Each time you sit down to eat a meal with meat products, do you ever take a minute to think about what it took to get this food on your plate? Every year, 70 billion land animals are slaughtered for consumption worldwide. While many organizations and law enforcement across the globe work to ensure the slaughter of animals is done without inflicting pain on the animals, it is nearly impossible to ensure that all slaughterhouses are following these rules. In addition, slaughtering animals in general is an inhumane practice and is done for the sole purpose of feeding us. However, the cultivated meat industry and specifically lab meat is taking the world by storm and may be the end of animal slaughter.

What is lab-cultivated meat?

Lab-grown or cultivated meat uses animal cells to grow meat in a lab as an alternative to slaughter. Labs growing cultivated meat take animal cells from a live, healthy animal in a harmless skin sample. This innovative way of producing meat was originally concocted in the early 2000s but was brought to media attention in 2013 when a cultivated meat patty was tried at a conference in London for a lump sum of money. Later Singapore was the first country to begin sales of cultured meat.

Israel is one of the leaders in the cultivated meat industry. In 2020, the company SuperMeat opened a restaurant in Tel Aviv called “The Chicken” which offered a cultivated chicken burger to see if their customers noticed the difference. Other Israeli companies developing cultivated meat are Aleph Farms and Believer Meats.

Environmental impact

A carnivore diet takes a major toll on one’s carbon footprint. In fact, meat makes up 60% of greenhouse gas emissions. Beef is the world’s most detrimental food product in carbon emissions due to methane production which makes up 32% of greenhouse gas emissions.

After the livestock has been slaughtered, there are additional greenhouse gases that go into the atmosphere from the transportation of livestock, processing in factories, and then the packaging of the final product. In total, the entire process, from the initial raising of livestock to the final destination of stocking groceries stores is a constant carbon dump.

Deforestation is also a major problem when it comes to livestock farming. Much of the land livestock is raised on has been deforested for the sole purpose of raising more and more cattle. In addition, the constant grazing of livestock diminishes grassland productivity to the point where grass can no longer grow. Eventually, farmers need to revert to unconventional methods of crop irrigation by using polluting fertilizers so livestock can be raised.

And don’t forget about the extensive water use that goes into farming. It takes 1,799 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef. This comes from the keeping of land, cleaning, and drinking requirements of the cattle. Especially in the heat of summer and in bad drought conditions, water use can exceed a considerable amount and massively increase the amount of water needed to grow livestock.

Is lab meat kosher?

There has been much speculation on the increasing popularity of cultivated meat in Israel. Especially for religious Jews and Rabbis who keep kosher, many are questioning the reliability of the industry.

For meat to be kosher, the animal must be in good health, killed a certain way, drained of its blood, and salted. In addition, only certain parts of an animal can be consumed. All these parts of keeping kosher in relation to meat make the discussion of cultivated meat more complicated.

However, back in January of this year, the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Lau declared that the steak made from Aleph Farms is kosher, marking a monumental decision in the cultivated meat industry. He claimed that because the meat was grown instead of slaughtered, the meat is not actually meat, and can be thought of like a vegetable. Because the meat does not contain milk nor dairy and no blood from an animal, Rabbi David Lau declared it to be parve. Dozens of other rabbis from the Tzohar Rabbinical Organization have also called cultivated meat kosher.

While Rabbi Lau’s ruling is particularly for the meat produced in Aleph Farms, it is still unsure if all cultivated meat can be considered kosher as there needs to be a careful inspection at all cultivated meat companies and they need to be certified to be kosher. In addition, many may argue that it is not kosher as cultivated meat has animal origins as it is derived from animal cells.

Rabbi Genack from the Orthodox Union Kosher Division has questioned the reliability of cultivated meat being kosher as he has said that even microscopic specimens of cells derived from a living animal would not be considered kosher. In order for the meat to be kosher, the cells need to be taken from a kosher slaughtered animal.

Another aspect of the cultivated meat industry is the question of how Orthodox Jews can keep their legitimacy when choosing meals to ensure they don’t sin on Jewish law. Rabbi Yonathan Neril from The Interfaith Center for Sustainable Development is an environmental advocate for cultivated meat.

While he believes that in itself lab-grown meat is kosher, it should not be mixed with dairy. According to Neril who tells Green Prophet: “If Jews start eating lab-grown meat with cow’s cheese, then they might come to mistakenly eat cow’s meat with cow’s cheese, which would be a violation of Jewish law.”

Neril insists that Jews mixing cultivated meat with normally derived cheese can fray on the principle of marit ayin, which is when the action of an observant Jew may seem unkosher when in actuality it is.

This term is coined by the judgment of others’ skepticism; the Jew is technically adhering to the law. However, Rabbi Neril added, “If lab-grown meat and lab-grown cheese replace animal meat and animal cheese in mainstream consumption, then it could be that over time, it would no longer be a problem in Jewish law to eat the lab-grown meat and lab-grown cheese together.”

Earth or Tradition?

Unfortunately what this means for the kosher community is one’s own personal opinion. With the current emergencies that face our climate, it is important to consider the environmental benefits of choosing cultivated meat. The environmental advantage of cultivated meat is enormous and can massively decrease global greenhouse gases. In addition, kosher law requires slaughter, which is devastating in itself.

The final decision is still in the hands of Jews, which reflects the ideals of modernity. Is it time we update the traditional laws of Judaism and put what’s facing us in the climate first in line? Are Orthodox Jews willing to sacrifice what’s traditional for the sake of our planet?

The post Is lab meat kosher? appeared first on Green Prophet.

Picture this: you just had a long day of work, you finally come home, get ready for bed, and ultimately knock out. But have you ever thought about what the mattress you sleep on every night is made of?

There is always a more sustainable way of living. Almost every aspect of your life can become more sustainable. Today, I will talk about your mattress and the kinds of impacts they have on the environment.

Mattresses are made from a wide range of materials, including organic ones such as cotton and wool, and synthetic fibers such as polyurethane. Polyurethane, a plastic material often used in furniture, bedding, and carpets, is popular for its flexibility and durability. The issue with the development of mattresses in both organic and synthetic materials is due to fossil fuel use. However, the massive size of mattresses and the extensive need for mattresses generates tons of greenhouse gases, polluting our planet and contributing to climate change.

While the production of mattresses is just one thing, the disposal and decomposition of mattresses are even more polluting. Millions of mattresses are disposed of each year, most going to landfills. According to Canadian Mattress Recycling, a mattress can take decades to decompose in a landfill. Even worse, only 19 percent of mattresses are being recycled. Mattresses are not biodegradable. This is why leaving them in landfills is utterly unsustainable because they are massive and sit in the landfill taking up too much space. The best way of ridding of an old mattress is to bring it to a recycling center or have it picked up by one. Most people don’t realize that most mattresses are recyclable. Other options for disposing of your old mattresses can be by warranty-based recycling, donating, or reselling them.

If you are looking to buy an eco mattress, then keep reading. When looking for an eco mattress, your best options are mattresses made from organic, biodegradable materials. These mattresses are typically 100 percent recyclable, so this is your best bet for disposal. Even if the mattress finds its way into a landfill, it is biodegradable and won’t further pollute landfills. One mattress you can buy from is Birch, their eco mattress is made of wool, cotton, and latex, all of which are biodegradable and from natural sources.

Bamboo

Another option for purchasing eco mattresses is mattresses made from bamboo. Gaining popularity, bamboo mattresses are a great option for producing mattresses because they are renewable and come from the bamboo plant, which is fast growing and doesn’t require excess water or irrigation to grow. Mattress production from bamboo also has a much smaller carbon footprint compared to production from other sources, making it more environmentally friendly. In addition, bamboo is a natural growing plant and is biodegradable and compostable so if it ends up in a landfill, it won’t be there for so long. And don’t be hesitant to its name, bamboo mattresses are comfortable and efficient as they are moisture-wicking to keep you cool all night.

Other Factors

There are a lot of companies out there that now sell eco mattresses, so it’s important to look into the company you want to buy from to ensure the materials they use are organic and natural. Also check to make sure the company you are buying from takes extra strides to commit to being an eco-friendly company through their production methods, transportation, and other factors. Look into buying from a high-quality company, so that your mattress lasts you a while to reduce waste. You should also be sure that the mattress is eco-friendly by being non-toxic to yourself and your home.

The post A sustainable nights sleep appeared first on Green Prophet.

As you probably have heard, climate change and global temperatures are on the rise. Our carbon sinks like the forests in Canada are burning and there is no time to put this beside us. The human-induced temperature change from the burning of fossil fuels has been heating the planet at an alarming rate.

The latest report by the IPCC has declared the expected rise in global temperatures will be 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Each decade, temperatures have been increasing by 0.08°C since 1880. These catastrophic measurements are only getting worse and can be reflected in society’s carbon footprint.

Your carbon footprint is measured by the amount of carbon dioxide your everyday life emits into the atmosphere. Actions like eating meat, driving cars, and using a lot of water and electricity increase your carbon footprint. Luckily, there are many ways to reduce our carbon footprint and take hold of climate change.

Today, I will share with you 10 tips that you can do today to reduce your carbon footprint.

Take the bus, walk, bike, skate or scooter

This one is especially easy if you live in a city. In Tel Aviv, using public transportation is also the easiest way to get around. The bus system is extremely convenient and buses leave from so many spots every couple of minutes. There are also many apps that you can download to easily find out where the buses are, how long it will take and it will map out your entire trip. In addition, Middle East cities like Istanbul and Tel Aviv are walkable cities and should be taken advantage of.

Unless it is in the midst of summer, when the weather is nice, walking is a great way of getting around and is a great way to get in some exercise. Another cool feature of Tel Aviv is the scooters that can be found all throughout the city. Tel Aviv is designed for bikes and scooters, with lanes everywhere designated only for users. They are eco-friendly, easy to use, and go fast, so you can always count on one to get you places.

Try going vegan for a day

Have you ever tried to go vegan? Going vegan is pretty easy now a day, and is definitely something everyone should try if they haven’t. Even just for one day, going vegan cannot hurt you. In fact, going vegan is good for you because it promotes a healthier diet full of fruits and vegetables.

According to a study done by the University of Oxford, going vegan can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 73 percent. Even if you are a big meat person, there are tons of alternatives to meat that taste similar to real meat that can be picked up at your local grocery store.

Turn off the lights before heading out

This one is so simple yet so many people forget to do it. Turning off lights, appliances, and AC units before heading out for the day is extremely important when trying to reduce your carbon footprint. In Israel, electricity generation is responsible for 53 percent of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore turning off lights will vastly reduce the need for electricity generation until we can switch to electricity generation primarily from renewable sources. It also reduces your electricity bill, and according to The Department of Energy can reduce your electricity bill by $10 a month.

Use a reusable water bottle, don’t buy a plastic one

This one I am proud to say I greatly take part in. I have probably bought 3 plastic water bottles this entire year. I carry my reusable water with me everywhere I go. I personally use a Hydro Flask, which carries 32 fl oz of water and has a straw and a handle to carry it, but any reusable bottle will do. I also suggest getting one that is insulated so that your water can stay cool in the heat of the summer. Especially living in Israel, it is convenient to carry around a reusable water bottle because it is safe to drink the tap water.

Cook and pack your lunch for the day

Cooking from home is not only better for the environment, but is also typically better for you. This way you know what you are consuming and don’t risk consuming things that were badly sourced. Pick up some reusable containers or thermos and pack your lunches for the day. This reduces the amount of waste that is generated from eating out and it also saves you money.

Shop locally

This one is one that people often forget about and how much better it is overall. Instead of driving a farther commute to a large supermarket, see if there are local farmers’ markets in your area. Not only do farmers’ markets have higher-quality produce, but they are also fun to check out and are locally sourced. Many stands at farmers’ markets are also small businesses, so it’s always good to support them. F

or clothing shopping, try checking out your local thrift store. Buying online or in large chain stores in shopping malls is fast fashion and is very bad for the environment. Thrift stores often have very unique items and are better for the environment because it is used clothing and typically at a much lower price.

Go through old clothes and donate them

A fun activity you can do today if you have some free time is to go through your closet and pick out things you no longer need. I’m sure there are tons of items in your closet that you no longer wear and have forgotten about. Instead of just throwing them away, find your closest donation site and donate them to people who need it. You can even upcycle your clothes if you’re into fashion and create it into something new. You can also try selling your old clothes online or having garage sales.

Hang your clothes on the drying rack

Did you know that a dryer can generate 2 to 6 kilowatts of electricity per hour? This is a massive amount of electricity and can be avoided by using a drying rack. It is also better for your clothes as dryers often shrink your clothes and is bad for the fabric.

Take a shorter shower (together?)

Try taking a shorter shower today. The average American uses 17.2 gallons of water in an eight-minute shower. You should look into buying a low-flow showerhead or a filtered showerhead to reduce pollutants to your skin and body.

Also, stop taking baths. Not only is it unsanitary, but it also wastes a massive amount of water. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a full bathtub requires about 70 gallons of water. Save more water by not shaving – try growing a unibrow or your leg hair out for Januhairy.

Take the stairs

Lastly, if you are able, take the stairs. Especially if you live on the second, third, or fourth floor, it is better to take the stairs. The elevators go up and down all day long, constantly wasting tons of electricity. Taking the stairs is quick, good exercise, and safer. Take the stairs because there is always the chance of getting stuck in an elevator.

The post 10 ways to lower your personal carbon footprint appeared first on Green Prophet.

Did you know that humans produce 2.6 trillion pounds of trash per year? Waste is one of the many significant problems that is damaging our environment. Pollution, whether it’s in the air, water, or soil, each pollution holds an equal and tremendous hazard to people, land, animals, and the entire ecosystem. While air and water pollution are more difficult for an individual to control, the daily garbage waste that an individual creates is easier to control. While recycling, not using plastic, and composting are great ways to help reduce waste, it is not incentivizing enough for all people. Therefore, I will tell you some ways in which you can reduce your waste, but in a fun way.

Repurpose old bottles and cans

How often are you constantly discarding your used toiletry bottles? Make use of your old, shampoo, conditioner, or any bottle and cut the top off and use it for anything. There are so many things that just lay around without a place and this is an easy and effective way to organize your items. You can also paint and decorate the bottles after you cut the top off. Keep your pens, makeup brushes, or cooking utensils in these and you will feel much more organized in an environmentally friendly way.

Candles from old jars

Making candles is super easy and always looks great. All you need is a wick, wax, and some scissors. Take your old jar and stick the wick to the bottle of the jar with a piece of tape.

CreatCreaMelt wax on the stove and then pour it into the jar, making sure to hold up the top of the wick. Fill it to the top keeping some of the wick above and that’s it! You can even add some fragrance and essential oils to the melted wax if you like a scented candle. Another easy one is the orange peel candle.

https://www.greenprophet.com/2016/10/the-orange-peel-candle-a-how-to-guide/

Vase from plastic or glass bottle

This one is a great alternative to buying a vase, is good for the environment, and can be created into however you’d like it. Buy a bunch of colorful gems and decorate the outside of the bottle, or paint the bottle with fun designs and artwork. However you like your art to be, do it on a bottle. Then, cut the top of the bottle off, or leave it as is and put some flowers in it. Or how about making a mini vase you can wear with a tiny boutonniere.

CD art

Have a ton of old CDs just lying around? Instead of throwing them out, make some fun art out of them. Just grab a bunch of acrylic markers or paint and get creative!

The post ​​​​​​4 Fun Crafts to Reduce Waste appeared first on Green Prophet.

Have you ever walked into a grocery store and been confused about what was meant by the kosher aisle? What the symbol was on some food packaging that had a U with a circle around it? Today I will share with you what it means to be kosher and how to follow a kosher diet.

Keeping kosher is the practice of adhering to strict guidelines of dietary restrictions done by Jews for thousands of years. Most Jews that keep kosher are orthodox, however, Jews of all spectrums can keep kosher if they would like to. The Torah, which is the Hebrew bible of the five books of Moses, lists what it means to be kosher and how to do it. As Jews say, “to be pure, proper, or suitable for consumption” is a kosher diet. The Jewish word for being kosher is “Kashrut” which means to be fit, proper, and suitable for consumption”.

Kosher laws are the laws given by God to the Jewish people. One of which is that it is forbidden to mix meat products with dairy. For example, cheeseburgers are not kosher. Secondly, as Jews say, An animal is kosher if it has split hooves and chews its cud.

This means cow, lamb, and beef are all kosher. Pig is not kosher, so no bacon under Jewish law. Sea animals are kosher if they have fins and scales. This means flounder, cod, salmon, and whitefish are all kosher. Shrimp, clams, lobster, and crab are not kosher. Birds need to be non-predators, so chicken and turkey are deemed kosher under kosher rules.

When it comes to fruits and vegetables, it is important to thoroughly wash them because insects are not kosher (which also ensures a safe consumption of fruits and vegetables). Otherwise, all fruits and vegetables are kosher. Unless you live in Israel where the laws of shmita are observed.

It is also important that when preparing food all utensils used are not contaminated by non-kosher food items. So if a knife was used to cut a cheeseburger, that knife cannot be used to eat a kosher meal. In addition, kosher food cannot be cooked with non-kosher food. For this reason, there needs to be entirely separate dishes, pans, and utensils for kosher and non-kosher food.

Even when it comes to cleaning, there needs to be separate sponges to ensure there is no mixing. It is best that a kosher kitchen is kept as a kosher kitchen otherwise it is very difficult to ensure there is no mixing between kosher and non-kosher foods. Or, if you have a mixed household, you should have entirely separate cabinets that designate which pots, pans, utensils, etc. are kosher and which ones are non-kosher.

When it comes to packaged food, you need to make sure that the food item is labeled as kosher. There are different symbols that show that the food items have been verified and given a certification that it is safe to consume in a kosher diet. Some of these symbols include the OU (Orthodox Union), the OK (Organized Kashrut Laboratories), and the KSA (Kosher Supervision of America).

The environmental benefit of keeping kosher

Keeping kosher is better for the environment for a few reasons. Kosher laws skew what Jews are allowed to eat, leaving more room for fruits and vegetables. Although Jews can still eat meat (which is not great for the environment), they cannot eat meat and dairy together, so its own or the other. In addition, it eliminates certain products from the diet so it is closer to a vegan diet than a normal diet would be.

For example, kosher Jews cannot eat pork, which helps reduce their carbon footprint. “Your chances of being part of the sustainable movement by eating kosher is very likely,” says the Orthodox Union on keeping kosher. This is because some of the top kosher companies in the world have put sustainability measures at the top of their agenda.

Overall, the kosher diet is very important to Orthodox Jews and needs to be taken very seriously in the preparation of their food. Just like with any other religion, these practices need to be respected and recognized. Jews all over the world practice kosher diets, and it is very common to see kosher labels and certifications on food products and in restaurants.

The post A non-Jew’s guide to keeping Kosher appeared first on Green Prophet.

Veganism is taking the world by storm, with more than 79 million vegans taking over the diet industry. Being vegan is adventurous, fun, and full of amazing health and environmental benefits.

Going vegan is not as hard as people may think, there are plenty of food alternatives that can substitute all the delicious foods that you’d hate to give up. In addition, the environmental benefits of going vegan are astronomical and can vastly reduce one’s carbon footprint. Today I will share with you a recipe that I have been making for years now. It is delicious, incredibly healthy, and definitely worth trying.

Spinach Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

If you like the banana and peanut butter combo, you are sure to like this smoothie. It is thick, creamy, sweet, and vegan. It is high in protein and healthy fats to keep you satisfied all day. It is full of nutrients to promote good health and a clear mind. This is a must-try for those who are vegan or just want to find a delicious smoothie recipe.

Ingredients:

• Spinach

Spinach is one of the healthiest things you can put in your smoothie. The good thing about spinach in smoothies is that it does not taste like anything in smoothies, especially with bananas and peanut butter. There are tons of amazing health benefits in spinach, such as its anti-inflammatory, preventing cancer, reducing blood sugar, helping with weight management and so much more.

• Banana

Bananas are my favorite fruit to put in any smoothie because they provide a thick and creamy, sweet flavor and are full of nutrients like potassium. Make sure to use bananas that are ripe in order to get the best results.

• Peanut butter

Peanut butter is a must in this recipe. It is high in protein and provides a lot of flavor. Peanut butter is delicious and filling, and full of great health benefits. Just make sure you are using natural peanut butter and that its only ingredient is peanuts. You can also use other nut butters such as almond butter and sunflower seed butter.

• Oat milk

Oat milk is vegan, delicious, and works great in any smoothie recipe. You can also use other non-dairy milks like almond milk or soy milk, but I’d stay away from almond milk as it is not the best for the environment. Also, make sure you are using good oat milk as many oat milk companies fill their milk with bad ingredients, so I recommend you can make your own oat milk.

• Flaxseed

This ingredient is not as common in smoothies but it’s something I’ve been incorporating for a while now that people do not know how healthy it is. Flaxseed is full of fiber and a great source of omega-3 fatty acids.

• Vegan protein powder of your choice

This is your choice in selecting a protein powder. There are so many protein powders on the market, but few that are both vegan and clean. There is also the option of choosing a flavored protein powder, like vanilla or chocolate. I suggest getting one that’s either vanilla or chocolate because it adds more flavor. Just make sure you read the ingredients carefully and know what is inside the protein powder so that it is good for you and vegan.

This recipe is quick and easy to make. One tip that I recommend is to freeze your bananas. This is my best tip for making a thick, creamy smoothie. No matter what fruit you put into your smoothie, you should use it when it’s frozen. This way you don’t have to use ice cubes to make it cold and it won’t water down your smoothie.

For the most part, you don’t need to use exact measurements when making a smoothie. I typically estimate what I think works best, but this is around how much I use in a single serving for this smoothie. There is also no specific order in making this smoothie and all ingredients can be thrown into a blender and you are sure to come out with a delicious smoothie.

• Handful of spinach
• 1 banana
• 1 cup oat milk
• 2 tablespoons flaxseed
• 2 scoops of protein powder

You are also welcome to add/take out any ingredients in the recipe. Other things you can add to your recipe include other fruits like mixed berries. There are tons of other nutrients you can add to your smoothie to make it a superfoods smoothie with tons of vitamins and minerals.

I love using superfoods powder, which is typically vegan but you should always double-check. In addition to flaxseed, you can also try hemp seeds and chia seeds. You can even add different greens to the smoothie like mixed greens, kale, or even avocado.

Smoothies are one of the best foods to incorporate into your diet for how healthy and customizable they are. It is so easy to add healthy and nutritious items to your smoothie in order to ensure you are getting in all your vitamins and minerals. It is easy to go vegan with this smoothie recipe.

The post The Healthiest Vegan Smoothie appeared first on Green Prophet.

As I wrote previously about the vegan festival in Tel Aviv, I will continue writing here on going vegan and why it helps the environment so much. The benefits of going vegan are endless. Did you know that one person going vegan saves 30 animals’ lives a year? Or that going vegan can reduce water waste by 50 percent?

These are only two of the many reasons why going vegan creates such a positive impact. However, going vegan is not as complicated as people think. With veganism being so popular today, so many startups have begun that sell alternatives to your favorite foods. In this article, I will list some of the alternatives to some of your favorite meat and dairy products.

Meat for vegans

One of the hardest aspects of veganism for so many is giving up meat. It becomes challenging to find alternatives to meat, especially for those who are trying to get lots of protein in. However, there are many alternatives to meat and protein that ensure you get the benefits of meat so that you can cut it out.

First off, my favorite: tofu. Tofu is a highly nutritious, soybean-based protein source that can be swapped in as an alternative to chicken, beef, turkey, lamb, etc.

Tofu is especially fun for those who love crafting up recipes as tofu can be crafted into so many delicious things. For example, tofu can be made Asian style with soy sauce or teriyaki sauce. It can also be used in a Thai recipe with curry or in a pad Thai. Israelis also enjoy tofu on top of salads mixed with tahina, hummus, and even za’atar. Check out this recipe on how to make Za’atar-Flavored Tofu. Tofu can be prepared by baking, frying, or stir-frying, and can be put on top of anything.

If you are hesitant about tofu or do not like it. There are alternatives to chicken, beef, and fish that you can buy in the store. There is also vegan schnitzel in store at your local AM PM (which I like to buy) and tastes delicious you would never guess there is no meat in it. As I found at the vegan festival, Creative Pea sells alternatives to these meat products made from pea protein, and are all so delicious. Other companies include Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat but may not contain the best ingredients.

Other excellent sources of protein include black beans, chickpeas, and lentils. Nut butters and seeds are also high in protein and a great source of heart-healthy fat. Beans are high in fiber and can be customized to fit into many meals. Nuts and seeds are also linked to good health and less chance of getting cancer.

Dairy for vegans

Dairy products are a little more tricky when it comes to going vegan. This is because although being vegan is good for the environment, the sourcing of vegan products is not always made sustainably. For example, almond milk is destructive to bee hives and uses a lot of nuts to produce 1 carton of milk. A good alternative that is both vegan and produced sustainably is oat milk.

Still, you need to be careful when purchasing oat milk because the ingredients are not always the best, containing a lot of sugars and additives. If possible, try making your own oat milk with this recipe. You can also purchase vegan cheeses, yogurts, and ice creams. First off, head over to Otello if you want some really good vegan gelato. As I mentioned in my article on the vegan fest, Plenty offers a range of delicious vegan cheeses, yogurts, and cream cheese.

Protein Supplements for vegans

If you are still struggling by the end of this article to find protein alternatives, there are protein powders, bars, drinks, etc. on the market that are vegan. Especially if you have a sweet tooth, this is a good option for you. The best option to get the best health benefits is by making protein smoothies, this way you can get in your veggies. A favorite of mine is one with spinach, banana, peanut butter, and chocolate protein powder. Protein powders make your life so much easier to get in protein because it’s easy to mix into anything. For example, mix protein powder into your pancake mix and you have high-protein, vegan pancakes.

Still looking for vegan options? Check out an article that lists more vegan companies.

The post Food alternatives to go vegan appeared first on Green Prophet.

We pulled up into a barren plot of land that stretched for miles. I, and the rest of my Onward friends in my Israel internship program were utterly confused. Where were we? I remember thinking. We were quite literally in the middle of nowhere, just miles of open, dry land, the land of Israel.

Once we got off the bus we were brought into a room with tables and a board where we learned what we were here for. Project Wadi Attir, is a sustainable development organization that aims to farm through Bedouin traditions in an eco way. Fostered by The Sustainability Laboratory, the goal of this project and the other projects is to integrate sustainable practices of agriculture.

The property is located in the north Negev desert and it desires to bring back original Bedouin traditions like folk medicine that have been long forgotten from the past. Traditional Bedouin culture were nomad Arabs who farmed the land in a sustainable way. This project brings back this method of farming so that farmland is better preserved and taken care of, and this was very clear as we were taken on our tour of the property.

They showed us around the 100-acre land and showed us some of the goats and sheep. The goats are milked by hand only and we even were able to hold one of the goats. They also served us some labneh, which was goat cheese they made on-site. You can make your own labneh with our recipe here.

Hold a goat

“This whole project is to take all the tradition and knowledge the Bedouins had for thousands of years in the desert and try to use it and bring it back with the most advanced technique and technology,” said Mohammed Alnabari, one of the founders of the project.

This project was also inspired to achieve a holistic approach back to a natural way of healing. Similarly to Tavlinsky and Cafe Levinsky crafting their ingredients on site, the project produces its own herbs, dairy products, and vegetables all made sustainably through an ancient Bedouin method of cultivation, and is supposed to provide a more natural way of living.

It is also hopeful to inspire other farmland to adopt this agricultural style in order to preserve the planet and support the Bedouin community and lifestyle. You can also buy their herbs and medicinal plants in the store they have on site.

Although it may seem like this place is all designed to be ancient and hand produced, there are solar fields on site that they use to generate electricity. In addition, the goat milking facility is one of the most advanced in Israel. Each goat has an ID bracelet, which tells them a lot of information like how much milk it yielded, how much time it milked, how old she is, and information on the milk cycle. “It can milk 48 items, goats or sheep at one time,” said Alnabari on the milking process. There are 100 goats and 100 sheep being milked right now on-site, giving about 3 liters of milk and being used to produce traditional Bedouin cheese.

What was so unique about my experience at Project Wadi Attir was that there were little kids there, learning, playing, and just experiencing the culture. When we arrived, the kids were staring at us like deer in the headlights. A group of modern, flashy young adults from America standing in front of tiny children that knew nothing of our lifestyles. I wasn’t able to speak to any of these children (mostly because they didn’t speak English), but it would be so interesting to know what they are thinking and get the perspective from their side.

The children that were at Project Wadi Attir

This Project not only builds a more sustainable Bedouin farm life, but also reestablishes a Bedouin tribe that brings people together from all over the world. As international relations is a complicated subject that is so heavily discussed in the Middle East, these projects are crucial in creating stronger bonds between people because it allows us to look each other in the eye and see different perspectives.

Seeing how other people live is the first step in forming peaceful relations and also grows our intellect just to see how other people live.

The post Bedouin Traditions to bring back a sustainable community with Project Wadi Attir appeared first on Green Prophet.

Earth’s oceans cover over 70 percent of the planet’s surface and hold more than 1.3 billion cubic kilometers of water. Inside these vast waters inhabitants over 236,878 marine species, but likely way more as we have only explored 20 percent of the oceans. Today, we estimate that the ocean is roughly 11,000 meters at its deepest point.

Just like any other ecosystem, it is imperative to protect the numerous species that inhabit the deep sea. Deep sea mining is now threatening these species due to the discovery of rich minerals such as cobalt and lithium that can be found in seabeds.

The International Sea Bed Council has already put in approval of plans for work as early as September. Luckily, the DSCC is working amongst other NGOs to stop companies from committing these devastating ocean effects.

There are three types of mining that are in the plans to take place. Polymetallic nodules from the abyssal plains, cobalt crusts from seamounts, and polymetallic sulphides from hydrothermal vents. These underwater areas are rich in biodiversity and threatened to be destroyed if the mining takes place. Since much of the ocean has not been explored, we don’t know the severity of the mining, and can be more destructive than we expect.

This is why it is so important to get on board with the DSCC, fisheries, and law and policy enforcement to ensure that permits do not go out to allow this mining. According to the DSCC, scientists have warned us that the impacts of deep-sea mining are inevitable and most likely irreversible.

“The last thing we need is deep sea mining digging ourselves into a deeper hole,” says Louisa Casson at GreenPeace on a conference call Green Prophet joined recently.

The risks that deep sea mining imposes are numerous: The disturbance of natural seabeds and ecosystems creates plumes of sediment that can threaten species’ habitats and threaten extinction. Plumes can also be created through the deposit of wastewater in the mining process that can spread hundreds of square kilometers. It also generates a lot of noise pollution which greatly disturbs species.

According to a study released by Green Peace, the noise pollution that deep sea mining creates can disrupt whales’ ability for frequency navigation, communication between breeding partners, and communication between mothers and calves. And with these frequencies operating 24 hours a day, there is significant detrimental harm to species of whales for the long haul.

“Seabed mining is not a climate solution, it’s a potential climate disaster,” said Bobbi-Jo of The Ocean Foundation on the same call we jumped in on meant to bring journalists up to date with the latest research. With the goal of seabed mining being to provide cobalt and nickel to the EV electric vehicle industry, seabed mining is not going to help these industries much because lithium is most important to this industry for its batteries and is not found in large quantities in the polymetallic nodules of ocean beds. For this reason, seabed mining would be disturbing the sea floor and the marine ecosystems unnecessarily.

Seabed mining can not be marketed as a climate solution because it does not make mining on Earth any less. Although seabed mining may take away from mining on land, it shifts it to mining underwater and further disrupts the earth’s surface, just now underwater.

This makes people think that we are finding solutions to climate issues on land, but they are just moving it underwater where people can not visibly see the damage.

The Canadian company The Metals Company or TMC is a leading proponent of seabed mining. TMC has been called out numerous times because they have put out misleading statements to investors. The company has had two class action cases after failing to disclose information and downplaying reality. They make themselves look like they are doing good work for the metals industry, when in actuality they are heading towards massive blocks from moratorium and difficulties financing their commissions.

Fortunately, countries all over the world are coming together to address and moratorium deep sea mining. “We are seeing a coalition of countries from the Pacific, Latin America, and Europe all making statements,” said Casson from GreenPeace. There is cross-regional support for a moratorium on deep sea mining as statements are being released and a silent majority were against deep sea mining. Governmental and NGO officers showed overwhelming support for the moratorium. Specifically in France and Germany, governments were for deep-sea mining, but as evidence was released that proved the destructive effects of deep-sea mining, these countries turned around and decided there was no future for deep-sea mining.

It is in the hands of activists, NGOs, and others to speak up against deep-sea mining and continue to push for a moratorium on deep-sea mining. As long as we continue to push these scientific facts globally, we can convince nations all over the world to a global moratorium. Deep sea mining is destructive to marine ecosystems and cannot be allowed in any way, shape, or form.

The post Marine ecosystems in danger: what is deep sea mining? appeared first on Green Prophet.

While I was on my 10-day Taglit Birthright Israel trip, I had the opportunity to go to the Dead Sea, and it was one of my favorite places I have ever been to. It was like no other place I’d ever seen. It was so beautiful, it felt like I was in a dream. Floating in the Dead Sea was magical, and the color of the water with the mountains in the background was unreal. This gem of Israel is by far the highlight of any trip to Israel and I hope to return again soon.

The Dead Sea is the lowest point on Earth. It is the saltiest water body on the planet, with a salt concentration of 36 percent, so salty that no life can live in this sea except for some rare form of bacteria. When you go swimming in the sea, you float entirely. It borders Jordan and Israel and is the world’s most unique and extraordinary phenomenon, holding great historical and religious significance.

Unfortunately, the Dead Sea is shrinking, and at an alarming rate. According to EcoPeace, a trilateral water protection org working between Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan, the Dead Sea is dropping by more than one meter every year. This catastrophic event is in need of urgent matters as the disappearance of the Dead Sea would cause a multitude of problems. Already of which is the issue of sinkholes, which is caused by the salt deposits that dissolve underground and cause massive craters in the earth’s surface.

There are two significant reasons why the Dead Sea is shrinking, and it’s entirely man-made that has little to do with climate change. Water flows from the north, into the Sea of Galilee, down the Jordan River, and eventually makes its way into the Dead Sea. However, this process is being disrupted.

First off, no freshwater is coming from the Jordan River. This is because tributaries are being blocked and Jordan and Israel are diverting the water between the two of them. Oded Rahav, an expert on the Dead Sea and the founder and CEO of the Dead Sea Guardians organization, said only 8 percent of the water flows down the Jordan River to the Dead Sea. The rest of the water is getting pulled out so it never reaches the Dead Sea. This diversion of water from the Jordan River began in the 1960s when surrounding countries learned they can access freshwater from this flow. However, this process now is entirely unsustainable and urgently needs to be discontinued.

The second reason is due to dead sea factories extracting minerals. Both Israeli and Jordanian mineral factories are contributing to this problem (I wrote about the issue of resource management between countries in my article about why international environmental law is an important career). Companies like the ICL, for example, mine the dead sea for minerals because the Dead Sea is rich in minerals such as potash, bromine, sodium chloride (salt), magnesia, magnesium chloride, and metal magnesium.

Another company, The Dead Sea Works, is vastly contributing to mineral extraction from the Dead Sea, which people like Gidon Bromberg from EcoPeace are working to stop. These detrimental human activities are profitable yet unsustainable. This mineral extraction is largely intensifying the rate of evaporation in the Dead Sea and therefore contributing to its shrinking.

Other contributors to the Dead Sea shrinking include evaporation in the summertime and increased temperatures due to climate change, but as I mentioned before, diversion and mineral extraction are the most significant reasons for the Dead Sea shrinking.

These losses are causing great damage to the landscape around the Dead Sea. “Every three days we are losing one centimeter,” Rahav told Green Prophet. These losses from the Dead Sea are risking the formation of sinkholes. Sinkholes are vast and expansive, roads are falling through, and people’s livelihoods are at risk.

Alison Ron of the Ein Gedi Kibbutz feels saddened as she watches the Dead Sea shrink away each and every day. “The Dead Sea has character” she vocalized. “It’s hard watching something you grew up with sink away”. As sinkholes continue to pop up as the years go on, it is no longer an issue that can be ignored. This is the world’s greatest, most present issue to date that will be the first thing to go. Sinkholes are now forming rapidly. Over the past 40 years, there have been more than 8,000 sinkholes have formed and they are dangerous.

Luckily, there is hope. Organizations such as EcoPeace and The Dead Sea Guardians are rising up to come up with solutions. “So much of the rest of the Middle East is so unstable for various reasons that the water crisis further feeds that instability and could be the spark for a further internal uprising,” say’s Gidon Bromberg of EcoPeace, while he deals with a number of climate crises in Israel and the Middle East.

Some actions that EcoPeace is taking in regards to the Dead Sea is registering the Dead Sea as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This way, the Dead Sea would enlist requirements for sustainable practice and promotes regional cooperation in surrounding countries. Another EcoPeace plan of action is to rehabilitate the water that was lost and divert it back to the Jordan River. EcoPeace also aims to grant a public trust obligation to any company that wants to extract minerals from the Dead Sea. This would regulate mineral extraction in order to best preserve the sea.

Similarly, The Dead Sea Guardians is working to revive the Dead Sea through the Israeli government. The Dead Sea Guardians is trying to get the Israeli government to implement policies that would one, return water back to the Sea of Galilee and the lower Jordan River, and two, provide a framework to mineral extracting companies that would limit their volume of evaporated water that is done in their production methods.

While there are extraordinary companies working long and hard to stabilize the Dead Sea and return it to its original state, it is important that we continue to urge attention to this critical issue. There is no time to wait and this issue will not fix itself. The Dead Sea is remarkable and needs to be preserved for the rest of time.

The post The Dead Sea is Shrinking appeared first on Green Prophet.