Source: Reuters Dust storms scour Iraq. Freak floods wreak havoc in Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Rising sea levels erode Egypt's coast. Hotter, drier weather worsens water scarcity in the Middle East, already the world's most water-short region. The Arab world is already suffering impacts consistent with climate change predictions. Although scientists are wary of linking specific events to global warming,... [read more]

The Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED) held its third annual conference in Beirut on 4-5 November 2010, dedicated to discussing the sustainable management of water resources in the Arab world. The conference, held under the patronage of His Excellency the Lebanese Prime Minister Mr. Saad Hariri, has brought together 500 delegates from 32 countries, representing corporations, non-governmental... [read more]

The almost inevitable ecological consequences of the artificial lagoons in Dubai start to appear, as the UAE's The National newspapers conducts a commendable piece of investigative journalism to highlight the spread of algae and resulting nutrient pollution of the Jumerira lake. The developers have now discovered that the problem is low circulation of water that resulted in nutrient pollution and... [read more]

Source: Middle East Online   PARIS - An alliance of conservationists and international donors unveiled a map of six areas on the Mediterranean rim aimed at guiding policy for preserving precious habitats and threatened species.The 251-page "ecosystem profile" was launched by Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, including the US-based NGO Conservation International, the World Bank, the government... [read more]

The United Arab Emirates has been very successful in the past few years in acheiving records in many economic and social disciplines. This is one record, kept for 3 years in a row, that I do not think the leadership and people of UAE are proud of. In a complete contrast to many other global developmental reports, Arab countries had the upper edge in the Top 10 list with Qatar occupying second place... [read more]

Ihave been very impressed with this speech by Prince Charles of Wales which was delivered on June 9th. He provides a thorough insightful analysis of the Islamic dimensions of nature conservation that I dare to say, most muslims are not aware of. Read and enjoy   Vice Chancellor, Your Royal Highnesses, Director, Ladies and Gentlemen. It is a very great pleasure for me to be here today... [read more]

It is interesting that the Blog Action day (October 15th) coincides with the Arab Environment day (October 14th), and as this year's topic is water it is highly relevant to blog about water challenges in the Arab world, considered to be one of the most water scarce regions in the world. Arab countries, within the League of Arab States have decided to select October 14th as their own Environment day... [read more]

This article is originally published by the Star newspaper, March 8th 2010 By: Batir Wardam   The continuous deterioration of the ecosystem components of the Zarqa River Basin since almost three decades is one of the biggest environmental challenges in Jordan. The Zarqa River Basin has been categorized by the Jordanian government as the biggest environmental hotspot, with plans for rehabilitation... [read more]

By: Batir Wardam It has been more than 40 days since the USA and China drafted the toothless "Copenhagen Accord" in cooperation with Brazil, India and South Africa during the United Nations Summit on Climate Change in Copenhagen. The accord that has sidelined the EU and most developing countries has failed in identifying specific targets for emission reductions. It has also asked all industrial... [read more]

This article was originally published by the Star newspaper, Monday 24-1-2010 By: Batir Wardam   The year 2010 has been declared by the United Nations as the year of Biodiversity. All countries that have signed the UN Convention for Biological Diversity (CBD) back in 1992 will have to assess their progress in achieving the Biodiversity 2010 target that was agreed by the CBD in 2004 where... [read more]

This article was originally published by the Star newspaper on 18-1-2010 By: Batir Wardam It has became a common conclusion for both environmentalists and "green economists" alike that any breakthrough in commitment to environmental remediation will only be economically feasible when the evidence is conclusive that the cost of remediation is less than the cost of inaction, and that economic benefits... [read more]

This article was originally published at The Star newspaper, Monday 11-1-2010   By: Batir Wardam     Jordan's entrance to a knowledge economy depends not only on policies, legislation and regulations developed by the government or investments by the private sector. It is also based on qualified and well-trained human resources to deal with the challenges of the knowledge economy... [read more]

My weekly article published by the Star newspaper, Monday Jan 4th   The Arab World is not a drop of oil. This innovative and striking slogan was raised by the Lebanese environmental advocacy group "IndyAct" in its pursuit for more climate-responsible energy policies in the Arab world. This region, portrayed globally as a source of oil that leads to global warming is lagging behind in... [read more]

This article was originally publsihed by The Star newspaper, Monday Dec 29th, 2009   By: Batir Wardam   The year 2009 can be better described, from an environmental perspective as the year when Jordan finally opened its eyes to the threats of Climate change. After years of neglect, denial and lack of data Jordan has realized through a concerted effort backed by global momentum... [read more]

Source: Jordan Times   By Hana Namrouqa   The Ministry of Environment has launched a $4.3 million programme to develop the Kingdom's adaptation to climate change and sustain its Millennium Development Goal (MDG) achievements. The programme, financed by the UNDP-Spain MDG Achievement Fund, seeks to identify loopholes in the country's climate change adaptation process and assess... [read more]

Source: Jordan Times   By Hana Namrouqa   The Kingdom will soon carry out economic and environmental studies for environment- friendly projects to cut down greenhouse gases, estimated at 20 million tonnes annually, according to a senior government official. The studies will be implemented under an $81,000 agreement signed between Jordan and the United Nations Framework Convention... [read more]

Source: Jordan Times 23-12-2009   By Omar Obeidat   Authorities said yesterday there are currently no plans to levy more fees on hybrid cars as demand on such vehicles has surged recently, a trend attributed to concerns that extra charges are imminent. According to figures by the Jordan Customs Department (JCD), a total of 4,796 cars have been cleared from the free zone... [read more]

Source: Jordan Times   By Hani Hazaimeh   Despite the Kingdom's abundant sunlight and limited conventional energy resources, solar thermal power accounts for only 2 per cent of Jordan's energy use, while more than 95 of energy is imported, according to a Department of Statistics (DoS) report issued on Wednesday. Only 12 per cent of Jordanian families use solar power for heating... [read more]

Here is the full text of the speech by King Mohammad IV of Morocco delivered on his behalf by Prime Minister Abbas El-Fasi at the Copenhagen COP 15   Your Majesties,Your Excellencies,Mr. Secretary-General,Ladies and Gentlemen, I should like, first of all, to thank Her Majesty the Queen, the Government and the people of Denmark for their good organization of the Copenhagen Summit Conference... [read more]

Source: Petra News Agency   His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday called on the international community to shoulder its responsibility to protect the future of humanity by combating climate change. In a speech at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen delivered by HRH Prince Hamzah, the King stressed Jordan’s support for international efforts to arrive at a just, fair and effective... [read more]

Source: Terra Viva   Terna Gyuse   COPENHAGEN (IPS/TerraViva) – In outlining a position on climate change, the League of Arab States must somehow account for looming problems like water stress – a problem found from Morocco in the west to the Gulf states in the east – and the importance of oil to the economies of many of the league’s members. Dr Emad Adly, in Copenhagen representing... [read more]

An insight from Science Devnet portal on the lack of reliable climate change data in the Arab world. Can't agree more.   Abdulhakim Mahmoud   [SANA'A] The Arab world must move quickly to carry out its own research to avert the worst effects of climate change on the region, a report has warned. The report, released last month (24 November) by the Lebanon-based Arab Forum for... [read more]

Global environmental law expert Bob Percival writes an interesting account of his recent visit to Jordan.   http://globalenvironmentallaw.blogspot.com/2009/12/jordan-trip-copenhagen-conference-by.html   I returned to the United States on Saturday after spending a productive and enjoyable week in Jordan. The purpose of my trip was to assist in developing an environmental law... [read more]

Another glimpse of light for Arab environmental activism.   Source: the Media Line   Copenhagen, Denmark Liana B. Baker / TML – Three days before the U.N. climate talks kicked off in Copenhagen, Tarak Tayara was told he was accepted as an official observer at the negotiations. The 28-year-old hopped on the next flight out of Lebanon and landed the next day in Denmark, ready... [read more]

The cradle of Egypt's historic civilisation is slowly losing its economic value for some livelihoods, especially fishing. This is a report from IRIN   “It’s becoming so hard these days. I only managed to get a few fish yesterday,” said Galal Saed, 35, casting his net into the Nile near the town of Hawamdia, 25km south of Cairo. Saed said he usually catches 2kg of fish a day which allows... [read more]

While the public opinion and activists all over the world are showing public expressions for the need to reach the deal in Copenhagen our Arab street are quite like a desert, only mobilised by football rivarly and religious/political discourse. This small vigil in Lebanon organised by Greenpeace is a welcome candle in the darkness of our collective environmental awareness.   Source: Daily... [read more]

Source: Wall Street Journal   By SPENCER SWARTZ   With some of the world's fastest-growing oil consumers under pressure to cut carbon emissions, big petroleum-producing states are beginning to fret over a long-term drop in crude-oil revenue. For years, oil-producing states have worried about rich nations like the U.S. cutting back on energy consumption through conservation or... [read more]

Source: Going Green   Patrick Galey   As a small country, Lebanon punches above its weight in many spheres. Its financial sector is apparently invulnerable to global shocks; it has the largest stockpile of gold in the Middle East. Lebanon’s graduates are some to the best qualified on the planet; tri-lingual ex-pat businessmen and entrepreneurs frequently occupy top positions... [read more]

Source: AFP   By Andrew Newby   Dubai's debt crisis may make a small dent in its greenhouse gas emissions but the Gulf emirate faces an enormous task to cut carbon to the levels to be proposed at the UN climate summit starting this week. Dubai and the rest of the United Arab Emirates have the world's highest per capita carbon footprint according to the authoritative WWF Living... [read more]

Source: The Media Line   Written by Benjamin Joffe-WaltPublished Sunday, December 06, 2009   As the petroleum powers send their negotiating teams to the Copenhagen climate change summit, Middle Eastern analysts debate what role the Arab world is likely to play. The oily lands of the Middle East have an image problem. As the nations of the world prepare for the most significant... [read more]