Environment and Climate

With COP27 come and gone, environmentalists have since turned their attention to the legacy of the global summit. In one of the most climate-threatened regions on earth, debt relief has now been posited as a way to help marine conservation in MENA.

Yes, you can. On a recent trip to the island nation, The New Arab explored the different schemes and programmes visitors can enjoy, in particular an eco-conscious initiative at Lux South Ari Atoll where tourists can adopt corals.

Dubbed the 'fuel of the future,' green hydrogen is the hype of the day at COP27, especially among MENA states aiming to become hydrogen hubs in the coming decade. But what are the limits of this hydrogen craze?

The olive tree, the eternal symbol of peace and freedom, is under threat. Increased incidents of drought and heat waves across major producing countries have caused a dramatic fall in olive oil production, with solutions needed now more than ever.

COP27 negotiations concluded with a historic agreement on loss and damage. But outcomes were otherwise disappointing and the Arab group, led by Saudi Arabia, blocked any mention of phasing out fossil fuels – a key contributor to global warming.

Heads of state and prominent activists are using their platform at COP27 to demand a "loss and damage" fund to compensate for the disproportionate effects the climate crisis has had on the well-being of their countries.

Somalia is experiencing one of its worst-ever droughts with its population in desperate need of sustainable, practical solutions. Khalid Abdille, program manager of the Somali Greenpeace Association, tells us about his successes to remedy the crisis.

As top climate talks unfold at COP27, no progress is expected for the millions due to be displaced by climate change. To this day, there is no legal recognition for “climate refugees” and no sustainable funding plan on the table for host countries.

Jordan is one of the most water-scarce countries on Earth. As water resources dwindle in light of population pressures and global warming, mismanagement is adding to the water crisis in a way the country can ill afford.

The hawksbill sea turtles that populate Qatar's coasts are critically endangered, despite years of dedicated efforts by conservationists. More effort is needed, they say, to protect them and avert eco-system collapse.