NASDAQ-traded Ormat Technologies (ORA) is involved in the proposed construction of a giant geo-thermal electric power plant in Indonesia, a country that is now in bad need of more electric power, even though it is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The project is estimated to cost around $800 million, […]
As we saw in the recent Gaza and Lebanon wars, violent conflict can be a major obstacle to environmental protection in the Middle East. Recently, a letter signed by Issac Ben David, deputy director of Israel’s Ministry for Environmental Protection, and addressed to Major-General Gadi Shamni, commander-in-chief of Israel’s central command, contained even more evidence […]
During the week of May 17, 2009 , attention was drawn to the California cleantech mission that introduced visiting investors to Israel’s cleantech world. Other big news was the announcement by Israel’s neighbor, Jordan, that it will be going ahead with the proposed Red-Dead Canal without its former partner, Israel. For more on this and […]
The Pope was in Israel earlier this month, bringing with him thousands of Catholic pilgrims (and a request from environmentalists to help clean the Jordan River). A week later 40 investors from the California region came on a different kind of pilgrimage to Israel – to see the world-famous clean technology opportunities Israeli entrepreneurs have […]
In a move that will have environmentalists and government officials in Israel reeling, the Jordanian government announced this week that it will go ahead with the controversial Dead Sea-Red Sea Canal from Aqaba in the Red Sea to the Dead Sea in central Jordan. The announcement for the $10 billion project (some reports say $5 […]
During the week of May 10, 2009, Ormat, a geothermal company, announced its plans to build a plant in Indonesia and Globes reported that major cleantech investors are planning to visit Israel in the near future. BrightSource and PG&E agreed to the largest ever solar power deal in the United States and Better Place demonstrated […]
Stylish and modern, the Kuwait-born Queen Rania of Jordan is helping Jordanian farmers go organic, reports the Jordan Times. Known for her humanitarian work on women’s rights, she is now launching a national program for organic farmers. The plan is to convert up to 5% of Jordanian farms by 2014. She is also working to […]
(Working on the organic goat farm at Kishorit, the largest organic goat farm in Israel that sells its “fair trade” milk to Harduf, the largest organic food supplier in Israel.) People born with mental deficiencies, or those afflicted later in life, are usually handed the short end of the stick. Facilities to accommodate needs and […]
Earlier this year, we saw members of the Lebanese group IndyACT trek out into the snowy wilderness to protect Lebanon’s snow from catastrophic climate change. This week IndyACT members, along with their friends in the Association for Forest Development and Conservation (AFDC) were back in action, putting the heat (so to speak) on decision-makers to […]
(Israeli hightech entrepeneur Yossi Vardi delivers a TED Talk about the dangers of blogging for men. An inconvenient truth called Local Warming.) It could be something out of the worst nightmare of a Woody Allen flick like “Everything you wanted to know about sex but are afraid to ask.” But there may be truth in […]
Syria, a country whose authoritarian government has often been rife with corruption and human rights violations, has again reshuffled its cabinet as President Bashar al Assad attempts to deal with a number of problems his country now faces. With the economy being one of the top issues, some of the first “changes” appear to be […]
After the recent Jerusalem elections Green Prophet hailed the new Mayor Barkat for placing an environmentalist so prominently on his list. Jerusalem Mayor Barkat not long ago presented his master plan for the city for the next two decades, and top on his list is to green the city. His plan focuses on environmentally friendly construction […]
(Monsoons in India channel pollution to potable water sources, contaminating water everywhere.) Monsoons in India are both a blessing and a curse. As the heavy rains pour down, they provide the season’s much-needed water for irrigating crops. But monsoons also wipe out entire villages. They cause mudslides, and contaminate potable water. Diseases fester and spread […]
(Aboriginal men in Australia mark manhood by going on a long distance trek. Israelis too, are on a “walkabout,” but for love and the environment.) Although a lot of people are getting into the act for environmental awareness in Israel. An organization that calls itself Walk About Love has decided to go about this in […]
(Tal Ya Water technologies, featured at the Agritech expo in Tel Aviv next week, could provide the world’s best – possibly first – effective dew drop collector for watering crops.) Growing tomatoes and raising dairy cows in 113 degrees Fahrenheit is no easy feat, but over the last 30 years or so, Israeli agriculture technologies […]
(A picture taken by NASA of McNaught comet in Australia) Comets have always fascinated us. A mysterious appearance could symbolize God’s displeasure or mean a sure failure in battle, at least for one side. Now Tel Aviv University justifies our fascination — comets might have provided the elements for the emergence of life on our […]
Green Prophet readers, as we know, are not only dreamers, they are doers. For all those that want to play your part, a job in clean technology might be up your alley. Today we interview Sam Newell from Renewable Energy Jobs, on trends and renewable energy jobs up for grabs in the Middle East. Green Prophet: […]
Tonight begins Israel’s Independence Day, and a lot of recent articles on Green Prophet have been about the regional water crisis, and what must be done to alleviate it. Both agronomists and hydrologists in our region have tried to find ways to deal with the increasing lack of water resources, including recycling of sewage and […]
It is illogical and immoral to dry up the urban parks, gardens and green areas, while exporting flowers grown with subsidized drinking water to Europe.
(Aerial view of the Burj Hotel in Dubai, UAE) Following the news of Etihad, a United Arab Emirates airline that is reducing its carbon footprint, a number of companies based in the UAE are following suit and are making green efforts thanks to help from firms like the Dubai-based EcoVentures. EcoVentures is a company – […]
As we covered earlier in It’s The Water That Binds Us, in this video Alexandra Cousteau continues her mission Expedition: Blue Planet and interviews a local man from Jordan, Othman Mizra, whose father built a livelihood around a water oasis – Azraq – in Jordan. Now the water from the oasis is pumped to Amman […]
Israelis need it to stay secure from terror attacks, but the Palestinians see it as a barrier to making peace, and getting their fair share of water and other resources. Alexandra Cousteau (who I spoke to while on her Expedition: Blue Planet in Israel) interviews an Arava Institute alum from the Palestinian Authority to get […]
The World Bank published a report yesterday recommending an immediate change in the water regime between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Coming at a particularly sensitive time, considering the region’s ever-worsening water crisis, the report, entitled Assessment of Restrictions on Palestinian Water Sector Development, concluded that “the joint governance rules and water allocations established under […]
Environmental activists and business people working on green technologies take note: a small application called glooq can be fitted into your email message to help generate eco awareness and sales. It takes a simple email message and turns it into a marketing campaign. Think about how many more people know about your new wind turbine […]
You may not believe it, but the green stuff many people have growing as a decorative plant in their garden may become one of main fibers for manufacturing clothing, linens, curtains, and other fabrics that are presently being made from cotton (a very wasteful pant), and various synthetic fibers. Presently a number of fashion designers […]