Increasing pressures on natural resources, in particular availability, accessibility and affordability of Water and Energy “WE”-resources, require Sustainable Management Policies that consider shaping and integrating Sustainable Technologies to meet the growing needs for large-scale and long-term transformation to New Sustainable Life-styles. Unlike, in ancient civilization where population settlements were created at/around fresh surface-water bodies, e.g. rivers, lakes and deltas, future settlements are likely to grow faster at coastal regions “Hydroponic Coastal Colonies” and non-traditional living areas with limited fresh-water resources. Agricultural production may not require land to the same extent as in traditional farm communities; modern technology will allow more Sustainable Cities to grow on coastal areas as well. However, climate change threats for increasing sea-water levels have to be taken in consideration, what we have learned from the past safety and protection measures are always part of any successful socio-economic developments. The future is bright by innovation and not by imitation.
Shaping and Integrating Modern Technologies for Sustainable Cities and Global Food needs
By Chemist/ Safwan Elfar, Qatar
Safwan, Emerging Sustainable Technologies for transformation of living-styles are very challeging, interesting and innovative. They have to be carried out to suit the environmental and climatic conditions in coastal areas with consideration to the large-scale and long-term needs for conservation of natural resources and protection of the sensitive life processes in these areas. Coastal ecosystems are very fragile for waste, pollution and global warming as increasing population and new life-styles in these regions are likely to cause new waste and pollution, it is therefore necessary to consider all necessary precautions and protection measures for the safety and security of population.
In this context, coastal regions are extremely important for arid and semi-arid regions, in particular the MENA region, with no, limited and/or variable access to rain as well as shortages in surface water and declining groundwater resources. It is, therefore, IMPERATIVE to promote Sustainable Technologies that are appropraite for developing suitable life-style in these regions with focus on water-energy solutions adequate for such areas.
http://www.slu.se/en/international/slu-global/events-at-slu-global/2014/7/4th-ruforum-2014-biennial-conference/
Dear Dr. Farid
Thank you for raising these essential points, colonization of coastal areas is a long term investment,
The main objective is to colonize new areas near the coast without causing negative environmental impacts/consequences of human settlements/activities in these areas so life style should be changed to generate less waste!
All the negative impact on environment/ecosystem related to human activities can be avoided if practical steps to colonize the coastal areas adopted as per the following sequence of selecting/installing “state of the art”:
1- Rules & amp; regulation encouraging package (land price or rent cost, tax exemption, governmental utilities including police stations, public services & amp; communications)
2- Human resource & amp; training utilities to select and train the colonists
3- The place & amp; area to be colonized (sea level, ecosystem, climate, geological survey …)
4- Solar water & amp; electricity generation systems
5- hydroponic green houses
6- housing estate (green buildings) which will gradually expand with the raising of population
7- Agriculture waste water treatment/recycling utilities (expandable)
8- Domestic waste treatment/recycling utilities (expandable)
9- Small transporting/exporting ports (expandable)
Starting with high commercial value crops, to cover the initial expense and the profits are directed to build more green houses, with passage of time the population will increase gradually, families will start to settle,…
The conservation of resources, environment & amp; ecosystems are logical consequences of successful selection of area and colonist, is pioneers life time job! And long term investment for investors!
Safwan, I agree that we need to have instruments and solutions in place to implement and use technologies in the best possible sustainable manner, i.e. future “users” can equally enjoy from whatever developed today so as the initial capital of natural resources are kept and maintained, for generations to come, at least in the initial conditions. We see how natural evolution created wealthy and healthy environments and eco-systems with unique processes of functioning and metabolism that involve natural cleaning mechanisms as well. Also, ancient civilizations in pre-industrial eras kept natural ecosystems in tact. Then it must be possible to learn from nature and ancient civilization that management of our capital natural resources in Sustainable Manner is IMPERATIVE. Science, technology and the life-style of humans have to be directed more and more away from production of waste, degradation of nature and creation of threats to humans.
Safwan, so I totally agree with you “it is a life-time job” and moreover “it is a collective responsibility both vertically and horizontally” since whatever “TECHNOLOGY” is used the end-user is always the “CITIZEN” and whatever “INVESTOR or CAPITAL” is used the main resources that needs to be conserved is “NATURAL Resources”, so without public awareness of the “POPULATIOIN” and sustainable management policies for “NATURAL RESOURCES” the definite fate is POVERTY FOR THE POPULATION and TOTAL ANNIHILATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES.
With consideration to the given arguments, “Appropriate Sustainable Management Policies” require implementation of “Duties and Rights” for both the “Investors and Users” in the private sector, and “authorities and citizens” in public sectors, as well as within and between national and international authorities and legal bodies in state sectors and national/international organizations/bodies. These “Duties and Rights” can be formulated and established in rules and regulation, as well as conventions and treaties within legal and transparent frameworks.
In state affairs public services, e.g. education, research, health, transport, public safety and environmental protection, need to be supported through taxation to insure/assure continuity/stability and acceptable levels of public services especially build-up of the necessary infra-structures. This is, however, essential in cases where the private sectors are totally free from the state with no obligations for investment in public services. In many countries around the world where there are either high levels of poverty or increasing degradation in public services, e.g. in particular health, education, security and basic infra-structures, the private sectors were left to grow in fragmented manner and through uncontrolled links to society and population needs, and above all without solid, stable and coherent underlaying public services. There are always win-win solutions for stronge coupling between public and private sectors, e.g. as those existing in the Scandinavian countries such as Sweden.
Thanks for the link Mr. Charles
Dr. Farid, I do agree that we have to consider these essential points; by wise utilization of available resources by generating less waste, and accelerate the recovery process of our Mother-Earth using using “state of the art” recycling techniques
To guarantee availability of resources for incoming generations, efforts should be directed to adopt “sustainability” as life style.
we have to always remember the French author Alexandre Dumas and the “Three Musketeers’s motto All for one and one for all.” but from environmental point of view!