Environment

India: BJP people instigated residents to burn crackers, AQI rose by 100 points overnight

New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) People associated with the BJP instigated residents to burn firecrackers on Diwali, leading to an overnight increase of over 100 points in the national capital's air quality index, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai alleged on Monday.

At a press conference here, he said the firecrackers burnt in Delhi were sourced from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, and that certain individuals, including police personnel from these states, permitted the transportation of those firecrackers to the city.

India: Delhi air quality dips as firework ban goes up in smoke

New Delhi, Nov 13 (PTI) Delhi recorded a jump in pollution levels and a smoky haze returned on Monday morning after residents flouted the ban on firecrackers on Diwali night.

The city recorded its best air quality on Diwali day in eight years on Sunday, with its 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 218 at 4 pm.

However, firecracker bursting till late Sunday night led to a spike in pollution levels amid low temperatures.

Saudi Aramco and Neom’s Enowa sign e-fuel deal

26 October 2023; MEMO: Saudi Aramco and Enowa, Neom’s energy and water subsidiary, have signed a joint development agreement to construct and establish a synthetic electro-fuel (e-fuel) demonstration plant, Middle East Business Intelligence reports.

According to the report, the plant will be in Enowa’s Hydrogen Innovation and Development Centre (HIDC).

China and Saudi Arabia to power green hydrogen project with 2.2 GW of solar energy

11 August 2023; MEMO: China's energy company, Sungrow, said this week that it will provide its inverter skid technology and 1+X modular inverter solution for a 2.2 Gigawatt (GW) solar plant that Neom Green Hydrogen Company (NGHC) is building in Oxagon. The project site is in a port area close to the futuristic Neom City project, Reuters reports.

Saudi Arabia aims to plant 50m mangrove trees to combat desertification

27 July 2023; MEMO: Saudi Arabia opened its first mangrove nursery on Wednesday, which is targeting to plant 50 million trees by 2030 in the fight against desertification, Anadolu Agency reports.

John Pagano, Chief Executive of Red Sea Global, the developer behind the project, said they aim to grow the trees in partnership with the National Centre for Vegetation Cover, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

USA: 10 states plan to sue EPA over standards for residential wood-burning stoves

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Attorneys general from 10 states plan to sue the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, saying its failure to review and ensure emissions standards for residential wood-burning stoves has allowed the continued sale of appliances that could worsen pollution.

That means programs that encourage people to trade in older stoves and other wood-burning appliances, such as forced-air furnaces, haven’t necessarily improved air quality, the states say.

Arab environmental head withdraws from EU training course due to Israel delegation presence

21 June 2023; MEMO: The director of an Arab environmental group withdrew from a European Union (EU) training course in Italy this week after an Israeli delegation appeared at the course, leading her to call on the bloc to adhere to international law by refraining from assisting elements of Israel's occupation.

Spanish waste is being smuggled in to Morocco, gov't must act: MP says

14 June 2023; MEMO: A member of the Moroccan parliament has questioned what measures the government has put in place to protect the kingdom from being a site to dump foreign rubbish.

This comes after media outlets published details of an investigation carried out by the Spanish authorities into the smuggling of tonnes of plastic waste into Morocco and other countries in Africa.

Huge sandstorm hits Egypt, killing 4

05 June 2023; MEMO: A huge sandstorm hit Egypt last week, killing four people and injuring five others when a billboard fell onto the 6th October Bridge.

During the spring, Egypt is regularly hit by the khamisin – 50 – hot, dry windstorms which carry sand from the desert and can last for up to 50 days.

The storm can cause severe headaches, blocked and runny noses and red, irritated eyes.

Citizens are advised to stay at home whereever possible until the storm has passed.

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