Elon Musk has never been shy about grand declarations and funding Iranian dissidents, but his latest announcement landed with particular force in Washington last week. Standing beside Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Saudi Arabia’s communications minister Abdullah Alswaha, Musk revealed plans for a 500-megawatt xAI data center to be built in the Kingdom — a facility nearly twice the size of xAI’s Colossus 1 in Memphis.

Saudi Arabia is investing a trillion USD in the US economy and pulling companies over to Riyadh is part of the plan. This rivals Dubai which for the last 15 years has been the Middle East investment capital. Saudi Arabia normalizing with Israel and the New Middle East is taking the UAE example to diversify its economy when oil is no longer a viable business. It’s not a question if, it’s a question of when.

“It’s going to be one of the most powerful clusters ever built,” Musk said, adding that the project, developed with HUMAIN AI, represents “a massive leap forward for global computation.” HUMAIN AI, a newcomer created with backing from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, fueled by ARAMCO, Saudi’s oil company will anchor the joint venture.

As with most of the world’s current AI arms race, the beating heart of the center will be Nvidia chips, which have become the gold standard for training frontier models.

Huang, who has spent the year bouncing between Silicon Valley, Singapore, and the Gulf, announced a separate 100-megawatt data center for Amazon Web Services powered by Nvidia hardware. “This is just the beginning,” he said. “We’re aiming for gigawatt scale. The demand for accelerated computing is rising faster than any of us predicted.”

These kinds of deals can be run on solar power and possibly green hydrogen which Saudi Arabia is pioneering.

“Humanoid robots will be the biggest product ever,” Musk said: “Perhaps in the four or five-year time frame, the lowest-cost way to do AI compute will be with solar-powered AI satellites.”

All this unfolded one day after the U.S. and Saudi Arabia unveiled a Memorandum of Understanding on AI, designed to give the Kingdom access to advanced American systems while “protecting U.S. technology from foreign influence,” according to the White House. In diplomatic speak, that means Washington wants to ensure Riyadh remains on the Western tech grid rather than drifting toward Beijing’s orbit.

Related: Is your company investing in Riyadh or Dubai? 

Yet behind the spectacle lies a more grounded story: Saudi Arabia is betting its post-oil future on computation. The Kingdom has land, capital and political will — and it wants to become indispensable to the world’s AI supply chain.

Environmental analysts, however, are asking harder questions. A 500-megawatt data center is effectively a new industrial city. “Where is the clean power coming from?” “If this is fueled by oil or gas, it simply shifts the carbon problem upstream.”

Saudi officials insist renewable capacity is accelerating. The Kingdom has sunlight in abundance, and giga-scale construction and solar projects are rising across the desert and into the sea.

The post Musk’s Saudi Mega-Data Center Signals a Desert Arms Race for AI appeared first on Green Prophet.

Most life sciences investors follow predictable patterns: raise funds from limited partners, deploy capital across portfolio companies within defined timeframes, and exit investments to generate returns for fund investors. Werner Lanthaler has deliberately constructed Wlanholding GmbH to operate outside these conventional frameworks, creating what amounts to an alternative approach to biotechnology investment.

As founder and CEO of Wlanholding, a family office focused on life sciences and high-tech sustainability investments, Lanthaler has designed his investment platform to prioritize long-term value creation over the rapid return cycles that characterize traditional venture capital. This approach reflects the lessons he learned during his tenure as CEO of Evotec SE, where he experienced firsthand how external investor timelines can sometimes conflict with the lengthy development periods necessary for pioneering biotechnology innovation.

The contrast becomes apparent when examining Wlanholding’s portfolio companies: Proxygen GmbH developing molecular glue degraders, Cerabyte GmbH creating ceramic-based data storage solutions, Solgate GmbH targeting complex protein families, Planet Pure GmbH producing organic consumer products, and Cyment developing sustainable building materials. Each represents ambitious science that benefits from patient capital rather than pressure to achieve rapid milestones for fund reporting purposes.

Family Office Structure Creates Different Investment Dynamics

Wlanholding operates as a family office rather than a traditional venture capital fund, creating fundamentally different relationships between the investment platform and portfolio companies. This structure eliminates many of the tensions between investor reporting requirements and company development needs that can complicate traditional VC relationships.

Family office investment decisions can focus on scientific merit and long-term market potential rather than fund marketing requirements or limited partner expectations. This freedom allows Wlanholding to invest in companies that traditional VC funds might consider too early-stage, too technically complex, or too specialized for their portfolio construction needs.

The family office structure also enables more flexible deal terms and ongoing support arrangements. Without pressure to demonstrate rapid progress to external fund investors, Wlanholding can provide sustained support through the inevitable setbacks and strategic pivots that characterize biotechnology development. This stability often proves crucial for companies developing novel technologies that don’t follow predictable development timelines.

The operational implications extend to board participation and strategic guidance. Rather than managing relationships with dozens of portfolio companies to satisfy fund diversification requirements, the family office structure enables deeper engagement with a more concentrated portfolio of companies where meaningful value creation support is possible.

Extended Investment Timelines Enable Ambitious Science

Traditional venture capital funds typically operate on 7-10 year cycles with pressure to generate returns within predetermined timeframes. Wlanholding operates without these artificial constraints, enabling investment in companies pursuing scientific objectives that may require extended development periods to reach their full potential.

This extended timeline approach proves particularly valuable for companies that are developing platform technologies rather than single-product applications. Solgate’s focus on solute carrier proteins is an example of the kind of ambitious science that benefits from patient capital. These proteins represent a large class of therapeutic targets that have been historically challenging to address, requiring sustained research efforts and iterative development approaches that don’t fit neatly into traditional VC timelines.

The patient capital philosophy extends to supporting companies through multiple development phases and market applications. Rather than pressuring portfolio companies to pursue exits at the first viable opportunity, Wlanholding evaluates whether continued investment and support can create significantly greater long-term value by enabling companies to capture larger market opportunities or develop additional applications for their core technologies.

Concentrated Portfolio Approach Over Diversification Models

Traditional venture capital follows portfolio construction models designed to generate returns through a small number of highly successful investments that compensate for multiple failures or modest successes. This approach requires VCs to make numerous investments with limited resources available for deep engagement with individual companies.

Werner Lanthaler has built Wlanholding around a concentrated portfolio approach that enables deeper engagement with each investment. Rather than spreading capital across dozens of companies with limited attention available for each, the concentrated approach enables meaningful partnership relationships that can significantly influence company development outcomes.

This concentrated investment strategy requires higher conviction in investment decisions but creates opportunities for more substantial support during critical development phases. The approach aligns well with the complex, relationship-intensive nature of biotechnology innovation, where strategic partnerships and deep domain expertise often determine success more than capital availability alone.

The concentrated approach also enables better integration between portfolio companies, facilitating knowledge sharing and collaborative development opportunities that larger, more diversified portfolios cannot easily coordinate. Companies like Proxygen and Cerabyte can benefit from shared insights and complementary expertise that emerge from closer portfolio integration.

Active Partnership Beyond Financial Investment

Traditional venture capital relationships often involve providing capital in exchange for board representation and periodic monitoring, with limited operational involvement beyond major strategic decisions. Wlanholding’s approach emphasizes active partnership and operational support that leverages Lanthaler’s extensive industry experience and professional network.

This active partnership approach draws on his experience building Evotec from approximately 200 employees to over 5,000 while expanding revenue from €40 million to €800 million. Portfolio companies benefit from strategic guidance based on direct experience with scaling biotechnology companies, navigating regulatory processes, and developing strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions.

The active partnership involves hands-on problem-solving during critical development phases. Rather than simply monitoring progress through board meetings and investor updates, Wlanholding engages directly with portfolio companies to overcome technical challenges, navigate regulatory complexities, and develop strategic partnerships. This level of involvement often proves essential for companies developing breakthrough technologies that require specialized expertise and industry relationships.

Long-Term Value Creation Over Rapid Exit Strategies

Traditional VC models prioritize generating returns within fund timelines, creating pressure for portfolio companies to pursue exit opportunities that may not optimize long-term value creation. Wlanholding’s approach emphasizes building sustainable competitive advantages and market positions that create lasting value, even if this requires longer development timelines.

This long-term orientation allows portfolio companies to build robust scientific foundations, develop multiple product applications, and establish market positions that support sustained growth rather than optimizing for quick exits. Cerabyte’s development of revolutionary data storage technology exemplifies this approach, pursuing ambitious technical objectives that may take years to fully commercialize but could create substantial long-term value.

The long-term approach extends to supporting companies through multiple growth phases and market expansions. Rather than exiting when companies achieve initial success, Wlanholding evaluates whether continued investment can enable companies to capture significantly larger opportunities by expanding into adjacent markets or developing additional applications for their core technologies.

Scientific Expertise Drives Investment Decisions

Traditional venture capital often relies on pattern recognition and financial analysis to evaluate investment opportunities, with limited deep scientific expertise in specific technology areas. However, Werner Lanthaler brings extensive domain knowledge from his experience in biotechnology development, enabling more sophisticated technical evaluation of investment opportunities.

This scientific expertise allows Wlanholding to identify promising opportunities that traditional VCs might overlook due to technical complexity or unfamiliarity with specific scientific domains. Companies developing advanced platform technologies, addressing difficult biological targets, or pursuing novel therapeutic approaches benefit from investors who understand the technical merits and development challenges rather than relying primarily on market comparisons.

The scientific expertise also enables more effective ongoing support and strategic guidance. Lanthaler can provide insights based on direct experience with similar technical challenges, regulatory requirements, and commercial development pathways rather than generic business development advice that characterizes many traditional VC relationships.

Risk Management Through Deep Domain Understanding

Rather than managing investment risk through portfolio diversification alone, Wlanholding’s approach emphasizes a deep understanding of the scientific and technical risks associated with each investment. This domain expertise enables more accurate risk assessment and more effective risk mitigation strategies than traditional portfolio construction approaches.

The risk management approach considers the specific technical challenges, regulatory pathways, and market development requirements associated with each company’s approach. Rather than applying generic risk models across diverse investments, the deep domain understanding enables tailored support strategies that address the most critical success factors for each portfolio company.

This sophisticated risk assessment extends to strategic partnership development and competitive analysis. Understanding the technical differentiation and competitive advantages of portfolio companies enables more effective positioning for strategic partnerships, acquisition opportunities, and market development initiatives.

Through his alternative approach to biotechnology investment, Werner Lanthaler has created an investment platform that is uniquely positioned to support the most ambitious scientific innovations while generating sustainable returns for all stakeholders. Wlanholding’s model shows how alternative investment structures can better serve both entrepreneurs and investors in complex, technology-intensive industries that require patient capital and deep domain expertise.

The success of this approach suggests opportunities for evolution in how life sciences innovation is funded and supported, moving beyond standardized VC models towards more flexible structures that align investor capabilities with the specific requirements of breakthrough biotechnology development.

The post Werner Lanthaler Reveals Why Wlanholding Avoids Traditional VC Models appeared first on Green Prophet.

With food prices rising, many of us are thinking of ways to save money and still eat well. Try some of these lesser-known ways.

Go shopping in your pantry. Sometimes we’re so used to seeing something that we don’t even see it anymore. What’s with that pasta, that can of tuna, that jar of olives lurking in the pantry? Plug those ingredients into a recipe developer tool. There are many online. You’ll find recipes like pasta al tonno, which is served hot. With a drizzle of olive oil or mayonnaise, the same ingredients could make a cool summer pasta salad.

Respect your leftovers. It’s tried but true advice. Shred leftover chicken, meat, hardboiled eggs, or fish to use as filling for a sandwich. Stash leftover salad in the fridge right away and pick on it soon, before it gets too sad. Leftovers are simply food.

Check your local grocery store’s website for flash sales or overstock discounts. These opportunities aren’t always announced on the app or flyer.

Take time to compare unit prices (price per ounce, liter, etc.) between brands or sizes. Is that extra-size pack of toilet paper really cheaper, or does it cost the same as buying two? For online shopping, a quick glance at the unit prices under the ads answers that. In supermarkets, the unit price is often seen on a red tag next to the retail price.

Will you waste it in the end? If your purchase of, say, broccoli is too great for your immediate needs, cook it all but freeze the excess rather than letting it sit in the fridge waiting to get cooked sometime.

If your market offers unattractive produce at a reduced rate, snap it up. Take it home, pare away anything unsightly, and cook it. Our recipe for lettuce soup was born of a wilted lettuce whose heart was still sound. I recently made excellent apricot jam from a basket of soft, but unspoiled apricots that was going cheap.

Markets often lower prices on perishables just before restocking. Ask when your local place does this; often it’s on Tuesday or Wednesday evening.

Look in on ethnic stores. If you’re lucky enough to shop where an local ethnic population goes, you might find better prices on grains, canned goods, and kitchenware.

There may not be a co-op shop nearby, but you can still buy in bulk. Keep an eye on stores, markets, and even individual manufacturers that advertise foods sold in bulk for a good price. Some shops are happy to discount a product sold in quantity if you approach them first. Be bold: ask them.

Maybe you’re on your own, or too few in the house to make a bulk purchase seem worthwhile. Think again. Get together with friends or with work colleagues and split the purchase. That way you get only as much as you need, instead of having too much product around for too long.

Make your own co-op?

An informal co-op takes a little organization. Every participant states how much they want to take home from the purchase; this is written down and shared to prevent misunderstandings later on. Then, someone must receive or pick up the goods and weigh them out. A scale or other way of measuring is needed. Then, everyone brings their own container to take their part away. The manager of the purchase shouldn’t have to deal with getting containers.

As for payment, it’s best that everyone pay their part upfront, but an equitable agreement should be worked out among trustworthy people.

I did this kind of group purchase when a local olive oil press offered a bulk discount. A jerry can containing 20 liters (5.28 gallons) came to the door. I had a scale for measuring, but a clean pitcher with the quantities marked off would have done as well. With a cheap hand siphon to draw the olive oil out, it all went quickly and everyone was happy.

I’ve also bought flour in bulk through a similar informal co-op. Luckily the flour mill delivered it in neat kilo-sized packages; I’m not sure I would have tackled measuring and packing flour in my own kitchen.

You can also split a case of wine or beer from the liquor store with friends, if the manager allows a bulk discount. Booze bought from the brewery is still cheaper, of course.

Avoid Over-Shopping and Waste

Skip recipes that call for one-time-use ingredients. If a recipe calls for an expensive special ingredient, consider if you’ll likely use it again. No point keeping a jar or can of a specialty item around once it’s been opened, unless you’re sure you’ll repeat the dish or use the item in some other recipe. Ask me: I once kept a jar of capers languishing in the fridge until they gave up.

Don’t linger in the center of the shop, where the packaged goods aisles are. There’s where looms the temptation to do some impulse buying. First head for the fresh produce sections, which are deliberately placed at the edges and at the end of the shop, so you have to walk through the more expensive packaged goods first. If your list includes something from the packaged food aisles, pick up what you need and ignore what’s beckoning to you from the other shelves.

Be wise with sales. If the price is down because the product’s expiry date is coming up, consider if you’ll be using it soon. However, you might buy it anyway and freeze it for later.

Do you really need that? An item might look tempting, but if you don’t really need the product, walk on by. Even if it’s on sale. Disregard the junk so temptingly set out by the check point. Just unfocus your eyes.

Forget pre-shredded salads, packaged soups, industrially produced condiments and other convenience foods. Buy fresh ingredients and make these foods yourself. Yes, it takes time. No, it’s not as convenient. But nothing beats DIY for freshness, flavor, and money saved.

Even coffee is cheapest and most delicious brewed at home. It’s faster to percolate your own, then pour it into a thermos for drinking on the go, than to stand in line at the local coffee chain and wait for them to call your name. Not to mention: cheaper.

Following that thought, consider setting time aside for meal prep and condiments. Instead of scrolling through social media, make soup. Bake muffins. Cook up tomato sauce; it takes 20 minutes to put hot pasta on the table if you have tomato sauce at hand. Whizz up some pesto.

Freeze surplus in single- or double-serving portions. It’s easy to thaw them out in the microwave or on the stovetop. You’ll thank yourself later.

Lastly: cook what you buy, and eat what you cook.

The post Lesser Known Ways To Economize On Groceries appeared first on Green Prophet.

Turning 30 can feel like a major moment. It’s not just another birthday — for many people, it’s a time when life starts to get a little more serious. Maybe you’re thinking about buying a house, traveling more, or planning for your future family. Whatever your plans look like, having a few key financial milestones in place can make everything feel a lot easier.

The good news is that you don’t have to be rich or perfect with money to make real progress. You just need to build smart habits early and stick with them. Hitting a few important financial goals before 30 can put you years ahead later. Let’s break down some simple goals you can start working toward today.

Build a Starter Emergency Fund

One of the first financial goals to tackle is building a small emergency fund. Life is unpredictable, and having a financial safety net can give you peace of mind when unexpected expenses pop up. Whether it’s a car repair, a surprise medical bill, or even losing your job, an emergency fund means you’re not reaching for a credit card every time something happens.

You don’t need to build a huge emergency fund right away. Begin by aiming to save $1,000 as your first step. After that, focus on gradually setting aside enough to cover three to six months of your living costs. It’s better to build it slowly than not at all.

If you want to get a clear picture of how your savings could grow month by month, you can use a monthly compounding interest calculator. This tool shows how even small amounts saved in a high-yield account can grow over time just from earning interest. Watching your savings grow can keep you motivated to stay consistent.

Pay Off High-Interest Debt

Debt can be a big hurdle if you’re trying to build a strong financial future. If you have credit cards or personal loans with high interest rates, it’s important to make paying them off a priority. The longer you carry a balance, the more money you’ll end up paying — money that could have gone toward your goals.

Focus on knocking out high-interest debts first. Make a list of what you owe, the interest rates, and minimum payments. Then, put extra money toward the debt with the highest rate while keeping up with minimum payments on the others. Clearing this kind of debt frees up your income for more productive things like saving, investing, or traveling.

Start Saving for Retirement

It’s never too early to think about retirement. In fact, the earlier you start, the better. Time is your biggest advantage because of how compounding has worked over the years.

Even if you can only afford to put a little bit away each month, it’s still worth it. If your job offers a 401(k) plan, contribute enough to get the full employer match if possible. That’s free money you don’t want to leave behind. If you don’t have access to a workplace plan, opening an IRA is a good next step.

The key is to start now and stay consistent. Small amounts add up to big results when you give them enough time.

Build Good Credit

Your credit score plays a bigger role in your financial life than you might think. A strong score can help you get approved for loans, rent apartments, and qualify for lower interest rates when you borrow money.

Start by paying all your bills on time, every time. Late payments can seriously hurt your score. Keep your credit card balances low — ideally, using less than 30% of your available limit. It’s also smart to check your credit reports regularly to make sure there are no mistakes hurting your score.

Good credit doesn’t happen by accident. Building it takes a little effort but pays off in huge ways later on.

Create a Budget and Actually Stick to It

Budgeting isn’t about making your life harder. It’s about knowing where your money goes so you can make better choices with it.

The best budget is the one you’ll actually use. Some people like using apps that track spending automatically. Others prefer simple spreadsheets. The tool doesn’t matter as much as being honest about what you earn and spend.

Once you set a budget, review it once a month. Adjust when things change. Keeping track of your money helps you stay focused on your goals instead of wondering where your paycheck disappeared.

Set Short- and Long-Term Financial Goals

Money without a plan tends to disappear. That’s why setting clear goals is so important.

Think about what you want in the next few years. Maybe you want to save for a vacation, buy a car, or move into a better apartment. Those are short-term goals. At the same time, think bigger: buying a home, traveling the world, retiring early. Those are long-term goals.

Write them down somewhere you’ll see them. Check in on your progress at least once a year. Having a roadmap for your money gives you a reason to save, invest, and make smarter choices every day.

Start Investing Even If It’s a Small Amount

Investing can sound complicated if you’ve never done it before, but it doesn’t have to be. The truth is, you don’t need a lot of money to start.

Even putting $50 or $100 a month into a basic investment account can add up over time. Index funds, ETFs, and robo-advisors are all simple ways to get started without feeling overwhelmed.

The key is to get your money working for you early. Saving is important, but investing is what helps your money grow faster than inflation. If you wait until everything feels perfect, you might miss out on years of growth.

You don’t need to hit every financial milestone perfectly by the time you turn 30. Life happens, and everyone’s path looks different. But working toward these simple goals can set you up for a stronger, more secure future.

Start where you are, even if it feels small. Celebrate your progress along the way. The important thing is building habits now that will continue to help you for decades to come. Every smart step you take today makes your life easier tomorrow — and that’s something definitely worth aiming for.

The post Simple Financial Milestones to Hit Before Age 30 appeared first on Green Prophet.

Asheville, North Carolina, is known for its picturesque landscapes, vibrant arts scene, and a strong commitment to environmental sustainability. The city’s progressive attitude towards waste management has become a model for other regions seeking to implement eco-friendly solutions. One key area where Asheville shines is its waste management practices, with initiatives focused on reducing landfill waste, promoting recycling, and supporting sustainable businesses.

In particular, the availability of services such Ashville’s blended compost is an example of an amazing local company doing good for the planet. This is a project providing environmentally conscious solutions for residents and businesses. By understanding the city’s approach to waste management, we can gain insights into how Asheville is leading the charge in the green movement.

The Rise of Zero-Waste Initiatives in Asheville

Asheville has set itself apart as a leader in the zero-waste movement. The city aims to divert as much waste as possible from landfills and dumpsters by encouraging recycling, composting, and reusing materials. Zero-waste initiatives are centered around the idea that all materials can be reused in some form, reducing the need for new raw materials and decreasing the environmental impact of production. Many businesses in Asheville, including local restaurants and shops, have adopted zero-waste principles by minimizing their use of single-use plastics and packaging. Composting programs are also gaining popularity, allowing residents to dispose of organic waste in a way that enriches the local soil instead of contributing to landfill mass.

The city’s waste management services support these efforts and are designed to facilitate recycling and composting on a larger scale. The city’s curbside recycling program and recyclable drop-off locations ensure that materials such as glass, paper, and plastics are properly processed and reused. Composting bins are also available for residents who want to manage organic waste at home, contributing to Asheville’s zero-waste goals. The local waste management infrastructure supports individuals in their sustainability efforts and encourages businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices.

Collaboration with Green Businesses and Innovations in Waste Management

Asheville’s waste management practices are not just about reducing the amount of waste generated but also about innovating new ways to handle and repurpose waste. One of the city’s more notable initiatives is the growing collaboration with green businesses that provide waste reduction and recycling solutions. Local companies have developed systems that help residents and businesses minimize their environmental impact by providing services such as paper shredding, e-waste disposal, and hazardous waste collection. These services are both environmentally responsible and convenient, allowing Asheville’s residents to dispose of materials in a way that does not contribute to pollution or waste accumulation.

Another innovation area is waste-to-energy technology, which converts non-recyclable waste into energy. This technology is being explored to reduce landfill waste further while providing the community with renewable energy. As part of these efforts, Asheville has invested in state-of-the-art waste treatment facilities that employ environmentally responsible methods to handle waste. These facilities are part of the city’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on traditional waste disposal methods while increasing the efficiency of waste management systems.

Furthermore, Asheville is home to a growing number of businesses that offer eco-friendly waste management solutions, such as roll-off dumpsters designed to minimize the environmental impact of waste disposal. These companies work with local governments and individuals to ensure that large-scale projects, like construction and renovation, are handled eco-consciously, allowing clients to dispose of debris responsibly. This collaborative effort keeps Asheville’s streets clean and strengthens the local economy by supporting businesses dedicated to sustainability.

Public Awareness and Education: Empowering Residents

A crucial component of Asheville’s successful waste management system is its emphasis on public education and community involvement. The city works hard to raise awareness about the importance of waste reduction, recycling, and composting through various programs and outreach initiatives. Schools, local organizations, and community groups significantly educate residents about sustainable practices and waste management. Workshops, seminars, and informational campaigns teach people what can be recycled, the benefits of composting, and how they can reduce their overall waste footprint.

Here are five eco-friendly projects in Asheville focused on waste reduction and composting:

​

1. Food Scraps Drop-Off Program: Initiated in 2021, this collaborative effort between the City of Asheville and Buncombe County provides residents with free drop-off sites for food scraps. As of January 2024, over 671,000 pounds of organic waste have been diverted from landfills through this program.

2. Composting at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium: Launched as a pilot program, the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium introduced triple-stream waste stations to collect compostable materials during events. This initiative aims to divert an estimated 11 tons of waste from landfills annually.

3. Residential Composting Services by Compost Asheville: Compost Asheville offers a convenient service for residents to compost household food waste. They provide weekly pickups and ensure that the organic waste is transformed into nutrient-rich compost, supporting local sustainability efforts via Compost Asheville

4. Home Composting Workshops: In partnership with Asheville GreenWorks, the City of Asheville offers free workshops to educate residents on effective home composting techniques. These sessions aim to empower individuals to recycle organic waste and enrich their gardens. ​

5. Buncombe County Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project: This project captures methane gas produced by decomposing waste in the landfill and converts it into electricity. The generator produces 1.4 megawatts of electricity, enough to power approximately 1,100 homes annually, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and harnessing renewable energy. ​

The post Sustainable Waste Management Practices in Asheville: Leading the Way in Green Solutions appeared first on Green Prophet.

Travel around China and the time zone never changes. Compare this to Canada which is about the same size as China and Canada switches time zones 3.5 times from one coast to the other. It is normally known as the China Standard Time (CST).

Iran, looking to become more of a Canada than a China has expressed its interest in shifting its work week from a Thursday-Friday to a Friday-Saturday model. Other Middle East countries such as Israel follow a Friday-Saturday model, whereby Sunday is a regular workday. Some people work half days on Friday mornings.

The current weekend in Iran as it is means Iran only matches the global markets for four consecutive days of the week, harming economic growth, according to to economists in Iran.

While the Iranian parliament agreed to shift the weekend this past May 15, the Islamic Guardian Council, rejected it saying it will harm Islamic values.

Iran, once a western-like country with freedom of culture, movement, dress, and expression is now run by Islamic ideologists who impose sharia law on Iranian people who are not Muslim or who identify as secular. Iran also has an Islamic morality police that arrest women for not wearing the appropriate Muslim dress code. Some women have died in custody of the morality police. Others have lost eyes protesting the tough, conservative control the Iranian regime has on the people.

Some of the outspoken people from Iran are saying the recent attack on the Iranian-funded Hezbollah is poetic justice. Hundreds of pagers blew up last week, causing blindness in hundreds of terrorists who were waiting for commands from Hassan Nasrallah.

“The hypocrisy is glaring: the same regime that intentionally blinded peaceful ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ protesters in Iran is now offering medical care to Hezbollah operatives who lost their eyesight to pager explosions,” says Masih Alinejad, an activast against the Iranian regime, who is based in the US: “Two years ago, when people took to the streets to peacefully protest the brutal murder of #MahsaAmini at the hands of the morality police, the IRGC and some Hezbollah operatives shot people in the eyes and blinded them.

“Now, on the second anniversary of the uprising, the very regime’s ambassador to Lebanon and its other proxies have lost their eyes.”

The post Iran considers shifting its weekend to match the west appeared first on Green Prophet.

First let’s define excess pay. Excess pay is when you pay for something that you do not receive. When hiring executives to run your company, you are right to expect a certain level of performance excellence. When you don’t receive that performance excellence you might feel cheated.

When you get the performance you expect you may be very happy to pay absolutely large compensation if it is a small percentage of the value created.

Elon Musk who led the development of a $500 billion company, Tesla, may rightly deserve his $56 billion USD compensation package while another CEO who generated no value in 10 years is not worth his $600k annual compensation package. We can debate how much value Elon actually oversaw and when that value was created. But the basic premise of shareholders earning $1.00 and offering a slice to the top dog in the organization seems reasonable.

If the $1.00 is followed by a billion zeros then I expect the captain of the ship to have earned a princely sum for guiding the enterprise to safe lucrative shores.

How do these pay packages affect workers and shareholders?

1. Extreme excess pay changes CEO decision making – perpetuates losing businesses which over-compensate the CEO and under-compensate everyone else such as employees and shareholders.

2. Dilutes shareholders’ position – if the executives issue themselves 1% of the company every year it starts to add up over 10 years. I have seen small companies issue 4% of shares annually.

3. Reduces cash that otherwise could be used to fund growth and enterprise development. 4. Demoralizes workers and investors and can create envy.

5. Motivates other executives and middle managers to request more and create a new escalation of unnecessary expense.

The effects of over-paying become dramatic over a lifetime for any company trying to create a sustainable business of any kind. Real effects include reduction in workers wages compounding into lower savings compounding into lower investment levels and compounding into generating lower income from investments.

Ouch that all hurts the common man, woman, and their children. And what can we do to change this inequality as individual investors looking to create prosperity for all? We can attempt to cap the run away compensation packages, but the resistance will be relentless.

Or we can learn to leverage our knowledge and profit by it. That is my approach. I supply information so people can invest in companies that will last 100 years or more.

Subscribe to Green Prophet to get my free generational wealth tips that help promote financial equality.

Email me: michael@greenprophet.com to join my investment newsletter subscription.

About investment researcher Michael Cooper 

A contrarian with an even temperament. These characteristics are useful in investment markets when coupled with a Western University (Canada) economics degree, CFA designation, years of finance and investment industry experience and most importantly, access to the teachings of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger.

My career started in 1990 working with a couple second rate Toronto-based finance boutiques and a couple first rate investment firms. I was involved in private equity and venture capital, financing approximately $50 million worth of transactions, finding target companies, performing valuation analysis and documentation, negotiating terms and pitching deals to institutional investors.

In 2015 Cooper Financial Research was refocused toward the DIY investor. A successful track record based on my personal portfolio was developed. New investors were provided with access to replicate my allocations through a weekly newsletter service.

The post How excess CEO pay affects us all appeared first on Green Prophet.

Yemen is all over the news the last couple of months as the Houthi terrorists play a role in Israel’s war against Hamas. As a sustainable news reporter, I’ve been interested in Yemen because as much of the Middle East progresses, Yemen with its internal conflicts remains one of the world’s driest and hungriest cultures.

Most of the Jews from Yemen have immigrated to Israel over the years when they felt it was unsafe for them there. So there is a lot of information from the Diaspora culture about life in Yemen, which is rarely known. Sadly, the latest persecution by Houthis over the last several years have had what’s left of the Jewish community fleeing for their lives.

What I have learned over the years is that Yemen has a treasure trove of food traditions, natural building traditions and unspoiled nature and natural medicines for the world to explore.

Here’s an overview of what I have learned and what could be sustainable development target goals for any leader or group that wants to put the Houthis out of power. These are soft approaches that could help the local people earn income from cottage industry products, tourism and passing on sustainable building methods.

Yemeni honey: The Sidr tree appears in the Jewish Bible, the New Testament and the Quran where it is mentioned as being one of the plants of paradise. Have you tasted the honey from paradise? Sidr tree honey from Yemen is believed to be one of the best medicines on earth. More about Yemeni honey here.

Yemen has a special island called Socotra, home to a unique tree that bleeds when cut. The dragon blood tree is medicine. It was an impossible mission to get to Socotra Island in the good days. These days, forget about it. Conflict does have a way of protecting nature from over-tourism.

This knock-out hot sauce from Yemen improves every dish. Here are 2 recipes. One from a famous Israeli chef. We like to ferment our peppers first.

Make your own fresh, whole wheat pita the Yemini way – with two fingers, one hand, and instructions from a Yemenite grand-daughter who taught us this step by step method. Learn the way!

When a Jewish Orthodox grandmother from Israel pulls a Vice move to find ghat in Israel––> This is what she learned. More than 10 years ago, drinking the Yemenite habit was for hipsters in Tel Aviv. It’s still one of the countries where addictive ghat is not exactly banned.

Yemen has a promising oil and natural gas industry for exports but Houthis who hold oil tankers hostage and possibly sabotage pipelines make it difficult for Yemen to be taken seriously. Yemen is one of the poorest countries in the world and UNICEF says people are at risk for starvation. Climate change is making it one of the driest.

We’d love to visit Yemen one day and finally adore up close Shibam, Yemen’s mud Manhattan of the Middle East.

What do you love about Yemen?

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Expo 84 in Vancouver, Canada. was a defining moment in my life. And the World Expo 67 gave birth to architecture still inspiring people of today. Dubai hosted a World Expo in 2020, then Covid so it was moved to 2021.

And now based in the Middle East I am closer to visiting a World Expo again, as Saudi Arabia wins the bid for World Expo 2030. Riyadh, as the host city, beat out Rome in Italy and South Korea’s Busan to host the showpiece event held every five years.

The World Expo 2030 will be held in the Saudi capital after an intense lobbying process from all the contenders. According to the bid, the Riyadh Expo will be held from October 2030 to March 2031 under the theme “The Era of Change: Together for a Foresighted Tomorrow.”

The Saudis should probably find a new copywriter for the event which will probably showcase their bazillian new construction projects like the New Murabba Project. And The Line over on the Red Sea. If the Saudis can keep the Yemeni Houthi rebels in check from sabotage and broker a peace deal between the Hamas and Israel (making it feel safe for people to return to the Middle East) the world will feel welcome to visit Saudi Arabia, the oil superpower in the Middle East which runs Aramco, its oil and gas company.

It wasn’t long ago that women couldn’t drive in Saudi Arabia (they were allowed in 2018) but we are getting indications that the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and his ruling family has accepted liberal values of the west if they want to be part of the global conversation and expect tourists to visit Saudi Arabia as part of its Vision 2030.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman has been at the forefront of the Kingdom’s efforts to host the Expo, which would be the latest in a line of events to be hosted by the Kingdom. The hosting of the Expo is regulated by the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), an organization created almost a century ago which now has 182 member states.

Maybe part of the vision could be tours of the House of Saud’s ancestral home? And its work with mangrove forest rehabilitation. And visits to RedSea farms. Or its holding back the deserts with local saxual trees.

The most recent World Expo took place in 2020 in Dubai and the next World Expo is due in 2025 in Osaka, Japan under the theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives.”

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Our planet is home to limited and finite natural resources, including water, oil, gas, and other non-renewable materials. Unfortunately, humans consume these resources faster than our planet can replenish, leading to resource depletion and environmental degradation. 

As responsible Earth citizens, we must take steps to reduce our reliance on these limited resources. Below, learn six practical ways to reduce your dependence on finite natural resources and lead a more sustainable and eco-friendly life.

Stop Buying Plastic Bottled Drinks

Plastic is one of the biggest environmental threats of our time. Plastic bottles take hundreds of years to decompose and can harm wildlife, marine ecosystems, and our health. Fortunately, it’s easy to find alternatives to plastic bottles, including those made from glass, aluminum, or stainless steel.  The best option is using a reusable water bottle to reduce the amount of plastic waste you generate and save money in the long run.

Use Portable Power Stations

With the rise of portable power stations, you no longer need to rely on traditional power sources to charge your devices. These devices come equipped with batteries that can be charged using solar panels or other renewable sources. They’re perfect for outdoor activities and emergencies and allow you to get the power you need without depleting the Earth’s natural resources. Using a portable power station can reduce your dependence on electricity from the grid, which is often generated from non-renewable sources.

Take Shorter Showers

Taking shorter showers is one of the easiest ways to reduce water consumption at home. Showering accounts for a significant amount of water consumption in most households, nearly 17% of indoor water use. By cutting down the time you spend in the shower by a few minutes, you can save hundreds of gallons of water per year.

Pro Tip: Install low-flow showerheads and faucets to reduce water usage further.

Use Smart Home Systems to Reduce Electricity Use

Smart home systems can help you optimize energy use by remotely controlling lights, thermostats, and appliances. By optimizing your energy use, you can significantly reduce your reliance on non-renewable energy sources while lowering your electric bill.

Reuse What You Can

Instead of throwing away items you no longer need, consider reusing them. For example, you can use old T-shirts as cleaning rags or glass jars as food storage containers. Reusing items can reduce waste while helping save money you would have otherwise spent buying new things.

Shop Secondhand

Shopping at secondhand stores, garage sales, and thrift stores is a great way to reduce your consumption of new goods, the manufacturing of which relies on heavy use of water and natural gas. You can extend the product’s life and simultaneously reduce the demand for new products, creating a more circular economy.

Small Ways, Big Change

Reducing your reliance on limited natural resources may seem daunting, but you can make a big difference with these small steps. Start today and make a difference in creating a cleaner and healthier planet for future generations – you may be surprised at how easy these minor tweaks can be and how big of a lasting impact they can make.

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