is becoming commonplace A second initiative was moving towards Figueres: I’m not yet familiar enough amongst leading corporations. To what sustainable agriculture produced in ac- with the region to be aware of all the extent do you feel this is a PR ploy by cordance with environmentally friendly environmental initiatives happening. practices, thus generating higher prices However I am particularly impressed marketing executives to justify their bottom for farmers. A third initiative was to with Musaed Al Saleh (founder and CEO line/careless actions? initiate an international market for of National Projects Holding Co.). He carbon sequestration, selling tons of represents a new professional genera- Figueres: You find different attitudes to- carbon fixed like any other commodity. tion and he is well versed in business wards CSR in different companies. Cut- All these different initiatives and many acumen and environmental determina- ting edge corporations are mainstream- more, were all market oriented. tion. His company is already making ing environmental concerns in their good business opportunities out of the business units, and transforming them What do you think are the most promis- environment, such as with their invest- into opportunities. For these companies ing segments for influencing environmental ment in the Dubai Recycling Park (www. ‘green means green’ (environmental recyclingdubai.com). That’s the leader- green now equates to the green of the change? ship we need! dollar bill).

36 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 37 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Leader

a. b.

a. Figueres and the UN Secretary- General, Kofi Do you think political posts help or hinder Annan, during the meeting “Global Forum on environmental advocacy? What is your outlook for the global Internet Governance” held by the United Nations. economy in the next 5-10 years? Figueres: They can go either way. It b. His Holiness Pope John Paul ll together with could be very easy for political leaders Figueres: The last five years have Figueres. to think that environmental issues are witnessed unprecedented growth at the something of the future. As citizens global level. While the price of energy and voters become better informed and a lack luster US economy could and more sophisticated, they will dampen future growth, demand in Figueres: Very responsive. They under- increasingly turn to leaders who have a emerging markets will continue to grow. stand the challenges much better than responsible position with respect to the I therefore have a general positive the older generations. 25 years from environment. outlook towards the future. now the students of today will look back and either remember us with pride, Do you think Al Gore would make a good The drivers of growth will continue to respect and admiration for our resolve President today? shift towards the Pacific Rim, as China in tackling climate change, or they will moves 350 million people from its agri- say,“why didn’t our parents act?” cultural sector into its industrial sector. Figueres: Al Gore would be a superb India will also continue to grow, mainly If you had one selfless wish, what would president. He would bring renewed in the services field. it be? leadership to a country that is lacking in Our greatest challenge however is how guidance. He would bring much hope we distribute that growth. Globalization to a world that can be more construc- has created many opportunities and Figueres: Dedicate my time and effort tive, in which we can work together and lifted many millions of people out of to work in such a way that would effec- tackle global challenges in the way we poverty but it also has created a larger tively move people from awareness to need to. Having said that, I don’t think differentiation between those that have action with respect to mitigating climate he would run for president. New plat- and those that don’t. Unless we are able change. forms of leadership are emerging that to narrow that gap and create opportu- are completely different to those of the nities of well being for people that have Please complete the following sentence: If past. A winner of the Nobel Peace Prize less, it’s not going to be a safer world. I could .... I would ... and an Oscar commands more attention. The challenge is therefore not so much He can get issues to move faster at the global economic growth, but rather global level than if he was the presi- how we reinvent the distribution of Figueres: If I could convince my fellow dent of the United States. Al Gore is a economic wealth and create opportuni- human beings that in the world of today pragmatist who clearly understands that ties of well-being for all. we have created enough economic activ- the greatest challenge humankind has ity and enough technological advance- ever faced is that of climate change, and You spoke at the American University of ment to live better lives on the planet, I he has already done more than anybody would be part of a happier global family else to make peoples around the world Kuwait (AUK). In the past, how respon- that would be much more at peace with aware of this. sive have students been to your initiatives? itself. en.v

36 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 37 PEOPLE & SOCIETY Innovation

Constructive Measures are Being Taken to Conserve Water en.v a.

a. The Q Drum

b. The Waterless Urinal

Industrial designers recognize the Africa, where fresh water is hard to need to make potable water acces- come by. Inventions like the Drought sible to rural areas. The Life Straw is a Buster can siphon water from your bath personal mobile device that can convert to water your plants. The Ban Beater is surface water into drinkable water. The another recycling system that simpliﬁes Q drum is a cylindrical water transpor- the reuse of household water. tation device that enables large quanti- Start at home. In restrooms, low ﬂow ties of drinking water to be transported toilets, showerheads and waterless b. (enough to sustain a whole family) urinals are among some of the most promising new products. Doing laundry Grey water or wastewater is a highly need not be so wasteful either. GE’s intelligent alternative to excess water Front Load Washing Machine reduces consumption. water usage by 23 gallons per load (a combined annual savings of $3 billion Particularly in the Middle East and dollars a year in the US alone). en.v

Adapt

envearth.com

38 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 39 38 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 39 THE VERVE

40 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 41 THE VERVE Fashion

Green is the new Black Nouf Sultan

Fashion is trend enthused and eco- labels have latched on to the eco- With eco-fashion still in its early stages, fashion is an escalating trend in the friendly cause. EDUN, for instance, has responsibility lies in the hands of the world of clothing. taken the fashion world by storm. Ali industry. A system of eco-labeling is Hewson (wife of U2’s Bono) launched being established to confirm which Eco-fashion first became hip in 2005 EDUN in 2005. The label is currently clothes have been made humanely and when an entire runway show was dedi- at the forefront of ethical fashion and in an eco-friendly manner.‘Fairtrade’ cated to the cause during New York’s organic clothing. 47.1% of the cotton is one such company that spearheaded Fashion Week, FutureFashion. The show used in EDUN’s collections is organic. the campaign. The‘Fairtrade Mark’ featured clothes exclusively made from The company’s core mission is to pro- is an independent consumer label eco-friendly fibers, such as bamboo, duce beautiful clothing while fostering that guarantees fair trade was used in organic cotton, and corn. Famous high- sustainable employment in developing the manufacturing of a product. The end international designers, including areas of the world, particularly Africa. labeling initiative is currently active in Oscar de la Renta and Proenza Schouler, The company helps build the skill sets 20 countries around the world, mainly participated in the event lending cred- for those making the clothing and throughout Europe and North America. ibility to the cause. encourages members of the fashion community to trade in Africa, a quest The next time you go shopping, look for Since then, a new market is emerging. to elevate the nation from extreme the label and assist the cause. en.v Some of today’s hottest up and coming poverty.

40 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Tahir Sultan envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 41 THE VERVE Food

Arabesque Guacamole

Choose organic, local and in season.

Two large avocadoes Three lemons Four cloves of garlic Mash the avocadoes in a bowl (save One large onion one seed). Finely chop the coriander, One large tomato tomato and onion and add. Crush garlic A small bunch of coriander cloves and add. Squeeze lemon into One green chili the bowl and add salt, pepper, cumin One-tablespoon cumin powder powder and olive oil. Finally, de-seed One teaspoon of salt the green chili (dice in half and remove One teaspoon of ground black pepper seeds under running water). Chop and One tablespoon organic olive oil. add.

Accompany with delicately toasted Lebanese bread. en.v

42 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Shutterstock envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 43 THE VERVE Shopping

A Few Easy Tips on How to be Eco-Friendly During The Holidays

Get Creative Recycle The Gift That Donate Buy Organic Make your own Buy wrapping paper Keeps on Giving What do you give a When in doubt, wrapping paper. made from recycled person who has it all choose organic. Give gift certificates Use brown paper content. It looks ? You give a donation Organic clothing and this year. They bags, newspapers, or unique, you’ll feel to a charity or cause in bedding are rapidly require virtually no even old magazines. good buying it and their name. Local and gaining popularity. wrapping (apart from Hand-made wrapping you can reuse and international charities Or, give a beautiful gift the envelope, which is is personal and fun. recycle it later. Steer can always use a help- basket. Fill it with lots recyclable) and your It’s like giving a gift clear of wrapping pa- ing hand, especially of organic treats like recipient will get to within a gift. Best of per with metallic dyes; during the holidays. cookies, coffees, teas, choose the gift they all, it’s recyclable. they can’t be recycled (Try Unhcr.org or hot cocoa, chocolates, want. Satisfaction and are at times toxic. Redcross.org online to and even flowers. guaranteed. donate to a wide selection of charities.)

“We make a lot of garbage. How can we make less garbage? This is our plight. I use Seventh Generation (chlorine-free, non-toxic) diapers for Finn and Hazel, and then I was turned on to the (plastic- free, ﬂushable) gDiapers for Henry. It is ﬂushable, but you’ve got to stir that thing! If you don’t really break it all the way up, it doesn’t go all the way down” Julia Roberts, from the December issue of Vanity Fair

42 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Shutterstock envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 43 THE VERVE Sports

Play Clean Stay Green en.v

With the advent of an unwavering movement towards cleaner energies and responsible lifestyles, professionals and outdoorsman alike will need to re-address their leisure habits. Given the surplus of sand in the region, it seems only logical to explore the sportive appeal of deserts. Camel racing, horse racing, and falconry are all commendable options, yet principally expensive. Thus, we give Strengthen your mobility technique and Record for Speed at a dashing 51mph. you sand surfing. tactical maneuvering becomes second Dubai is one of the premier destinations nature. Sand surfing is by no measure in the world to experience sand surfing. Comparable to snow boarding, sand surf- exclusively reserved for enthusiasts, In late January, during the Dubai Shop- ing is a pure adrenaline rush downhill extremists too are adopting the sport. ping Festival, the Big Red plays annual and evidently tiresome uphill. The Josh Tenge holds the world record for host to the Hugo International Sand competitive advantage to sand surfing the longest back flip, a staggering 44 ft Boarding Championships. Accept the though is that dunes aren’t seasonal. and 10in. Erik Johnson, a professional Challenge. You might make waves or Practice, as in all sport, makes perfect. sandboarder, holds the Guinness World just plain eat dirt. en.v

44 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com Shutterstock envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 45 THE VERVE Travel

Eco-Luxury on Oryx Land Reham Samarei

Spanning nearly 5% of the emirate of reserve in Arizona, USA. 35 years later, Amenities on offer include wireless Dubai’s total landmass, the Dubai Des- 90 descendents of the same Arabian internet, mini-bar, private temperature- ert Conservation Reserve (DDCR) is a oryx were brought back to Dubai to controlled pool, both a walk in shower sanctuary for indigenous desert wildlife. thrive once again in their native desert. and a bathtub, satellite TV and a DVD The DDC is a national park that exists player. Nevertheless, its 3:1 staff to to conserve and protect over 33 species Al-Maha Desert Resort and Spa is the guest ratio reflects a true Bedouin spirit of mammals and reptiles. Most popular eco-tourist’s overnight destination of hospitality; ensuring every desire is amongst these is the majestic Arabian within the DDCR. Having been adorned met and exceeded. oryx. Native to the UAE, the oryx was on with numerous accolades from the likes Conservation efforts include solar the verge of extinction nearly 50 years of Conde Nast Traveller, National Geo- power for a considerable portion of ago. This prompted the ruler of Dubai graphic Traveler and more this is eco- their energy requirements, passive at the time, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al tourism at its most luxurious. Nestled energy conservation through combining Maktoum, to decisively relocate herds of amidst the large reserve, Al-Maha’s traditional with modern building meth- oryx and along with species to a wildlife facade mimics a Bedouin encampment. ods, onsite water recycling, wastewater is purified to use for irrigation, all soaps, chemicals and detergents used are b. biodegradable. Recommendation: Spending all day soaking in the private pool of a lavish suite. Have a delectable meal on a private deck. Gaze upon a desert whose natural bounty has been restored.

Al-Maha makes a commendable eﬀort in preserving a country’s heritage and natural history. en.v

a-b. Al-Maha Desert Resort and Spa.

44 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com www.al-maha.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 45

CREATIVE CONSCIOUS

ﻭﻋﻲ ﹼﺧﻼﻕ ﻓﻴﻠﻢ / ﻣﻮﺳﻴﻘﻰ/ ﻛﺘﺐ / ﻓﻨﻮﻥ / ﺗﺼﻤﻴﻢ CREATIVE CONSCIOUS Film

I Can’t Go Home Lebanese directors Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige of“A Perfect Day” embark on their junior project together, chronicling the near-history of the 2006 Israeli invasion on Lebanon.“I Can’t Go Home” tells the story of a pregnant woman who heads to Paris in pursuit of a career as a ﬁlmmaker only to be exiled there after the eruption of war. She struggles to contact her husband while dealing with isolation and uncertainty. Her medium of choice is a video diary.

“I Can’t Go Home” was selected earlier this year for the Atelier Cinefondation at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.

2 Movies en.v Jani Gal Following years of absence, Iraq returns as an eligible contender for the Best Foreign Film Oscar nomination.“Jani Gal” (The Agony of a People) couldn’t have come at a more apt time. This Kurdish-language ﬁlm recites the story of separatists from the late 1940’s attempting to resist the annexation of their land and culture by Iraq and Iran. A formerly shunned issue is now brought to the forefront as Iraq grapples with self-containment.

One Love

envearth.com

48 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 49 CREATIVE CONSCIOUS Books

Girls of Riyadh Rajaa AlSanea

The book that follows the quasi-fictional story of four Saudi girls, causing much controversy and a dismissed court case, has finally gotten an English translation. “Girls” depicts the lives of women in Riyadh, dealing with love and com- Water as a Human Right for the ing-of-age. AlSanea became an instant Middle East and North Africa household name with this tell-all, scor- Asit Biswas and Cecilia Tortajada ing one of the few Arabic bestsellers of its time. This English revisit will surely Many political scientists theorize that attain some foreign interest as the Arab if war were to break out in the Middle world braces for her second effort. East, it would be due to the ongoing arms race. Not so, say others. New theories predict that, should a war occur, it would be over water. Right now, over a third of the world lacks access to properly sanitized water. As this number grows, many organizations have proposed the availability of water as an Six Degrees: Our Future on a issue of human rights, a notion rejected by many countries. More than anything, Hotter Planet this issue affects people in arid locations Mark Lynas ‒ including our own oil-rich states. Books Previously, Mark Lynas dissected 3 Biswas and Tortajada’s book takes the less-talked about implications of en.v a local approach at a pressing issue humans on this planet, giving a differ- in a region of deserts outfitted with ent outlook on climate changes in the inadequate natural water systems. The natural world ‒ including disasters like management of water will become more 2005’s Hurricane Katrina and tsunami. important as border control and domes- In his new book, Lynas returns with tic politics will shift towards preserving promises to put the acceleration of an essential resource. The authors have climate change under the microscope. already tackled the issue in South and Climate change is dealt with in six Southeast Asia in 2005, gaining the at- degrees, each of which focuses on a tention of the United Nations and other different ecosystem throughout the organizations seeking implementation world. With the topic fast becoming an of the law, making water a basic human essential issue, Lynas’ book points out right. that the time to act is now.

48 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 49 CREATIVE CONSCIOUS Music

4 Albums en.v

Caramel Original Living Darfur Soundtrack Various Artists Mattafix This UK-based duo releases “Caramel” director Nadine a new single dedicated to the Labaki is engaged to Khalid Darfur cause. It fuses chill Mouzanar, the soundtrack out with urban beats and compiler and music com- melodies reminiscent of early In Rainbows poser for the film ‒ and their Leh Kida Lighthouse Family tracks. Radiohead chemistry is ever-present. Saad Jamaleddine The music video showcases It’s a stellar score that fuses the living conditions in the The kings of experimental classical and oriental beats. Following the failed attempt Eastern Chad region and rock return with a twist. The standout track“Suk - at an Arabic boy band, Saad features an intro by Matt Thom Yorke & Co. opted kar Ya Banat” is crowding Jamaleddine spent endless Damon.“Living Darfur” will to go it alone when their the airwaves in France hours in the studio con- be featured on their highly contract ended. Potentially and the Middle East, while structing his Arabic dance anticipated second album stirring a paradigm shift in the soundtrack tops the tune,“Leh Kida”. The end “Rhythm & Hymns,” set selling music, Radiohead Lebanese Virgin Megastore product rivals mainstream to be released in November informed fans that they charts. hits as does his valiant effort 2007. could purchase the album at a music video. Using for the price of their choice, guerilla-marketing tactics, through their official website. he reaches out to audiences Furthermore, the band took through YouTube, Facebook, the eco route, avoiding use MySpace and other online of all plastics associated with communities. CD packaging. What does Thom Yorke have in store for us next?

50 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 51 CREATIVE CONSCIOUS Art

Gulf Environmental Art Festival en.v

In January 2007, the Gulf Environ- the trash was disposed of, leaving the mental Art Festival, an eco inspired fes- beaches pristine. For phase two, artists tival was held off the coast of Iran. More created sculptures from the natural than just an exhibit of paintings and resources the islands had to offer. Sand, sculptures, the two-phased approach to shells and tinted earth from nearby art and the environment was a unique mineral deposits were but some of the way of tackling a hot topic. resources put to use. To make paint, the artists experimented with Gelak, a red More than 30 local artists took part tinted earth indigenous to the islands. in the festival that is set to become an To further create associations between annual winter event. With a mere $800 art, people and the earth, the festival’s budget, the festival was made possible meal of choice was red-tinted bread. by the cultural office in Hormozgan and the enthusiastic locals who hosted the Gulf Environmental Art Festival’s objec- artists. tive was to encourage individuals to embrace a more organic lifestyle with The first phase saw participants gather- an emphasis on preserving our natural ing trash strewn on the seashore, and surroundings. What began as a simple inventively designing the litter into workshop will now become an annual sculptures of people. By sundown, winter event. en.v

Hybrid

envearth.com

50 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 51 CREATIVE CONSCIOUS Design

Design Revisited en.v

The Dekka Day Bed won the“ In 2008, The Bahrain World Bo Bedre’s Furniture Award” at the will stand at an astound- Copenhagen International Furniture Trade Center ing 240 meters in height and will be Fair in May 2007. Designed by Danish comprised of two identical fifty-story FurnID, the bed signifies a meeting of sail shaped towers (similar to Dubai’s light and shadow, hard and soft and Burj Al Arab). Providing state of the art asymmetry and stringency. Latticework office accommodation, balconies on ev- is intricately padded onto a robust ery floor and impressive double height aluminum frame and marries both aes- passenger speed lifts, the towers can be thetic and function into a striking piece called Bahrain’s firsttruly intelligent of furniture. Its design strongly echoes contemporary building. both Danish and Arab sensibilities. Soft curves and calculated irregularities are Three enormous wind turbines unite the a Danish signature, where as its hexa- towers while three bridges bind them gon structure strongly roots the chair at 30-meter intervals. The towers’ in Arab culture. The Dekka Day Bed structure is intended to reduce pressure reconfigures traditional simplicity into variations between bridges. Com- an outstanding piece of multicultural bined with increased turbine air speed design. (height denotes faster speeds), greater efficiency is achieved for powering the towers’ generators. Expected to deliver between 11 to 15% of the energy needs for both towers, the turbines prevent about 55,000 Cubic Kilograms of Car- bon from being emitted annually.

Initially, the London based design ﬁrm Atkins, wanted to incorporate solar panels (originally engineered for NASA in outer space) into the design but found it impractical due to soaring temperatures year round. To be a true sustainable building, one may argue that solar panels should have been integrated. How- ever, most should look upon the towers as a symbol of responsible design and a shift in attitude being adopted region- ally. en.v

52 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 53 IMPRESSIONS

LAND-BASED HUMAN ACTIVITIES ACCOUNT FOR 77% OF ALL MARINE POLLUTION 52 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 53 IMPRESSIONS

54 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 55 IMPRESSIONS

Previous Page Men ﬁshing atop rocks while sewage is being discarded around them into the sea, Beirut.

Water storage cylinders on the rooftops of residential buildings in Beirut.

This Page The shores of the city.

Solar Panels are used to heat water on the rooftops of residential buildings.

54 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 55 DIRECTORY

Bahrain Bahrain Women Society Kuwait Environment Protection Gulf Research Center +973 1 7826777 Society Agency +971 4 324 7770 +973 1 7826777 +965 484 8256 +971 4 324 7771 PO Box 11425, +965 483 7856 187 Oud Metha Tower, Adliya, Baharain 12345 P.O.Box 1896,Safat 13019 Kuwait 11th ﬂoor, 303 sheikh Rashid Road www.bahrainws.org [email protected] P.O.Box 80758 Dubai Oman www.grc.ae United Nations Environment Program Environment Society of Oman +968 24482121 Jordan +973 17812777 +968 24482121 Ministry of Environment +973 17825110/17825111 P.O.Box 3955,Ruwi, +962 6 5560113 P. O. Box 10880, Muscat,Oman 112 +962 6 5560288 Manama,Bahrain www.environment.org.om P.O.Box: 1408, Amman 11941 [email protected]

Land and Human of Advocate Progress United Arab Emirates +962-6-5519756 Environment & Wild life Affairs Agency +962-77-466092 P.O. Box: 3265,Isa Town, The Regional Clean Sea Organisation P.O.Box 340636 Bahrain 7 (RECSO) Amman 11134 +9714 3314443, Jordan Public Commission for the Protection of +9714 3311933 [email protected] Marine Resources Citi Tower 1, Oﬃce No. # 304 P.O. Box: 25444, P. O. Box. 58142, Anti Desertiﬁcation and Badia Awali, Bahrain Sheikh Zayed Road,Dubai,UAE [email protected] Development Association P.O Box 910994 Amman, 11191

Kuwait Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi Regional Organization for the Protection The Jordanian Royal Society for (EAD) of the Marine Environment +971 (2) 681 7171 Environmental Diving +962 6 5676173 +965 5312140-3 +971 (2) 681 0008 +962 6 5676183 +965 5324172 / 5335342 PO Box 45553,Abu Dhabi, UAE PO Box 26388,13124 Safat, Kuwait [email protected] P.O. Box 831051 [email protected] Amman 11183 Jordan www.jreds.org Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) Ministry of Environment +971 4 331 8100

Public Authority +971 4 331 8500 Jordan Environment Society +962 6 5699844 P.O. Box: 243950, Safat 13104,Kuwait P.O.Box 7013 Dubai +962 6 5695857

ECO Environmental Consultants Shmasani - Abd Al-Hameed Badees Str Emirates Diving Association (EDA) Amman - Jordan +965-2426665 +971 4 3939390 State of Kuwait, P.O. Box 23977, www.jes.org.jo +971 4 3939391 Safat Postal Code 13100 P.O. Box 33220 Dubai www.ecoenvironmentalﬁrm.org www.emiratesdiving.com

envearth.com

Breaking Down Barriers

56 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 57 When you’re going organic, there’s one place you need to go.

Look for the The Sultan Center has the largest Organic label variety of organic fruits and vegetables. on the product

Al Kout | Sharq | Salmiya

56 issue 000 - 2008 envearth.com envearth.com issue 000 - 2008 57 www.sultan-center.com Nature Calling envearth.com