What is Arab Environment Day?

2024-10-14 2024-10-14T13:51:12Z

Arab Weather - On October 14, 1986, the Council of the League of Arab States met in Tunis, where an important decision was made to establish the Council of Arab Ministers Responsible for Environmental Affairs. This important decision came within the framework of strengthening Arab efforts to address the increasing environmental challenges threatening the planet, so that the Arabs would be part of the joint global efforts to confront these risks.

Arab Environment Day: Its Objectives and Importance

October 14th is designated as Arab Environment Day with the aim of raising awareness of the environmental problems facing the region, and encouraging Arab cooperation in all environmental fields. The main goal is to find effective solutions to the growing environmental problems at the global level, which greatly affect Arab countries.

Environmental challenges facing Arab countries

Arab countries face a set of common environmental challenges that affect their development and sustainability. The most prominent of these challenges are:

Desertification and drought: Desertification is one of the most serious environmental challenges facing the world, especially the Arab world due to its location in desert and semi-desert areas. The problem of desertification is exacerbated by the shrinking of green spaces, the increase in the severity of drought, forest fires, and the encroachment of sand on agricultural lands. Humans play a major role in exacerbating this problem through overgrazing, deforestation, and diversion of water courses.
Pollution of water resources and large bodies of water : Water pollution poses a serious threat to Arab countries, as wastewater and chemical waste are directed to natural water resources, leading to the spread of diseases and famines. In addition, industries contribute to increased pollution in the seas and oceans, which further deteriorates the marine ecosystem.
Thermal pollution and ocean acidification : Thermal pollution occurs when the temperature of water bodies rises or falls suddenly, negatively affecting marine life and ecosystems. Ocean acidification results from the accumulation of carbon dioxide in ocean waters, which harms plankton and shellfish and weakens their shells.
Soil pollution : Soil is affected by pollution due to the accumulation of chemicals and toxic compounds, which leads to a decrease in its fertility and dryness. This harms plants and crops and affects the health of humans who eat contaminated agricultural products.
Biodiversity loss and ecological imbalance: Many living organisms are threatened with extinction due to environmental degradation and overhunting, which disturbs the ecological balance. Industrial expansion in developed countries also leads to further environmental changes that harm ecosystems and cause an imbalance in the natural balance.
Energy sources and pollution: Countries depend on fossil fuels that release toxic gases that lead to global warming and rising temperatures. These changes affect the climate and increase the frequency of natural disasters, especially in Arab countries that suffer from a shortage of water resources and high temperatures.
Global warming and climate change: The Arab region is one of the regions most affected by climate change. Drought and water scarcity are challenges that threaten food and water security in many Arab countries, especially during the summer months.
Lack of environmental awareness and consumerism: Lack of environmental awareness contributes to worsening environmental problems, from overfishing to plastic pollution and uncontrolled urban expansion. These problems put great pressure on the environmental resources that we need to protect.

Arab initiatives to address environmental challenges

Despite these challenges, there are promising initiatives in the Arab world to solve environmental problems. The most prominent of these is Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, which is one of the most sustainable cities in the world, and aims to encourage the use of renewable energy and clean technologies.

No region in the world is immune to environmental challenges, but the Arab world faces special challenges that require a serious response. Although the region is rich in some natural resources, it faces a significant deficit in basic resources such as water and agricultural land. This situation requires increased attention to environmental resource management to ensure sustainable life for future generations in the region.