[This is a monthly roundup of news articles and other materials related to environmental issues in the Middle East. It does not reflect the views of the Environment Page of Jadaliyya.]
Regional News
Campaigners Call for Climate Crisis Global Day of Action During Cop27 The Guardian (15 September 2022)
A global day of action is being planned by activists for November 12, 2022, midway through the COP27 UN Climate Talks.
Keywords: Climate & Weather
‘Part of the Same Land’: Lebanese and Syrians Join Forces To Fight Wildfires The Guardian (15 September 2022)
Volunteer firefighters work together to protect forests in Akkar Province from wildfires.
Keywords: Climate & Weather
Qatar To Rehabilitate Yemen Power PlantMiddle East Monitor (15 September 2022)
The Qatar Fund for Development will help rehabilitate the Al-Hiswa power plant in Yemen to provide the city of Aden with two mobile power units.
Keywords: Infrastructure, Energy
Qatar World Cup Set To Be Major Windfall for Tourist-Ready DubaiMiddle East Eye (17 September 2022)
The UAE hopes to attract tourists during the World Cup tournament in November and December in neighboring Qatar.
Keywords: Tourism
An Israel-Lebanon Border Deal Could Increase Natural Gas Supplies New York Times (27 September 2022)
Natural gas fields in the eastern Mediterranean could become an important new source of gas for Europe amidst the Russian war in Ukraine.
Keywords: Natural Resources, Energy
Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon Agree To Boost Food Security CooperationMiddle East Monitor (27 September 2022)
The agricultural ministers of Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Syria met to discuss resolving regional food insecurity, and approved a proposal to open a center for food security in Jordan.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture
Algeria
The Land Issue in Algeria: Between Equity and EfficiencyAs-safir Al-Arabi (2 September 2022)
Two-thirds of the arable land in Algeria remain unexploited agriculturally due to construction demands and the lasting impact of colonial policy on land redistribution.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture, Land
Algeria: The Trans-Saharan Pipeline, a Nigerian Alternative to Russian Gas?Middle East Eye (10 September 2022)
Europe hopes to see the proposed Trans-Saharan Pipeline, which will transport Nigerian gas by way of Niger and Algeria to Europe, operational within two years.
Keywords: Infrastructure, Energy
Bahrain
Bahrain Reports 1st Case of MonkeypoxMiddle East Monitor (16 September 2022)
A foreign traveler from abroad tests positive for Bahrain’s first case of monkeypox.
Keywords: Health
Egypt
Egypt: Fears of Tree 'Massacre' as Bulldozers Move into Alexandria's Ancient Garden Middle East Eye (1 September 2022)
Some residents fear upgrades to the Antoniadis Gardens in Alexandria will uproot historic trees in the park.
Keywords: Urban Planning, Historic Preservation
Residents of Arish’s Coast Face Evictions, Demolitions amid Plans To Develop, Expand Port Mada Masr (7 September 2022)
Up to 4,000 families of Risa, an area of the North Sinai city of Arish, are facing eviction and property demolition for the development and expansion of Arish Port.
Keywords: Urban Planning, Land
Egypt: Anger at Closure of Country's Largest Coke Factory ahead of UN Climate Summit Middle East Eye (8 September 2022)
The El Nasr Coke Factory, a major source of pollution in Cairo, has closed leading up to the COP27 UN Climate Talks, but some Egyptians fear the economic impact of closing a key business.
Keywords: Pollution, Labor
Environmental Advocacy and Research Constrained in Egypt, Says Human Rights Watch Mada Masr (12 September 2022)
A report from Human Rights Watch has concluded the Egyptian government is constraining independent organizations from conducting environmental research.
Keywords: Climate & Weather
COP27: Egypt Creating Climate of Fear for Environmentalists ahead of ConferenceMiddle East Eye (12 September 2022)
A report from Human Rights Watch has concluded the Egyptian government is constraining independent organizations from conducting environmental research.
Keywords: Climate & Weather
Land in Egypt: A Struggle for Power, Wealth, and Survival As-safir Al-arabi (24 September 2022)
A history of how land has been important to the sovereignty and authority of Egypt over the past century.
Keywords: Land
Egypt: Cairo's First Bike-Sharing Project Comes to NothingMiddle East Eye (25 September 2022)
A bike-sharing network across Cairo had been promoted as an effective way to reduce energy consumption, but after the first phase was launched in July, the project has stalled.
Keywords: Infrastructure, Transportation, Pollution
What’s behind Egypt’s green hydrogen hype? Mada Masr (29 September 2022)
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi added the production of green hydrogen to the national agenda in 2021. Green hydrogen could be a sustainable power source for energy intensive industries, but currently lacks the industry to support the distribution of high amounts of renewable energy.
Keywords: Energy, Infrastructure
Iran
Iran Is Ready To Supply Oil to Europe If Sanctions LiftedMiddle East Monitor (6 September 2022)
Iran says it is ready to supply oil to Europe if Europe lifts current sanctions.
Keywords: Energy
Iranian Press Review: Pregnant Single Women Refused Entry to Hospitals Middle East Eye (15 September 2022)
Single pregnant women can be denied admittance to hospitals unless an assisting organization guarantees to support the mother.
Keywords: Health
Iran To Purchase Gas from RussiaMiddle East Library (21 September 2022)
Iran will soon announce a gas swap deal with Russia.
Keywords: Energy
Elon Musk: SpaceX Seeks To Introduce Satellite Internet to IranMiddle East Monitor (21 September 2022)
Elon Musk seeks exemption from US sanctions on Iran in order to provide internet service following government restrictions on internet access across Iran.
Keywords: Infrastructure, Space
Why Elon Musk’s Starlink Will Not Affect Protests in IranAl Jazeera (26 September 2022)
Iran currently lacks the infrastructure to connect to SpaceX’s Starlink internet, but hackers have started publishing malware disguised as software needed to connect to Starlink.
Keywords: Infrastructure, Space
Starlink: This Is Why Elon Musk's Iran Plan Likely Won't Have LiftoffMiddle East Eye (27 September 2022)
Iranians remain unable to connect to Starlink owing to the absence of receiver terminals and access for these terminals to connect to satellites and terrestrial internet.
Keywords: Infrastructure, Space
Iraq
‘The Green Land Is a Barren Desert’: Water Scarcity Hits Iraq’s Fertile Crescent The Guardian (7 September 2022)
Water in the Tigris and Euphrates rivers has dropped to half of historic levels, owing to decreased precipitation, poor water management, and upstream hydrology projects.
Keywords: Water, Food & Agriculture
Five Years after ISIL Defeat, Iraq Ancient Ruins Open to TouristsAl Jazeera (11 September 2022)
The ancient ruins of Hatra, a designated endangered World Heritage Site, have opened to tourists.
Keywords: Tourism, Historic Preservation
Artificial Rain in Iraq: Impact on Human Life and BiodiversityRaseef 22 (12 September 2022)
Cloud seeding may reduce water scarcity in drought-stricken Iraq, but concern remains over the pollution potential of the chemicals used for this process.
Keywords: Water, Climate & Weather, Pollution
Photos: Iraq’s Mighty Tigris River Is Drying UpAl Jazeera (21 September 2022)
Water levels of the Tigris have dropped to thirty-five percent of the century average, resulting in the reduction of cultivated land by half. Some of this loss is attributed to dams on the river upstream in Turkey.
Keywords: Water
Iraq: Oil Refinery Threatens Health of Refugees in Camp Middle East Eye (24 September 2022) Loss of funding for the Kawergosk refugee camp north of Erbil is causing living conditions to deteriorate.
Keywords: Pollution, Waste, Health, Water, Infrastructure
Jordan, Palestine, and Israel
Israeli Settlers Destroy Water Pipes in BethlehemMiddle East Monitor (2 September 2022)
Israeli settlers cut water pipes in the Wadi Abyan area, resulting in the stop of water supply to homes in Kisan Village.
Keywords: Water, Infrastructure
West Bank: Israel To Legalise Dozens of Illegal Farm Settlements Middle East Eye (5 September 2022)
New regulations proposed by Israel’s Civil Administration would define rules for the creation of new farm settlements in the occupied West Bank, and would effectively legalize existing illegal outposts.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture, Land
Desert Winemaking ‘Sounds Absurd,’ but Israeli Vineyards in Negev Show the Way New York Times (7 September 2022)
Vineyards in the Negev Desert pioneer dry-weather wine production techniques which might soon become important globally.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture, Climate & Weather
Israel Settlers Cut down 25 Olive Trees in Palestine Village Middle East Monitor (10 September 2022)
Israeli settlers cut down olives trees on private Palestinian farm land in Qaryout, south of Nablus.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture
Israel Settlers Chase Palestinian Shepherds in Jordan Valley Middle East Monitor (12 September 2022)
Israeli settlers chased Palestinian shepherds whose livestock was grazing the northern valleys of the occupied West Bank.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture
Jordan: Five Dead and More Trapped under Rubble as Building Collapses in Amman Middle East Eye (14 September 2022)
A residentials structure in central Amman collapses. The government blames the building being “old and dilapidated,” but others fear inspections are not being carried out on old buildings near new construction sites.
Keywords: Infrastructure, Urban Planning
Palestinians Demand Right to Natural Gas Field off Gaza Strip Middle East Monitor (14 September 2022)
Gazans protest, demanding rights to natural gas fields in the Mediterranean off the coast of the strip.
Keywords: Natural Resources, Energy
On Jordan's Streets, The Captagon Epidemic Ruins Lives Middle East Eye (18 September 2022)
An increase of drug trafficking sees Jordan grow not just as a transit route, but also as a distribution destination as drug abuse has risen over the past decade.
Keywords: Health
Israel Rejects Sweet Potato Imports from Gaza Middle East Monitor (19 September 2022)
Israel is experiencing a sweet potato shortage, but refuses to import sweet potatoes from Gaza.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture
Booking.Com To Warn Users Reserving Occupied West Bank Properties Al Jazeera (19 September 2022)
Booking.com faces criticism from Israeli government after announcing it will refer to the West Bank as “occupied” as part of a new safety statement.
Keywords: Tourism
Israel Risks Crossing Hezbollah ‘Red Line’ as It Prepares To Connect to Disputed Gas Field The Guardian (20 September 2022)
Israel’s Energy Ministry announced that it will be conducting tests on a disputed gas field in the Mediterranean that is claimed by Lebanon.
Keywords: Natural Resources, Energy, Infrastructure
Gov't Contract Shows How Israel Enlists Forests To Grab Land from Bedouin Citizens 972 Magazine (22 September 2022)
Documents from the Israel Land Authority and the Jewish National Fund reveal plans to plant forests in territories that Israel wants to keep from Bedouins.
Keywords: Land
Nurses' District: Damage Caused by Israel's Sewage Works Threatens Palestinian Families Middle East Eye (24 September 2022)
Residents of the Nurses’ District in occupied East Jerusalem blame Israeli authorities for dangerously damaging the structural integrity of houses due to underground work on pipes. Residents now face eviction notices due to threat of imminent collapse, but many refuse to vacate residences.
Keywords: Urban Planning, Infrastructure
Israel Lifts Ban on Sale of Gaza Fish in West Bank Middle East Monitor (29 September 2022)
Gaza begins exporting fish to the West Bank after Israeli ban on fishing and seafood exports is lifted after a month and a half.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture
Egyptian Gecko Invasion Forces Israel To Declare Emergency Middle East Eye (29 September 2022)
Israeli authorities ask residents of the Dead Sea basin region to help locate Egyptian geckos which have recently entered the region and damaged crops.
Keywords: Wildlife, Food & Agriculture
Lebanon
Lebanon President: TotalEnergies Could Help Lebanon in Maritime Demarcation with Israel Middle East Monitor (6 September 2022)
Lebanese president Michel Anoun said that the French gas company TotalEnergies will be able to help negotiate the maritime border between Lebanon and Israel around contested Mediterranean gas field.
Keywords: Natural Resources, Energy
No Longer Riding the Hashish High, Lebanon’s Cannabis Producers Move to Captagon L’Orient Le Jour (7 September 2022)
The economic crisis in Lebanon is driving farmers in the Bekaa Valley to transition to more profitable illicit crop production, like hashish.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture, Health
Oppressive Blackouts Force Lebanese to Change Rhythm of Life New York Times (12 September 2022)
Lebanon faces extensive electricity cuts. Residents without a private generator receive only one to two hours of power a day, altering daily routines.
Keywords: Energy, Infrastructure
Gasoline Subsidies Completely Lifted L’Orient Le Jour (12 September 2022)
The Banque du Liban, which has been gradually reducing gasoline subsidies over a month, is set to completely lift the subsidy.
Keywords: Energy
Lebanon Is Turning to Solar Energy, but Are There Risks? L’Orient Le Jour (13 September 2022)
Amid energy and economic crises, there has been increased investment in the private sector for solar energy in Lebanon. While solar has been beneficial in the face of high electricity costs, many solar energy projects have been rushed by underqualified companies utilizing poor equipment and faulty installation.
Keywords: Energy, Infrastructure
All Lebanese Thermal Power Plants Shut Down amid Fuel Oil Shortage: EDL L’Orient Le Jour (15 September 2022)
Fuel shortage and staff protests shut down all thermal power plants across Lebanon.
Keywords: Energy, Infrastructure
Daily Blackouts Put Lebanon’s Ancient Artefacts at Risk Al Jazeera (25 September 2022)
Power outages threaten the preservation of archeological artifacts in The National Museum of Beirut due to lack of temperature and humidity control.
Keywords: Historic Preservation, Energy, Tourism
Will Lebanon's Oil and Gas Gamble Pay Off? L’Orient Le Jour (30 September 2022)
The Lebanese government has announced it will replace Russian company Novatek’s share of oil and gas exports off the coast amid negotiations with Israel.
Keywords: Energy, Natural Resources
Morocco
In Morocco: Fruitful Land for Large-scale Farms and Erratic Rainfall for Small Farmers As-safir Al-arabi (16 September 2022)
Morocco, with its extensive agricultural lands, exports about half of its produce to Europe but is far from reaching food self-sufficiency.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture
Qatar
Germany Close to a Long-Term LNG Agreement with Qatar Middle East Monitor (21 September 2022)
German companies are close to finalizing a deal to buy liquified natural gas from Qatar’s North Field Expansion project.
Keywords: Energy, Natural Resources
Qatar World Cup 2022: Negative Covid Tests Required, but Vaccination not Mandatory Middle East Eye (29 September 2022)
Spectators of the 2022 FIFA world cup will be required to present a negative COVID-19 test in order to fly to Qatar, but are not required to be vaccinated.
Keywords: Health, Tourism
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Is Razing Whole Neighborhoods To Make Way for Tourism and WealthNPR (13 September 2022)
A $20 billion redevelopment project south of Jeddah is displacing thousands from their homes in favor of attracting tourists and wealthy foreigners.
Keywords: Urban Planning, Tourism
Neom: Saudi Arabia Jails Tribesmen for 50 Years for Rejecting Displacement Middle East Eye (13 September 2022)
Members of the Howeitat tribe in Saudi Arabia face imprisonment for protesting forcible displacement as plans for Saudi Arabia’s megacity NEOM proceed.
Keywords: Land, Urban Planning
Saudi Arabia Discovers Gold, Copper Ore in Madinah Middle East Monitor (18 September 2022)
Saudi Arabia announces discovery of new deposits of gold and copper in the Madinah region.
Keywords: Natural Resources
Saudi Mission on SpaceX Capsule To Include First Female Arab Astronaut Middle East Monitor (22 September 2022)
The first female Arab astronaut will undertake a Saudi mission to the International Space Station next year.
Keywords: Space
Sudan
‘Nothing Left’: Floods in Sudan Leave 100 Dead, Many Homeless Al Jazeera (1 September 2022)
Over a quarter of a million people in fifteen of Sudan’s eighteen provinces face the devastation of severe floods in the beginning of the rainy season.
Keywords: Climate & Weather, Water
Syria
Second Israeli Attack in a Week Damages Aleppo Airport: Syria Al Jazeera (6 September 2022)
Israeli missiles damage the runway of the Aleppo airport, halting service.
Keywords: Infrastructure
Water Problems in Syria Give Rise to Deadly Cholera Outbreak New York Times (22 September 2022)
A cholera outbreak in northern Syria is linked to contaminated water in the Euphrates River and lack of sanitation infrastructure.
Keywords: Health, Water, Waste, Infrastructure
Syria: Cholera Surge Sparks Fears of Uncontrollable Outbreak in Idlib Camps Middle East Eye (27 September 2022)
An outbreak of cholera in northern Syria raises concern about the disease spreading to camps of internally displaced Syrians, which often lack clean drinking water and proper sewage systems.
Keywords: Health, Water, Waste, Infrastructure
Tunisia
Rural Women in Tunisia: The Dilemmas of Informal and Feminized Labour As-safir Al-Arabi (6 September 2022)
Rural women in Tunisia often work as unpaid labor in family farming, which does not provide them with the security of a formal work structure or access to social security.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture, Labor
Agriculture in Tunisia in the Twenty-First Century: Challenges and Risks As-safir Al-arabi (10 September 2022)
Agricultural policy in the last half century has seen the decline of food security in Tunisia as the government has prioritized export crops, altered land ownership, and failed to sustain interest in agricultural work in the younger generations.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture, Land
Tunisia Hikes Cooking Gas, Fuel Prices in Bid To Cut Subsidies Middle East Eye (17 September 2022)
The Tunisian Energy Ministry announced the cost of cooking gas will increase for the first time in twelve years, while the cost of petrol will go up for the fourth time this year.
Türkiye
Turkey Seeks Gas Price Cut from Russia Middle East Eye (9 September 2022)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is seeking a price discount on imported Russian oil.
Keywords: Energy, Natural Resources
United Arab Emirates
UAE To Build $5bn ‘Moon’ Resort Middle East Monitor (12 September 2022)
The UAE partners with Canadian architectural firm Moon World Resorts Inc to construct a luxury resort along Dubai’s skyline. The project aims to be the largest tourist attraction in the region.
Keywords: Tourism, Urban Planning
UAE Rolls out ‘Bread for All’ Smart Machines for Needy Dubai Residents Middle East Monitor (18 September 2022)
Smart vending machines in Dubai aim to provide underprivileged families with free bread.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture, Infrastructure
Yemen
Yemen’s Coffee Farmers Bid To Win over Baristas to Their Heritage Beans The Guardian (12 September 2022)
Yemeni coffee farmers traveled to London to promote the native crop.
Keywords: Food & Agriculture
