Cutting waste would help us cut carbon emissions

Cutting waste would help us cut carbon emissions

Cutting waste would help us cut carbon emissions
Pedestrians walk near the presidential palace Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on November 1, 2024 amid smoggy conditions. (AFP)
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We are living in a moment of profound global disorder, more and more painfully visible every day. Humans have become a danger to each other, to the planet, and to themselves.

Our attention is ruled so intensely by the conflicts raging in Gaza, in Lebanon, in Ukraine, between Israel and Iran, between China and Taiwan, that the subject of the ongoing destruction of our environment has almost disappeared.

Instead, we hear talk of investing further in weaponry and more sophisticated destruction. The crucial objective of deeply cutting carbon emissions hardly registers anymore on our radar.

But all around the world we are witnessing heavy climate disturbance and extreme weather phenomena. We have recently seen yet more hurricanes rip through the US.

Climatologist Michael Mann says hurricanes have become 40 percent more deadly in recent years due to climate change, while a recent report shows that rain events have become 20-30 percent stronger and winds 10 percent stronger.

We do not need to be told this, as we have all experienced disturbed weather and climate wherever we live. After a historic drought in North Africa, the largest hot desert in the world, the Sahara Desert, experienced record rainfall, forming large lakes in the middle of the desert.

This unpredictability is a very ominous sign of what is to come.

Noble intentions to reduce carbon emissions, enshrined in the 2015 Paris Agreement, lie almost null and void, considering that our burning of fossil fuels has increased in recent years.

We would have to cut our carbon emissions by around 50 percent if we were to have a chance of reaching our objectives of limiting average temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius, but right now we are on track for a devastating 3 C increase.

If you can imagine living with a 40 C fever every day, that is essentially what our planet would experience, regularly unleashing deadly and devastating climate phenomena.

The concept of cutting emissions may be too abstract for our simple brains to understand, so let us focus on cutting waste instead.

Waste has become a major part of our way of life and global economy. We waste so much plastic (only 10 percent is recycled) that our oceans will soon contain more plastic by weight than fish.

One-third of all food we produce goes to waste, representing almost 10 percent of global carbon emissions.

It is estimated that 10 percent of global energy production and 30 percent of water is wasted through inefficiencies in transmission.

Almost 30 percent of energy used in homes in the developed world is wasted, and, on average, 60 percent of water used for agriculture is wasted.

While humans only require 15-20 liters of water a day to meet their basic needs, the average American uses 8,300 liters (or 2,200 gallons) per day through various forms of consumption.

Clearly, just cutting waste — a simple enough concept for all to understand — would allow us to cut a sizable proportion of global carbon emissions.

Hassan bin Youssef Yassin

Just nine percent of the almost 100 billion tons of minerals, fossil fuels, metals, and biomass that enter the economy every year are recycled, while 62 percent of global carbon emissions are created during the extraction, processing, and manufacturing of goods.

Clearly, just reducing waste — a simple enough concept for all to understand — would allow us to cut a sizable proportion of global carbon emissions.

We must rethink not only our daily way of life but also the very underpinnings of our global economy, which encourages overproduction, overconsumption and tremendous amounts of waste at every turn.

For us to make any difference, we need the participation of everyone, from kindergartens to old people’s homes. It is essential that we educate a new generation to be fully aware of our actions and their direct consequences on our environment.

This is a multi-generational battle, but one in which we can make a difference quite quickly.

Our capitalist system has hit a wall, not only in terms of waste and carbon emissions, but also in the rising inequalities around the world and our need for constant growth, new gadgets and never-ending consumption.

By reducing both waste and consumption, essentially moving towards a circular economy that is able to reuse and recycle the materials we use, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation estimates we could reduce carbon emissions by almost 40 percent by 2050, while generating major economic benefits through greater efficiency and lower material costs.

According to the UN Development Program, we could lift almost one billion people out of hunger by tackling food waste and loss. Meanwhile, the International Resource Panel says improved waste management could save up to 40 percent in global energy demand by 2050.

These are all changes well within our reach, and easily understood by all.

We are all participants in the journey that humanity and our planet are on. We can either choose to close our eyes to the waste and pollution which are threatening the lives of future generations, or we can do our part.

Simply paying attention to the food, water, and energy we use and what we actually need every day can make a tremendous difference on a large scale. Our governments will also be called upon to assist us by putting in place the necessary infrastructure to recycle more, to redistribute food, and to reduce overconsumption.

This may require some initial economic discomfort for our system. But as we learn to live better lives, we will also begin to enjoy its benefits both in our individual lives and in a more efficient and less wasteful global economy. As the saying goes: “Don’t be useless. Use less.”

Hassan bin Youssef Yassin has worked closely with Saudi petroleum ministers, headed the Saudi Information Office in Washington, and served with the Arab League observer delegation to the UN.

 

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point of view

All square in Riyadh derby as Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal play out 1-1 draw

All square in Riyadh derby as Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal play out 1-1 draw
Updated 6 min 36 sec ago
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All square in Riyadh derby as Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal play out 1-1 draw

All square in Riyadh derby as Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal play out 1-1 draw
  • Champions were stunned by Al-Nassr but are not champions for nothing and eked out a solid draw

RIYADH: Al-Nassr drew 1-1 with Al-Hilal in a tense Riyadh derby on Friday.

The hosts took a first minute lead and managed to stay in front until 13 minutes from the end when the champions and leaders ensured that they made the short journey home with something. Al-Nassr can at least take heart that they have ended their rivals' perfect start this season while Al-Hilal move a point clear at the top of the Saudi Pro League above Al-Ittihad in second. Nassr stay in third, six points off the pace.

The yellows started well with Anderson Talisca’s goal inside the first minute but they were unable to put the visitors under enough pressure as the game went on and it was not a surprise when Sergej Milinkovic-Savic headed home an equaliser for Al-Hilal who had won their last 14 games in all competitions and last lost in the league back in May 2023.

Just over 50 seconds were on the clock when Al-Nassr took the lead and in some style. Otavio picked up possession midway in the Al-Hilal half and his chipped pass was a thing of beauty. There was still work for Talisca to do however. The Brazilian’s first touch took him past Ali Al-Bulaihi just inside the area and his second was a low shot past Yassine Bounou.

The champions were stunned but are not champions for nothing and almost hit back just four minutes later, Malcom broke free down the right but the Brazilian’s shot was excellently saved at the near post by Bento. 

Salem Al-Dawsari then went close twice and looked dangerous, though with Ruben Neves missing, the visitors were not quite as sharp in possession as usual. Al-Hilal did have the ball in the net following a corner but Aleksandar Mitrovic’s close range effort was ruled out for offside. The same happened soon after to Talisca who shot home from a similar position to his opener but he had just strayed too far forward when Cristiano Ronaldo made the pass.

The half ended relatively quietly as if both teams were preparing to start the second period with a real purpose. Al-Nassr knew that their rivals would come out fighting and almost took the lead. Marcelo Brozovic forced a fine save from Bounou and while Talisca bundled home the rebound, he did so from an offside position. 

And then, somehow, Al-Hilal didn’t score. In the 63rd minute, the ball fell to Al-Dawsari in the left corner of the area. The 2022 Asian Player of the Year shaped to curl into the opposite corner as he has done so many times before only for his shot to bounce back off the post. Renan Lodi was there for the rebound but while the defender’s shot wasn’t the cleanest as it bounced back up from the floor, it was heading goalwards only for Bento –falling backwards –to push it past the post.

It was then Ronaldo’s turn to come close, forcing a fine save from Bounou with a powerful shot from just outside the area but Al-Hilal, as they so often do, came up with a goal when they really needed one as they did in the 77th minute.

The goal was well-worked. Al-Dawsari’s cheeky backheel in the left side of the area freed Renan Lodi and his looping cross made it to the far post where Milinkovoc-Savic was unmarked and rose high to head the equaliser. Soon after, they were asking for a penalty that was not given and then Nassr had a breakaway but could not find the final ball in the area.

In the end, it wasn’t a vintage Riyadh Derby but while both teams will be frustrated and not taking all three points they will be able to take some from the game and move forward. There is still a long way to go.


WATCH: Rebuilding of Mosul’s famous leaning minaret nears completion

WATCH: Rebuilding of Mosul’s famous leaning minaret nears completion
Updated 30 min 44 sec ago
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WATCH: Rebuilding of Mosul’s famous leaning minaret nears completion

WATCH: Rebuilding of Mosul’s famous leaning minaret nears completion
  • The 12th-century Al-Nuri Mosque and its distinctive tower were destroyed by Daesh in June 2017
  • Restoration work on the mosque, part of UNESCO’s Revive the Spirit of Mosul project, is expected to be completed next month

LONDON: UNESCO has shared dramatic footage of a historic mosque minaret that has been rebuilt in Iraq, seven years after it was destroyed by Daesh.

Known as Al-Hadba, or “the hunchback,” the leaning 12th-Century minaret at Al-Nuri Mosque in Mosul was one of the city’s most famous landmarks. But it was destroyed when the extremist group blew up the mosque in June 2017.

The video from the UN’s cultural agency features drone footage that shows the minaret nearing completion. Though the rebuilt tower is still covered in scaffolding, the footage clearly shows that its famous lean has been retained.

“Watch as the iconic Al-Hadba minaret in Mosul rises once again,” UNESCO said in a message posted with the video on social media platform X.

“Soon, this historic landmark will reclaim its rightful place in the city’s skyline — standing tall, leaning, and proud.”

UNESCO said the restoration of the mosque and its 51-meter-tall minaret is expected to be completed by December.

The mosque was built in the second half of the 12th century and the minaret began to lean several centuries ago. After Daesh seized control of parts of Iraq in 2014, the group’s leader, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, declared the establishment of its so-called caliphate from inside the mosque.

Three years later, it was destroyed by the militants as Iraqi forces battled to expel them from the city. Thousands of civilians were killed in the fighting and much of Mosul was left in ruins.

The restoration of the mosque is part of UNESCO’s Revive the Spirit of Mosul project, which also includes the rebuilding of two churches and other historic sites.


Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to ecosystem protection at COP16

Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to ecosystem protection at COP16
Updated 41 min 9 sec ago
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Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to ecosystem protection at COP16

Saudi Arabia reaffirms commitment to ecosystem protection at COP16
  • Representatives from 196 countries attended the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia
  • During the Oct. 21-Nov. 1 gathering, KSA was awarded the “Green List” certification for its achievements at the King Salman Royal Natural Reserve and the Ibex Protected Area

CALI, Colombia: The Kingdom remains committed to advancing global biodiversity and environmental protection, its delegates have emphasized at the meeting of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia.

The delegation at the COP16 gathering, which began on Oct. 21 and runs to Nov. 1, was led by Mohammad Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife.

Representatives from 196 countries convened under the theme “Peace with Nature.”

“Saudi Arabia reaffirmed the Kingdom’s ambitious goal to protect 30 percent of its land and marine areas by 2030, in alignment with the UN’s biodiversity conservation objectives,” the Saudi Press Agency reported earlier this week.

“This pledge reflects Saudi Arabia’s proactive approach to conserving natural habitats, safeguarding endangered species, and tackling the pressing challenges of climate change.”

The Saudi delegation emphasized the importance of expanding data sources for biodiversity monitoring, stressing that comprehensive and accurate reporting is essential to strengthen conservation strategies.

They also advocated for enhanced integration of regional efforts with global biodiversity goals, while highlighting the critical need for capacity-building programs in the Arab region that focus on collaborative learning and information exchange.

Saudi Arabia was awarded the prestigious “Green List” certification at COP16 in recognition of its achievements at the King Salman Royal Natural Reserve and the Ibex Protected Area. This recognition highlights the Kingdom’s dedication to sustainable biodiversity practices and effective ecosystem management.

Reflecting on this recognition, Qurban said: “Our participation in COP16 reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s commitment to supporting global biodiversity efforts and advancing the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted at COP15 in 2022.

“This ambitious framework provides a roadmap for achieving harmony with nature, with the 30x30 target — a commitment to protecting and restoring 30% of land and ocean areas by 2030 — as a key objective.”

Qurban added: “The Saudi delegation’s involvement in this conference reflects the Kingdom’s dedication to ecosystem protection and biodiversity enhancement, in alignment with Vision 2030, the Saudi Green Initiative, and the National Environmental Strategy.”

He expressed optimism about the conference’s potential to drive meaningful global biodiversity outcomes and inspire innovative solutions to sustainable development.

The Saudi Arabia delegates also highlighted national conservation initiatives, including preparations for the 16th Conference of the Parties to Combat Desertification, which Saudi Arabia will host from Dec. 2 to 13.

The Kingdom’s delegates extended invitations to their global counterparts and provided insights on conference documents that reflect Saudi Arabia’s national priorities.
 


What We Are Reading Today: Nationalism: A World History by Eric Storm

What We Are Reading Today: Nationalism: A World History by Eric Storm
Updated 43 min 6 sec ago
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What We Are Reading Today: Nationalism: A World History by Eric Storm

What We Are Reading Today: Nationalism: A World History by Eric Storm

The current rise of nationalism across the globe is a reminder that we are not, after all, living in a borderless world of virtual connectivity. In “Nationalism,” historian Eric Storm sheds light on contemporary nationalist movements by exploring the global evolution of nationalism, beginning with the rise of the nation-state in the 18th century through the revival of nationalist ideas in the present day.
Storm traces the emergence of the unitary nation-state—which brought citizenship rights to some while excluding a multitude of “others”—and the pervasive spread of nationalist ideas through politics and culture.


Blinken expects North Korea troops to enter fight against Ukraine in coming days

Blinken expects North Korea troops to enter fight against Ukraine in coming days
Updated 45 min 57 sec ago
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Blinken expects North Korea troops to enter fight against Ukraine in coming days

Blinken expects North Korea troops to enter fight against Ukraine in coming days

WASHINGTON:The United States expects North Korean troops in Russia’s Kursk region to enter the fight against Ukraine in the coming days, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday as he pressed China to use its influence to rein in Pyongyang.
Blinken spoke after North Korea conducted its longest-ever intercontinental ballistic missile test earlier on Thursday and South Korea warned that Pyongyang could get missile technology from Russia in exchange for helping with the war in Ukraine.
The top US diplomat said there were 10,000 North Korean troops in Russia, including as many as 8,000 in the Kursk region where Ukrainian forces continue to hold territory after fighting their way into the Russian border area in August.
At a press conference with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and their South Korean counterparts, Blinken said Russia has been training the North Korean soldiers in artillery, unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, and basic infantry operations, indicating they “fully intend” to use the forces in frontline operations.
They would become legitimate military targets if they enter the battlefield, Blinken said.
“We’ve not yet seen these troops deploy into combat against Ukrainian forces, but we would expect that to happen in the coming days,” he said. During their meeting, the US and South Korea discussed a range of options for responding, Blinken added, saying Moscow’s use of North Korean soldiers in its “meat grinder” war against Ukraine was a “clear sign of weakness.”
Austin said the US would announce new security assistance for Ukraine in coming days.
Blinken and his South Korea and Japanese counterparts condemned the ICBM launch as a flagrant violation of UN Security Council resolutions. The flight-time of the missile was 87 minutes, according to South Korea, putting nearly all of the United States within range.
The Kremlin on Thursday declined to comment when asked if Russia was helping North Korea to develop its missile and other military technology.
Blinken said Beijing, like Washington, should be very concerned about what Russia might be doing in order to enhance North Korea’s military capacities because it was destabilizing to Asia.