The ‘Green Mosques’ project hopes to help conserve water and electricity at 300 mosques- and save around US$1.5 million every year
Water scarcity in the Middle East is nothing new- in fact, the region has been struggling to cope with drought and water shortages for centuries. The only problem is that today, modern urbanisation and population increases have put immense pressure on dwindling water supplies which are already threatened by the effects of climate change. The solution: conservation.
As well as high rates of waste production, the UAE also happens to have one of the highest water consumption rates in the world with around 550 litres of water allocated per person each year. With this in mind, we were happy to hear of an important new scheme which plans to install water and electricity saving devices in 300 Dubai mosque. Not only will it help reduce consumption by 20% it will also help save around US$1.5 million (Dh6 million). Not bad, eh!
According to Gulf News, the 300 mosques which have been identified for the ‘Green Mosques’ project spent Dh26 on water and electricity in the previous year. “[If the same consumption rates continue] the bills could be Dh 32 million this year,” Sheikh Abdul Aziz told the Gulf News. “The project envisages saving Dh 6 million by reducing water and electricity consumption by 20 per cent.”
It appears that the person behind the ‘Green Mosques’ project is none other than the famed Green Sheikh. Green Prophet have been following the Green Sheikh– otherwise known as Abdul Aziz Bin Ali Al Nuaimi– for a while now and it’s great to see his green initiatives taking shape.
Back in December 2010, Gulf News reported that one mosque in Dubai had been able to save 15,000 gallons of water in one month after installing water saving taps. For such a simple step, that’s a very rewarding outcome which also shows that going green can be easy.
: Image via articotropical via flickr.
:: Gulf News
For more news from Dubai see:
Dubai’s Waste amongst the Highest in the World
UAE Divers Organisation Says: “Stop Buying Sharks and Shark Fin Soup”
Sharjah Students Win Prestigious Award For Making Renewable Energy From Noise
Author: Arwa Aburawa
Arwa is a Muslim freelance writer who is interested in everything climate change related and how Islam can inspire more people to care for their planet and take active steps to save it while we can. She is endlessly suspicious of all politicians and their ceaseless meetings, especially as they make normal people believe that they are not part of the solution when they are the ONLY solution. Her Indian auntie is her model eco-warrier, and when Arwa is not busy helping out in the neighborhood alleyway garden, swap shopping or attempting fusion vegetarian dishes- with mixed success, she’d like to add- she can be found sipping on foraged nettle tea.
