Feeling the climate change? Do you feel the change in the climate of Cairo during the past few years? We worry about preserving the things that are important to us and preoccupy ourselves with avoiding trouble in the future. If you own a car, you know that regular maintenance extends the life of your vehicle and helps avoid unnecessary breakdowns. You must also know that it is necessary to supply your car with the appropriate type of fuel and sufficient amount of it so it does not come to a stop mid-journey. This is simply the concept of sustainability. We rely on nature for everything, from our clothes and mobile phones to our food and health. Our very survival depends on the continuity of natural resources such as air, water, and minerals. Environmental sustainability is the preservation of resources, without harm or depletion, to ensure that human needs are met now and in the future. To think that our actions today may result in severe living conditions for future generations is unacceptable. Damaging the environment causes food shortages, widespread disease, and severe weather conditions, and that’s what we should all work to avoid. What can we do to support sustainability and conserve our resources? Here are some ideas: • Reduce your waste: Reuse old items and clothes, and donate what you don't need. Choose products and restaurants that do not use a lot of packaging materials; avoid printing documents; and most importantly, don’t use plastic bags unless necessary. Excessive use of paper and cardboard requires cutting down more trees to produce it. Plastic is even worse; it is made of highly polluting petroleum products and is not biodegradable. And so, it ends up in our streets, river and beaches threatening Egypt’s underwater life treasures, a major attraction for tourists from all over the world. • Use clean transportation: By walking or riding a bicycle or an electric scooter for short distances, and using transportation modes that depend on clean energy such as the metro and electric train for long distances, you take part in reducing harmful emissions from burning vehicle fuels. Carbon emissions from transportation are among the key issues causing global warming. Vehicle exhaust gases and fumes are a key source of air pollution in Cairo and affect the health and productivity of its population. Not to mention the noise, traffic jams and road accidents caused by traditional road transport. • Reduce your consumption of electricity and water: Make sure your plumbing is repaired against leaks and reduce your shower time. You can reduce water flow in general and turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or doing your dishes. Disconnect electrical appliances when they are not in use and use energy-saving bulbs. Studies indicate that setting the temperature of air-conditioners at 24 degrees is the best for electricity consumption; the water expelled from your air-conditioner can be used to water plants. Finally, avoid watering plants at the hottest times of the day. These simple habits can help you cut your waste, as well as your utility bills. Moreover, it shows your sense of responsibility as you make more resources available for sustainable development. • Take part in environmental action: Several organizations work on involving the community in environmental work, such as Very Nile which uses the help of volunteers to clean the Nile river; Bykea, which guides and rewards individuals for sustainable disposal of their waste. Students can also start or participate in one of Greenish clubs in schools and universities to spread environmental awareness and develop green entrepreneurship. Environmental Impact of RATP Dev Mobility Cairo: At RATP Dev, we take pride in supporting the sustainability of the cities in which we operate around the world. By maintaining assets (such as trains) to extend their lives and increase their value, and by continuously improving our services and linking them efficiently to other clean modes, we support an integrated transportation network, enabling greater opportunities for citizens and encouraging them to use public transport. Finally, we try to play our societal role by spreading awareness and supporting environmental initiatives. When we estimated the environmental impact of Green Line 3 and Capital Train (LRT), we found that our passengers contributed to preventing more than 23,000 tons of CO2 from being released into the Greater Cairo air since October 2022 by using clean mobility instead of cars for the same trips (presuming 4 passengers in each car.) The scale of this mitigation equals the impact of planting more than a million trees! So, tell us, have you participated in any environmental initiatives or have an idea to contribute to sustainability efforts? Share your opinion.
