The Cairo district of Matariya has launched its Environmental Street Project to help alleviate the negative effects of climate change and improve the conditions of the district. The project was set up by the Egypt Youth Association for Development and the Environment (EYADE) last month in cooperation with the European Union and the German government. The project aims to help acquaint Matariya residents with the skills and knowledge needed to cope with the repercussions of climate change and to make overall living conditions better, said Mamdouh Rashwan, head of the EYADE. “Comprehensive programmes and workshops have been held to help raise the awareness of Matariya residents of the threats of climate change and to provide hands-on training to 600 inhabitants,” he added. “Some 200 women were trained on how to safely dispose of waste harmful to the environment such as cooking oil. They also learned how to recycle materials. In addition, 200 young men and women were taught how to rationalise their consumption of water and energy,” Rashwan explained. Moreover, “100 Matariya residents who own workshops and stores were introduced to ways to better use their resources and decrease activities harmful to the environment. Another 100 workers in the healthcare sector working at Matariya Hospital attended a workshop to treat patients suffering from heat and sunstroke,” he said. Hisham Eissa, the project manager, said that “electronic panels will be installed to inform people about weather conditions in Matariya. Five-hundred families will be given 2,000 energy-saving LED lamps. Water heaters that work using solar energy will be installed in associations serving residents, and a local hospital will be provided with air-conditioners to help overcome heat stress.” Eissa added that 150 trees would be planted in Matariya under the project and 400 square metres of rooftops would be planted at youth centres, the Matariya Club, and a school. The project will also provide 400 square metres of grass to be planted in the district. “A study is currently being conducted to measure emissions through the local carbon footprint. This will be the first of its kind in Egypt,” he noted.
