In the misty folds of the French Pyrenees, something quietly extraordinary is happening.

At a remote site called Comminges in France, Mantle8, a pioneering natural hydrogen exploration company, has unearthed a breakthrough that could shift the balance of Europe’s energy landscape. Their soil-gas readings, peaking at 2,500 parts per million (ppm), have stunned the industry—seven times higher than the standard threshold needed to suggest serious hydrogen potential. If proven on a larger scale, this isn’t just a good day for the company. It’s a potential tipping point for how Europe powers its future.

“The Comminges block represents the perfect combo: an ideal pilot zone to validate our technologies, with a geological setting offering maximum hydrogen potential,” said Mantle8’s Founder and CEO, Emmanuel Masini. “With these highly encouraging early results, we are well on our way to make $0.80/kg hydrogen a reality by 2030.”

It’s not just the numbers that impress— Mantle8’s approach is different. Where traditional explorers search for hydrogen like needles in haystacks, Mantle8 has built what it calls a “hydrogen-generating system” model. Think of it as going beyond the treasure map to understanding the entire geology of the treasure chest, the locks, the keys, and even the pirates who buried it.

Their proprietary method fuses geology, geophysics, geochemistry, and cutting-edge numerical modeling—a first of its kind in the industry. This system doesn’t just find hydrogen; it traces its birth, movement, and entrapment deep underground. The company claims it can predict hydrogen volumes and quality with unprecedented precision, which could save millions in exploration costs and halve development time.

Mantle8 is operating in a space with companies like HyTerra, Natural Hydrogen Energy, and Gold Hydrogen who have made early strides in the race for natural (or “white”) hydrogen. Mantle8’s system-wide exploration model might just put them in pole position.

And the timing couldn’t be more urgent.

Europe, still reeling from geopolitical energy shocks and racing against climate deadlines, and the shutting down of Germany’s nuclear power plants, is hungry for cleaner homegrown alternatives to fossil fuels. Hydrogen—especially natural hydrogen, which occurs underground and requires minimal processing—could be a powerful answer. No electrolysis, no carbon byproducts, just natural H₂, ready to be tapped.

The potential is enormous.The potential is enormous. Natural hydrogen could reshape global energy systems with clean, abundant fuel sourced directly from the Earth. And Mantle8 is building the tools to unlock it at scale.

Currently awaiting the Permit Exclusif de Recherche (PER)—expected by the end of this year —Mantle8 plans to deepen its study of the Comminges block using low-impact exploration tools. The team aims to map entire subsurface hydrogen systems, from source rock to reservoirs, selecting optimal drill sites with surgical precision.

Mantle8, founded in 2024 and based in Grenoble, France, is redefining natural hydrogen exploration through a unique fusion of earth science and artificial intelligence. Led by geoscientist Emmanuel Masini, the company uses proprietary models to analyze and interpret vast layers of geological, geochemical, and geophysical data. Instead of relying on surface clues or isolated drilling, Mantle8’s system maps complete subsurface hydrogen-generating systems—tracing the journey of hydrogen from deep source rocks to trapped reservoirs.

Their tools simulate underground processes, predict where hydrogen is being generated in real time, and assess the volume and quality of potential reserves with unprecedented accuracy. The simulation of underground processes is performed by the third tool, which does not incorporate AI components, a rep from the company tells Green Prophet: Predicting where hydrogen is being generated in real time is the result of the core algorithm – the neural networks are used to accelerate processing and enable analysis across more potential sites, but they are not themselves making those predictions,” he notes.

Relying on experts in their field, “Assessing the volume and quality of reserves is also not done by AI – this too is handled by proprietary modelling tools without any neural network component.”

Backed by €3.4 million in seed funding from Breakthrough Energy Ventures Europe (BEV-E) and Kiko Ventures, Mantle8 is targeting hydrogen production costs as low as €0.77/kg. With competitors like Gold Hydrogen, Natural Hydrogen Energy, and HyTerra in the mix, Mantle8’s tech-led, predictive approach could make it a dominant force in Europe’s race for clean, local energy.

::Mantle8

The post Mantle8 uses AI to pinpoint natural hydrogen in French mountain appeared first on Green Prophet.

As the world moves toward a more connected future, and self-driving cars, the transition from 4G to 5G standalone (SA) networks is inevitable and essential. This evolution is not just about faster speeds and lower latency—it also brings significant environmental benefits.

Radcom (NASDAQ: RDCM), a leading provider of assurance services for communication service providers (CSPs), is at the forefront of this transformation. Their innovative solutions help phone companies migrate their networks to the cloud, reducing hardware reliance, cutting operational and capital expenses, and significantly decreasing environmental impact.

Reducing Hardware and Cutting Costs

Traditionally, cellular networks required extensive physical infrastructure, including thousands of base stations, cables, and on-site testing equipment. Radcom’s cloud-native technology changes the game by enabling CSPs to move network assurance and testing to a software-driven approach. This transition leads to a dramatic reduction in hardware, lowering the physical footprint of telecommunications infrastructure.

As a result:

Operating costs drop by 30%

Capital costs are reduced by 40%

These savings are not just financial—they also contribute to environmental sustainability. Less hardware means fewer resources are used in manufacturing, transportation, and maintenance, leading to a smaller carbon footprint for telecom providers.

Eliminating Field Service Calls and Reducing Energy Consumption

Before Radcom’s advanced assurance technology, CSPs relied heavily on field service teams to physically inspect and test networks. This process involved fuel-intensive travel, contributing to emissions and increased labor costs. With Radcom’s automated, software-driven network monitoring, real-time testing is continuously conducted without human intervention.

Michael Cooper, CEO of My Say On Pay, and an investor in Radcom, highlights this crucial shift: “No more field service guys going out to physically test the network. The network is constantly tested via software. Major reductions in service calls as Radcom helps to automatically heal the network.”

This automated approach not only reduces energy consumption but also enhances network reliability by proactively identifying and resolving issues before they affect customers.

Powering Industry 4.0 and Reducing Pollution

The migration to 5G SA is a crucial step in enabling Industry 4.0—the next wave of technological evolution. Radcom’s technology is helping pave the way for innovations such as:

• Self-driving cars that reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions.
• Fully automated factories that can be remotely controlled by employees working from home, eliminating unnecessary commuting and reducing energy waste.
• Smart cities that optimize energy use, lower pollution levels, and improve overall efficiency.

Cooper further emphasizes the transformative impact of Radcom’s role in Industry 4.0: “But the real upside is how the successful migration to 5G SA will unleash Industry 4.0—that includes self-driving cars, factories of the future that will be fully automated and remotely controlled by employees working from home. All of these outcomes reduce physical and human effort and therefore pollution.”

By facilitating these advancements, Radcom is not only supporting CSPs but also enabling a more sustainable future where human effort and environmental strain are minimized, he stresses.

Currently, only 60 out of 1,000 CSPs have deployed a 5G SA network. This means that there is enormous potential for Radcom to grow by helping mid-tier CSPs transition to 5G. The company is also working on a next-gen networking data plane analytics solution powered by Nvidia BlueField-3 DPU, further strengthening its position in the market, says Cooper.

Founded in 1991, Radcom has been a leader in network intelligence and assurance solutions for over three decades. The company has won multiple awards for its pioneering contributions to the telecom industry and has built strong relationships with major players such as AT&T, Dish, and Rakuten. With a workforce dedicated to pushing technological boundaries, Radcom is well-positioned to drive the future of 5G and beyond.

As the global demand for faster, more reliable, and environmentally friendly communication networks grows, Radcom’s solutions will play a crucial role in shaping a cleaner and more efficient digital future.

More sustainable investment commentary:

How to build a 100 year old company

The top 10 pay packages for American CEOs

How excess CEO pay affects us all 

The post The Eco Benefits of Radcom: Pioneering a Greener Future in Telecommunications appeared first on Green Prophet.

Environmental pollution and degradation have become a significant source of concern as the latest climate change reports forecast a grim future for the planet. Unfortunately, manufacturing industries and businesses are some of the most significant contributors to environmental pollution.

Many innovative business owners embrace eco-friendly business processes, which improve their general impressions and acceptance. If you’re a business owner, you don’t have to sacrifice your operations to support conservation. Here are seven ways every business owner can contribute to a healthier environment.

Decrease the environmental impact of company construction projects

It’s no secret that construction projects contribute to environmental pollution. Construction machinery, for example, releases smoke containing different hazardous gases. There is also disruption of creatures’ natural habitat such as trees, microorganisms, and other animals. Lastly, drilling and building contribute to soil erosion.

Infrastructure developments cause pollution and waste. To decrease the environmental impact of those projects, business owners should place a strict rule on fuel usage. Also, there should be noise reduction and proper waste disposal policies.

Another way to minimize the environmental impact of commercial construction projects is taking erosion control precautions. There are many erosion control methods, such as the use of silt fences and gravel entrances.

If you invest in erosion control, be sure to partner with an experienced vendor. Poor quality erosion control products might do more harm than good, so thorough research is a must. One reputable erosion control products provider is Granite Seed, which offers erosion control and seeding solutions.

These products help to minimize environmental damages. They cover fragile soil and protect it from displacement, runoff, and other hazards. Erosion control tools also help to rehabilitate the land for native plant species. Browse an erosion control catalog or speak to a representative to determine which solutions make sense for your next development project. 

Paper-free workplace

A large quantity of paper in the office ends up in the waste bin, contributing to environmental pollution. Apart from documents adding to environmental waste, the increase in paper production increases deforestation.

Going paperless will impact the environment positively. Business owners should embrace digital tools for their daily administration and operations. Cloud storage, emails, and digital reports will reduce paper use, leading to a greener, more tree-friendly work environment.

Reduction in disposable items

Disposable cups, spoons, and plates increase the waste generated by an office. To reduce waste, stock your place of business with reusable supplies. It will not only benefit the environment, but it will also save on the cost of one-use utensils and plates.

Energy conservation 

Regulate all energy-consuming items. Switch off appliances when not in use. Also, ensure your buildings are well insulated to avoid wasting gas and money. You can also adopt more eco-friendly energy generation strategies, such as solar energy and heating.

Adopting remote working

Commuting to work is the primary cause of traffic congestion. Remote working means fewer people buy and burn fuels in their vehicles. This switch reduces the quantity of harmful gas in the environment and oil and fuel spills on the road. 

Use cloud storage 

Cloud storage reduces the need for hard copy documents. Switching to a cloud storage solution can make your other eco-efforts easier, such as adopting remote work or going paperless. If you adopt a serverless approach to cloud storage, you can also use energy more efficiently–think of serverless like carpooling for data storage. 

Support environment restoration programs

There are many programs set up to increase awareness of the importance of the environment and pollution reduction. Business owners can plan that type of program or volunteer for recycling programs. Get your employees involved by offering incentives like extra PTO or casual dress days.

The post 7 Ways Businesses Can Reduce Their Environmental Impact appeared first on Green Prophet.

If you live an eco-friendly life, you undoubtedly make careful decisions about what you buy, use, and how you otherwise live. You might use your car as little as possible, choose natural and organic products, avoid chemicals and toxins, and steer clear of plastic and other waste. 

However, many people interested in living a sustainable lifestyle don’t take the step of finding a primary care physician who upholds the same kinds of values. There are ways to locate a doctor who does things in a more earth-friendly way, though. You just have to know where to look and what to ask.

Energy-Efficient Workplaces

Look out for a medical practice that takes steps to operate a more energy-efficient workplace. Physicians can swap out power-sucking light globes for more eco-friendly ones, for instance, and take advantage of natural light as much as possible. They can install solar panels on the roof of their office to reduce power loads, too. 

It also helps if they take steps to insulate the buildings they’re in (or choose those already well-insulated). This will keep the heat down in summer and the cold minimized in winter, thus reducing the need for appliances to control the temperature. Plus, all staff should turn off computers and other devices when not in use. 

Telehealth Options

People typically drive to see their doctors, using up more gas and creating a higher emissions output when they do. However, when physicians offer telehealth options to their patients, this helps everyone make more sustainable choices. 

Getting to see an online doctor of your choice can also be more convenient and allow you to choose from a broader range of doctors and attend appointments from the comfort of your home or office, saving time in the process. Before booking in with a physician, ask if telehealth is available, whether through a phone call, video call, or other means. 

Convenient Locations

It also pays to look for medical practices located close to public transport links. That way, people can catch buses, trains, and the like to go and see their doctor, rather than driving in their own vehicles. Doctors who choose convenient locations make it much more likely that patients utilize public transport to arrive rather than individual cars. 

Waste Reduction

Waste reduction is another way physicians can help the planet. While the medical industry naturally has a lot of paper to deal with, doctors, admin staff, and other workers can use less paper and cut waste in turn. For instance, they can get patients to fill out online forms rather than printed ones and streamline processes so there’s less need for the same information to be printed multiple times. 

Practices can shred and recycle the paper they do still have to use, too, and replace disposable cups and cutlery and switch from bottled water to filtered water fountains. Some single-use items will be tough to find a work-around for, such as needles and exam gloves. However, doctors can rethink small sachets or bottles of things like antiseptic, saline, and distilled water. Choosing larger bottles with less packaging makes a difference. Physicians should also recycle as much waste as possible and educate employees on what can and can’t be sorted as either recyclable or medical waste.  

Prescription of Natural Treatment Options 

The more medications get prescribed around the world, the more resources get consumed. There’s paper, plastic, chemicals, and many other components in drugs, after all. As such, doctors should consider prescribing natural treatment options wherever possible to their patients. 

For example, look for a physician who believes in suggesting alternatives to medications for people to at least try first, such as meditation, exercise, mindfulness, and diet changes rather than anti-anxiety or depression medication. It’s not always possible to get results from natural treatments, but minimizing manufacturing pollution and waste wherever possible helps the environment. 

Eco-Friendly Supplies

It’s a good idea to ask clinics about the types of supplies they choose, too. Physicians can make more earth-friendly choices in many areas, including with the gowns, medical instruments, and towels they buy. There are often products on offer made from recycled or natural materials and manufactured with fewer chemicals, such as thermometers without mercury or gowns made from organic cotton, jute, or bamboo.

There’s no shortage of cleaning products that are safer for the environment these days, too. Practices should focus on cleaning systems that don’t emit volatile organic compounds and use fewer pesticides, PVC, and packaging. 

Finding a more sustainable physician takes some time and energy, and you’ll need to ask clinics plenty of questions about their operations. However, once you find a doctor focused on sustainability, you can rest easier knowing you’re making a positive choice for the planet and yourself.

The post Tips for Choosing a More Sustainable Physician appeared first on Green Prophet.

It hasn’t been long since Bitcoin broke the ground in 2009, turning the monetary landscape upside down. With its decentralized nature and exceptional privacy, cryptocurrency quickly became popular among young people trying to make quick money. But others, like Karin’s Kloosterman’s startup Flux, were creating a nature monitoring system, decentralized, using blockchain technology. There are ways that blockchain can also help the planet.

As interesting as it is for tech and financial experts alike, there’s no way around the harsh truth that’s often swiped under the rug while discussing crypto: it damages the environment and the communities where it’s mined.

There has been extensive research done on the disruptive effects of cryptocurrency on the financial market, however, fewer people have highlighted the environmental damage that it causes along the way.

What is crypto mining?

In order to maximize their profits, crypto miners always try to seek out places with low-cost electricity and weak environmental policies, ultimately creating hazards for the environments and impact local populations without benefitting the communities.

The way the crypto miners produce currency is through an energy-intensive process requiring vast computing resources. According to recent estimates, over the course of a year, cryptocurrency consumes around 64 TWh (terawatt hours) of energy. Ranking it on top of the country of Switzerland by energy consumption, which 58 TWh per year.

As financial technologies become more and more accessible, ultimately making our lives much easier, there are certain aspects of fintech that create lasting damage to human health and the environment around us. Some activities that were once only a prerogative of the privileged few, like foreign exchange trading, are now accessible for everyone with a smartphone. This mobile trading FX brokers list shows just how much more accessible it is for virtually anyone to get involved in the foreign exchange market. With the increased accessibility to both FX, crypto, and other interesting new financial technologies, there should also be an increased awareness of the potential damaging side-effects that they might entail.

Due to its decentralized control, most cryptocurrencies have emerged from the grassroots communities, rather being corporate or government managed. To put it simplistically, cryptocurrencies are generated by using computers to solve puzzles that are stored in a blockchain, which are accessible on a decentralized database.

The difficulty of the puzzles increases proportionally to the number of miners competing to unlock bitcoins. In order to continuously solve the algorithms, mining servers require a tremendous source of energy. Ultimately, if the energy expense of mining exceeds the income from the currency produced, there is no more motivation to continue mining, which also significantly undermines the infrastructure that validates its monetary value.

In practice, this means that the possibility of profiting from mining cryptocurrency rises with the more powerful computer, faster internet connection, and the cheaper infrastructural services, such as electricity.

The damaging environmental impact of crypto mining

Despite its digital nature, the impact that cryptocurrency has on the physical environment and the welfare of communities where it’s mined can’t be ignored.

“With each cryptocurrency, the rising electricity requirements to produce a single coin can lead to an almost inevitable cliff of negative net social benefit,” states a recent study about the monetary price of health and air quality impacts of cryptocurrencies.

Researchers claim that although mining activities produce financial value, electricity use creates “crypto damage” — a term coined to illustrate the effects of digital exchange on human health and the environment.

There are ongoing debates on the exact extent of the impact that mining has on the environment. Even though it is agreed upon that crypto mining damages the environment, the impacts are markedly higher in places where the mining is dependent on dirty energy sources, such as the coal-fueled crypto mines in Mongolia. Coal energy sources offer prices that are 30% cheaper than the average energy consumption rates for industrial firms. With that being said, any cryptocurrency mined in China will produce four times as much CO2 pollution as the volume produced by renewable energy sources in Canada.

Sustainable way forward

With the growing popularity of cryptocurrency, as demonstrated by it entering more mainstream markets and being embraced by traditional financial institutions, we can surely foresee that crypto isn’t going to go anywhere anytime soon. With the damage that it currently does to the environment, it’s also evident that it’s not sustainable, for now.

There are several promising figures that show a sustainable way of going forward with the crypto mining industry.

Recent figures show that crypto-mining facilities are looking into subsidizing the development of renewable energy resources in order to seek the cheapest resource to optimize the consumption value. The relationship between renewable energy and crypto-mining is well demonstrated in the bitcoin mining operations in China. The provinces hosting the most crypto-mining facilities correlate with the ones producing energy with renewable resources.

80% of China’s bitcoin mining operations were based in Sichuan in 2017 – a province that generated approximately 90% of its energy production from renewable resources, thereby accounting for 43% of global Bitcoin mining operations at the time.

The profitability of cryptocurrency mining is heavily dependent on its market value coupled with the price of electricity. If the value of a cryptocurrency decreases and goes below its cost of production, mining becomes unprofitable due to the large costs of the energy it needs. The most well-off crypto-miners work at the lowest cost by accessing the cheapest electricity capable of achieving intense use. As a result, miners are finding inexpensive energy markets while taking advantage of policy conditions that do not control how energy can be consumed.

Going forward, the crypto industry can become more sustainable if it commits to using renewable, clean energy in order to sustain itself. As the statistics show, in the long run, renewable energy is the future of electricity consumption. Utilizing the low-cost nature, crypto miners have an incentive to continue mining while minimizing their damage to the environment. However due to the decentralized nature of crypto that makes it so attractive to many will come as a detriment to the initiative, as at the end of the day there’s no one to make the decision to go green but the individual miners.

The post How cryptocurrency damages the planet appeared first on Green Prophet.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) switched off all non-essential lights across its three terminals for 24 consecutive days to mark this year’s Earth Hour.  It’s sister airport, Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International, located 20 miles south west of Dubai, did the same. 

Spurred on by the annual Earth Hour campaign, the airports’ action will save an estimated 300,000kw hours of energy and 129 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. A solid contribution by one of the world’s largest carbon-emitting industries!

Earth Hour took place globally on March 29, but the airports’ operator kicked off compliance early stretching the event to over 3 weeks of green behavior. The shutdown didn’t affect services within the buildings, which begs the question why were so many lights installed in the first place?

Blame the designers, and short-sighted airport operators who place aesthetics above the environment.  It’s so easy to do both! (See how Saudi’s Hajj Terminal achieved this over thirty years ago – link here.)

Airports that embrace conservation see an immediate cash payoff. Energy efficiency projects (energy management systems, installing high efficiency lighting and occupancy sensors) have slashed Dubai Airports’ electricity and fuel costs by $4.33 MIL, cut water use by over 130 million gallons, and saved more than 72,000 tons of CO2.  A win-win for operational and maintenance budgets and for the planet.

In the US and EU, stringent governmental regulations demand a minimum level of project environmental performance, and robust environmental assessment is compulsive during project planning and permitting processes which are overseen by national environmental authorities.  Building codes, typically reflecting internationally accepted standards, mandate minimum energy efficiency characteristics for materials and equipment.

Major new airport terminal projects are underway in Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi, with continued airport expansion  in Jordan. But in the Middle East, absent mature environmental agencies with strong governance over large capital building projects, conservation gets fitted into designs only if a designer convinces the client of it’s importance, or if that client is especially savvy to its benefits.

Safe to say it doesn’t happen unless the operator specifically demands it.  And they usually don’t, until well after the project is over and the utility bills start to arrive.

Here’s hoping Dubai Airports sets a new trend that embodies an old UK adage: a penny saved is a penny earned. What’s good for an airport’s pockets turns out to be great for the world.

The post Energy-aware Dubai airports pre-empted Earth Hour – why not all year? appeared first on Green Prophet.

The first Earth Hour took place in 2007. Since then, it has blossomed into a massive global celebration that sees not only millions of individuals hitting the switch for an hour, but major landmarks as well.

Every year, the Burj Khalifa switches off and this year, for the first time, the Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque) in Istanbul and the Hagia Sophia and Bosphorous Bridge that connects Europe and Asia will be switching of as well.

In Jordan, a candlelit march will take place on one of the city’s oldest streets in Jabal Amman, and the lights of Al Karak Castle will be switched off as well.

Related: Why Earth Hour still matters

Small events will take place in Egypt and Iran and other countries across the Middle East and North Africa – all you have to do is head over to WWF’s Earth Hour site to find out how you can get involved in your own community or country.

And if there isn’t an event, make one! Or have your own private party in the dark.

Whatever you choose to do, remember this. While Earth Hour is a symbolic international gathering designed to celebrate a healthier planet, the idea is to get people thinking about ways that they can reduce their footprint for the long term.

“It’s a brilliant reminder that together we can make change happen, and it gives us a chance to think about the small things we can do everyday to help create a brighter future,” writes WWF.

“So whether you reflect under the stars or celebrate by candlelight, it’s a moment to say you’ll do your bit to protect our planet – not just for one hour, but every day.”

This year’s Earth Hour takes place on March 29, from 8.30-9.30pm (local time.)

The post Hit the switch and join millions for Earth Hour 2014 appeared first on Green Prophet.

Someday peak oil or environmental impacts will force us to change our energy consumption patterns. When this happens, it may take a long time to undo a century of cheap-energy lifestyles and infrastructure development. But if you happen to live in a truly wasteful land, you will find maddening examples of waste that can be resolved overnight… or sooner.

Green Prophet has already discussed light pollution and Earth hour, the sixty minutes per year when thousands of people try to make a difference in the simplest way possible, by switching off a light.

But unless you’re an astronomy buff or someone old enough to remember the glory of a star-speckled night sky, light pollution might not rank high on your priority list.

If the cost and environmental impacts of electricity weren’t considerations, many people would be quite happy to do away with the stars altogether and let the night sky fill with laser-billboard advertising and glare.

Some people overlook the wildlife and health effects and consider outdoor lighting to be a trade-off against crime, even though careful studies have failed to demonstrate that more light equals less crime. So there is some debate over whether outdoor electric lights are an unnecessary environmental hazard and nuisance or a necessary– dare I say natural effect of human progress.

But what about daytime outdoor electric lights? Can we agree that these serve no useful purpose and therefore we can consider their environmental impact without weighing it against any positive value they provide?

Suppose we ignore all of the daytime electric lights which illuminate the CEO’s sun-drenched window offices because he never thought to put his lights on a separate switch from those overhanging his minion’s windowless cubicles. How many outdoor electric lights are pumping kilowatts into a blue daytime sky in a hopeless attempt to beat the sun at its own game?

How many wasteful examples of useless twenty-four hour per day, three hundred sixty-five day per year outdoor lighting can you find during the longest day of the year? Let’s multiply the wattage by the number of lights and number of solstice daylight hours and try to calculate how much energy humanity is wasting on the purest form of stupidity. And let’s shame the businesses, corporations and individuals who have allowed this to happen.

Photo of wasteful daylight outdoor lights from Shutterstock

The post Summer Solstice Wattage Waste Watch appeared first on Green Prophet.

Last week the Emirates Wildlife Society – World Wide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF) recognized five firms in particular for exceeding energy and water conservation targets set as part of the Heroes of the UAE (United Arab Emirates) environmental initiative in a country that currently has one of the world’s highest per capita carbon footprints, The National reports.

A total of 50 companies voluntarily signed on to the Heroes of the UAE program, which requires that they reduce both their energy and water consumption by at least ten percent.

They are also asked to document and share every step of the process in order to establish permanent reductions and encourage other institutions to do the same.

In addition to enumerating energy and water savings, each company volunteers to compile a case study and develop a plan for future carbon emission reductions, according to The National.

Then they are subjected to Ernst & Young’s independent auditing program to ensure that each company’s reported numbers are consistent with unbiased findings. And so far, those numbers are outstanding.

“The five organisations all surpassed the target,” writes Vesela Todorova, “achieving savings of between 11 per cent and 55 per cent in energy use, and 28 per cent and 89 per cent in water use.”

The EWS-WWF honored the first firms that submitted their case studies at a recent ceremony that was attended by the Minister of Environment and Water, Dr Rashid bin Fahad.

It’s not easy to get UAE residents excited about slashing energy or water use when it is government subsidized, but for companies working to increase their bottom line, it makes economic sense not to mention the happy side effect of fewer greenhouse gas emissions entering the atmosphere.

Of the interventions used to reach these targets, the simplest and arguably one of the most effective includes setting air-conditioners at higher temperatures – a welcome move given that sitting in most buildings in Dubai or Abu Dhabi is akin to socializing in a refrigerator.

:: The National

Image of Dubai, Shutterstock

Looking for more ways to dive into renewable energy in the Middle East? Visit the 5th MENASOL Middle East & North Africa Solar Conference & Expo; 14-15 May, Dubai. Click here for the MENASOL website.

The post 50 Gulf Companies Voluntarily Cut Energy and Water Use appeared first on Green Prophet.

“Empty your vacuum bag often” urges Mrs. Energy (“Energy Hanım”) in this advertisement.

An energy conservation campaign recently launched by the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Family and Social Policies has already aroused ire among female commentators in the country. The plump poster-wife for the campaign always appears in domestic settings, urging her fellow housewives to conserve energy by turning off the oven or unplugging the iron before they are done with it.

Admirable cause, but an “annoying” approach

“In this way, they aim to save the Turkish economy $4 billion,” groaned Nilgün Tekfidan Gümüş, a columnist in the Turkish daily Hürriyet newspaper (in Turkish), one of the papers which featured a full-page advertisement from the Mrs. Energy campaign.

“This is a good effort to begin a campaign that calls on the public to conserve more energy. However, it is annoying that it is done in a sexually discriminatory manner,” she wrote in the Jan. 14 column.

Mrs. Energy has appeared newspaper advertisements and television commercials, and her campaign has been endorsed by the Turkish prime minister’s wife, Emine Erdoğan.

How to achieve real energy savings

The incremental savings that a housewife can achieve by turning off her devices a few minutes early pale in comparison to larger inefficiencies, such as poorly insulated houses, losses in the national power grid, and vehicles idling in traffic for hours on the congested streets of Turkey’s larger cities.

Rather than “Mrs. Energy”, Gümüş says, the energy ministry should have called the campaign “Energy Family” and showed how children and fathers can also contribute to the effort to conserve energy.

“If gender roles weren’t being imposed, the energy savings could be even greater,” she argued.

Read more about energy efficiency in the Middle East:

Beemtech’s Smart Sensors Slash Energy Use in Commercial Spaces
Jordan’s Dinosaur Grid To Get A “Smart” Update?
5 Technologies To Make Desalination More Efficient

The post Turkey’s Energy Campaigns Should Lose Gender Roles, Columnist Says appeared first on Green Prophet.