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Man catches stray “dog” but brings fox to shelter

Karin Kloosterman
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Man catches stray “dog” but brings fox to shelter

Arabian red fox, female, nursing running in parking lot, Kuwait, via Project NoahAn Arabian Red Fox spotted on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Via Project Noah

He thought he was doing a good deed but it turns out a man in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) mistook a fox for a dog. The Arabian fox was caught and brought to the shelter and surprised the staff who posted on their social account:

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Stray Dogs Center (@straydogscenter)

Caretaker: Madam I catch dog in trap
Me: So cute but that’s not a dog!
Caretaker: But he small maybe puppy
Me: Not a dog he’s a fox
Caretaker: ???
Me: Release him ???

Now we know whose eating the food we put out every night for the illusive, roaming desert dog ??? Cats oh and now foxes ???

The incident took place at the Stray Dogs Center, a long-running animal shelter based in UAE emirate Umm Al Quwain. The shelter shared a video of the unwilling fox (see above) who didn’t need help but who was happy for a free meal. 

One commenter noted that wild animals should be brought to the Sharjah Wild Arabian Animals Center, in Sharjah where they have a breeding and conservation program. 

Another said, “It is a pleasant surprise to see real wildlife which is extremely rare in the ever expanding city [Dubai}.”

Sadly, another local had seen foxes too but the outcome wasn’t good: “Is he skinny or in good health? Poor foxy, I saw a few at the mangroves in Abu Dhabi and by the time the entity responded to save them they went and found them dead. We were too late.”

Jubail mangrove walk, Abu Dhabi
Jubail mangrove walk, Abu Dhabi

Wild and stray animals need our help in the UAE, and all over the Middle East and the world. But in different ways. Here are a few ways you can help the animals. 

Helping stray animals

There are sad stories in the Middle East:

A Palestinian mayor offered $6 for every dead dog brought to City Hall, and sadly animal abuse, neglect and lack of education about animals is lacking in the Middle East. Faisel, reporting from Jordan wrote sad story after sad story about what happens there. It’s not uncommon in Israel for people to adopt a dog one day and then leave him on the side of the road if it doesn’t work out. 

Luckily there is a growing number of shelters available if you can find them. See Diana’s Dogs in Bethlehem.

Domesticated animals and abused farm animals need shelter, loving homes and farms. There are shelters globally that help rehome stray cats and dogs. If you can’t adopt, consider volunteering to help the animals or offer donations. Money is always needed and vets and staff at these shelters are notoriously underpaid and overworked. 

Helping Wild Animals

While it’s in vogue with princes, kings and sheikhs in the Middle East who can be found walking cheetahs on a leash (Dubai Porsche driver walks cheetah on a leash) or hanging out with them in their cars, wild pets should never be kept as pets. 

The Abu Dhabi Zoo for instance has been accused of smuggling in wild animals and it’s also known that many of the animal traffickers smuggling animals from Africa make their way to the Middle East:

Live Baby Leopard Found in Suitcase En Route to Dubai

Injured Cheetah Discovered on the Streets of Abu Dhabi

Lion Cub Shot Dead in Egypt

Don’t buy a wild animal. Rehome a dog or a cat. If you find an injured wild animal or bird bring it to a local wildlife animal hospital. 

Common sense also says that wild animals not be fed as it encourages the animals to fraternize with people. We learn this from Canadians who avoid feeding bears at all cost.

The Rig theme park turns Saudi money steampunk

Karin Kloosterman
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0
The Rig theme park turns Saudi money steampunk

Saudi Arabia, the rig, oil rig theme parkThe Rig is a revamped oil rig off the coast of Saudi Arabia, to be steam-punked into 3 hotels, 800 rooms, 11 restaurants, a roller coaster, a water slide, a Ferris wheel

Saudi Aramco, the largest company in the world, and now publicly-traded on the Saudi Arabian stock exchange, bankrolls oil money so you can come visit Saudi Arabia and be impressed by oil money and teach the kids how oil rigs work. The new “extreme park” theme park set to be ready by 2025 will revamp an out-dated Saudi Arabian oil rig turning its shafts and platforms into hotels, restaurants, roller coasters and water slides that soar into the Red Sea.

Get in line early as only 50 yachts can dock at its port. Otherwise you will need to arrive by cruise ship or helicopter.

Saudi Aramco, owned by Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and his family, puts money into the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which then goes on to build outrageous, out of touch so-called “sustainable” mega projects like Neom, The Line and Trojena, a skill hill in the hot desert. 

If you think about The Rig, and the practice of repurposing the built environment, it is actually a better idea than all of other hair-brained ideas that Westerners have sold to Saudi’s prince and which he has green-lit, with more than a bit of green-washed marketing and PR rolled into the result. I’ll give the Saudis this: Taking existing structures and repurposing them for tourism and travel al la Mad Max is a smart idea. Saudis don’t need to hide their oil history. And we can’t be so 2-faced to not acknowledge that modern life is fuelled by cheap oil.

the rig, oil rig hotel in Saudi Arabia
A sensational stop in the Red Sea
the rig, oil rig hotel in Saudi Arabia
Extreme, extreme sports
the rig, oil rig hotel in Saudi Arabia
Concerts and venue hall
The rig underwater hotel
Dine at The Rig’s underwater hotel
An oil rig room with a view
Every room has an endless view

The scale of it, in terms of energy needs (how will it run?), water and food, and human waste and garbage – are questions that need good answers. We know that Gulf countries might like to think about those unimportant things as an afterthought — consider Burj Khalifa, that giant tower, where trucks of human waste get hauled away each day. 

The Rig’s not right in a climate crisis

“Offshore platforms were created for discovery,” advertises the project in marketing copy. “The Rig takes that legacy to the next level. This is the ultimate living laboratory for pioneering new thrills, extreme sports and adventure. Climb aboard and experience the future of adventure.”

A Gizmodo writer hates the idea, calling it evil: “Now, all of that might sound cool in an alternate reality in which our planet wasn’t in a climate crisis and where fomenting needless pollution was a good idea. But we live in this reality, where fossil fuel companies are wrecking the climate and humanity is in a “code red.

“In this reality, Saudi Arabia’s shameless attempt to court the public’s favor for its oil rigs by literally creating a nice, shiny, and fun rig is despicable. It’s also dangerous because it downplays the challenges posed by climate change.”

House of Saud, Turaif, saudi Arabia mud palace, UNESCO site
Turaif, the original House of Saud home in Saudi Arabia

Well… from all the ideas that have been funded by Saudi’s PIF recently, we like this one the best along with opening up the ancestral House of Saud, a mud palace in Turaif.  If you are starting out as an architect and looking for a sensible sustainable direction don’t look to The Rig, start with Rotterdam. 

 

 

Malaria a new threat to Europe

Karin Kloosterman
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Malaria a new threat to Europe
Malaria threatens Europeans as the world warms
Malaria threatens Europeans as the world warms

The “who’s who” in medical journals just published a study for healthcare authorities in southern Europe, Near Middle East and Mediterranean to follow. Along with a growing surge in cholera in Lebanon there is a new malaria threat now in places where the disease has been eradicated.  Malaria is very common in Africa, and here and there imported cases come to the Middle East Gulf countries via foreign workers. Malaria wasn’t something people sitting on a beach in Cannes had to worry about: until now.

A paper published in The Lancet Global Health journal is sounding the alarm about the growing threat of malaria potentially spreading to countries in Europe where the disease has been pretty eradicated since the 20th century.

Endemic malaria, saw 229 million new cases and 409,000 deaths in 2019 but mainly in Africa. Historical descriptions of intermittent “tertian” and “quartan” fever were long ago reported in texts of Hippocrates in Greece and Celsus in Italy suggest malaria. So we know it was there. But as climate change heats Europe, new malaria vectors – novel species never before found in Europe – are moving in. They could bring suitcases of malaria with them as the newly introduced Anopheles species (a kind of mosquito) spreads.

The rapid increase in the population of an invasive species of mosquito Anopheles Stephensi across urban settings from east to west Africa, poses a viable threat of malaria spreading to warmer European countries around the Mediterranean over the next decade, the researchers report.

A stephensi, native to rural and urban China, parts of Asia and the Middle East was first discovered in Africa in Ethiopia in 2012. Because it shares similar behaviour patterns to the Aedes mosquito, which is responsible for the ever-growing morbidity burden of the dengue virus now present in 129 countries, urgent action is needed to control its spread.

The new paper in The Lancet outlines how A stephensi has adapted to breed, like Aedes, in man-made water containers in densely populated urban settings. This has huge implications for increased malaria morbidity and mortality potentially affecting millions of people.

With a large proportion of urban residents more immunologically susceptible than rural communities, patients that get infected with malaria are at greater risk of developing severe clinical symptoms with a proportionately higher risk of death.

Richard Allan, Mentor CEO and lead contributor to the paper, said: “The aggressive spread of Anopheles stephensi is closely linked to increases in population movement and rapid, unplanned urbanisation which leads to poor water quality, sanitation, water container removal and hygiene systems.

How we can stop malaria

mosquito net
Mosquitos carrying malaria expanding their range

The simple and hardest answer is stop climate change. 

“But we can stop the spread of A stephensi in African urban settings by using improved community-based vector control practices that also target Aedes, such as managing water storage and waste removal; alongside targeted larvicidal source management and the use of new tools like spatial repellents and mosquito proofing of houses.

“We must escalate our response to stop the potentially rapid development of urban malaria transmission and the spread of dengue viruses and other Aedes-borne viruses.

“It is also important that the surveillance of A stephensi is integrated into new and existing entomological surveillance programmes in Europe.

The technical challenges of controlling A Stephensi and malaria in African urban settings, he adds, are no more complex than those used to control diseases that Aedes mosquitoes spread. This presents a real opportunity for disease control and health agencies working together with water and sanitation services and urban planners to effectively protect the millions of people at risk.

 

7 Tips to Ensure You’re Booking The Best Vacation Accommodation

Bhok Thompson
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<strong>7 Tips to Ensure You’re Booking The Best Vacation Accommodation</strong>
fake tree Disneyland
You might be looking for a sustainable holiday. Places like florida has nature everywhere but also the opposite like deep fakes: the trees at Disneyland

As a frequent traveler, you have to keep track of different things to ensure a seamless journey. From booking tickets to packing your stuff, you have to pay attention to different areas. But accommodation is one of the most crucial things that you need to focus on while planning a trip. 

Whether you want to book a hotel or campground, you need to take steps according to your budget. It will help you limit your options, so you can choose vacation accommodations easily. The best way to choose the accommodation for your trip is to assess which facilities you require in daily life. For example, there will be some days during your journey when you do not feel like going out, so you require access to the kitchen. Therefore, you have to figure out your basic needs and make a final decision accordingly.

Without further delay, let’s find out how to find the best vacation accommodation. 

Research According to Location 

Before starting an accommodation search, define the region where you intend to spend your vacation. For example, if you are planning a trip to Orlando, then do research about the hotels and vacation rentals there. It will give you a clear idea of their prices and the amenities.

More importantly, doing location-specific research will help you find the accommodation as per your needs. Let’s say you are looking for resort style hotels in the Orlando area, do your research accordingly in advance. During peak season, it can be very tough to find slots in hotels. So, doing research in advance can also help you to book the hotel easily and ensure a hassle-free journey. 

Another thing to remember while booking the hotel wherever you roam in the world, is to ensure that the places that you want to visit are near to the accommodation. It can save your traveling cost and help you travel conveniently. Another thing you need to ensure is that there should be shops and restaurants around the accommodation that you intend to book. 

eco hotel lit by candles
Sustainable hotel in the Middle East

Set a Clear Budget 

Another important aspect that you cannot afford to overlook while booking the accommodation is your budget. Setting your budget smartly can positively impact your travel expenses. 

The best way to define your budget is to list down all the amenities that you need in the accommodation. For example, if you will be spending most of your day outside, then you have to find a place that can ensure peaceful sleep at night. 

Also, you need to ensure the surroundings of the accommodation are not noisy, and that they serve healthy food, so you can avoid sleep disturbance. It will help you remain active and energetic for the next day, which will positively impact your overall vacation. 

Consider Reliable Booking Platforms 

Safety is one of the important factors that you need to consider while booking accommodation. It can be shocking to hear at the last moment that the hotel has rejected your booking request. 

Therefore, consider reliable online platforms that offer exceptional customer support and the best vacation packages. The best thing that you can do in this regard is to get in touch with your peers or friends who have some traveling experience. 

Go Through Reviews 

naples florida at the beach
Does your seaside hotel in Florida actually have beach access? Read the reviews to see what the hotel might be hiding

Nothing can give you a better idea about the accommodation than the past review of the customers. It can provide you with valuable insights about the overall services and amenities of the hotel or vacation rental that you need. Reviews of accommodation are available in the form of scores. The higher the score of the accommodation is, the better quality of services you can expect. Additionally, you should read reviews of travelers who have traveled to the same region where you want to go.

Consider going through reliable booking websites to read reviews. The overall ratings of the hotels are given on the basis of comfort, location, amenities, and staff behavior. While reading reviews, you should not worry about the hotel’s stars. For example, it is possible that in one state or city, a 4-star hotel provides better services than a 5-star hotel. Therefore, only consider the reviews of people and analyze the services and facilities of different hotels. 

Beware of Hidden Costs

Sometimes hotels and vacation rentals do not show their full prices as the final cost. Taxes are the most common hidden charges that you may have to pay daily, so you need to look for this cost. In some cases, you may also have to pay for the towels, bedsheets, and other service changes separately. That is why you should check beforehand for any extra costs, or else it can increase your travel expenses. 

Check All Services and Facilities

Before booking the accommodation, you must thoroughly check what services and facilities they are offering. Some places can charge you for Wi-Fi separately, so you need to be vigilant. 

On the other hand, some places may have specific rules, so you should know about them in advance. For example, some places have restrictions on the timings. Considering these factors beforehand is crucial as it can impact your journey. You may also look for other facilities such as a gym, swimming pool, spa, and parking to ensure that you have a perfect stay. 

Try to Book Early 

As mentioned above, you should try to book accommodation in advance. It will help you book the slot in your favorite place. Furthermore, the prices can go sky-high in the peak season. It can make it difficult for you to book a place at a reasonable price. 

Knowing that your favorite place is out of rooms can be a bummer. It can ruin your vacation plans, so it is recommended to book accommodation early.

Conclusion

To book the best accommodation, you have to keep in mind different factors. From considering your vacation location to defining a clear budget, you have to focus on different things that can help you get the best place as per your needs. Checking reviews of people can help you big time because nothing is better than learning from the real-life experiences of people. 

 

3 signs you need a new bed frame

Bhok Thompson
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<strong>3 signs you need a new bed frame</strong>
woman in bed holding coffee cup
A good night’s sleep isn’t just about the mattress. Make sure when you buy a frame, buy one that can last at least a decade, or better your lifetime. That’s sustainable bed-buying.

A new bed frame isn’t just about a comfortable sleep — it’s about getting you ready for the rest of your life. A new bed is a big investment, and it’s something that you’ll have for a decade or life if you buy right, so it makes sense to consider the purpose of your new bed frame. If you’re not comfortable in your bed, you’ll likely toss and turn all night long. You might even wake up with back pain or other aches and pains no matter how comfortable and eco friendly your organic mattress is.

The right mattress will help you get a good night’s sleep — but it won’t do much good if the foundation of your bed doesn’t support it properly. Here are three signs that your current frame needs replacing and consider that you might need to buy a new frame. If so, consider that you might buying a best frame at VidaXL.

The Headboard Is Too Tall

If the headboard on your current bed is too tall, then there’s no way that you’re going to be able to get comfortable while lying on your side or stomach. This can lead to back pain, neck and shoulder pain, numbness in arms or legs and even headaches and migraines if you’re someone who suffers from them. A good rule of thumb when buying a new headboard is that it should be at least an inch shorter than the tallest part of your body.

You feel don’t fit the bed

Your bed has lost its support. If you sleep on a springy mattress, an ill-fitting frame won’t be able to support it. This can lead to back pain and leg cramps, and you don’t want to go to your garden for your morning coffee. Forget about a workout.

You wake up with sore shoulders or neck. If your mattress isn’t properly supported by your frame, it can cause headaches and sore shoulders if you roll over in your sleep.

Bed frames are the backbone of your bed. They’re not just a place to sleep, they’re also a place where you can store your clothes and keep your bedding clean. A bad bed frame can lead to back problems and even worse, it can be a safety hazard for you or your children. 

  • The bed has large gaps under the box spring
  • The mattress sags toward one side
  • There are exposed wires in the headboard

Your feet don’t fit the bed. The size of the bed should match the size of the mattress. If your feet are too big for the bed, they could slip out from under you during the night and cause injury.

Too low or too high 

Your bed frame is too low or too high. If you’re feeling like you’re sleeping on the floor, it’s time for a new one. If your bed frame is too low and you have trouble getting in and out of bed, it probably means that it needs to be raised. Don’t worry — it can be done easily with a few tools and some elbow grease. Your headboard is uncomfortable or falling off the wall. If your headboard isn’t attached to the wall properly, it will fall over time. Make sure that your headboard is secure by bolting it to the wall with screws or bolts.

You need a new mattress set. Your mattress may not be as comfortable as it once was due to wear and tear, so replacing it could be beneficial for both body and wallet alike!

Ethereum’s merge made cryptocurrency more sustainable

Bhok Thompson
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0
Ethereum’s merge made cryptocurrency more sustainable

green blockchain server, bitcoin and ethereum mining

The second largest cryptocurrency, Ethereum (Ether, or ETH), has completed a plan to substantially cut carbon emissions with a software upgrade known as “the Merge.” It’s about an upgrade in the security architecture that supports the digital coin’s blockchain, the second most essential piece of infrastructure in the crypto ecosystem. Ethereum employed “proof-of-work” (PoW) to validate transactions on the network and to guarantee that everyone in the community agreed on who held what virtual coin.

With the completion of the Ethereum Merge, the switch to a “proof-of-stake” (PoS) method has eliminated the necessity for mining, and has given birth to a new digital coin – Ethereum 2.0. It resulted in decrease in Ethereum’s energy usage and the possibility of extending the Ethereum ecosystem even further.

Keep reading to understand Ethereum’s expectations and what the Merge actually is.

What is the Ethereum Merge?

Ethereum’s planning to reduce its energy consumption by ~99.99%, functioning now with ~99.95% less energy than before the Merge. Even though its carbon debt is now low, this wasn’t the case until mid-September 2022. 

The migration has transferred the whole blockchain to new PoS validator nodes, which require locking up or stacking 32 Ether (ETH) in order to participate. For investors, Ether coins are unchanged, and Ethereum-based apps should continue to operate normally.

Ethereum intended to adopt a PoS consensus mechanism initially, but achieving this without sacrificing decentralisation and security required years of intense development and research. As a result, a PoW process was utilised to get the network up and running. This demands miners use their computational hardware to determine a value, which consumes energy. The blockchain’s overall energy usage peaked at a little under 94 TWh/yr during the peak of the crypto bull market in February 2022. Prior to the implementation of PoS, energy demand was comparable to that of Uzbekistan, or closer to 78 TWh/yr, with carbon emissions of 33MT/yr, similar to that of Azerbaijan.

How did the Merge impact the environment?

The impact of Ethereum’s switch from PoW to PoS was investigated by CCRI, which concluded that annualised electricity usage was lowered by 99.98%, according to the Ethereum Foundation. Similarly, the blockchain’s carbon footprint has been reduced by 99.992%. 

According to the website, this equates to a reduction in emissions from the height of the Eiffel Tower to the size of a little plastic toy figure. As a result, the environmental cost of network security is dramatically lowered, and network security is considered to have improved.

And if you’re wondering if Ethereum’s upgrade impacts the Bitcoin price USD (since it’s a natural question, as Bitcoin is the #1 cryptocurrency), know that the effects are minimal. Ethereum is now being seen with better eyes, and crypto enthusiasts are waiting for the BTC blockchain to follow Ethereum’s example. However, the validation process for Bitcoin is competitive, energy-intensive, and rewards-based, so it’s hard to predict when this technology will become environmentally friendly, if ever.

If you want to invest in cryptocurrency this year but don’t want to harm the environment, there are more sustainable digital coins you can choose from:

  • IMPT (IMPT)
  • Tezos (XTZ)
  • Solana (SOL)
  • IOTA (MIOTA)
  • Hedera (HBAR)
  • Chia (XCH)

Can you be certain of Ethereum’s security?

Through PoS, a financial incentive to prevent fraudulent transactions is provided. The long-awaited enhancements strengthen Ethereum’s security against coordinated assaults because the validators that protect the network under PoS must stake huge sums of Ethereum into the protocol. Should they attempt to assault the network, the protocol will destroy their Ether, and probably no dishonest validator wants to risk losing money for uncertain profits.

Are there good password practices to learn?

If you want to invest in Ethereum, Bitcoin, or any other cryptocurrency, you must use strong passwords for the accounts on the chosen exchange. You are advised to use a long combination of characters, symbols, and numbers because most account hacks are a consequence of weak passwords. Don’t make the common mistake of using dictionary words because you risk being the victim of a “dictionary attack”. Here’s an example of a strong password: 8#fq28q9h3!@1y9*12. And this is how a weak password would sound: 26ofseptember. 

Also, don’t use passwords that can be revealed through social engineering —not the date of your birth, your dog’s name, or an inside joke with your spouse. Avoid common dictionary words and personal details. Instead, use a mixture of symbols, numbers, lowercase, and uppercase, and make passwords as long as the form you’re filling out allows you to.

Extra tip: Using a password manager eliminates the need to create and remember strong, unique passwords. This provides an encrypted and safe storage location for your passwords and can be accessed with a single strong passcode. Plus, such apps can also recommend strong passwords, so you don’t have to stress about creating one yourself. Some will also inform you if you are a victim of a data breach and allow you to reset your passwords before any unwanted attempts are made.

What about Ethereum’s scalability?

Nodes are essential to store and operate the blockchain, and Ethereum must be able to process more transactions per second without growing their size. It’s expected that transactions will occur faster and that extra nodes will be added because increasing the size of the existing ones would be impractical and require expensive and powerful computers. Ethereum is looking for sharding upgrades to remove the need for every node to hold 100% of data and to distribute data storage requirements over the whole network.

Sharding should optimise efficiency on rollups, allowing for more advancements than the actual 15-45 transactions per second limit.

To summarise

The Ethereum network changed from proof-of-work to proof-of-stake as a result of the Merge, a software upgrade that put an end to the mining era and consequently lowered the blockchain’s energy usage by more than 99%. 

All investment strategies and investments involve risk of loss. Nothing contained in this website should be construed as investment advice.

 

House of Saud palaces built from mud

Karin Kloosterman
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0
House of Saud palaces built from mud

At-Turaif, mud vernacular building, earth architecture, Saudi Arabia, House of Saud, UNESCO heritage site, mud palace, greenprophet

At-Turaif, or simply, Turaif, a Saudi Arabian town in the Northern Borders Province, which lies close to the border with Jordan, is now open to the public. The UNESCO-recognized site has cultural significance as the original home to the ruling Saudi Dynasty, the House of Saud. It is the birthplace of the austere form of Islam found in Saudi Arabia today. The mud and earth buildings and palaces of Turaif, was closed to tourists, until now. 

At-Turaif, mud vernacular building, earth architecture, Saudi Arabia, House of Saud, UNESCO heritage site, mud palace, greenprophet

The vernacular buildings of Taraif are a living monument to traditional building from the region, and a statement that respectable buildings, palaces even, can be built from mud. The site has special significance because it is the original home to the current ruling Saudi dynasty whose family lived there in the 1800s. 

What is Najdi Architecture?

At-Turaif, mud vernacular building, earth architecture, Saudi Arabia, House of Saud, UNESCO heritage site, mud palace, greenprophet

Najdi architecture is an approach from the central Arabian Gulf region that combines three main factors –– from the people who lived there over the years including Bedouin tribes. Najdi is built in harmony with nature and 1) works in hot desert climates; 2) it provides privacy in residential buildings as Muslims guard their privacy (see mashrabiya), and 3) uses locally available materials such as mud brick, stone and wood.

At-Turaif, mud vernacular building, earth architecture, Saudi Arabia, House of Saud, UNESCO heritage site, mud palace, greenprophet

Founded in the 15th century, Turaif is built in the Najdi architectural style, which is specific type of vernacular architecture from the Central Arabia.

At-Turaif, mud vernacular building, earth architecture, Saudi Arabia, House of Saud, UNESCO heritage site, mud palace, greenprophet 

In the 18th and early 19th centuries, the political and religious role of Turaif increased in importance and the citadel at at-Turaif became the center of power for the House of Saud and the spread of the Salafiyya reform in Islam. The property includes the remains of many palaces and housing units built on the edge of the ad-Dir’iyah oasis.

Modern Turaif is one of the cities that have been established for running the Trans-Arabian Pipeline.

According to UNESCO, the UN body that preserves human and natural heritage sites, the site of at-Turaif District in ad-Dir’iyah illustrates a significant phase in the human settlement of the central Arabian plateau, when in the mid-18th century Ad-Dir’iyah became the capital of an independent Arab State and an important religious centre. At-Turaif is an outstanding example of traditional human settlement in a desert environment. The current Saudi family building out Neom and The Line might look back to their ancestors for some more practical ideas of building the future. 

At-Turaif, mud vernacular building, earth architecture, Saudi Arabia, House of Saud, UNESCO heritage site, mud palace, greenprophet

The at-Turaif District was the first historic centre with a unifying power in the Arabian Peninsula.  Its influence was greatly strengthened by the teachings of Sheikh Mohammad Bin Abdul Wahhab, a  reformer of austere Sunni Islam who lived, preached and died in the city. He started the austere form of Islam called Wahhabism. 

Abd al-Wahhab arrived to Najd in 1744 and preached a return to “pure” Islam. To that extent he sought protection from the local emir, Muhammad ibn Saud, head of the Al Saud tribal family, and they cut a deal.

The Al Saud, now the House of Saud we know today, will endorse al-Wahhab’s austere form of Islam and in return, the Al Saud tribe will get political legitimacy and regular tithes (money) from al-Wahhab’s followers. The religious-political alliance that al-Wahhab and Al Saud forged back then endures to this day in Saudi Arabia, according to a PBS history special.

By the 19th century, the House of Saud spread its influence across the Arabian Peninsula, stretching from the Red Sea to the Persian Gulf and including the Two Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina. But in 1818, forces of the Ottoman Empire sacked Riyadh, and executed many of the religious and political leaders. Over the next eighty years the Al Saud attempt to reestablish their rule on the Arabian Peninsula without success.

Wahhabism, a fundamentalist approach to Islam had already spread throughout the Arabian Peninsula and the Muslim world.

At-Turaif, mud vernacular building, earth architecture, Saudi Arabia, House of Saud, UNESCO heritage site, mud palace, greenprophet

Today, most of the ancient part of Turaif is in ruins. If you visit it today what you will see has not been altered or reconstructed during 20th century reemployments or restorations. A major programme of restoration work is in place, which respects the original locations, plans and techniques. It must take particular care to preserve the attributes of the authenticity of its buildings and the road network.  

Turaif, now open to tourism, is located at a bend in Highway 85 as it turns west to Jordan. It is located at around 31°40′39″N 38°39′11″E. In 2010, it had a population of 48,929.

All images above via UNESCO.

Have an edit or correction to make on this story? Want to share your travel experiences? Send us an email [email protected].

Ceer EV factory built by oil – gets land

Karin Kloosterman
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0
Ceer EV factory built by oil – gets land
Ceer saudi arabia EV electric vehicle, with BMW parts
Saudi Arabia Ceer gets land for its homegrown electric vehicle.

Plans for the new all-Saudi electric vehicle company Ceer are moving fast. The company, in partnership with Foxconn (Taiwan) and BMW (Germany) and owned by the Saudi Arabian Government, will be creating a homegrown, and flashy!, Saudi Arabian EV and land has been slated for the development.

Before you read on, we do want you to know that some people believe, including us, that Saudi Arabia wants the world to be hooked on oil, while it diversifies its own local economy. The country also has dubious plans for expansion into the tourism sector with Neom, The Line, and a massive ski resort Trojena built in the hot desert mountains. 

According to reports, Emaar, one of the six new industrial cities planned by Saudi Arabia, has sold land to Ceer (owned by the Saudi Government) for its car plant. Consider that all major holdings and dealings in Saudi Arabia are controlled by the ruling family so red tape is not an issue in moving ahead with any deal. Also note, investments and holdings and investments done by the rulers of Saudi Arabia are unilateral and are fuelled by Saudi Aramco, the wealthiest company in the world, its profits made entirely from oil and gas.

The land was worth $95M according to a statement from the Saudi Stock Exchange. The Tadawul site is blocked from viewing if you live in countries like Israel. Use a VPN set to the United States to see. We have a screenshot below of the deal.  

Saudi Aramco buys Ceer land

The 24-acre site (1M-square-meter) will be located in the Industrial Valley, near King Abdullah Port in King Abdullah Economic City and its construction will start early 2023 by the Red Sea, north of Jeddah.

Human rights in Saudi Arabia

Like Qatar, Saudi Arabia has a poor track record for labor violations. The international organisation Human Rights Watch  describes these conditions as “near-slavery” and attributes them to “deeply rooted gender, religious, and racial discrimination”.

An October 2020 report exploring the kafala system (often called modern slavery) estimates that there are approximately 10 million foreign workers in Saudi Arabia, spread over most sectors of work, especially the energy and service sector. The kafala, or sponsorship system gives private citizens and companies in Jordan, Lebanon, and most Arab Gulf countries such as Qatar or Saudi Arabia almost total control over migrant workers’ employment and immigration status. Some 500 migrant workers died building the World Cup venue, and while the Ceer expansion is aimed to give jobs to Saudis, it’s unlikely they will agree to construction and factory work.

Since free speech is outlawed in Saudi Arabia, nobody will ever really know what’s going in Saudi Arabia. And that’s why doing business with Saudi Arabia is dangerous.

Ceer, set for sales in 2025, says it aims to making the factory a zero waste-to-landfill site. They are hoping to attract $150M USD in foreign investments. PIF, The Public Investment Fund (Arabic: صندوق الإستثمارات العامة) is the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia. They started issuing 100 year “green bonds” to finance green projects. “For brave-hearts or fools,” said one analyst.

Saudi Arabia is targeting net-zero carbon emissions by 2060, the same as China. Meanwhile it keeps pumping oil. 

The Saudi Arabia Ceer venture is between its Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Taiwan’s Foxconn to manufacture a portfolio of technologically advanced sedans and sports utility vehicles.

Ceer, with models set to be on sale in 2025, is slated to attract over $150M of foreign direct investment. It’s one of the major efforts launched by Saudi Arabia to reduce its dependence on oil and transition to more sustainable and environmentally friendly industries. 

Ceer competition 

Meanwhile, the salt-powered Quant EV car from Switzerland is popping into the news again (its CEO also sings!), and we’ve got some interesting EV ventures from the Middle East to look at. 

Lucid Motors, a joint EV between China, Saudi Arabia and the United States is moving ahead. Also from the Middle East area is Turkey’s Togg EV and Mays Motors from Oman. In Qatar, electric charge spots are free, but apparently no-one uses them except tourists.

 

The inner workings of hydration IV and how it can help you during the flu season

Bhok Thompson
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The inner workings of hydration IV and how it can help you during the flu season
IV bar hydration, Goop, vitamin and mineral boost, woman holding IV bags with greens inside them
IV hydration is marketed on sites like Goop and the practice is known as a quick hangover treatment, but now clinics are marketing a range of indications, from migraines and altitude sickness to skin health to IV nutrition to infusions of anti-aging molecules

The winter season often comes with an uninvited guest: influenza. As the flu season unfolds yet again, you must have the toolkit to fight the symptoms before you’re down for the count. Aside from getting flu shots, you can also try Hydration IV as part of your regimen. 

In this post, you’ll learn more about how Hydration IV treatment works, its benefits, and how it can help you bounce back from the dreaded flu. 

How does Hydration IV work?

Hydration IV, first practiced by a physician named John Meyers is now widely used in hospitals to supply fluids to patients’ bodies. It’s a very effective form of hydration since the fluids go straight to the bloodstream. This means that the person can receive hydration even if he’s too weak to drink or is unconscious. It’s common in hot, desert countries like in the Middle East or Western United States, where people may be prone to drying out. 

But over the last 20 years hydration IV has been used for health purposes and can be formulated with vitamins and minerals. This depends on the person’s needs and health goals. Once you needed to go to the hospital for hydration therapy. Nowadays many concierge services deliver the treatment to your location, with a nurse, for convenience. 

How Hydration IV helps during the flu season

No matter how healthy you feel, you’re not invincible to the flu. The cold temperature of winter will weaken your immune system and make you prone to infections. And if you’re spending a lot of time with other people, your chance of contracting the flu is high. 

The good news is you don’t have to suffer from the symptoms for a whole week. Hydration IV can speed up your recovery and potentially make the symptoms less intense. 

Here’s how Hydration IV helps you fight flu symptoms fast and efficiently:

It keeps you hydrated.

It’s easy to become dehydrated when you’re sick. And if you are dehydrated, your condition will worsen, and recovery will be slower. 

This can be easily prevented by getting Hydration IV. You’ll receive your much-needed fluids without having to chug glasses of water all day. 

It boosts your immune system

hydration therapy, goop, fruits in a drip bag
The nutrition of fruit delivered right to the veins

Aside from fluids, Hydration IV can be formulated with added vitamins and minerals. This will help strengthen your immune system to fight the flu virus. 

By supplying your body with natural nutrients, you’ll experience faster recovery and milder symptoms. 

Also, Hydration IV treatments are infused with electrolytes to restore the balance in your body. 

It reduces the risk of hospitalization.

While IV therapy isn’t a cure, it can still reduce your risk of hospitalization due to the flu. It’s possible by keeping your body hydrated and nourished while you recover. 

Aside from Hydration IV, you should also take the necessary medications to combat the illness. 

It prevents further stomach upset.

The flu can make you highly nauseous, and drinking lots of fluids can worsen it. Hydration IV eliminates this problem by delivering the fluids intravenously. 

Aside from preventing tummy troubles, IV therapy will ensure a high absorption rate compared to oral solutions. 

You can get it while you rest.

You can receive a Hydration IV treatment while you sleep and rest. There’s no need for you to get up and overexert your body. 

A licensed nurse will administer the IV drip while you relax. You’ll have peace of mind, and you’ll be refreshed once you wake up. 

Fight the flu with Hydration IV

Don’t let the flu or Covid symptoms take you down without a fight. Instead of surrendering yourself to the symptoms, you can speed up recovery through Hydration IV. 

Book your Hydration IV today to recover from the flu or boost your immunity even before you get infected. 

IV Concierge, says they are partners in fighting off cold and flu symptoms. They claim to offer the best Hydration IV cost in Miami, so you can recover fast without hurting your pocket. 

The views expressed in this article intend to highlight alternative studies and induce conversation. They do not necessarily represent the views of Green Prophet, and are for informational purposes only, even if and to the extent that this article features links to physicians and medical practitioners. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.

Asia Pulp & Paper’s Smart Sustainable Packaging Approaches

Bhok Thompson
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Asia Pulp & Paper’s Smart Sustainable Packaging Approaches

asia paper pakaging solutions, bio, eco food containers

Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) Sinar Mas Provides 5 Smart Approaches To Sustainable Packaging Design

It is no secret that more and more people are joining in the everyday fight against climate change. All over the world, people are doing what they can to minimize their carbon footprint and push for more sustainable living practices to help our planet.

While doing things like opting for a greener method of transportation and reducing how much electricity we’re using is important, one of the environment’s biggest problem is the packaging. Whether plastic, glass, paper, styrofoam, or some alternative material, packaging is visible in every aspect of our daily lives. 

Single-use plastic packaging in particular, has already faced heavy criticism for several reasons, no less because over 380 million tonnes of plastic are produced every year. Not only are fossil fuels used in plastic production, but the time it takes for plastic to degrade fully is often absurdly long, with an estimated 450 years needed for plastic bottles to break down.

However, even green alternatives can have their downsides; glass is difficult to recycle, and the weight of glass bottles makes them less practical compared to lightweight and flexible plastics. Paper is naturally biodegradable, but this may be affected by food-safe treatments that allow it to act as food packaging; paper that is unclean or soiled by food residue is also difficult or even impossible to recycle, limiting the ways it can be safely returned back to the environment.

With all things considered, it’s easy to understand why businesses such as  Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) Sinar Mas are seeking out sustainable solutions to single-use packaging, especially for food packaging in particular. Finding eco-friendly alternatives that are both effective and cost-friendly is key to making sustainability accessible to the greater public, and continuing the trend towards a greener tomorrow.

Why business owners and brands need to get on board

Beyond the moral and ethical incentives behind sustainable packaging designs, there are also plenty of financial incentives for businesses and organizations to consider. There is an increasing number of people who are willing to pay a premium price for products that offer a more sustainable solution, with this growing consumer need directly affecting purchasing decisions.

In addition, businesses and brands that are focused on more sustainable operations including the use of eco-friendly packaging, can be viewed more favorably by consumers and provide an edge over competitors who are not yet doing so. Regardless of the quality of your actual product, the sustainability of its packaging can have a huge impact on whether a consumer chooses to buy it over a competitor’s.

So how can pulp and paper companies explore new and innovative approaches to food packaging design? Here are 5 ways Asia Pulp and Paper continue to push the envelope:

1. Usage of certified wood

Businesses should ensure that the paper used in their production of packaging materials is both certified and traceable. 

To help facilitate this, Asia Pulp and Paper developed internal Supplier Evaluation and Risk Assessment (SERA) tools to ensure their Responsible Fiber Procurement and Purchasing Policy (RFPPP) is carried out across all business units of the organization. Potential suppliers are evaluated against considerations such as GMO-free production, protection of High Conservation Values (HCV) or High Carbon Stock (HCS), and a chain of custody system. Formal third-party certification is also brought in as part of a ‘chain of custody’ assurance tool to ensure the traceability of the fiber sources throughout the production process.

Asia Pulp & Paper also utilizes what’s called the Integrated Sustainable Forest Management Plan (ISFMP) in its production as part of its wider Forest Conservation Policy (FCP). The ISFMP relies on various assessments such as HCV, HCS, Social Conflict Mapping, legal obligations, and comprehensive stakeholder input to ensure that the land resources used by Asia Pulp & Paper can be fully and transparently accounted for.

Measures within the ISFMP include setting long-term forest management goals for each Forest Management Unit (FMU), action plans to help the FMY address wider forest management concerns; and updated maps of concession areas that address land right status in all supplier concessions.

This ensures that production can continue alongside responsible forest management, balancing the company’s business interests with wider sustainability concerns.

2. Pursuing biodegradability or compostability of products

It is vital that sustainable food packaging alternatives can be broken down in a fraction of the time as their plastic counterparts if we are to make advances in the battle against plastic pollution successfully. 

The range of Foopak Bio Natura compostable packaging available through Asia Pulp and Paper is completely biodegradable either at an industrial composting facility or at home, in 12 weeks and 24 weeks respectively. This is due to the aqueous dispersion coating – which is fully biodegradable – that replaces the traditional plastic lining. Each of the products in the Foopak Bio Natura range is also repulpable and recyclable should composting not be an option – making it a feasible alternative in regions where composting resources are limited.

Adhering to FDA (USA) regulations and European Union standards for food and beverage direct contact,  these compostable packaging options are completely safe for use across all kinds of foods and drinks while also providing businesses with a versatile, eco-friendly packaging option. 

3. Going completely plastic-free

Returning to the fact that just under 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced annually – much of which finds its way into our oceans or bodies as microplastics – another absolutely essential piece of the puzzle is sustainable food packaging that has no plastic in it at all. 

Understanding the growing need for green packaging from both consumers and businesses, Asia Pulp and Paper has answered the call and spent several years developing packaging products that are not only free of plastic but are also made with certified natural wood that can be broken down incredibly quickly. These include the Natura Cup as well as the Bio Container and PE Board within Asia Pulp & Paper’s Foopak Bio Natura range.

This innovative design tackles a crucial sore point in green food packaging alternatives, which is that a vast majority of food packaging options are a combination of paper and plastic to ensure the packaging can store food properly and safely. Unfortunately, food packaging made from both paper and plastic cannot be recycled due to the lack of technology in processing plants for separating the two, which means it’s sent directly to landfill – contributing to pollution and carbon emissions.

Flustix, the first and only registered EU sustainability regarding plastic usage in products, has also officially certified Asia Pulp and Paper’s Foopak Bio Natura collection as being completely free of all plastic. 

4. Ensuring product robustness and versatility

There have been some eco-friendly packaging alternatives released in the past specifically for food and beverages, which simply haven’t been able to meet the necessary requirements for safe and convenient food storage. Coming apart easily, leaking, and breaking down while still being used are some of the common concerns raised that may turn consumers and businesses alike off sustainable packaging alternatives. 

However, the extensive quality control and testing that Asia Pulp and Paper conducts to create the Foopak Bio Natura eco packaging range has specifically targeted and resolved all of these issues. 

Each item in the collection boasts a strong edge wick which offers better functionality than a standard paper cup. The range of products has also been designed to withstand temperatures ranging from -0.4° Fahrenheit all the way to 428° Fahrenheit. The products are microwavable and even ovenable, enabling a myriad of different usages for businesses and consumers alike. 

5. Removing all unnecessary components

By getting rid of any and all elements that aren’t absolutely essential for the packaging to function correctly will drastically reduce the amount of waste that goes into the production process.

For example, by utilizing a heat seal capability that provides permanent bonding on its Foopak Bio Natura products, Asia Pulp and Paper has negated the need for adhesive to be used. This increases the product’s biodegradability and recyclability, making it a more effective way to encourage consumers to pursue sustainable options within their everyday lifestyles.

Pursuing Innovative Design for Sustainable Packaging

When it comes to sustainability in packaging products, Asia Pulp and Paper continues to lead the way in innovative approaches across all elements of the production process and far beyond. Through an extensive amount of in-depth research and a passion for more environmentally-friendly and eco-friendly solutions, the team at Asia Pulp & Paper now delivers a range of sustainable plastic-free food packaging products.

Indeed, packaging waste no longer has to be one of the biggest threats to our environment provided more informed purchasing decisions are made by businesses operating in the pulp, paper, and packaging industry.

Quant’s 8-Volt EV supercar goes 600 miles on a tank of salt

Karin Kloosterman
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Quant’s 8-Volt EV supercar goes 600 miles on a tank of salt

Quant Nanoflowcell, salt powered EV

We wrote about the EV battery tech and concept car from Switzerland in 2014. A million dollar EV car that can run on salt water. This is about as opposite as you can get to the million dollar gold-plated Mercedes from Abu Dhabi. The thing is that the Swiss are usually making good on their EV promises: Remember the Swiss venture, the solar powered EV airplane the Solar Impulse that circled the globe? They did it. Or the Swiss-made ZeroTracer? The Swiss make good things and the world knows it. 

That’s why we paid attention then and again now that progress has been made on developing the original Quant Nanoflow into Quantino, a roadster. The Swiss company behind the salt battery tech is Nanoflowcell and they are showing off models of their all-electric cars at least on their website and in PR videos they add to Youtube. 

Like the original Quant luxury car prototype we covered, the Quantino runs on a special kind of non-toxic saltwater mixture that the company calls bi-ION electrolyte.

Is a car that runs on salt an electric car? 

Yes. A car that runs on salt is an electric car. To be technical, salt water is used as the storage medium but it’s not the fuel. The car runs by electrically charging ionic liquid – salt water – to store energy.

According to company materials, the 2+2 Quantino Roadster is the first fully electric car which runs entirely without a battery: “In the course of the development, a decision was made to forego using a lithium-ion starter battery given concerns regarding the environmental balance. Lithium mining causes problems. Read here about why the Serbs are revolting against Rio Tinto.

“Instead, a compact electrolytic capacitor is integrated into the electric vehicle’s starter system,” the company states. 

During the starting process, this powers up the nanoFlowcell 48VOLT electric drive. Once started, the nanoFlowcell supplies the energy to four 60 kW low-voltage electric motors and the consumers in the 48-volts vehicle network.

Offering 600 miles on one tank, makes it a fill ’em EV that will remove range worry and stress for current EV lovers. But the company is still not offering a lot of details on when consumers can start buying. Maybe they are building industry partnerships like the all-electric passenger plane, the Alice, by Eviation, which now has $2 Billion USD in pre-orders lined up. It takes millions, even billions, to build a great EV from top to bottom. Even mega companies like GM and Ford shows us that no-one in the industry, except for maybe Tesla, goes it alone.

What we know about Nanoflowcell so far:

Nanoflowcell Holdings  is a Swiss flow cell battery research and development company that claims to have developed the first flow battery small enough to be used in electric cars. Its battery, also branded nanoFlowcell, was first presented in the Quant E, Quant F and Quantino prototype vehicles.

The company was founded in 1996 and like drug makers doesn’t seem to be in any rush to release a product to the market. Slow and steady wins the race?

The Swiss Elon Musk who sings?

Nunzio La Vecchia
Nunzio La Vecchia, CEO of Nanoflowcell, Spotify artist. Image via Twitter

Key people at Nanoflowtech include Nunzio La Vecchia, company CEO and Hektor Bertschi, the COO. It is a privately held company based in Kilchberg, Switzerland. 

La Vecchia states on Twitter: “I am often asked why I’m not selling our technologies to the highest bidder and enjoy life. When you see #QUANTCity and learn more about our objectives, you will understand that we don’t work for the quick money, but that we are on a mission.”

Nunzio appears signing in this video and has music on Spotify.

Quant City aims to be an AI-run development hub for developing EV technology. It appears to be merely aspirational at this point, and its vision presented in the video:

Quant City “provides space for experimentation; it is a kind of experimental playground for innovation research in the fields of energy technologies and AI applications. In addition to discovering new technologies, we also evaluate their impact on society, the environment and the economy – always with an eye on future generations,” press materials explore.

Alternatives to Tesla in the Middle East

Other developments on our minds these days is the Ceer EV from Saudi Arabia. Lucid Motors, a joint EV between China, Saudi Arabia and the United States developers. Also from the Middle East area is Turkey’s Togg EV and Mays Motors from Oman.

Israel’s Better Place tried to reinvent the EV battery and the way cars are charged, rather replaced to quickly extend range, but failed after consumers didn’t love the price point or the unflashy Renault body offered to them. This is after about $1B USD of investments. You can see dusty charge point stations and battery swap stations littered throughout Israel.

Where to buy a Valentine’s Day Card

Bhok Thompson
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Where to buy a Valentine’s Day Card
bunny holding Valentine Day card celebration
Valentine’s Day can be overly commercial. Choose a token gift or card made by you. If you are lacking the creative confidence, look for a card made with upcycled materials

Valentine’s Day, which falls on the fourteenth of February, is an annual celebration that reminds you to appreciate the people you love. It gives you the opportunity to show the people in your life how much they mean to you and how much you appreciate their affection with a Valentine’s Day cards. Homemade ones are the best obviously, made from up-cycled items around your home, and adorned with a poem written by you. If you are insecure about your creativity, you can celebrate with a small eco gift or a card that perfectly communicates how you feel. The concept of Valentine’s cards is not only for married people or romantic partners. It is for everyone. Everyone must appreciate the people that love them. Boomf helps you do this by making certain that the appropriate valentine card is available for your use.

Apart from Boomf, there are so many other places where you can get Valentine’s cards. So, if you are having issues with getting a place to purchase perfect Valentine’s cards, this article is for you. The following is a list of where you can get the perfect Valentine’s cards to celebrate your Valentine’s Day.

Etsy: Etsy is a nice place to look for personalised gift items. Valentine’s cards are a major part of the highly demanded inventory of online stores. You can add the name of the recipient to the cards to ensure safe delivery. It is necessary to note that shipping may be a little slower especially if the seller is personalising something for you. Check to make sure the Etsy seller is making their cards at home or at a small business. Better to support a mom and pop shop than an exploitive factory. The maker’s website also offers upcycled gifts and mementos.

Eco Valentine card

Paper Source: This is a highly recommended online store. They have a very strong wordplay attribute especially when it relates to Valentine’s Day messages. It is a great source of for punny Valentine’s cards that are particularly perfect for partners with a healthy sense of humor. 

Minted: This is your go-to source for customisable valentine cards. On Minted, if you find perfect Valentine’s cards but don’t like the colour, you can change it to any colour of your choice. You can also opt for photo cards or the more traditional Valentine’s cards. Time constraints should be taken into consideration to ensure that it arrives before February 14. So order ahead.

Love Pop: This site has some of the most eye-catching Valentine’s cards. Characters such as Mickey and Minnie, Deadpool, and Darth Vader are only just a few of Love Pop’s licensed characters. For an additional $5, they will throw in a personalised message alongside a photo. This makes it a great surprise for the recipient and the paper bouquet may also last longer than flowers. 

Hallmark: This is one of the biggest stores for cards in general. It has a variety of options available, even Valentine’s cards. The website’s search option has a unique way of narrowing down your options and helping you find what you need quickly. You can search by tone, language, and recipient. 

Amazon: This global store has a vast array of Valentine’s cards from reputable brands to be purchased by customers. Hallmark and American Greetings have shops on Amazon. The shipping is quick and the availability of valentine cards from different brands provides with a lot more options to choose from and improves your probability of finally locating the perfect Valentine’s cards to celebrate your loved ones. Some Amazon shops are run by small business owners. Try and find those using recycled materials or who are giving back to their community.

All of these are viable brands that offer multiple categories of Valentine’s cards for your choice. Boomf is a good source for your Valentine’s cards as you can not only personalise them with text and photos online, but also add a fun extra in the form of confetti or a pop-out figure. Such Valentine’s cards will certainly be the highlight of the celebration and make this day memorable for years to come. 

 

Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Australia

Bhok Thompson
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Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Australia
sydney, Australia, green prophet
Australia is a treehugger’s dream. Nature in every city, around every corner

Australia is a land of desires. Activities in Australia to do list include things such as exploring the country’s highlights, taking a drive to beautiful beaches, hearing some of the local music, attending a cricket match or basketball game, or simply sitting down and relaxing on its beaches.

From the sacred tales of the Aboriginal Dreamtime, when the fantastic spirits invoked the coral reefs, jungles, as well as red deserts, to armchair tourists that define Australia as their desired location, the Land Down Under is worthy of all the buzz. The globe’s smallest continent and biggest island, Australia is virtually the same dimension as the United States however with a population the size of New york city State as well as a few of the quirkiest wild animals on the planet. 

1. Sydney Music Hall

Shaped like big shells or rippling sails, this well-known structure on Sydney’s Bennelong Factor enhances the listing of UNESCO Globe Heritage Sites as well as is one of the world’s fantastic architectural icons.The area is spectacular & water borders the framework on 3 sides, and the Royal Botanic Gardens boundary it to the south.

Monuments in Australia include the Sydney Opera House and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, both of which are world-renowned landmarks. Other well-known tourist destinations include Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.

2. Darling Harbor

Darling Harbour is a widely known hangout area in the city of Sydney. It is a buzzing pedestrian location, full of stores, exhibitions, museums, and also a great deal of bars as well as dining establishments. Site visitors to these beautiful spots in Australia are usually indulged for choice. The attractions of this precinct consist of the Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, bush Life Zoo, Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum among a few others and even a water park for the youngsters. You can go for a heavy round of purchasing in the shopping center, and even head to the LG IMAX theater, which has the biggest display on the planet. You will not spend a min obtaining burnt out in this energetic precinct.

3. Sydney Harbour Bridge

Sydney is a treehugger paradise
Sydney is a treehugger paradise

Along with the Music hall, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia’s top architectural icons. Affectionately called “the Coathanger,” this impressive accomplishment of construction is the largest steel arch bridge on the planet. Increasing 134 meters above the harbor, the bridge covers 500 meters, attaching Sydney’s North Shore to the main business district. In addition to the pedestrian course, 2 train lines cross the bridge, in addition to 8 lanes for road traffic, as well as the direction of each lane can be changed to fit traffic circulation. A full 40 years before the Sydney Opera House, it was finished in 1932. A guided climb to the bridge’s summit, where you can take in stunning views of the harbor and city, is one of the top things to do in Sydney.

4. Perth Mint

Perth version of the The HG
Perth has its own version of the NY Highline. The Elizabeth Quay. If you are visiting The Mint, travel around the sea at the quay.

Australia’s main bullion mint, the Perth Mint produces a wonderful understanding right into the background of bullion in Australia. A check out to this old monument in Australia will probably never be as exciting as it is to the Perth Mint. Offering walking scenic tours with the historical chambers, taking you with the processes such as the pouring of gold in the melting house, and also indeed informing you on the wonderful history of the bullion minting in Western Australia.

The Gold Event, or the live gold pour or the heritage walk all make for a wonderful experience. Then you can go on to engrave your very own custom-made medallion, and also take a look at the marvelous. One Tonne Gold Coin at the heart of the mint. If you are traveling Perth, your trip to the Perth Mint will absolutely be memorable.



Learning to ‘Talk the Talk’ Before You ‘Walk the Walk’

Bhok Thompson
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Learning to ‘Talk the Talk’ Before You ‘Walk the Walk’

business in new york, startup, sitting on a couch with a laptop

Business acumen is a term used to describe a person’s understanding of the business world and how it works. It doesn’t mean that you need a finance degree or that you have experience in the corporate world.The founder of FTX showed us that in recent months and that maybe he didn’t have business acumen after all.  This term is used when people in the business world understand key concepts of supply chains, cash flow, margins and return on investment. You don’t need to be able to write a business plan or know how to create financial projections, but being able to understand what those things are and why they’re important will help you get hired by employers looking for candidates with a strong business acumen.

What is business acumen?

The ability to understand business issues and make sound business decisions is the definition of business acumen. This includes understanding the financial implications of business decisions; understanding how organizations compete in their markets; understanding the impact of business strategies on different parts of the organization; and knowing how to forecast where “the puck” will be in a few years’ time. Investor types, bankers and people who are good at running their own businesses have this skill and it’s just as important, maybe even more so, when you run a sustainable business. 

Candidates and basic financial skills

If you are on the side of the desk that is hiring for business, candidates should be able to demonstrate some basic financial skills. Examples are reading and interpreting financial reports, understanding financial implications of your decisions and communicating financial information in a clear and concise manner. Can this person present end of quarter results or will you have to do it?

Business acumen counts in hiring and success

The best candidates in any job are those a strong grasp of the idea of business acumen. This is particularly true in areas like accounting and finance, where the ability to understand financial statements and make decisions based on them can be crucial to success. However, it’s also important for all types of positions at all levels of management. The ability to understand how businesses work and apply that knowledge in their own work will be valued by employers looking for great employees who are ready to succeed in their careers. This is true for engineers in solar energy businesses just as much as the people in accounting in the office upstairs.

If you want to get hired, you need to talk the talk

A clear example of this is how a specific term has become prevalent in the workplace. The word “burnout” has been thrown around so much that it’s now synonymous with work stress, but many people don’t know that the origin of this word comes from medicine and psychology, not business.

In fact, if you want to get hired or advance in your career, knowing all about the day-to-day jargon used in business can be crucial. This is difficult for new immigrants or executives who have moved to the United States from Europe. So consider a few tips: 

Know what you’re talking about. You don’t want to use jargon when it’s not appropriate or even when you don’t understand what it means. One sentence can be funny, but used in the wrong way can be insulting. 

Don’t overuse words or phrases just because they’re popular at work. If every other person uses them too much and doesn’t know what they mean either then why would anyone else care? It will only make them look foolish if they do so as well. How many times have you heard the word wheelhouse in the last few years in New York? It’s so over-used that it can be an annoying expression to someone looking for someone with marketing know-how on the edge of innovation. If you are unsure, don’t use jargon.

Do you know performance drivers and scorecards?

Performance drivers are metrics that highlight the main factors that affect a business’s success. These include customer satisfaction, employee retention, productivity and morale. A good example of this is if you are in the business of online marketing and metrics and SEO is knowing what are Google’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) which include page views per minute and bounce rate as well as its more traditional financial metrics like net profit margin, revenue growth and return on investment (ROI). These are basics that anyone in any internet business should know.

A scorecard is an overall measurement of how well an organization performs against its goals. It’s used alongside benchmarking and can be used to measure any aspect of your business – staff performance or customer satisfaction for example – but the most common use is when it relates to profitability or sales figures.

Margins and contribution margins

Do you understand the difference between margins and contribution margins? Margins are the difference between revenue and cost, whereas contribution margins are the difference between revenue and variable costs. Contribution margins can be higher than margins because fixed costs are already subtracted from total expenses when calculating a firm’s bottom line 

This means that while it may take $50 to produce one unit of product, let’s say a DIY solar panel, if you sell it for $100 then your contribution margin is 50%. Contribution margins can also help you calculate break even points by dividing total sales dollars by zero (the point at which a company doesn’t make any money), which equals 100%. In other words: if your company makes $250 per week in sales then its break even point is 250/0 = 250 units sold; after selling over 250 units this week we’ll still be losing money.

Value-added and non-value added activities

The word value-add is thrown around a lot in boardrooms. Understanding the ‘“real” difference between value-added and non-value added activities is crucial. Value-added activities are those that add value to your customers. Non-value added activities are those that don’t add value to your customers, or at least not enough for them to pay you more for doing it. The more value you can add to your customers, the more they will pay you (and therefore how much profit you make).

For example:

Let’s say I’m a barber in Brooklyn and I charge $20 per haircut – but when I ask my non-bearded customers, if they want a shave with the cut, they’ll say no because they think it costs too much money – $5 extra dollars-  even though there’s no real reason why they can’t afford it because their income bracket is higher than mine.  

But another business owner down the street charges $25 dollars per haircut plus a free shave after every time he finishes cutting hair and for the same money the clients accept the offer. It “seemed” like a better deal and had added value. 

Getting hired among the competition

If you are one of the thousands fired from Facebook or Twitter, demonstrating business acumen can set you aside for future promotions once you get hired. This skill shows you have the ability to understand how a business works and how it makes money. It’s about being able to see the big picture, identify the drivers of success, and determine where your company needs to go next.

The first step in building your business acumen is understanding that there are three distinct areas: strategy, operations (or management), and finance. Strategy focuses on defining the company’s objectives and developing strategies based on those objectives; operations refers to making day-to-day decisions based on those strategies; finance involves measuring whether or not these decisions have been successful—and then refining them accordingly if they haven’t been successful enough.

Conclusion

If you want to get hired, you need to talk the talk. Business acumen is a significant factor in hiring decisions and can help set you apart from the competition. It’s also important to understand margins and contribution margins. Know about the differences between value-added and non-value added activities, as well as performance drivers and scorecards.

 

Ways to Engage Customers in Your Green Efforts

Bhok Thompson
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Ways to Engage Customers in Your Green Efforts
reusable cotton canvas bag, with a message for sustainabalists
Put your message where you sustainable mouth is – on a reusable canvas cotton bag

To save the earth, or at least the word as we know it (from microplastics, greenhouse gases, pollution) all modern-day businesses must make some serious environmental sustainability efforts. These efforts have gone beyond getting employees involved in the business’s green initiatives; it requires being passionate enough about environmental sustainability to carry your customers along. Research shows that businesses that put the planet and ESG first, do better in the long run.

But part of future-positive thinking is helping customers along that path. And this path requires a large effort from inside the business but small things count too. Whether it is as little as selling reusable shopping bags to customers at reduced prices, offering to pack customer orders in custom drawstring bags or reserving the best parking spots to customers who drive environmentally friendly cars. Maybe even offering them EV charging stations for the Tesla. These efforts, if done the right way, always add up to save the environment.

Going green, as we known, is never a quick process; it’s a gradual change that requires constant communication and thought. These are a couple of strategies for engaging your customers in your efforts to go green.

Cut Down on Waste and Inspire Customers to do Same

One of the most effective ways of cutting down waste is recycling. Your business can prompt customers to consider ways to increase the lifespan of products that would have otherwise been considered waste. Research from Greenpeace shows that most plastics aren’t recyclable. So find ways of reducing plastics and packaging from the beginning, and think about Cradle to Cradle. It’s an oldie but a goodie.

Customers could be prompted to recycle if the business makes a point of making reusable items whenever possible. Such items could be reusable cans, clothing, bags, and bottles. Businesses not recycling are missing out on a lot of untold benefits. For one, recycling comes with positive emotions, and you can evoke these emotions in your customers by encouraging them to recycle. Recycling is also inarguably good for the environment and saves both the business and its customers a lot of money in the long run. 

When a business adopts great recycling practices, it puts them in the enviable position of being able to discourage behaviors that are likely to harm the environment. Sometimes all consumers need is a little push to do what’s right. For instance, discouraging customers from using plastic bags goes a long way, as only 5% of America’s plastic gets recycled. When supermarkets in the UK stopped giving out free carrier bags and started selling them, the number of customers who bought plastic carrier bags fell drastically in no time. 

Be Transparent About Your Business Processes

To promote attitudes of sustainability with customers, one must adopt a transparent approach. This involves being open about such important factors as the business’s supply chain. Be open about who supplies the business’s essential product, who does the manufacturing, and how the raw materials are sourced.

When customers are armed with such valuable information as how the products are sourced, it will be a lot easier to convince them to adopt an environmentally friendly approach. See the Connected Butterfly Mark. Of course, it goes without saying that the business at this point should be dealing with suppliers, manufacturers, and associates who adopt environmentally friendly practices. Studies show that customers may even be willing to pay a lot more for products bought from companies that share details about their supply and manufacturing processes.

Use Social Media to Encourage Customer Participation

breathe neon pink sign on green wall

Since businesses have learned how to leverage social media to improve customer communication, doing business has been a lot easier for businesses who do it right. Social media is a great platform to talk about your business’s effort to remain environmentally friendly. You may show the business’s achievements and goals and also ask for customer suggestions.

Efficient communication systems can help reduce unnecessary resource use and better align business operations with sustainability goals. One approach is using Amazon Connect as part of the infrastructure to streamline customer interactions. This kind of setup can help minimize energy consumption associated with traditional call centers while maintaining responsiveness and accessibility. Clear, well-managed communication also makes it easier for customers to stay informed about sustainable practices and options.

Many businesses do this on Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, and through their own websites and blogs. These types of social media efforts are typically more effective when you show rather than just tell. Show customers on your social media platforms the things you’ve done to lessen your environmental footprints. Give them pictures of communities you have impacted.

Ways to show could be anything from showing how your products are locally sourced or providing specifics on recycling and energy efficiency practices adopted by your business. You can show this off on packaging and labels if you have joined green or eco associations like B Corp, Fair Trade or if you are a luxury goods item and have earned the Butterfly Mark. 

Lastly, you can also use these online platforms to encourage customers to go green. This includes encouraging them to ride a bike or walk rather than drive a car the next time they come to the store. Encourage customers who do this by offering a discount or other incentives. These challenges give you an idea of how many customers are influenced by your green practices.

Pay More Attention to Stories, Not Just Data

Rather than just show off data on how much your business has done to help the environment, you should focus on putting a human face to your efforts by collecting stories from customers and employees. Get people whose lives have been negatively impacted by pollution to speak on the topic. Also, get people who have been positively affected by environmentally sustainable practices to talk about its benefits. These stories can be told on recyclable bags, fliers, banners, TV, magazines, and social media. These types of stories make an impact on people, and more importantly, they encourage sustainability.

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