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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

Ƶ congratulates Bahrain on election to UN Security Council

Ƶ congratulates Bahrain on election to UN Security Council
Updated 12 min 40 sec ago

Ƶ congratulates Bahrain on election to UN Security Council

Ƶ congratulates Bahrain on election to UN Security Council
  • Bahrain will begin its 2-year term as a nonpermanent member of the council on Jan. 1, 2026
  • It was elected alongside Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia and Liberia

RIYADH: Saudi authorities congratulated Bahrain on Tuesday after the nation was elected to serve as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council for the term 2026-2027.

The election of the country “confirms the international community’s confidence in Bahrain’s ability to contribute effectively to strengthening international peace and security,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.

The Kingdom wished Bahrain success in representing the interests of the Arab group of nations within the UN and in carrying out its duties as a member of the council.

Bahrain was elected alongside Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Latvia and Liberia, all of which will serve two-year terms beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

The 15-member Security Council, which is responsible for maintaining international peace and security, consists of five permanent members — China, France, Russia, the UK and the US — plus 10 nonpermanent members elected by the General Assembly to serve staggered, two-year terms. Bahrain and the other newly elected nations will therefore join five existing nonpermanent members whose terms conclude at the end of 2026: Denmark, Greece, Pakistan, Panama and Somalia.
 


Gaza relief effort ‘succeeding’ but can ‘improve,’ Washington says after deaths

Gaza relief effort ‘succeeding’ but can ‘improve,’ Washington says after deaths
Updated 30 min 11 sec ago

Gaza relief effort ‘succeeding’ but can ‘improve,’ Washington says after deaths

Gaza relief effort ‘succeeding’ but can ‘improve,’ Washington says after deaths
  • The Red Cross said that 27 people were killed in southern Gaza near an aid center of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund as Israeli troops opened fire

WASHINGTON: The United States said Tuesday that a US-backed relief effort in Gaza was succeeding in distributing meals but acknowledged the potential for improvement after the Red Cross reported 27 deaths.
“They’re succeeding in getting the meals distributed. And in the meantime, we’re going to obviously be determining how that’s working and how we can further improve perhaps,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters.
The Red Cross said that 27 people were killed in southern Gaza near an aid center of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund as Israeli troops opened fire.
The foundation has faced persistent criticism from the United Nations and aid groups, which say it goes against long-standing humanitarian principles by coordinating relief efforts with a military belligerent.
Bruce complained that President Donald Trump’s administration had been “harangued” by criticism on accounts of hunger in Gaza and that the foundation was getting in food.
She blamed the presence of Israeli troops on the lack of a surrender by Hamas, which Israel has been battling since the armed group’s unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023.
“The dynamics are dangerous and there are seven million meals that have been distributed. I can’t stress enough that that is the story,” she said.
“In the meantime, hopefully things will be refined,” she said, adding there would be another environment “if Hamas actually behaved like human beings.”
The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, on Monday attacked media outlets that, quoting witnesses, had reported on injuries in Gaza aid delivery, saying they were “contributing to the anti-Semitic climate” that has led to two attacks in the United States.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, asked about the Red Cross account of deaths on Tuesday, said that the Trump administration was “aware of those reports, and we are currently looking into the veracity of them.”
“Because unfortunately, unlike some in the media, we don’t take the word of Hamas with total truth,” she said.


Kazakhstan positions itself as major player with key partners in Middle East

Kazakhstan positions itself as major player with key partners in Middle East
Updated 44 min 29 sec ago

Kazakhstan positions itself as major player with key partners in Middle East

Kazakhstan positions itself as major player with key partners in Middle East
  • Astana International Forum took place last month, dialogue on critical global issues

ASTANA: As Kazakhstan positions itself to be a major player in the logistical, technological, and energy sectors, the Middle East could be a key partner for riding that train forward.

The Astana International Forum took place in May, hosting dialogue on critical global issues.

On the sidelines of the forum, Arab News spoke to several high-level Kazakh officials to discuss the country’s collaboration with Middle Eastern countries in finance, energy and foreign policy.

The largest economy in Central Asia, Kazakhstan’s geopolitical profile provides immense global transit potential.

With abundant natural and agricultural resources and a growing middle class, the nation has all the fundamentals for further growth and diversification, according to Nurlan Zhakupov, chief executive officer of sovereign wealth fund Samruk-Kazyna.

Kazakhstan has attracted over $24 billion in foreign direct investment from strategic partnerships around the world, including Qatar and the UAE.

In addition to being key partners in the oil and gas sectors, Middle Eastern countries provide opportunities in a range of other areas.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alibek Kuantyrov said: “In general, GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries are very important to (us).

“We have a lot of productive talks about mutual projects, from Kazakhstan to Ƶ and Ƶn investors to Kazakhstan.”

Earlier this year, Mobile Telecom-Service LLP, one of two mobile communications subsidiaries of Kazakhstan’s largest telecom company Kazakhtelecom, was acquired by Qatar’s Power International Holding for $1.1 billion.

Samruk-Kazyna is also in close talks with Ƶ’s Public Investment Fund, “and we hope that soon these discussions will materialize into concrete projects,” Zhakupov said.

The Kazakh fund’s next big focus is logistics and transportation, aiming to double its cargo volume.

Kazakhstan is additionally expanding its international transit capacity by building more ports across parts of Asia and Europe, including one in Abu Dhabi.

Together with Abu Dhabi Ports, Samruk-Kazyna’s subsidiary oil and gas company, KazMunayGas, operates a fleet of vessels in the Caspian Sea.

This partnership is part of a bigger goal to expand China-Europe trade capacity through the Trans-Caspian Trade Route that connects Central Asia to the Caspian Sea; a path similar to the ancient Silk Road and through which 90 percent of Chinese cargo passes Kazakhstan.

The Central Asian nation also has a strong focus on digitalization and renewable energy.

Zhaslan Madiyev, the minister of digital development, innovation, and aerospace industry, said that a new artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency committee has been established.

Kazakhstan is also one of the world’s top 10 countries in crypto mining, with 60 operating mining firms and several mining pools.

By amending laws and adding crypto ATMs, exchange shops and cards, “the president’s idea is to define a crypto city that will be completely crypto friendly,” the minister said.

One of the major projects the ministry is working on is an International AI Center, a location for excellence focused on talent development, innovation, and economic growth in AI.

The 20,000 sq. meters sphere-shaped center will be a regional hub for attracting international technological collaboration.

The project will be part of a bigger ecosystem hoping to replicate the success of Astana Hub, an international technology park with 1,500 startups under its belt and an outreach across 20 cities worldwide, including a joint innovation hub in Riyadh, Ƶ.

Riyadh’s Al-Farabi Innovation Hub opened in March 2024 with the intention of bridging startups from Kazakhstan, Central Asia and the Caucasus with the Middle East and North Africa markets.

That same month, Kazakhstan’s ed-tech startup CodiPlay partnered with Ƶ’s Artificially Intelligent Learning Assistant to bring digital education solutions to 200 Saudi schools, an initiative that aims to enhance IT literacy among students.

Madiyev said: “I believe there is a huge potential for bringing Saudi investments here and expanding Kazakhstan innovative startups and technologies to Saudi as well.

“With their startups and technologies, Saudi can access the whole Central Asia region through Kazakhstan, and we will be glad to access the Saudi market and the broader Middle Eastern region.”

He also noted that another hub and acceleration program is set to open in Dubai in the fall of this year.

When asked about plans to balance the environmental effects of AI and technology, the president’s special representative on the environment told Arab News that nuclear power was a potential solution.

“It’s really a big question of where your energy comes from. If it comes from coal, then there will definitely be a huge impact on the environment,” said Zulfiya Suleimenova, special representative of the president on international environmental cooperation.

The country aims to have its share of nuclear in the national generation mix hit 5 percent by 2035. The first plant, expected to be completed in eight years, will be built in the Almaty region and is one of three planned nuclear power plants.

One of the largest projects Kazakhstan has in the Middle East is an agreement with Masdar, the Emirati state-owned renewable energy company, signed between Samruk-Kazyna and the UAE’s Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in May this year.

The agreement is two-fold. It will include the development of a 1 gigawatt wind farm in the Jambyl Region with a 600 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system, positioned to be one of the largest wind initiatives in Central Asia.

Additionally, a 24/7 renewable energy project plans to provide up to 500 megawatts of baseload renewable energy with a capacity of up to 2 gigawatts.

Kazakhstan aims to generate 15 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 50 percent by 2035.

Other opportunities for joint environmental efforts in the Middle East are in water cooperation, Suleimenova said.

The idea of the One Water Summit which took place in Riyadh last year was to drive more political momentum around water-related issues that otherwise do not get the same attention as other climate concerns.

At the summit, nine international development banks committed to increase financing into water infrastructure and water-related projects — particularly in vulnerable regions — including the European Investment Bank.

“Back in 2023 when I was minister of ecology, I had the pleasure of meeting the Saudi minister of water, environment and agriculture, and am very (much) looking forward to continuing these discussions and cooperation and hopefully joint efforts,” said Suleimenova.

The president’s special representative noted that falcon and eagle diplomacy and the protection of these species was another key focus of collaboration between Kazakhstan and Ƶ, and added: “We hope to further our efforts and cooperation in biodiversity … including the preservation of eagles. They are the pride of our country and our people but also of your countries, of Ƶ, the UAE, and others.”

Discussions with Ƶ’s ACWA Power over the possibility of developing a 1GW wind energy and battery storage plant in Kazakhstan are also ongoing.


Man United captain Bruno Fernandes rejects $135m Al-Hilal transfer deal, UK media reports

Man United captain Bruno Fernandes rejects $135m Al-Hilal transfer deal, UK media reports
Updated 03 June 2025

Man United captain Bruno Fernandes rejects $135m Al-Hilal transfer deal, UK media reports

Man United captain Bruno Fernandes rejects $135m Al-Hilal transfer deal, UK media reports
  • BBC Sport says the Portuguese midfielder spent several days ‘seriously’ considering the deal but turned it down for ‘family and personal’ reasons
  • No official word, before or after the stories appeared on Tuesday, from Al-Hilal about any approach to the player

BEIRUT: Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes reportedly turned down a lucrative offer to sign for Saudi Pro League powerhouses Al-Hilal, for “family and personal” reasons.

Though there had been no official word from Al-Hilal about any approach to the player, several British media outlets reported on Tuesday that the 30-year-old rejected a massive deal said to be worth £80 million-£100 million ($108 million-$135 million).

BBC Sport said the Portuguese midfielder spent the past few days “seriously” considering an offer that would have more than doubled what he earns at Old Trafford, where he is already one of the top earners. Having discussed the deal with his family, however, Fernandes told the Saudi club he would not be joining them.

Portugal were preparing on Tuesday for their Nation League semifinal against Germany on Wednesday, and with Fernandes expected to participate in the prematch press conference in Munich, it was thought the question of Al-Hilal’s interest in him might be raised.

Man United were said to be thrilled and relieved by his decision to stay with the club. Head coach Ruben Amorim had said last week that he believed his captain would remain at Old Trafford for the forseeable future.

According to the British media reports, there was no direct communication between the two clubs, so United were never presented with any official offer from Al-Hilal that they could turn down. However, the stories suggested the Saudi side were willing to offer Fernandes up to £100 million to sign in time for the FIFA Club World Cup, while will take place in the US between June 14 and July 13.

The Mirror newspaper quoted former United star Rio Ferdinand as saying he was delighted that Fernandes decided to remain in England.

“I’ve got to be honest (it’s) the biggest news for me today,” Ferdinand reportedly said on his podcast.

Sky Sports said that Al-Hilal offered Fernandes £100 million to join and were willing to almost treble his £250,000-a-week wages, and his decision to turn them down was thought to be both a football and personal one.

It was also reported that the player’s agent, Miguel Pinho, had visited Riyadh for talks with senior Al-Hilal executives but this could not be independently confirmed.

Talksport.com said Fernandes rejected an “eye-watering” £700,000-a-week move after discussing it with his family and coach.

Former United right-back Gary Neville told Sky Sports the transfer would not have been a bad deal, financially, for the Old Trafford club but added: “He’s so important. The fact that he wants to stay, the fact that he wants to go through this and come out the other side — because it would have been easy for him at the end of this season to say, ‘Look, I’m done here’ — will endear him towards Manchester United fans even more.”

Al-Hilal often shares important news through the club’s account on social media platform X but there had been no mention of any potential offer to Fernandes.


What We Are Reading Today: ‘Deadly Force’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Deadly Force’
Updated 03 June 2025

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Deadly Force’

What We Are Reading Today: ‘Deadly Force’

Authors: Tom S. Clark, Adam N. Glynn, & Michael Leo Owens 

Police shootings in America spark outrage and protest and raise questions about police use of lethal force. Yet despite the attention given to high-profile shootings, it is extremely difficult to draw wider conclusions about the frequency and outcomes of police gunfire because there is no systematic and centralized source of information on these incidents.

This pioneering book draws on original data, compiled by the authors, to examine police shootings, both fatal and non-fatal, in hundreds of American cities.