Greenpeace Urges Europe to Drop Short Flights, Take Trainshttps://english.aawsat.com/home/article/3269756/greenpeace-urges-europe-drop-short-flights-take-trains
Greenpeace Urges Europe to Drop Short Flights, Take Trains
A banner of Greenpeace. (File Photo | AP)
A study commissioned by the environmental group Greenpeace shows that over one-third of the busiest short-haul flights in Europe have viable train alternatives which are far less polluting.
The group called on European governments Wednesday to boost train travel so fewer polluting planes are flying over the continent. The study by OBC Transeuropa showed that 34% of the 150 busiest short-haul flights have train trip alternatives of less than 6 hours.
The study, released ahead of a UN climate change summit that opens in Glasgow, Scotland on Sunday, highlighted some particularly problematic air routes, ones with flights the authors said can emit a dozen times more carbon dioxide than trains would.
The routes, including Madrid-Barcelona, Frankfurt-Berlin and Brussels-Amsterdam, could be covered by train in two to four hours, the study said.
“Europe could replace almost all of the top 250 short-haul flights and save some 23.4 million tons of CO2 per year, as much as the annual CO2 emissions of Croatia,” Greenpeace said.
The report said it would help if European Union governments promoted train travel more, especially night trains, the report said.
Airlines argue that some short-haul flights are necessary because they are essential connections for longer-distance trips.
Saudi Arabia Announces Discovery of Largest Sea Turtle Nesting Site in Red Seahttps://english.aawsat.com/varieties/5077500-saudi-arabia-announces-discovery-largest-sea-turtle-nesting-site-red-sea
Sea turtles play a crucial role in the ecosystem, making their survival vital for maintaining environmental balance. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Announces Discovery of Largest Sea Turtle Nesting Site in Red Sea
Sea turtles play a crucial role in the ecosystem, making their survival vital for maintaining environmental balance. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Organization for the Conservation of Coral Reefs and Marine Turtles in the Red Sea (SHAMS), announced the discovery of the largest sea turtle nesting site in Saudi waters, located at the Four Sisters Islands in the Red Sea.
In a statement on Saturday, SHAMS said this significant environmental discovery is part of ongoing initiatives aimed at boosting protection for sea turtles and their habitats in the Red Sea, ensuring their sustainability in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
On this occasion, CEO of SHAMS Dr. Khaled Isfahani confirmed that the Four Sisters Islands have been designated as a species management area to protect the turtles' nesting habitats. This step aligns with environmental goals and contributes to safeguarding biodiversity. These efforts are part of a broader plan to turn 30 percent of Saudi Arabia's land and sea areas into nature reserves by 2030.
The Four Sisters Islands—Marmar, Dahreb, Malathu, and Jadir—are renowned for their high concentration of sea turtle nesting sites. (SPA)
The Four Sisters Islands—Marmar, Dahreb, Malathu, and Jadir—are renowned for their high concentration of sea turtle nesting sites. To date, over 2,500 turtle nests have been recorded on these islands, establishing them as a crucial breeding ground for endangered sea turtles in the Red Sea.
Remarkably, the sea turtles consistently return to these same nesting sites each year, underscoring the vital need to preserve these areas for the survival of these species. Furthermore, the islands host an exceptional number of endangered green turtles and critically endangered hawksbill turtles, making them some of the most significant sea turtle nesting sites in the region.
Isfahani said the organization is currently developing a comprehensive management strategy to safeguard sea turtle nesting sites along the Red Sea coast. Thanks to the diligent work of SHAMS' environmental expert teams, over 180 nesting sites have been identified.
This discovery is part of SHAMS' mission to protect the unique marine life in the Red Sea. (SPA)
The plan also aims to boost sustainable tourism and entertainment opportunities around this unique marine ecosystem, he added. This initiative helps enrich the protected area and ensures that sea turtles continue to thrive in their natural habitats, promoting environmental sustainability.
This discovery is part of SHAMS' mission to protect the unique marine life in the Red Sea. Sea turtles play a crucial role in the ecosystem, making their survival vital for maintaining environmental balance. The effort aligns with the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030, reflecting a national commitment to safeguarding Saudi Arabia's natural heritage and marine biodiversity.
