The environment in the news thursday, 12 June 2008
Stand up and be counted for a greener world
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- Another oil spill hits east coast of UAE
- Abu Dhabi organisations sign agreement to keep track of wild birds
- New recycling centre opens in Fujairah
- Emirates Medical Students Society holds blood donation campaign
Stand up and be counted for a greener worldThe chemical industry is striving to make up for lost time by making specialty chemicals that will help protect the environment from industrial pollution in years to come As 2008 promises to be the "year of the environment" in Dubai, huge changes are afoot. With the mandate from His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum,Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, for a "green building" model, Dubai's builders and developers are eagerly awaiting the first wave of "green" initiatives to take effect. As environmental issues continue to plague the modern world, Dubai is determined to make a difference. Urban growth and development at blinding speed; a robust construction industry working overtime to keep up with a booming economy; a need to protect our precious global environment from the ill-effects of pollution and global warming - those three truths here in Dubai might sound incongruous, since greenhouse gas emissions and other wastes are known consequences of rapid growth. Growth also means an increased need for the fuels that drive the bulldozers, dump trucks, tractor trailers and other vehicles that give rise to buildings and transport the products needed to sustain life. But rapid growth and care for our environment do not have to be mutually exclusive ideals. Growth is inevitable. Damage to the environment is not. The manufacturing, construction and oil and gas sectors are doing their part to reduce the environmental impact. For instance, recent requirements that construction in Dubai comply with internationally recognised, environmentally-friendly specifications such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards set forth by the US Green Building Council are not new issues to a company like WR Grace & Co. And neither is the imperative to offer cleaner burning transportation fuels that help reduce pollution and global warming. Grace is a global specialty chemicals and materials company which recently opened a regional headquarters in Dubai, creating specialty chemicals that are critical to producing transportation fuels and building the bridges, structures and stadiums found in every major city in the world. Oil and Gas Oil and natural gas are the fuels that energize the modern world. They heat our homes, cook our food and run our transportation systems. They provide the raw materials for products ranging from medicines and building materials to plastics, clothing and computers. Their consumption is both essential to sustaining economic growth in the industrialized world and key to progress in developing nations. Oil consumption, particularly as transportation fuels, is also a recognised cause of some of the environmental challenges we face today. For instance, motor vehicle exhaust produces nitrogen oxides - a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change - and sulphur dioxide, an ingredient in the smog found in many major cities. Chemical companies have been working hard to address these issues, in some cases for decades. The use of plastics in today's cars makes them far lighter and more energy-efficient than models produced even a few years ago. Catalytic converters have significantly reduced the level of nitrogen oxides found in exhaust emissions. At the same time, oil companies and their partners in the specialty chemicals industry have worked hard to develop sophisticated solutions to meet and exceed increasingly stringent clean-fuel regulations. Low-sulphur gasoline is an excellent example. While the refining process has always relied on chemicals to break down crude oil, the introduction of sulphur reducing "catalysts" has helped refiners produce transportation fuels that can achieve a 35 to 50 per cent lower level of sulphur dioxide emission. The introduction of low-sulphur gasoline over the last decade has helped American cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Houston reduce smog levels and achieve much higher air-quality standards. As booming cities in the Middle East and Far East adopt these fuels - alongside those cities that already have - they will also enjoy cleaner air and avoid the health problems associated with smog. The process of refining oil can also be a large source of nitrogen oxides. New developments in the refining process have reduced emissions to a fraction of what they once were. Chemical "catalysts" - similar to those used to reduce sulphur content in gasoline - can be used to reduce by up to 50 percent the nitrogen oxide emissions from the flue gasses, thus helping improve environmental conditions. Construction Industry In the same way the chemical industry is working to reduce pollutants and greenhouse gases associated with producing and using gasoline and other transportation fuels, it is applying its material science know-how to solving some of the environmental challenges facing the construction industry. Traditionally, construction companies used vast amounts of natural resources, thus negatively affecting the environment. Today's industry leaders are seeing the economic value of minimizing their impact on the environment and are putting systems in place to manage it. At the same time, forward-thinking communities in the Middle East and around the world are adopting internationally recognised building standards to address environmental issues. Beginning last month, Dubai began requiring that all new and existing buildings comply with internationally recognised, environmentally friendly specifications. Though it's relatively easy to implement waste management techniques, one of the more difficult problems facing the construction industry is carbon dioxide, or CO2. A natural by-product of electricity generation, CO2 accounts for more than half of all greenhouse gasses that cause global warming. An estimated two-thirds of all CO2 emissions produced throughout the life cycle of a building are linked to energy for air-conditioning, heating, power, water supply and drainage. As a result, reducing energy consumption is a critical factor in sustainable construction practices. Architects and engineers have found new value in existing chemical and construction products such as air and vapour barriers that help make buildings more energy-efficient and keep their interiors comfortable. The cement industry - used for concrete in buildings, bridges and other infrastructure projects - is another source of CO2. Overall, statistics show that the cement industry accounts for 5 per cent of man-made carbon dioxide: a small, but not insignificant, fraction of total global emissions. Increasingly, 'recycled' or 'blended' cements are being used to help new construction achieve even higher environmental goals. Through a combination of fly ash - a by-product of coal-burning power plants that would otherwise be waste - and specialised additives, producers are able to make cement that is just as strong, just as durable and that consumes significantly less energy than those that use 100 per cent limestone. Caring for the environment is a formidable job that requires a comprehensive approach involving the public, private and non-profit sectors. Dubai is doing its part by insisting on high environmental standards. And the construction companies, oil and gas producers and chemical companies that supply them are also making important strides in helping cities reach their full potential as large, clean and modern communities
The spill is the third in ten days and just the latest in a long running saga, which local officials seem unable to end. The source of these spills are often passing ships that clean out their petrol containers as they get ready for refueling, a practice that is against international maritime laws. The latest spill is on a smaller scale than on previous occasions, said Engineer Hassa Al Yamahy, General Director of Dibba Municipality, adding that clean-up teams were dispatched to the affected areas as per routine. Al Yamahy told Gulf News that nothing is likely to change unless action is taken by ‘higher authorities’. He said: "There are a huge number of ships passing by and to stop offending parties, major action need to be taken and specialist agencies need to be established to handle this nuisance, which is causing severe damage to our environment." http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/08/06/10/10220030.html Abu Dhabi organisations sign agreement to keep track of wild birdsAbu Dhabi: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the Emirates Bird Records Committee (EBRC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will give EAD access to nearly a quarter of a million reports of wild birds seen in the United Arab Emirates since the late 1960s. The MoU, which was signed by EAD Secretary General Majid Al Mansouri, Simon Aspinall, Chairman of the EBRC, and Tommy Pedersen, Secretary of the EBRC, provides the entire EBRC database of records to be integrated into the EAD environmental database, covering both Abu Dhabi and the other Emirates. 
The EBRC, founded over 15 years ago, collects data from both visiting and resident birdwatchers throughout the country, and also researches historical data going back to before the formation of the UAE federation in 1971. It also assesses reports of rare birds seen in the country, in accordance with prevailing international standards, and maintains the UAE's Bird Species List, now standing at over 420 species. Under the agreement, EAD'S records of wild birds will be integrated into the EBRC database, providing EAD with one of the most extensive national databases of wild bird records in the Arabian Peninsula. "The Agency has a policy of building effective partnerships with all those bodies that share its vision for the conservation and protection of the UAE's environment and wildlife," said Al Mansouri. "The EBRC and its members and contributors have worked over many years to collect and maintain this important database, which will provide us with valuable information to assess the changing patterns of wild bird populations throughout the country." Al Mansouri said EBRC members and supporters have also provided valuable help to EAD in the monitoring of wild birds as part of the National Avian Flu monitoring campaign. "We are delighted to have reached agreement with the EBRC on ways in which we can work together to ensure the long term conservation of our wild birds, which are crucial indicators for the health of the country's environment and wildlife", he added. EBRC Chairman Simon Aspinall said, "We have wanted for many years to have out database housed effectively for the long-term by an appropriate Government agency. EAD is the ideal partner for the EBRC, and I am delighted that we have now been able to conclude this agreement." Tommy Pedersen, the EBRC Secretary, who also maintains the bird database, also welcomed the signing of the MoU. "The Emirates Bird Records Committee, and the many birdwatchers, residents and visitors, who have contributed to its database over the years, share with EAD a passionate commitment to conservation of the UAE's wildlife and environment. Through this MoU, we will now be able to ensure that the status of the UAE's wild bird populations is given the priority that it deserves in the overall planning for environmental conservation in the UAE, and in Abu Dhabi, in particular," said Pederson.
EEG will operate and manage the ten proposed recycling centres. To date three have been opened at Al Hosn University in Abu Dhabi, American International School in Abu Dhabi and Global English High School in Al Ain, with the fourth opening at Our Own English High School in Fujairah. A further six centres will open in the coming months across the rest of the UAE. The recycling centre are being set up in educational institutions as part of EEG's Reduce, Reuse and Recycle Campaign, and to boost environment education.
The society is aiming to generate enough donations to make this the largest blood donation campaign to date in Dubai. The drives are taking part in Dubai, Ajman, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah and is being supported by various hospitals and blood donation centres, including Al Wasl Hospital in Dubai. The Blood Donation Centre in Al Wasl Hospital performs humanitarian efforts to provide blood for needy patients as accident victims, Thalassemia Children who need blood every 3 to 4 weeks, Leukemia patients, open heart surgery and other medical cases. Donors are being provided with refreshments and hampers for their participation.
The inaugural blood donation camp was held at the Universal Empire Institute of Medical Sciences Knowledge Village Campus on 10 June as part of the campaign that runs from 8 to 12 June. On the 11th and 12 June, camps will be setup in Al Wasl Hospital in association with Dubai Medical College. On the 11th a second camp is also being conducted at GMC Hospital Ajman. The conclusion of the event will be on the 14th of June with a Blood Camp set up by RAK Medical and Health Sciences University and a Blood Donation Awareness Campaign conducted by the University of Sharjah. http://archive.gulfnews.com/nation/Environment/10220249.html Bahrain Pioneer plans to go green BAHRAIN is at the forefront of plans to introduce green technology in the Gulf, it emerged yesterday. The county has become the first in the region to sign the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), which legally binds governments to discontinue the use of chemicals that cause the most harm to the environment. This includes products used in the construction, petrochemical, aluminium, water treatment and waste management industries and also pesticides. A major conference and exhibition on green technology, said to be the first of its kind in the world, will be held at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) in February. It will introduce the concept to the rest of the Gulf countries and promote the investment opportunities for the private sector. Hundreds of delegates from around the region are expected to participate in the event, being organised in conjunction with the Monaco-based Crans Montana Forum. The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido)'s Manama-based Investment and Technology Promotion (ITP) office is working with Bahrain to implement the convention. The plan is being discussed at a two-day workshop, at the Coral Elite Suites, Sanabis, under the patronage of Industry and Commerce Minister Dr Hassan Fakhro. Around a dozen people are taking part in the event, which ends today, including officials from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen and Djbouti, "The ratification of the convention is a golden opportunity for entrepreneurs and the private sector to invest because cleaner production and renewable energy has a return," said head of the Unido ITP office Dr Hashim Hussain. "They no longer have to be afraid about investing in environmental issues and it can bring lucrative profits if they find the right opportunity and the correct technology." Unido chief of the Vienna-based Stockholm Convention and Chemicals Management Unit Mohammed Eisa praised Bahrain's pioneering role in helping to promote green technology in the region. "By holding this workshop here we hope to use Bahrain as a stimulator case for the rest of the Gulf countries," he told the GDN. "So far investment has only been in production and product-related technology but we need more environment-related technology. "In the past environmental technology was considered expensive but actually that is not the case and there are a lot of economies of scale for companies in saving energy and water." http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Story.asp?Article=219994&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=31084 Back to Menu =============================================================== ENVIRONMENT NEWS FROM THE UN DAILY NEWS 11 June 2008 Changing global environment under the lens in new UN photo exhibition 11 June - From the glaciers of Antarctica to the dry river beds of Sudan’s Darfur region to the devastation wrought by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the world’s changing environment is being documented by photographers at a new exhibition at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Eighteen images from around the world, all taken while the photographers have been on official UN trips and activities, have been selected to illustrate the impact that both nature and humankind have on the planet. Opening the exhibition last night, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said it showed “we all have a duty to safeguard this beautiful fragile Earth for future generations. “By contrasting the beauty of unspoiled nature with the terrible damage disasters can wreak, these photos inspire awe and a solemn sense of responsibility,” he said. Ahmad Fawzi, Director of the News and Media Division of the UN Department of Public Information (DPI), said the images are just a small sample of the work of the department’s photographers – whether in missions, conflict zones, disaster areas or other regions of the globe. “This exhibit… visually ‘reads’ from cold to hot, from ice to fire, with glaciers melting to water, images of deforestation and scorched earth, illustrating the dramatic changes taking place in our planet’s environment,” Mr. Fawzi said, speaking on behalf of Under-Secretary-General Kiyotaka Akasaka for Communications and Public Information. Back to Menu =============================================================== ENVIRONMENT NEWS FROM THE S.G’s SPOKESMAN DAILY PRESS BRIEFING , 2008 Back to Menu =============================================================== 
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