This Imperial Eagle is one of several species in Turkey that face extinction. Birds accustomed to breeding and rearing their young in healthy wetlands are being pushed out as lakes dry up and agricultural and industrial activity take precedence. And reptiles. And mammals. Even humans are being displaced as accelerated drought and fire sweep through […]
Somewhat belatedly, Turkey bans the procurement and use of asbestos throughout Turkey. Asbestos was once considered the darling of building materials given its extraordinary resistance to heat, its absorbent qualities, and its tensile strength. Commonly used in roofing, tiles, paper production, ceiling and floor tiles, in packaging, and in gadgets, asbestos became popular in the […]
Today’s announcement from Noble Energy of its gigantic Leviathan gas find in disputed territory will exacerbate tensions in region They say that fossil fuel riches become a curse to any country that possess them. Where fossil fuels flow – corruption, reduced democracy and increased inequality follow. It is such a recognized pattern that it has […]
Once considered an aphrodisiac drink, true sahlab is now becoming rarer. Sahlab, based on an increasingly rare orchid, is a popular winter drink all over the Levant, like hot almond milk. The tubers of Orchis macula are boiled, dried, then ground to a gray powder that, cooked in milk, makes a creamy drink something like […]
With so many flat roofs across the Middle East, surely the region is ripe for a bit of rooftop gardening? Recent reports that people in the Gaza Strip are embracing rooftop gardening has got us thinking about the urban gardening phenomena and it’s relevance to the Middle East. Whilst growing your own maybe something greenies […]
Lake Urmia (Persian: دریاچه ارومیه, theDaryache-ye Orumiye, Azerbaijani Urmu gölü, Kurdish Wermy, Armenian: Կապուտան ծով, Kaputan ts'ov; ancient name: Lake Matiene) is a salt lake in northwestern Iran near Iran's border with Turkey. Like the Dead Sea in Israel and Jordan, and Aral Lake in Iraq we could lose this lake forever if we don't take action today.
Step back in time with this restored 5th-6th century sextet of cave houses converted into a luxury hotel. We were quite taken with these long-standing caves in Iran, and with this eco-boutique hotel in Turkey, but neither match the style of the restored Yunak Evleri hotel in Cappadocia. With fixings such as marble in the […]
As the Muslim world marks the Islamic new year, Arwa reflects on the past 12 months of environmental action (and inaction) in the Middle East Believe it or not, this busy week saw the start of the Islamic new year of 1432 A.H. Unlike the typical new year celebrations with parties, fireworks and new year […]
Mr. Mendillioglu calls himself a recycle worker, and has a periodical in which he and his posse write about the trials and tribulations particular to their line of work. Long an under appreciated member of every society, garbage collectors are like the Hunchback of Notre Dame, like witches with beaked noses hidden down seedy, stinky, […]
Raptors and deer were among species saved from the Carmel Forest Wildfire 50,000 dunams of the Carmel Forest, or nearly half, have been destroyed in the massive wildfire raging in northern Israel since Thursday. The fire is under control but officials said Saturday that it could take dozens of years to rehabilitate the area.
In places where the discussion of sexuality is either taboo or severely restricted, eco-erotic art - whether man made and intended to arouse the senses or created by the forces of nature - offers a modern day outlet for viewers to explore their sexual natures in the safer context of admiring historical relics.
The Director of the Center for Oil Shale Technology and Research (COSTAR) talks to Green Prophet about the benefits and detriments of oil shale exploration. When we first submitted our open letter to David de Rothschild, in which we asked him to intervene in an oil-shale development project in the Elah Valley now backed by […]
Another mosque has taken up the battle against climate change and gone Eco- this time in Turkey When a nuclear plant was proposed for the Turkish village of Buyukeceli, the residents decided to demonstrate their resistance not through protest and petitions but by highlighting the viability of renewable energy. Using the support of Greenpeace, they […]
Greenpeace calls on ICCAT to close down the Mediterranean Bluefin Fishery at Paris conference. The Japanese aren’t going to let the bluefish tuna resume its predatory ocean going unimpeded any time soon, since that country comprises 80% of its international market. Nor are Mediterranean countries (and their fishermen) – which in large measure supply that […]
Use the heel-toe express to wander through Jordan, Lebanon, Israel and Palestine. The Middle East is a pretty amazing place (just ask any of the locals), and there is a lot to see. A LOT to see. So it would be a shame to miss anything by sticking to conventional modern (and polluting) forms of […]