[youtube width=”560″ height=”475″]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CBejL7dgv0&feature=player_embedded[/youtube] As the world seeks a deal on global warming in Copenhagen, the Middle East and North Africa remain one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to climate change. The region is one of the worlds’ most water-scarce and driest, with a high dependency on climate-sensitive agriculture and a large share […]
Muslims succumb to swine flu during annual Hajj pilgrimage. One of the biggest concerns to Saudi Arabian health authorities has unfortunately become a reality at this year’s Hajj pilgrimage, now underway in Islam’s holiest cities of Mecca and Medina. This year’s pilgrimage, which began on Saturday, November 21, has already claimed at least four lives […]
“Defenders of the environment,” Shireen Qudosi explores the “green” beliefs of Islam’s Sufis. Sufism is the undiscovered sect within Islam known only through its most famous disciple, the 13th century philosopher poet Rumi whose work reflected strong themes pairing nature and spirituality. Sufis, “heirs of a mystical ancient tradition”, helped propagate the faith to the height of […]
(Countries along the Mediterranean Sea basin) Water policy people will like to know about this initiative: Most countries in what is known as the Mediterranean Sea basin have agreed to form a combined group to deal with issues dealing with water reserves for the region. Based on the Mediterranean Water Charter, adopted in Rome in […]
As African nations sell and lease its land, and birthright, to the world’s super-powers, and arguably “dangerous” countries like Saudi Arabia who support Islamic fundamentalism, we are seeing a brand new kind of neo-colonial land-grab, and it scares me. I’d reported on Galten’s Jatropha seeds for biofuel here, and also on the Israeli conglomerate Ormat, […]
(This AP photo shows a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in Spain which reflects light to a central tower to produce power. A pilot project using CSP is underway in Tehran.) Does a country that “promises” to wipe Israel off the map have a right to create nuclear energy for “power?” I must admit, […]
All the life of a sloth. Karin talks about all she knows on the Slow Food Movement. Have you ever had the pleasure of watching the life of a lazy sloth? In Costa Rica on the Pacific shore near a busy surfing village, I rented a room in a small hotel for a week. There […]
We love the Heschel Center for reminding us about their fundraiser: Hike Bishvil Yisrael – March 23-27, 2008. Israel’s outdoor scenery is breathtaking, writes Heschel, “and there is no better way to see it than with the people working to preserve it. “This is an opportunity for a unique, challenging and rewarding Israel experience and […]