Page 101 – Green Prophet

The stray dogs, cats and donkeys of Bethlehem

Animals

Danielle Meyers

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June 22, 2023

The stray dogs, cats and donkeys of Bethlehem

Diana Babish, a devoted and dedicated animal savior for the pets of the West Bank works long and hard to ensure her pets live the life they deserve. Remember when the mayor of Hebron offered $20 for a truck of dead dogs? She saved the day.

Founder of the Animal Environment Association (AEA), Diana Babish works overtime to support not just her own life, but also the lives of thousands of animals.

While Diana works overtime at the animal shelter, she is also the manager of the tourist bus station for the municipality in Bethlehem. Before she took on this job, she worked as a bank manager for many years and got her master’s degree in Bethlehem in corporations and development. Still, as Diana works her full-time job, she never gives up on making a large commitment to working in and running the shelter.

Located in the West Bank in Bethlehem, the AEA Bethlehem Shelter strives each and every day to treat, care, and rehome dogs, cats, and even donkeys. However, the AEA struggles to keep up with the continuous transport of animals, as the AEA is a non-profit and does not receive any support from the government. The AEA is the first and only shelter located in the West Bank, so it is especially hard to take care of all of these animals. In addition, the AEA is looking for more recognition, more financial support, and more volunteers.

In the past year, 4,000 dogs were brought into the shelter and over 600 cats. Unfortunately, when the animals are brought in, they are typically in bad shape. Commonly with severe problems that need immediate medical attention. Diana sees animals daily with ticks, skin problems, dehydration, broken limbs, and diseases of all kinds.

“It’s difficult work,” Diana tells Green Prophet: “so many cases that tear you apart: abused animals, maggots eating their flesh, poisoned and shot”. For Diana personally, she took home a dog from the shelter that was shot 8 years ago. Still to this day, Diana periodically needs to buy her dog medicine because its lungs were permanently damaged and therefore cannot stop coughing.

Sometimes, when an animal is struggling to find a home, Diana adopts it as her own. Today, Diana has 7 dogs, two of which recently came from the shelter. “They deserve a better life,” Diana said. “Any number they need I take them.”

Shelters in Israel are over capacity, and the AEA is only 200 meters. So it’s not only a struggle to take care of the sick pets, but to also have room for them. Not having enough room for them also means not having enough resources to take care of them. Even so, the shelter struggles to have the necessary technology to diagnose pets with whatever disease they are struggling with.

Ryder: a dog available for adoption at the AEA Shelter in Bethlehem

The AEA relies on donations in order to keep up with their best work, but even that is not enough. Sometimes the shelter receives sponsors from organizations but is in desperate need of more help. Diana would like to see more funds coming in to help rehome, afford materials, and pay vets. She also wants more support both locally and abroad.

Diana strives to spread her good work beyond the realm of animals. She actively goes to schools and teaches children how to be better for the environment. For example, Diana teaches children to close the tap, not to throw things out the car window, etc. She also gives lectures to adults on how to better treat the environment. She lectures to adults via PowerPoint, teaching preservations measures and disease prevention and treatment.

School visit where Diana brought in animals from the shelter for educational purposes via https://www.bethlehemshelter.org/

In order to help preserve of the environment, Diana and her other volunteers created tenets for the animals with recycled tires. They collected tires, wooden pallets, and iron pallets and were able to make a tent so the shelter could home more animals.

I strongly encourage everyone to check out the AEA Shelter in Bethlehem and give recognition to Diana and all her hard work. I also strongly advise people all over the world to adopt their pets from shelters. The AEA Shelter in Bethlehem does abroad adoptions to countries such as the U.S., Canada, and many countries in Europe. To find out more information on animals available for adoption, check out the AEA’s Facebook Page.

Please make a donation to the AEA Shelter in Bethlehem, as every donation makes a difference. Even if its 1 shekel a month, this can add up to help save lives of animals in desperate need of attention. And if you are in the area, I encourage you to check out the shelter. The shelter is in desperate need of more volunteers, resources, food, and love and attention from the public.

Please use this link to make donations

:: Bethlehemshelter.org

[email protected]

Whatsapp +972 595 221 771

Instagram: @Aeabethlehemshelter

Facebook

Feed coral reef while wearing this sunscreen by Reef Relief

Health

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June 22, 2023

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Reef Relief sunscreen that doesn't harm coral reefs — *Reef Relief produces a sunscreen with an RFP – for reef protection factor*

Jump into a lake or sea covered in Neutrogena or Coppertone sunscreen and you feel a film of sunscreen wash into your eyes. That same sunscreen that’s meant to protect you is very damaging to lakes and ocean life, and especially life that’s sensitive to environmental disturbances. Of course you can make your own sunscreen – here’s our sunscreen DIY recipe here – and while this might be less harmful to your body the elements may still harm sea life. But a company from Israel says that they have created a sunscreen that protects you from the sun and the reefs from harm. It’s called Reef Relief.

The sunscreen was formulated in the Red Sea city of Eilat, home to dying coral reefs. The company announces developing the world’s first sunscreen that is scientifically formulated not only to protect the skin from UV rays but to feed and nourish endangered coral reefs.

Eilat is home to the world’s most northernmost shallow-water reef and locals are passionate about protecting it and other coral reefs.

reef relief sunscreen — *‘Reef Relief’ sunscreen to help turn the tide on coral bleaching. Courtesy.*

Coral is facing serious threats from climate change, pollution, and other human activities, with an estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen ending up in the world’s oceans every year. As many as 80% of ordinary sunscreens contain chemicals that contribute to coral bleaching and dying reefs.

While some manufacturers have begun to remove harmful chemicals like oxybenzone, Reef Relief goes further than any other sunscreen on the planet to protect coral reefs and help them thrive, the company says.

Marine and skincare specialists have developed a new formulation based on a non-nano, titanium-dioxide-based, mineral sunscreen. The base formula is Ecocert compliant and has undergone extensive aquatic safety testing, to include safety for freshwater fish, saltwater fish and coral larvae. The added reef nourishing formula is a bespoke blend of FDA-compliant trace minerals used by coral farmers to feed and support healthy growth in coral.

Giovanni Giallongo, a marine biologist from Ben Gurion University of the Negev said, “The development of a sunscreen that not only doesn’t harm coral, but has the potential to feed and nourish our reefs, is an important step towards protecting and preserving our oceans.

“Reef Relief could feed into the health of communities underwater and on land.”

Reef Relief sunscreen also presents to the world another first, a brand-new certification – not just against SPF, but also now RPF for Reef Protection Factor.

An increasing number of products claim to be ‘reef-friendly’ or ‘reef-safe’, but there is a lack of regulation in this area which means that consumers are easily being misled. It’s hoped that the new RPF marque will become an industry standard and spread beyond Israel, worldwide, helping consumers make responsible choices.

Giallongo added, “This is a way of identifying sunscreen that truly cares for coral. An RPF marque as an industry standard.”

How can you know if your sunscreen is reef safe?

Unfortunately the term “reef friendly” is not regulated, so you can’t always trust products with this description. It’s important to actually check the active ingredients label on the back of your sunscreen or personal care product to ensure that reef-harming chemicals are not included, says Save the Reef, an NGO set up to educate us about saving coral reefs. The size of minerals used in the sunscreen can also have an impact.

They say, be sure to use micro-sized (or non-nano) mineral sunscreens to avoid nanoparticles, as these smaller particles can be toxic in high concentrations. It’s also advised to stick with lotions and avoid spray or misting sunscreens, especially those that contain titanium dioxide as it can be harmful to your health if inhaled.

It’s always good to use products that cut back on single use plastic packaging, either by using containers that are reusable, have high recycled content or are made out of biodegradable plant-based materials like cardboard.

Make sure your sunscreen does not contain the following harmful substances:

Oxybenzone
Octinoxate
Octocrylene
Homosalate
4-methylbenzylidene camphor
PABA
Parabens
Triclosan
Any nanoparticles or “nano-sized” zinc or titanium (if it doesn’t explicitly say “micro-sized” or “non-nano” and it can rub in, it’s probably nano-sized)
Any form of microplastic, such as “exfoliating beads”

::Reef Relief

How cities are treating noise pollution

Health

Karin Kloosterman

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June 22, 2023

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Noise is too much in Beirut Lebanon — *Holding her ears from the noise in Beirut, Lebanon*

Noise is toxic and damaging to your peace of mind. An unsettled mind can lead to immune system malfunctions and chronic problems related to stress. A loud industrial saw is working on construction of the building next door to me in Tel Aviv, as I type. Music blasting in nature sites, bus speakers announcing stops, criminal level shouting and incessant honking and screaming – on the streets, and in classrooms, are the norm in an overly loud Israeli city.

Israel, by law, has natural quiet hours –– between the hours of 2PM and 4PM when European Jews like to nap and it’s called schlafstunde –– Yiddish for afternoon sleep. The law is still intact, but it’s easy to get around it if you own a construction business and need to get the job done.

Chronic, including humming and droning noise by large machinery during waking and sleeping hours is not just annoying, it’s a health threat that goes largely unrecognized. The relentless din of cars, trucks, trains and planes increases the risk of hypertension, stroke and heart attacks according to research studies.

Even people who live in generally quiet areas are affected: those sudden jarring sounds coming from fire crackers are also particularly detrimental. Cities like New York enacted honking bans in some of the more populous areas of Manhattan already in the early 90s and now cities like Paris have installed noise cameras to monitor vehicles’ sound levels. Thanks to the lovely Swiss, they are introducing national quiet hours.

Noise pollution is a global concern

According to the European Environment Agency, more than one in every five EU citizens is exposed to chronic harmful levels of road traffic noise. This percentage is much higher in many urban areas. The number of people ‘highly annoyed’ and ‘highly sleep disturbed’ must be reduced by 5.4 million and 1.5 million, respectively, in order to meet the 2030 zero pollution targets for noise pollution. They say that “based on levels and measures currently in place, the prospect of meeting these targets is low.”

Noisy City sounds pollution — Check out Noisy City to see how cities of the world differ in sound pollution

Try this interactive map of noise pollution from Noisy City to see how your city and region fares. I rolled over Tel Aviv and experienced what more than 75 dB of sound can feel like all day, every day.

Israel fortunately, does care about noise pollution but really doesn’t do much to enforce that the laws or guidelines are met. First step to complaining about noise is finding which ministry will deal with it. The Ministry of Environmental Protection, the weakest ministry in the Israeli Government, oversees noise pollution. But on a local level the police and city authorities may also handle complaints. If it’s construction noise ongoing, a hum of an air conditioner rattling your brain or the sounds of a garbage truck picking up a bin at 4am. All are different units. Consult this complainer’s noise guide if this is what you are looking for.

If you want to change policy and law, contact Adam Teva V’Din, an Israeli organization that creates policies and the foundations for environmental law in Israel.

How fungi is restoring a broken island

Nature

Karin Kloosterman

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June 22, 2023

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Palmyra atoll fungus to conserve it — *Palmyra is a habitat destroyed by a US army base. Can fungi restore it? Photo via Nature Conservancy*

This lushly photographed island is in an isolated patch of the North Pacific. The atoll of Palmyra is actually home to some of the most pristine coral reefs in the world but the land around it has been ravaged by invasive coconut-palm trees and wrecked by a former US military base.

Now a nature preserve, Palmyra has become a natural laboratory for studying whether networks of fungi below ground can help to revive damaged habitats: “If we can get restoration right on islands, we have this great capacity to have an outsized impact on reversing the world’s biodiversity crisis,” says ecologist Holly Jones.

The project is run by Toby Kiers from Holland and she is also the director of the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks.

*Toby Kiers investigating soil and the fungi inside it*

Researchers believe that mycorrhizal networks of fungi may have evolved a unique ability to cycle nutrients between seabirds, rainforest trees, and coral reefs in the atoll. Led by Kiers, the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) travelled to this remote atoll – a place so untouched that researchers had to freeze their clothes each night to prevent the introduction of non-native species to the protected islands – for a recent research expedition.

In partnership with The Nature Conservancy Climate Adaptation Lab, SPUN is mapping the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi across Palmyra Atoll, 1,000 miles south of Hawai’i. This atoll, the Earth’s most remote, is the site of much lore, including a double murder, sunken treasure, and disappearing aircrafts. It is also home to a million seabirds, untouched coral reefs, and a fish population that is 44% sharks.

“Never could I have imaged sampling fungi while small sharks swam around my feet. As we hiked in the ocean between forested islands, we could hardly hear ourselves talk because the birds were so loud,” says Kiers. “Visiting Palmyra allows you to go back in time when other organisms – not humans – dominated the landscape.”

The scientists sampling Palmyra hope to understand how mycorrhizal fungi facilitate nutrient movement between the sea and the rainforest – and how remote island ecosystems are coping with climate change, invasive species, and rising sea levels.

During the course of a recent expedition, SPUN scientists collected samples from across 27 islands. These have been sent off for DNA sequencing so that the fungal players can be identified.

Strange trees that eat birds

Among the island’s species is the towering Pisonia tree. Pisonia is a native rainforest species that has been reported to digest seabirds that get trapped by the sticky substance secreted by its seeds. Kiers and her team conducted extensive sampling of the symbiotic fungi that colonize Pisonia roots to test how nutrients from birds and their guano (the bird poo) are captured and fed back to the rainforest trees.

Scientists believe that these mycorrhizal fungi create nutrient feedback loops that not only support the island’s rainforests, but also the plankton communities and coral reefs offshore: “On these remote islands – out of reach of human interference – we see an extreme form of interdependence among organisms on land and sea,” says Kiers. Lose any of these organisms – fungi, crab, birds, tree, corals – and we may witness a devastating cascade effect.

Giant crabs at Palmyra

The waters surrounding the atoll host some of the most pristine coral populations in the world. The Palmyra Atoll is also home to the largest crab species in the world. Coconut crabs grow up to a meter wide and are prolific hunters and tree climbers. The science team has hypothesised that these land crabs are helping to distribute the symbiotic fungi to new roots through their digging, re-enforcing the cycling of nutrient among birds, crabs, coral reefs and native rainforest.

Until now, the fungal communities of the atoll had never been studied, and researchers anticipate the discovery of new species able to withstand extreme heat, salinity and low nutrient conditions. Despite being so remote, the islands have been threatened by invasive species. The Nature Conservancy has removed over 1 million non-native coconut palms and eradicated large populations of introduced brown rats. And, as sea levels around the islands rise, erosion is beginning to eat away at Palmyra. So researching here can be a lab for climate change and rolling back human influence, if it is at all possible.

It’s definitely a site worth watching as Middle East capitalists for Neom in Saudi Arabia start building billions of dollars worth of so-called eco-hotels on islands in the Red Sea never inhabited by humans.

New High Seas treaty set by the UN to protect marine life

Act
Animals

Karin Kloosterman

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June 21, 2023

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coral reefs, free diving — *A landmark treaty set by the UN for conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity on high seas*

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has welcomed the approval by UN member states of a landmark legally binding agreement, under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in international waters, covering nearly two-thirds of world’s ocean. The world’s oceans are in trouble from over-fishing, pollution, plastic, climate change.

The FAO is set to support its members in implementing the accord, often referred to as the “High Seas Treaty”, on safeguarding Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), which has been under discussion for nearly two decades and was approved at an intergovernmental conference in New York on 19 June after 5 negotiating sessions.

Treaty marks new heights for marine protection

The BBNJ Agreement “is of great importance to our efforts to tackle environmental challenges and promote the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity on the high seas,” said Manuel Barange, director of FAO’s Fisheries and Aquaculture Division.

The agreement “enables us to complete the legal and institutional framework for global ocean governance and as a result manage and conserve our precious marine living resources more effectively,” Barange said.

The FAO has consistently advocated for sustainable and effective fisheries management as the best way to replenish stocks, conserving biodiversity and ensuring people continue to benefit from the ocean’s resources, including the high seas.

In tackling biodiversity challenges, including those in areas beyond national jurisdiction, the Organization argues that lasting progress can only be achieved through sustainable practices that enable humans to restore the health of marine ecosystems as part of effective management solutions.

As the only intergovernmental organization mandated to undertake the collection, compilation, analysis and distribution of global fisheries and aquaculture data, the FAO has played a crucial role in informing the treaty process and will assist in the implementation of this new legally binding instrument.

Groundwork already laid

Working with its partners through the Common Oceans Program, FAO has already laid the groundwork for change in the ocean governance of shared marine waters. Between 2014-2019, the program helped to establish 18 new areas to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems, contributed to the reduction of marine pollution and rebuilt tuna stocks to more sustainable levels. It has also helped to lower the bycatch, or discarding by fishers of such species as dolphins and porpoises in the Indian Ocean and the threat to marine turtles in the Pacific Ocean, as well as to build capacity on the BBNJ process and foster public-private partnerships.

Overfishing in the Mediterranean Sea

Animals

Ariel Weil

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June 21, 2023

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*Tonnara di Scopello, Scopello, Sicily, Italy: the Mediterranean Sea looks healthy, but the damage is below the surface.*

The underwater world is in danger, and the culprit is overfishing. It is a problem fueled by multiple factors, each wreaking havoc on our marine ecosystems. First, the appetite for commercial and recreational fishing puts immense pressure on important fish species, disrupting the delicate balance of life beneath the waves. But that’s not all—illegal practices, unreported catches, and forbidden gear silently destroying fish populations.

As if that weren’t enough, destructive fishing techniques like bottom trawling leave a path of destruction, harming their intended targets, unintended creatures, and fragile habitats. To make matters worse, fisheries management is drowning in a sea of challenges, from weak enforcement to limited monitoring, making it nearly impossible to accurately assess fish stocks and implement effective conservation measures. It is a dire situation, threatening the very sustainability of our oceans and the long-term health of marine ecosystems.

The Mediterranean, including Israel, may never fully recover, and the same is true for the rest of the world if we don’t take urgent action to safeguard the surviving fish populations.

Why should I care about over-fishing?

Fish net inside fish net — *Fish dead in fish nets*

Diminishing fish stocks, caused by the reduction in species diversity through over-harvesting, jeopardizes the livelihoods of the 800 million individuals working in the fishing industry. According to fishforward.edu, a staggering 93% of Mediterranean stocks are threatened by over-capturing. This decline in fish populations leads to diminished catches, financial losses, and a devastating impact on coastal communities.

The consequences of over-capturing extend beyond economics. Overfishing harms marine ecosystems’ delicate food webs and ecological relationships. The extinction of a fish species due to overfishing has far-reaching consequences, negatively impacting predators, prey, and their habitats. Disturbingly, Scientists have made a startling discovery: the Red Sea floor is leaking vast amounts of gas, further highlighting the ecological disruptions caused by overfishing. Sharks, vital to the balance of underwater ecosystems, are facing extinction in 20% of the world’s reefs and are dying off in the Mediterranean Sea.

Despite regulations, illegal fishing (IUU) poses one of the most significant challenges in combating over-exploitation. In fact, illegal fishing contributes a substantial percentage to the overall problem. Insufficient surveillance on the water hinders the enforcement of fishing regulations, allowing illegal fishermen to thrive. Their indiscriminate drag nets capture non-target species, further exacerbating the ecological imbalance caused by overfishing.

What are Israeli efforts against over-fishing?

Slow fishing — *Slow Food chef prepares Slow Fish, caught sustainably with a rod by one fisher*

The Israeli government is taking decisive action to protect endangered species during their crucial reproductive periods. They have implemented fishing restrictions and season closures, incorporating measures like minimum size limits and regulating the quantity of fish that can be caught.

But that’s not all. Enter Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) – designated zones that act as safe havens for marine life. These areas restrict or even prohibit fishing activities, allowing fish populations to rebound and marine ecosystems to flourish again. The magic happens when these MPAs revive their protected spaces and help fish numbers grow beyond their boundaries.

To ensure the effectiveness of these conservation efforts, strict monitoring and enforcement are essential. Imagine increased patrols, cutting-edge monitoring systems, and even tougher penalties for those who dare to defy the regulations. It is a united front against overfishing, and these surveillance mechanisms play a crucial role in safeguarding our precious marine resources.

But protecting our oceans is not a solo mission. It requires the active involvement of fishermen, buyers, and the wider public. That’s why public awareness and education are essential to spreading the word about the value of sustainable fishing methods and shedding light on the consequences of overfishing, creating a sense of responsibility in everyone. Together, we can make informed choices and become stewards of our marine ecosystems, ensuring their long-term survival and prosperity.

What can I do to stop over-fishing?

fishing net fisher family — *A family hauling in a large fishing net*

Educate yourself on fish sustainability policies and support the European Mediterranean nations as efforts are there to ensure that stocks are managed sustainably and work to combat IUU fishing. As an individual, you can still eat sustainably and mindfully on the Mediterranean coast.

Try different fish species – these are 7 safe fish to eat. As consumers, we tend to eat the fish we are used to, and the fishers work to meet the demand for more “common” fish. European Mediterranean fish buyers are being encouraged to help buyers try new and more sustainable local species that are not overfished and are widely available in the consumers’ respective regions. Consider eating farmed fish like tilapia.

Support small-scale fishing businesses and Slow Fish protocols. Collaboration with stakeholders, regulated sales to local restaurants, finding new markets, and establishing distribution agreements ensure a steady seafood supply.

Fishing communities like the one at the Port in Jaffa can also explore opportunities like fishing tourism, wildlife observation, cultural heritage preservation, and sustainable aquaculture. These efforts boost regional economies and emphasize the significance of fish. Making informed choices to support these initiatives is essential.

Through these collective efforts and informed choices, we can strive for a future where our oceans thrive, and the underwater world is preserved for generations.

Leda Meredith, Foraging Pioneer: August 6, 1962 – May 24, 2023

Miriam Kresh

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June 20, 2023

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Leda Meredith, Foraging Pioneer: August 6, 1962 – May 24, 2023

If there’s one person to thank for the phrase “urban forager,” it’s Leda Meredith. The words encompass her passion for the wild edible plants that grow in natural settings like parks and forests, but also between cracks in the sidewalk, in empty lots, and unrecognized, in your own garden. Leda dedicated years to teaching how to identify and eat these plants, with the goal of helping people to reduce their carbon footprint by consuming locally grown foods.

Here is our interview with Leda, where she defined herself as a locavore:

Interview With Locavore Expert Leda Meredith

Leda’s first career was as a brilliant professional dancer, a teacher of dance, and choreographer. She chose ethnobotany, the science of plants’ uses, as her second career, and earned certification in the field from the New York Botanical Garden. She had an honorary doctorate in fine arts for writing from La Universidad Leonardo da Vinci in El Salvador, and was granted Adelphi University’s Teaching Excellence Award.

In 2007, she decided to eat only food grown within a 250-mile radius from her home in Brooklyn, NY. The completed year of this experiment led to her first book, Botany, Ballet, & Dinner From Scratch: A Memoir With Recipes.

She led foraging tours and held food preservation workshops all over the world. Owing to her influence, thousands of people now consciously choose to protect the environment by buying and preserving locally sourced foods, or growing them.

Then there was Leda’s personal beauty and charm; her engaging enthusiasm for life and life’s good things; her wide-ranging intelligence and curiosity; her courage and sense of adventure.

She identified as a pagan. This is the grace she said over food:

“The energy you give me, I will turn into the actions of an honorable life. You will have no cause to be ashamed of being part of my bones. May your spirit travel in joy.”

Leda fought colonic cancer for a year. She died at home in San Juanillo, Costa Rica, where she and her husband, Richard Orbach, built a house. She is survived by Richard, and her mother, Penelope Colby. And by those many who deeply mourn her loss as a teacher and friend. I am one.

May her spirit travel in joy.

Leda Meredith wrote five important books:

• Northeast Foraging: 120 Wild and Flavorful Edibles From Beach Plums to Wineberries
• Preserving Everything: Can, Culture, Pickle, Freeze, Ferment, Dehydrate, Salt, Smoke, and Store Fruits, Vegetables, Meat, Milk, and More
• Botany, Ballet & Dinner From Scratch: A Memoir With Recipes
• The Forager’s Feast: How to Identify, Gather, and Prepare Wild Edibles
• The Locavore’s Handbook: The Busy Person’s Guide to Eating Local on a Budget

They are available on her author’s profile on Amazon.com.

How to Save Money on the Cost of Gas

Transportation

Bhok Thompson

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June 20, 2023

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Tesla Cycbertuck — *A Tesla Cybertruck is the easiest way to save money on gas, if you can find one*

As gas prices rise to all-time highs around the nation, many people find themselves stressed about their finances. Rising gas prices can strain anyone’s budget. Whether you are looking to save some cash on leisurely road trips or just need help surviving the daily grind while commuting to work at votacall.com, there are some simple ways to lessen your spending at the pump. If you’re tired of rising fuel costs and ever-increasing bills, these tips can help lower your expenses without compromising safety or taking unnecessary risks with your car. Read on for a comprehensive guide to saving money on gas!

1. Drive less and more efficiently

Consider taking public transportation or carpooling for your daily commute to save money on gas. When you do drive, take advantage of your car’s fuel efficiency features like cruise control and engine start-stop technology. You can also try coasting to red lights and keeping tires properly inflated. These small changes can help you save money on the cost of gas over time.

2. Shop around for the best prices

Not all gas stations are created equal. You can easily compare fuel prices online or use a smartphone app to find the cheapest prices in your area. Look for gas stations that offer discounts or rewards programs to get even more savings.

3. Choose the right car

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, consider one with better fuel economy so you can save money on gas each month. Electric, hybrid, and diesel cars tend to have the best fuel economy ratings.

4. Buy in bulk

You can save money on gas by buying in bulk from wholesale suppliers or large chains. Many places offer discounts when you purchase a larger quantity of fuel, so be sure to shop around for the best deals.

5. Consider alternative fuel sources

sonol hydrogen truck — *A hydrogen truck at a gas station*

Alternative fuels like biodiesel, natural gas, and propane can be much cheaper than traditional gasoline. Investigate fueling options in your area to see if any of these alternatives could be the right choice for you.

These tips can help you save money on the cost of gas without sacrificing your safety or comfort. With a few simple changes, you can stop worrying about sky-high fuel prices and start enjoying the freedom of the open road.

Tavlinksy is the spice witch of the Levinsky Market

Food

Danielle Meyers

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June 20, 2023

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Hila Gadidi, spice shop Levinsky Market — *It’s rare for a Middle East spice market to be women-owned and run. But this Persian-Israeli woman Iris Tevlinksy defies market logic in Tel Aviv’s famous Levinsky Market.*

Located on the corner of Hahalutsim St and Levinsky St in the famous Levinsky Market (close to Cafe Levinsky) is Tavlinsky, a unique market that has organic products that range from soaps and candles to spices and sauces. The array of products caught my eye as I was walking from a nearby coffee shop and had to stop inside to check it out.

When I went inside I met Hila Gadidi, who now owns the shop alongside her mother, Iris Gadidi for the past 10 years. Iris opened the shop because she wanted people to be consuming organic products. Iris was inspired by her mother to open the store. When Iris was a child, her mother gave her a Persian Havang, a type of pot used to grind many things, such as spices. One of which is saffron, Hila said, but you can grind any type of spice with it efficiently.

Hila preaches for her mother, who she claims was an independent woman for opening this shop all by herself. It’s difficult to open a shop here in this market, Hila said, but she is proud of her mother for being able to do so.

Tavlinksy grinds and produces all of its spices on-site, without the use of any preservatives or additives. At Tavlinsky, their mission is to serve the people the best, most organic spices. When you go to any other grocery store and buy spices, you are most likely not getting quality products. “The species you buy in-store are cheap, but they are not real spices,” Hila noted. I left the store with the Tuscany spice for 35 shekels, which I plan to make to make so many recipes with.

Tuscany spice blend from Tavlinsky — *A Tuscan spice blend from Tavlinsky*

Hila let me smell and even try some of the spices. One spice that I smelled was the “Iranian cumin”, which had a delicious strong smell that can be used to cook many different things. She also let me try the cinnamon, which they grind directly from the stick.

Cumin from Tavlinksy. Cumin is a very common spice in Israel and the Arab world.

“Not a lot of people like cinnamon. This is because the cinnamon is bitter, if it’s bitter, it’s not real cinnamon,” Hila told me. However, when I tried her cinnamon, it was almost spicy, exactly how you would like cinnamon to be. According to Hila, if the cinnamon is bitter, that means it has been mixed with coffee bean shells.

When I asked Hila how her business helps preserve of the planet, she told me “it’s not for the environment, it’s for the people.”

According to Hila, when you take real, natural medicine, and not unnatural, chemical-based medicine, it is so much better for you. The spices in the shop are for healing, “when you are stressed you drink the tea, when you have a headache, you drink the tea”.

Her best seller is the Organic Moringa, which is a superfood like spirulina. According to Hila is one of the healthiest superfoods in the world. Hila’s personal favorite is the Tuscany blend (which I had to buy for myself), which can use to make almost anything. Some of which can be schnitzel, chicken, pasta, salmon, potatoes, cauliflower and so much more.

Tavlinksy also sells other natural products, such as candles and essential oils. (Here is our guide to the 11 essential healing oils every home needs).

If you are into rocks, Tavlinksy has a wide assortment to choose from. Each rock that Tavlinsky has available has a description associated with it so her customers can understand the meaning behind each one. For example, the green agate is supposed to help with self-confidence by cleansing the aura. Another example is the strawberry quartz, which stimulates the energy center in the heart and encourages universal love.

Tavlinksy is also all over social media, including Instagram, Facebook, and even Tiktok, which they have gone viral on. They can be found as “Tavlinksy” on TikTok and one of their videos got 273.4K views.

If you find yourself in the Levinksy market, I highly suggest you check out Tavlinksy. Whether you speak with Iris or Hila, you are ensured to get amazing customer service and the best, most organic products around. Especially if you are into cooking, you will find so many interesting spices and products here in the Levinsky Market.

Love the idea of healing herbs? Try growing these 7 herbs and spices at home.

herbs you can grow at home — *Medicinal plants you can grow at home*

You can find more information on Tavlinksy on their website: www.tavlinsky.co.il or you can call: (972) 03-672-1818.

Tavlinksy address is Levinski St 57, Tel Aviv-Yafo, 6652615

Recycling in Tel Aviv

Sustainable

Danielle Meyers

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June 20, 2023

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Growing up in America, recycling has always been a well-known concept that everyone knows to do. Whether Americans participate in it or not, it can be found everywhere. Back home, we have two trash cans: garbage and recycling.

At my university, you will always find garbage and recycling. We are given lectures about recycling; the importance, the concept, and where to find them. However, now that I am in Israel (my first time), I rarely see recycling cans. Where are they? Do Israelis recycle?

Trash room in a dining common at the University of Massachusetts Amherst

In America, industries print numbers onto their materials to indicate the kind of plastic it is and this designates whether it can be recycled and in what bins. For example, in my hometown in New Jersey, we have designated days on which we can recycle, where we place them, and what rules to follow.

Each number inside the triangles indicates the type of material the item is made of. For example, number 2 indicates the material is made of high-density polyethylene. This material, which is commonly used in everyday household products is one of the easiest and safest recyclable materials. However, it is important to recognize that just because the object has a numbered indicator, does not mean it is recyclable. A number 7, classified as other, may or may not be recyclable. In the States, it is crucial to read up on your town’s recycling rules and regulations in order to educate yourself on correct trash disposal.

However, is recycling the only answer? According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency in the US), only 32 percent of Americans recycle. But grimmer numbers from Greenpeace suggest that the recycling rates are only about 5%. This shows that when the option is available to Americans to recycle, not all of them do it. In fact, most Americans do not take the time to educate themselves on the proper disposal of recyclable materials and therefore recycle incorrectly.

Recycling incorrectly can lead to even further problems, such as damage to the recycling equipment, and cause major delays and inconveniences in the recycling centers. (Do note however the problems with recycled plastics.)

The question is how can we gives incentives for people to recycle in the proper way? As an American traveling to Israel who has decent knowledge in the area of recycling, I want to express my concern on the topic. First off, we cannot simply throw recycling cans all over Tel Aviv and expect everyone to cooperate. We need to educate Israelis and show them how to recycle, why it’s important, and then make them feel rewarded for recycling.

In order to educate, we need to put up flyers, posters, and advertisements around Tel Aviv so that the people will see them everywhere to the point where they can reiterate it in their sleep. For example, flyers hung around Tel Aviv can proclaim the importance of recycling. Or, show a sad image of a landfill. Then, provide resources so that the people can properly educate themselves in a manner that is quick and efficient for everyone’s busy lives.

Hiriya Trash Center, Refuse derived Fuel, Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area, Israel, trash to fuel, waste to fuel, alternative energy — *Hiriya, a waste sorting facility and park outside of Tel Aviv*

Secondly, there need to be resources on recycling cans that easily show people what can and cannot be recycled. Another way to encourage recycling (an effective way that is widely seen in America) is by shaping the tops of recycling cans to only fit what can be recycled. This limits people from recycling materials that physically cannot be recycled and therefore helps the recycling centers do their job.

Lastly, it is noble to show the people that their actions toward creating a cleaner community pay off. One of the best ways is by creating economic incentives. For example, creating a program where if one recycles a certain amount of garbage, they can be given rebates and compensation. In addition, just expressing to people that their sustainable acts are worthwhile is moral.

Madeo eco shic shop, outside — *Made eco chic shop in Jaffa for sustainable fashion*

Recycling does not have to be boring. Similarly to items sold at Madeo eco-chic, a sustainable shop located in Jaffa, we can open more stores that sell items made from recycled material. There are so many ways we can reuse objects and create them into something new and fascinating.

For example, we can use recycled glass to create extraordinary art pieces:

bunny light recycled glass

Igreenspot.com made by Reborn Glass, Cape Coral, Florida USA

Overall, recycling not only creates a greener community, but it is also a way to bring us all together to find solutions to our disposal. Recycling does not need to be a tedious subject; we can use the subject of recycling to create new and improved concepts such as creating art and clothing.

Recycling is not a topic to shy away from. It is an innovative, expressive, and fun way to create a greener community.

Stray cats in Tel Aviv get help from Hapishpesh

Animals

Danielle Meyers

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June 20, 2023

0

Stray cats in Tel Aviv get help from Hapishpesh

Since my arrival in Israel, a notable thing I’ve seen everywhere are stray cats. Some of which look healthy and well feed, others not so much. As someone who has grown up with cats and is a big cat person, seeing cats treated poorly makes my heart break. As I explore Tel Aviv, I notice most cats are treaty nicely and look well taken care of. However, on occasion, some cats look like they are hungry, hurt, or sick.

About a week ago, I stumbled across a group of young adults in Jaffa, maybe in their mid-20s having a picnic. There was a friendly cat hanging around them, minding its own business soaking in the sun. The cat then approached one of the guys and rubbed his head against his leg. The man then proceeded to kick the cat and all of his friends laughed as he did this horrid act of cruelty. My friends and I were enraged, to the point where my friends confronted the man and called him out. Unfortunately, none of them cared and continued to act out hastily.

As I was strolling the streets of Jaffa, I stumbled across a pet store with signs covering the door spelling: “Missing cat” and “Wanted”. Another sign (in Hebrew letters) read out: “We lost Poppa”, with a detailed description on the cat that had gone missing. I was pleased to see a pet store so destined to help find lost cats and dogs, that I couldn’t help but find out more information.

*WANTED, because they are lost. Lost or stolen pets are a problem on the streets of Jaffa and Tel Aviv.*

*A sign advertising a lost cat in the Flea Market area of Jaffa.*

The store, an NGO, is called Hapishpesh, located on Olei Zion Street in Jaffa. I spoke with Mirit Amar, the owner of Hapishpesh (הפשפש), and asked her about how the strays in Tel Aviv are treated.

She told me that most cats are treated with love and kindness, however, there are times when the cats are treated poorly. Mirit told me about a time she witnessed a group of young boys shove a cat into a box and toss it around. With utter disgust, Mirit approached them and offered 200 shekels to take the cat away.

Mirit also told me that the cats are treated differently depending on the area. In Jaffa, there are cat feeders all over the place, and non-profit organizations that make strides to feed and protect the cats. Specifically, Hapishpesh is not only a pet store, but also a non-profit organization that donates its profits to societies that protect the cats of Jaffa.

Mirit also said that a lot of the societies in Jaffa that work to protect the cats buy from her store so she knows most of the organizations that help out.

Hapishpesh, which means The Flea in Hebrew, does everything they can to help protect the cats. The food they donate is without profit, they help to provide cats with shelter in the hot summers and cool winters, and so much more. But Mirit is proud to proclaim that most people of Jaffa are good to the cats and do whatever they can to keep them safe.

I asked Mirit what she would like to see the city of Tel Aviv do in order to help save the cats and she said she’d like to see them take on more of an effort to neuter and spay the cats in order to prevent cats from having too many kittens where they cannot be protected with the best efforts. Overall, Mirit says Tel Aviv is one of the best cities to make the most significant efforts to keep stray cats in the streets healthy, safe, and loved.

I encourage the people of Tel Aviv to buy their pet products from Hapishpesh, as I know the profits go towards good deeds. In addition, I encourage everyone to donate to nonprofit organizations so they can make their best efforts to better our community and society.

There are so many nonprofit organizations that do good acts of kindness in our world. For me, I have been donating to an American organization, RedRover which helps find endangered animals homes. However, there are so many other nonprofit organizations that are looking for donaters, including organizations that donate towards food insecurity, education, and healthcare.

Diana, in Bethlehem is another kind soul who is helping rehome cats and dogs.

*This magnet goes on your fridge so you can order pet food and help save animals’ lives.*

Next time you are in the Jaffa area and are in need of some pet supplies, I encourage you to check out Hapishpesh and ask Mirit about what you can do to keep the cats of Tel Aviv loved, safe, and protected.

:: Hapishpesh

The hobbit home set for demolition

Karin Kloosterman

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June 18, 2023

0

Want a bird’s-eye view of a seaside national park? In an effort to bring a new dimension to the beauty of Apollonia National Park in Israel on the Mediterranean Sea an amateur drone pilot Jesse Peters sent his aerial quadcopter high above the crashing surf and limestone cliffs – exposing the historical ruins, natural beauty, and eclectic wonders that make up this treasured site, a hobbit home, on the Mediterranean coastline – just an hour away from Tel Aviv.

But new demolition orders, based on safety concerns may mean losing this national treasure and hobbit house forever.

Located only a few miles outside the high-tech city of Herzliya, the hobbit home is part of the Apollonia National Park. This park is considered by some to be one of Israel’s best-kept secrets.

Like other coastal cities along the Mediterranean, the site features stunning sunset views and opportunities for hikes along the cliffs and sandy beaches. What really makes Apollonia stand out, however, is its history – stunning archeological sites feature a 13th-century fortress and the remains of a Roman villa – and hey, don’t forget the cliffside hobbit home of artist Nissim Kahlon.

hobbit home nissim kahlon — *The interior space of the hobbit home in Israel*

Since the 1970s, Kahlon has been creating a maze of tunnels and hobbit-like rooms into the limestone under the ancient site of Apollonia. Those walking along the beach along the national park can witness firsthand his determination to literally carve out his own sprawling hobbit palace along the coast. Here and there you can run into Kahlon roaming the coast collecting seashells.

But Nissim’s dream may be pushed into the sand. His name means “miracles” in Hebrew and he is hoping for one. Nissim created the hobbit home with his own hands with no equal in the world. It is a palace carved out of a mountain, miraculously covered with shells and pottery and other debris that he collected from the sea and the surrounding area and turned into art.

hobbit home demolition — *The hobbit home of Israel is set for demolition*

The Municipality of Herzliya, which owns the house and the site, appealed to UNESCO to recognize this house as a world heritage site. But Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection issued a demolition order on the place on the grounds that the place is dangerous and could collapse at any moment. A local fundraiser is in place to support strengthening the building and regulating it as a tourist site.

Nissim is now 77 and faces eviction and a glorious hobbit home that can be lost forever. The clock is ticking. Want to support the cause? Click here – links to crowdfunding site in Hebrew.

Apollonia is one of nearly 50 national parks found throughout Israel. Everything from unique geology to dense forest trails and hikes through verdant, unending plains await those explorers looking to stir their sense of wonder. Interested in a place to start exploring nature in Israel? Check out our top 10 list of environmental day trips, if you are exploring Israel.

Inspired by Nissim? Build your own Earthship our of trash.

Green Prophet has been covering Israel’s environmental news since 2007. Don’t stop exploring.

How psychedelics reset the brain

Health

Karin Kloosterman

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June 16, 2023

0

I can’t count how many friends of mine have travelled to the Amazon to use psychedelic drugs. It’s much easier these days to find local shamans offering ayahuasca local to you. And if you are crafty and have access to a forest in Canada for amanitas like I do. Today you can easily forage for your own mushrooms.

But like in the early days of acid when synthetic psychedelics could be too powerful and melt your brain, those self-medicating or going to centers and shamans for help now know that micro-dosing – taking the medicine in tiny amounts – could be beneficial against trauma, depression and PTSD.

Psychedelics appear to work by encouraging the growth of new connections between neurons in the brain. And research, like research into cannabis CBD and THC, is slowly catching up to science.

Researchers don’t fully understand why psychedelics have such powerful therapeutic effects. Now, a study in mice suggests that psychedelics all work in the same way: they reset the brain to a youthful state in which it can easily absorb new information and form crucial connections between neurons.

DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) is a very strong psychedelic found in a number of animals and plants. Psychedelic drugs can affect all the senses, altering a person’s thinking, sense of time and emotions. Psychedelics can cause someone to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that do not exist or are distorted.

Psychedelics such as MDMA (also known as ecstasy), ketamine and psilocybin — the active ingredient in magic mushrooms — are known for producing mind-altering effects, including hallucinations in some cases. But each compound affects a different biochemical pathway in the brain during the short-term ‘trip’, leaving scientists to wonder why so many of these drugs share the ability to relieve depression, addiction and other difficult-to-treat conditions in the long term.

Gül Dölen, a neuroscientist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and her colleagues sought answers by studying how psychedelics affect social behaviour in mice. Mice can learn to associate socializing with positive feelings, but only during an adolescent ‘critical period’, which closes as they become adults.

Researchers gave a range of psychedelics to mice, including ketamine, psilocybin, MDMA, LSD and ibogaine. The drugs seemed to reopen a ‘critical period’ in which mice can learn to associate socializing with positive feelings.

The scientists trained mice to associate one ‘bedroom’ in their mouse enclosure with mousy friends and another room with solitude. They could then examine how psychedelics affected the rodents’ room choices — a proxy for whether the drug affects the critical period.

“It gives hope that [critical periods] are not irreversible and a very careful cellular understanding of psychedelic drugs might hold the key to reopening brain plasticity,” says neurologist Takao Hensch, part of the Nature study.

Some applications in this research may treat people after strokes when there is a critical window for physical rehab after the stroke event.

About anyone looking to self-medicate, find a trusted shaman or micro-dosing center. Never try this without a mentor.

The wild wheat of Avigail’s Bread in Jaffa

Danielle Meyers

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June 15, 2023

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*Avigail of Avigail Bakery, wild wheat bread and sourdough bread baked in Jaffa*

In the the beautiful city of Jaffa resides a fabulous bakery home to a variety of incredible bread. Avigail’s Breads is a sustainable bakery that produces fresh loaves everyday and challah on Fridays. I checked out Avigails Bread and asked Avigail some questions about her business.

Avigail Dahan is an incredible and knowledgeable baker who decided to switch from being in the film and television industry to baking bread. Avigail use to be a very athletic person. She would run and swim until she felt like she didn’t have the energy to sustain her lifestyle: “I had no power,” Avigail claimed, and she knew she wanted to find a way to eat bread that would work for her.

After years of being vegan and not being able to eat bread, Avigail wanted to change her diet so that bread can be incorporated into her diet in a healthy manner. Once she learned over the course of the pandemic the health benefits that bread can provide, Avigail opened Avigail’s Bread in Jaffa and her business has been blooming.

Avigail began her journey at home, using Russian pans to craft a recipe that would work for her. The pans are important to her because it helps keep the process natural and efficient. Her recipes are traditional and stem from a variety of wild wheat.

Her wheat comes from 4 different wheat companies. She picks from the mill the best type of bread, such as white, rye and wheat. The mills she gets her ingredients from are all local from Israel. One of which she gets from a mill in Haifa. Read this story on emmer.

Some bread alternatives that Avigail’s Bread has in store are gluten free, wheat, rye, and others that can be form fitted into ones diet in order to compensate for any dietary restrictions. In addition, Avigail allows her customers to come into the bakery and try different breads she has in stock. With that, she also has an assortment of spreads that customers can put on the bread and try it for themselves to ensure they take home what they like.

Wheat contains 25 kinds of proteins

Another important thing Avigail likes to tell her customers is that wheat (unlike what’s talked about in popular culture) is very nutritious. According to Avigail, white wheat has almost 25 kinds of protein and should be utlized in the everyday diet.

Coming from America, my whole life has been infiltrated with crazy diet culture and obsessions over what you should and shouldn’t eat. Once I arrived in Israel, I started taking notice of how normal it is to eat carbs here. For breakfast, it is normal for Israelis to eat bread with chocolate, which is something that would be almost criminal in American diet culture.

It was so intriguing to see how normal it is to eat bread in Israel and to hear Avigail’s side of the story. Once you know the source of your bread, the ingredients and how to eat it in moderation, bread can be a safe and enjoyable food.

Avigail Bread, a wild wheat bakery in Jaffa — Avigail Bread staff

Now that Avigail can safely eat bread, she enjoys Borodinsky bread, a dark brown sourdough bread made from rye, and Avigail inspires others to introduce bread back into their diet.

Not wasting any part of the loaf

She sells to her customers full loaves and half loaves so that they don’t need to worry about wasting bread they do not finish. She urges her customers not to freeze unused bread and instead to come back whenever and purchase a fresh loaf. One way Avigail guarantees a delicious slice of slightly stale bread is to quickly run it under water, throw it in a hot oven for a minute and you will have a like new slice.

What I was most surprised to learn from Avigail is her way of creating a sustainable system of baking. Avigail uses the leftovers from bread not sold in the store and is able to compress it down. She explained the fisherman’s bread, using the dry and unusable bread, grounds it, shreds, and is able to remake a fresh new loaf. It originated in Normandy, Avigail said. The wheat is fermented, meaning you put it in water and dry it at low temperatures. This creates a nutritious new loaf that is sustainable and still delicious. It can also be grounded into flour and used for other recipes such as schnitzel.

When I asked Avigail what she feels is the biggest environmental issue in Israel, she feels that more important than anything else is being nice to each other, being able to listen to each and come to agreements.

No matter what your dietary restrictions are, Avigail has a bread for you so that you can incorporate the health benefits of 2 slices a day into your diet. Avigail urges for people to come into her bakery and ask her about what bread will work for them based on their own dietary restrictions and allergies. Her ambition is that her customers find the bread that they can enjoy without the unpleasant side effects most bread can cause in their bodies. She joins a group of new Israeli bakers making a living on bread.

Eager to make your own sourdough? We have a sourdough guide that Miriam developed over time.

::Avigail Bread Facebook page

Yehuda Hayamit 33,

Jaffa, Israel

Win the Sultan’s prize for water?

Water

Green Prophet

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June 15, 2023

0

*The Prince Sultan is being commemorated with prizes for developing better water solutions*

The Prince Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW) is an international award focusing on water-related scientific innovation and judged by leading scientists from around the world. Bin Abdulaziz was the Saudi defense minister from 1963 to 2011 and the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia from 2005 to 2011. Five prizes are bestowed in his honor every two years. And we like that they are going to water.

Specialized Prizes

Each of the four specialized prizes is worth $133,000 USD. Individual researchers and research teams nominate themselves for these prizes in surface water, ground water, alternative management and alternative water sources.

The Surface Water Prize coves every aspect of the study and development of surface water resources. The Groundwater Prize awards work related to all aspects of the study and development of groundwater resources. The Alternative Water Resources Prize covers desalination, waste water treatment, and other non-traditional sources of water. The Water Management & Protection Prize addresses the use, management, and protection of water resources.

Creativity Prize

Worth $266,000 USD the Creativity Prize is awarded exclusively to research teams for cutting-edge interdisciplinary scientific work that can rightly be considered a breakthrough in any water-related field. The work might be a body of research, an invention, or a new patented technology.

It is by nomination only.

Universities, university departments, research institutes, companies, and agencies can nominate interdisciplinary teams for this Prize.

The deadline is December, 2023

::Prince Sultan Prize for Water website

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