Home Blog Page 216

Positive Effects Of Cannabis Oil

1

If you have not heard about cannabis oil, better known as CBD, you are missing out on an opportunity to improve your life naturally. CBD has shown to offer a broad range of benefits, including pain relief and improved sleep. However, this is only the beginning, as CBD oil delivers positive effects that can improve your mentality, cognitive functions,and immunity. Below, you will discover a list of the positive effects of CBD oil.

Induces Sleep

 

People have reported improved sleep after consuming CBD oil. When vaped about 15 minutes prior to bedtime,CBD e-liquid can make you calm, relaxed and drowsy, resulting in a good night’s sleep. Some medical experts believe that CBD oil is effective in treating some sleep disorders, such as insomnia.

Reduces Chronic Pain

 

CBD’s analgesic properties make it a great alternative to prescription opioids. If you are familiar with opioids, such as hydrocodone, hydromorphone,and fentanyl, you know that they are highly addictive. Commercial-grade CBD oil derived from some types of Cannabis sativa plant are not additive. So, you can utilize CBD oil to control your chronic pain and not worry about becoming addicted. What it boils down to is cannabis oil is a safer alternative to prescription opioids. If you’re looking for verified and certified cannabis oil products, you need to head over to Premium Jane.

Decreases Inflammation Associated With Arthritis

Millions of people living in the United States are living with some form of arthritis, any condition that affects the joints. As more people become aware of the dangers of corticosteroids, arthritis suffers are beginning to look for safer alternatives. One very safe alternative is CBD oil, which contains properties that can fight against inflammation in the joints.

Calming Effects

Anxiety is a serious condition that millions of individuals deal with only a daily basis. Not only can this condition eventually lead to suicide, but also it can have other adverse effects on your personal and professional life. While there are tons of medications available on the market to battle anxiety, they often times lead to mood changes and dependency. However, new and exciting studies are showing that CBD oil provides patients with an anxiolytic-like effect that can help reduce the symptoms of anxiety. Whether you suffer from social anxieties or you have panic attacks, CBD oil has the potential properties to aid in your quest for a better life.

Lowers Frequency Rate Of Diabetes

Diabetes is another serious health condition that is sweeping through the nation. Children from middle-aged men are being diagnosed with this horrible disease on a daily basis. Well, back in 2006 a study showed that the use of CBD oil could greatly reduce the frequency rate of diabetes. This study was conducted on non-obese diabetic mice and the results were truly astonishing. The results showed that 86 percent of the diabetic mice experienced an incidence occurrence.

Aiding In Drug Withdrawals And Smoking

Trying to stop using drugs and smoking are two difficult tasks to accomplish. While kicking some drug habits eventually lead to adverse withdrawal symptoms, trying to quit smoking can be just as hard. The scientific and medical world is in awe of the promising evidence that CBD oil has uncovered when it comes to helping individuals accomplish both of these tasks. A group of regular smokers was given an inhaler containing CBD oil on a daily basis and the results proved that not only did these patients have fewer nicotine cravings, but also they smoked fewer cigarettes than they normally would have.

10.3 million of us are making jobs out of renewable energy

0

Offshore wind farm, wind energy, Masdar, London Array, renewable energy, clean tech, green tech, UK, E.On, Dong,

The renewable energy industry created more than 500,000 new jobs globally in 2017, a 5.3 per cent increase from 2016, according to the latest figures released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) based in Abu Dhabi. According to the fifth edition of Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review, launched at IRENA’s 15th Council in Abu Dhabi todaythe total number of people employed in the sector (including large hydropower) now stands at 10.3 million globally, surpassing the 10 million figure for the first time.

river and hydro energy, middle east euphrates

China, Brazil, the United States, India, Germany and Japan remain the world’s largest renewable energy employers, representing more than 70 per cent of all industry jobs globally. Although growing numbers of countries are reaping the socio-economic benefits of renewables, the bulk of manufacturing takes place in relatively few countries and domestic markets vary enormously in size. Sixty per cent of all renewable energy jobs are in Asia.

“Renewable energy has become a pillar of low-carbon economic growth for governments all over the world, a fact reflected by the growing number of jobs created in the sector.” said Adnan Z. Amin, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency.

“The data also underscores an increasingly regionalised picture, highlighting that in countries where attractive policies exist, the economic, social and environmental benefits of renewable energy are most evident,” continued Mr. Amin. “Fundamentally, this data supports our analysis that decarbonisation of the global energy system can grow the global economy and create up to 28 million jobs in the sector by 2050.”

The solar PV industry remains the largest employer of all renewable energy technologies, accounting for close to 3.4 million jobs, up almost 9 per cent from 2016 following a record 94 gigawatts (GW) of installations in 2017. China was estimated to account for two-thirds of PV jobs – equivalent to 2.2 million – representing an expansion of 13 per cent over the previous year.

Despite a slight dip in Japan and the United States, the two countries followed China as the largest markets for solar PV employment in the world. India and Bangladesh complete a top five that accounts for around 90 per cent of global solar PV jobs.

Jobs in the wind industry contracted slightly last year to 1.15 million worldwide. While wind jobs are found in a relatively small number of countries, the degree of concentration is lower than in the solar PV sector. China accounts for 44 per cent of global wind employment, followed by Europe and North America with 30 and 10 per cent, respectively. Half of the top ten countries with the largest installed capacity of wind power in the world are European.

“The energy transformation narrative is one of improving economic opportunity and a rise in social wellbeing as countries implement supportive policies and attractive regulatory frameworks to fuel industrial growth and sustainable job creation,” said Dr. Rabia Ferroukhi, Head of IRENA’s Policy Unit and Deputy Director of Knowledge, Policy and Finance.

“By providing policy makers with this level of detail about the composition of renewable energy employment and skills requirements, countries can make informed decisions on several important national objectives, from education and training, to industrial policies and labour market regulations,” continued Dr. Ferroukhi. “Such considerations will support a fair and equitable transition to a renewables based energy system.”

Knowing When To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer

0

Personal injuries are far more common than most people could ever imagine, especially when you are an eco-activist. It could happen due to an accident, a fight or another traumatic event. If you’ve been injured and it wasn’t your fault, there is a good chance that you’re entitled to some form of payment. If you believe that this is the case, you should consider finding representation. A lawyer can help you get the money that you’re entitled to. So, when should you hire a personal injury lawyer? You’ll find out below.

Car Accidents

Car accidents are one of the most common injuries in the United States. If you’ve been the victim of a vehicle accident, you should not hesitate to get a lawyer as quickly as possible. In fact, it is recommended that you get a lawyer immediately after the accident. It is imperative to make sure that you do not go through a single step of the process without suitable representation. Remember that it is possible to hire an attorney on a contingency basis. Don’t wait or you may regret it in the future.

Insurance Matters

Despite paying a great deal for your insurance each and every month, there is still a good chance that the insurance company isn’t going to want to pay out. The insurance company owes you money. A lawyer will fight on your behalf and ensure that you’re able to get the money needed to cover your medical bills and the damage to your automobile. With a lawyer by your side, you can rest assured knowing that your claims will be paid within a reasonable period of time. In return, you’ll get your vehicle back up and running before you know it.

Try to get a lawyer immediately after you’ve left the emergency room. If you did not go to the hospital, you should call a lawyer as soon as you get home. Click here to learn more about personal injury lawyers.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice is far more common than you could ever imagine. If you believe that you have a malpractice claim, you’ll want to act as quickly as possible. There are specific state statutes that will require consumers to provide their doctor with notice within a reasonable amount of time. The amount of time you’re given depends on your location. Nevertheless, you should not delay. Medical malpractice cases can be incredibly lengthy and you’ll want to give your lawyer plenty of time to gather evidence. Get in touch with a lawyer as quickly as possible.

Certain mistakes doctors make can turn out to be fatal and you often can’t prove the extent of negligence without legal expertise. Families from all over the Golden State that lost a loved one are consulting this wrongful death lawyer in California to pursue accountability and secure justice for their loss. These cases require detailed investigations, medical expert testimony, and a deep understanding of the legal system. By working with experienced counsel, grieving families can focus on healing while their rights are protected.

Slips And Falls

There is a chance that you’re going to get injured when walking through a store or restaurant. The employees might not have wiped up the wet floor good enough. Or, they might not have put up a sign to warn you. If this is the result of your slip and fall, you should take action. The company in question may be responsible for your medical bills. Get in touch with a lawyer in your area and see whether or not they’re willing to help. If you have a case, you can guarantee that they’ll be willing to jump on board.

Maryland man knits postcards from the Middle East

Sam Barsky knitter

A middle-aged man with a yen for travel is documenting his wanderlust in wool, designing and crafting dozens of unusual sweaters which he proudly wears in the exact places that inspired them, posing for photographs that are endearing and bizarre.

Garlicky Roasted Cauliflower Vegan Recipe

0
spicy garlic roasted cauliflower
Cauliflower is enjoying a big trend among dieters and health-conscious eaters. That’s because the vegetable has almost no calories and almost no starch. And it has so many phytochemicals – biologically active plant compounds – that listing them all here would make you think you’re reading a leaflet from a multi-vitamin box.

Cauliflower is such a healthy vegetable because of its high levels of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Its high vitamin and mineral levels, especially vitamins K and C, are part of cauliflower’s health package that help fight off cancer, heart disease, diabetes, brain disorders, and other ailments. Anything that reduces or helps prevent inflammation is good, especially as we grow older.  And the fiber content certainly improves digestion. For another cauliflower recipe, one that includes broccoli, go here.

All very nice, but what about flavor?

I personally enjoy cauliflower steamed and served with a dribble of lemon butter, but when company comes over, I want to dress it up. Its characteristic flavor makes a good base for all kinds of seasonings. But if you’re tempted to cook cauliflower in a rich, cheesy sauce, remember that all that fatty goodness will undo most of the vegetable’s health benefits.

Here’s a healthier alternative, where cauliflower is seasoned and oven-roasted. It’s easy to make, and if you enjoy pungent garlic, you’ll like this recipe.

Garlicky Roasted Cauliflower
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 large head of cauliflower
A few of the smaller, tender leaves, cut up in pieces
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 large garlic cloves, chopped coarsely
1 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika – sweet or smoked
1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Feel free to increase any of the dry seasonings by 1/4-1/2 teaspoon, if you love extra spiciness.

Preheat the oven to 450°F – 220°.

Slice the cauliflower in half from the top down. Slice the halves into quarters, again from the top down.

Lay the quarters on their sides and slice off the core and remaining stalk in one long piece. Discard these tough pieces, or save them to flavor soup.

Separate the florets with your fingers.

Place the florets and leaves on a baking tray lined with parchment.

Toss the florets and leaves with the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice and dry seasonings until all are well coated.

Roast the cauliflower and leaves for 10 minutes, then move them around with a spatula or wooden spoon to ensure that they roast evenly. Resume cooking the florets until they’re golden and tender about 20 minutes altogether.

The leaves will be crunchy.

For even more nutrition, and to add Middle-Eastern flair, serve with tahini or yogurt.

 Photo by Sierravalleygirl via Flickr.

Feasible Energy With No Carbon Footprint: What Are Our Options?

0

There’s no doubt that the production of energy is something that mankind is heavily dependent upon. This is the main reason why fossil fuels have been so prevalent when it comes to the production of energy despite their obvious carbon footprint. Humanity’s continued efforts to produce energy has been leaving the planet in a worse and worse state, and while the planet is in no danger of truly suffering from the harmful effects of pollution and its ilk, we have no such luck.

wind energy Tubah

This is why it’s essential to find ways of producing renewable energy that won’t leave a carbon footprint behind, and in some ways, we’ve actually been quite successful. After all, this isn’t necessarily something that would benefit only the planet – it’s to make sure that we still have a clean and green environment when the times comes for our grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy the world we live in.

Starting with kinetic energy

For this list, we’re going to start with one of the more modern and revolutionary means of producing energy without a carbon footprint – kinetic energy. In a nutshell, this energy is produced through the movement of our own bodies – see this one designer who is taking power from our veins.

Energy Addicts, Naomi Kizhner, design, energy, kinetic energy, jewelry that harvests energy, clean tech, green design, Israeli design, industrial design

This honestly comes as a surprise when you consider that we haven’t thought to make use of it until recently. To show just how simple yet revolutionary this is, one of the simplest ways of gathering kinetic energy is through the installation of special sidewalks and pathways.

It’s almost mind-blowing how we didn’t think to do this a long time ago, considering the fact that sidewalks gather a great deal of energy throughout the day, every single day, as people simply walk on by.

It doesn’t stop at sidewalks either. In the same vein, the installation of dance floors is another great means of gathering kinetic energy. This is an incredible way of developing and producing renewable energy with barely anyone making an effort to do so. While it does take a good deal of movement to gather kinetic energy, it’ll be happening without any of us even knowing. And we’d be helping erase the carbon footprint bit by bit.

Making good use of hydropower

No matter where you live, there’s a very big chance that you have flowing water somewhere on your property. This is hydropower! Even if you don’t, you might have thought to add it simply for aesthetics’ sake.

However, what if you were told that this could be a great way of gathering energy? For example, utilising a wind turbine along with the constant flow of water in order to gather renewable energy for very little effort. With this kind of energy, you could be powering home appliances!

There’s a very good reason why many individuals and companies make use of hydropower as a source of energy production – because it’s easy and it’s clean. While it isn’t an obscure and newfound energy production source like kinetic energy might be, it’s still a surprise just how easily you could make use of it. You don’t have to be a powerful corporation after all; the only thing you need is a source of flowing water in order to make full use of it. Not only will it help you save money on electricity, it’ll also help reduce your carbon footprint.

Harnessing the wind

Windcatchers of Yazd

When it comes to making good use of hydropower, you’ll need a wind turbine to help gather the energy of flowing water.  Or go visit the windcatchers of Yazd. However, why do they call it a wind turbine to begin with? This is mainly due to the fact that its primary source of energy is supposed to be the wind. For individuals who happen to have very large estates, it’s more than possible to build large wind turbines and have them work like a charm with no other effort involved. After all, it’s using the power of the wind to move the turbines and generate energy.

If you have an estate large enough to place more than one large wind turbine, you won’t have to worry about paying for electricity anytime soon. As an added bonus, your carbon footprint will be reduced significantly, because wind is a renewable power source that is as clean as you can possibly get.

Solar power

We would be remiss not to talk about one of the most popular means of clean and renewable energy production; solar energy. Having gained traction and popularity over the years, you’ll find many homeowners who gather solar energy through panels that absorb the heat of the sun and transform it into usable energy to power home appliances. Even if you haven’t yet experienced how solar panels work, chances are you’ve at least owned a calculator that uses the power of the sun via a small panel to work. It’s become so popular that some homeowners have even replaced much of their roof with solar shingles, which is an excellent option for anyone who’s serious about harnessing solar energy to power their home.

While some might argue that solar power is an imperfect method because it’s only effective when the sun is out, solar panels have evolved over the years to make more out of less and less solar energy. This means that anyone who has enough panels and uses solar shingles on their roof could enjoy an entire night of free and renewable energy provided that the sun shines during the day.

To conclude, there are many different ways of gathering energy without necessarily raising your carbon footprint. As these methods grow more in popularity and technology continues to evolve to better harness them, perhaps it’s no stretch to say that we’ll eventually use these methods exclusively. This will no doubt lead to a much greener and healthier world to live in.

Best European car trips you can’t miss

0

Of course the train is best, but when you don’t have months to get around Europe, rent a car, and try to make it electric if you can! The ideas and itineraries suitable for a trip on board your car are not counted: you can leave for an adventure in the Alps, or travel the coastal cities of the Mediterranean, including ports, villages and naturalistic areas, or venture into the North Sea or long romantic routes between the castles and the countryside. Let’s see together which are the best European car trips you can’t miss.

Getting started for your car trips

Before start considering your next destination we are here to give you some advice related to the car rental. The holidayautos car hire could be the tool you need to learn about the available solutions and options for you so you can definitely save money and time. It is easy to use, absolutely convenient and totally customizable. You cannot miss it.

French Riviera for a scenic ride

The French Riviera is the ideal place for an exciting trip on the road by car: here are some of the most beautiful scenic roads in Europe. Wonderful is the Corniche de l’Esterel a stretch of highly scenic coastal road that develops around the Massif de l’Esterel, a relief of volcanic origin between the villages of Saint-Raphaël and Mandelieu -la-Napoule.

Romantische Strasse (“Romantic Road”) for an authentic complete German experience

This very impressive road crosses the heart of Germany and passes through green countryside, castles, and medieval villages. There are numerous points of interest worth a visit: the main cities include Füssen and Neuschwanstein Castle, Hohenschwangau Castle, Augsburg and more.

Atlanterhavsveien, or the famous “Road of the Atlantic” for astonishing views

Initially conceived as a railway route, the project then took shape in a very unusual road section. The road is 8 km long and is located near the cities of Kristiansund and Molde, in the north of Norway (500 km from Oslo), where it connects the island of Averøy to the mainland. It is a unique road route because it is built on islets and rocks, with raised streets, viaducts and eight bridges, the most famous of which is the Storseisundet bridge.

Switzerland for a natural mind-blowing experience

Switzerland is another ideal destination for a journey of freedom and adventure in Europe. In Switzerland, there is the Gran Tour Switzerland, a 1,600-kilometer circular route that winds its way through lakes, Alpine passes, UNESCO sites through 4 linguistic regions.

Portugal exploring the seaside and relaxing moments

For those who want to go a bit ‘more to the west, another area at the top for an exciting on the road by car is definitely Portugal. With 800 km of coastline and a predominantly flat territory, the country lends itself well to a comfortable car trip to combine with a visit to its most important cities and relaxing beach life.

These are the best European car trips you can’t miss. You can choose what’s the one itinerary that suits you more or, if you are brave enough, you can combine multiple little trips for a wider road trip all over Europe! Use your creativity and your thirst for travel and you will rock it!

NASA tech reveals invisible scripts written on the Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls are ancient handwritten fragments from every book of the Old Testament except for the Book of Esther. They are about 2,000 years old and were found by a Bedouin herdsmen in caves near the Dead Sea in the 1950s. The Dead Sea Scrolls have been called the greatest archaeological find of the 20th century.

Now using advanced imaging equipment, the Israel Antiquities Authority has discovered letters and text on fragments of parchment paper that were previously invisible to the naked eye. The new discovery adds pieces to the mysteries, and open new ones too.

Original Dead Sea manuscripts

The never before revealed fragments were shown today as part of the international conference – The Dead Sea Scrolls at Seventy. New fragments were discovered and identified from the Books of Deuteronomy, Leviticus and Jubilees -– scrolls that researchers are already familiar with.

During the 1950s archaeologists and Bedouin discovered the scrolls in caves near Qumran at the Dead Sea. Among the cache were tens of thousands of parchment and papyrus fragments written 2,000 years ago and belonging to approximately 1,000 different manuscripts.

Due to their small size and precarious physical state, some of these fragments were placed in boxes without being sorted or deciphered. Now they have been taken out and scanned. Read below for some of the messages.

New imaging technology (originally developed for NASA) used in the digitization project can identify script on some fragments. The identification of new letters and words provides new data for the study of the scrolls. One of the fragments may even indicate the existence of a previously unknown manuscript.

­

The new script was discovered by Oren Ableman (below) – a scroll researcher at the Dead Sea Scrolls Unit of the Israel Antiquities Authority and a PhD student at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He examined a few dozen fragments that were discovered in “Cave 11” near Qumran and was excited to discover traces of ink on many fragments that appeared blank to the naked eye.

Although only a few letters survived in these small fragments, sometimes this was enough to reconstruct the text. Still, due to the fragmentary nature of the evidence these reconstructions are not certain, but are highly likely.

Fragments of particular interest that provide new insights for the research of the Dead Sea Scrolls include the following:

  • A fragment belonging to the Temple Scroll, a text dealing with directions for conducting the services in the ideal Temple. In current scholarship there is a debate if there are two or three copies of the Temple Scroll found in Cave 11 near Qumran. The identification of the new fragment strengthens the theory that a manuscript given the number 11Q21 is indeed a third copy of this text from Cave 11.
  • In addition, a fragment has been identified as belonging to the Great Psalms Scroll (11Q5). The new fragment preserves part of the beginning of Psalm 147:1. The end of the same verse is preserved in a large fragment that was purchased and originally published by Yigal Yadin. The new fragment indicates that the text of Psalm 147:1 in this manuscript was slightly shorter than the Hebrew text commonly used nowadays.
  • Another fragment contains letters written in the ancient Hebrew script (paleo-Hebrew). This fragment could not be attributed to any one of the known manuscripts. This raises the possibility that it belonged to a still unknown manuscript.

The Arabian Sea’s Deadzone is Bigger than Florida, and it keeps growing

arabian sea deadzone

New research from the University of East Anglia has confirmed a dramatic decrease in oxygen in the Gulf of Oman part of the Arabian Sea. But the environmental disaster is worse than expected.

The ‘dead zone’ was confirmed by underwater robots called Seagliders – which were able to collect data in areas of water previously inaccessible due to the piracy and geopolitical tensions.

The robots are about the same size as a small human diver, but can reach depths of 1000 yards and travel the ocean for months, covering thousands of miles.

dead zone arabian sea

Two gliders were deployed in the Gulf of Oman for eight months. They communicated by satellite to build an underwater picture of oxygen levels, and the ocean mechanics that transport oxygen from one area to another. Where they expected some oxygen, they found an area larger than Florida or the country of Scotland with almost no oxygen left.

The research was led by Dr Bastien Queste from UEA’s School of Environmental Sciences, in collaboration with Oman’s Sultan Qaboos University.

Dr Queste said: “Dead zones are areas devoid of oxygen. In the ocean, these are also known as ‘oxygen minimum zones’ and they are naturally occurring between 200 and 800 meters deep in some parts of the world.

Disaster waiting to happen

“They are a disaster waiting to happen – made worse by climate change, as warmer waters hold less oxygen, and by fertiliser and sewage running off the land into the seas.

“The Arabian Sea is the largest and thickest dead zone in the world. But until now, no-one really knew how bad the situation was because piracy and conflicts in the area have made it too dangerous to collect data.

“We barely have any data collected for almost half a century because of how difficult it is to send ships there,” he says.

Pirates and kidnapping make it nearly impossible for researchers to want to go out and venture there. Some do like this group EcoOcean who run an eco-ship.

“Our research shows that the situation is actually worse than feared – and that the area of dead zone is vast and growing. The ocean is suffocating.

“Of course all fish, marine plants and other animals need oxygen, so they can’t survive there. It’s a real environmental problem, with dire consequences for humans too who rely on the oceans for food and employment.

“Another problem is that when oxygen is absent, the chemical cycling of nitrogen – a key nutrient for plant growth – changes dramatically. Nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than CO2 is produced,” he added.

Computer simulations of ocean oxygen show a decrease in oxygen over the next century and growing oxygen minimum zones. However these simulations have a difficult time representing small but very important features such as eddies which impact how oxygen is transported.

The team combined their Seaglider data with a very high-resolution computer simulation to determine how oxygen is spread around the north-western Arabian Sea throughout different seasons and the monsoons.

They found that the deadzone moves up and down between seasons, causing fish to be squeezed in a thin layer near the surface.

“Management of the fisheries and ecosystems of the western Indian Ocean over coming decades will depend on better understanding and forecasting of oxygen levels in key areas such as the Gulf of Oman,” added Dr Queste.

Wheelchair activist shows you how to dance against the odds!

0

When Vital Zinger was a baby, she was paralyzed by cancer. Today, Vital is a world champion dancer, a pioneer for accessibility, and a queen of wheelchair sport!

As an Israeli dancer and a disabled dancer who has won awards for her latin dance, she not only knows how to dance in a wheelchair and succeed in sports with her disability, she has the pride, determination and spirit to work past any adversity.

Vital has become an activist in Israel for wheelchair accessibility, achieving her first victory at her own high school when she was just 16 years old. She went on to be a lawyer and discovered a serious passion – and talent – for latin para dancing!

Now, Vital is a world champion wheelchair dancer, and has proved that with perseverance, you can transform any challenges into success.

She’s not the only one to dance through adversity. See the hero that helps Syrian children dance through their troubles, below.

Syrian dancer helps children through tears and rubble

 

17MW solar power project, the biggest PV project yet for Palestinians!

jericho solar energy project PV
This 1.5 MW solar PV project in Jericho was the largest solar energy installation in the West Bank, until now

We want to high five you whenever we hear news like this, news that trumps violence and despair: Two new large solar energy photovoltaic (PV)projects are being built in the West Bank with energy output totalling 17MW. The project is part of the Noor Palestine Program which is designed and implemented by the Palestine Investment Fund (PIF).

Msader for Energy Systems Co and ET Solutions International will build and oversee the solar energy installations.

With a total capacity of 17 Megawatts, the two projects will operate Jericho and Tubas by the end of 2018. These two PV plants will be connected to grid and to the Jerusalem Distribution Electricity Company and the Tubas Distribution Electricity Company. The two PV plants will cover the electricity needs of public facilities, factories, households and schools. Solar panels will be placed on top of the facilities.

Solar energy projects in Palestine have a strategic economic, social and political dimension, as they contribute to the creation of jobs for graduates and engineers working in the sector and also develop their skills. Also, electricity bills can be reduced by about 50% over the next 25 years.

Investing in such projects can also reduce the need to import electricity from the Israeli Government, which constitutes more than 80% of the electricity imported to Palestine. If the Palestinian Authority can produce its own power it can certainly be more proactive and stable in governing its future. And of course the issue of climate change and greenhouse gases is a meaningful one in the Middle East where temperatures are almost unlivable in some summer months.

israeli solar water heaters
Solar water heaters in Israel

Like Israel does, over half of all households in Palestine utilise solar energy heaters to heat their hot water. In Israel the tanks on the roofs are white, the West Bank they are black. The Jericho plant was commissioned in 2014, but it’s a tiny drop in the bucket to what is needed. Although a very high percentage of Palestinian houses are connected to the central grid, powering remote villages with smaller-scale photovoltaic systems (PV) would be much more feasible than extending the grid.

Comet ME solar energy panel

One of the local NGOs I know and have visited is Comet-ME, who along with the Dutch Government erected  solar/diesel hybrid systems in the Palestinian village of Jubbet ad-Dib. They are constantly in conflict over building permits but continue to educate and install solutions for solar and water to those that need them most.

 

The first Tesla 3 arrives in Morocco

tesla electric car morocco

The first Tesla 3 has arrived to Morocco thanks to a group of electric vehicle enthusiasts, the Tesla Club Morocco. One of the challenges, the biggest challenge, for any nation or individual looking to import electric cars is making sure there is constant and reliable access to electricity.

There are 3 older Tesla models circulating the nation, and enthusiasts there boast that 20 have visited from foreign countries like Portugal, Germany and Austria.

tesla electric car morocco

See the image above, and the Tesla 3’s first Moroccan test drive with Khalil, who has put in a significant amount of effort into organising the EV community in Morocco. He and a few other members of Tesla Club Morocco dug deep into their own pockets to install a $25,000 fast-charging station along the highway for public use.

They also purchased Tesla destination chargers to install for the public using their own money as the country is not supported in the destination charging programme. Funny thing is, he doesn’t even own a Tesla yet and is putting in more effort to advance the Tesla community than most people out there!

tesla electric car morocco

For more follow the Tesla Club Morocco for more.

5 Records that may be set at 2018 VGMAs – Ghana musical news

1

Ghana, African land grabs, Middle East, Nahtam, Abu Dhabi, organic farming, carbon offsets, climate change, global warming

Glitz and glamour will be the hallmark of the annual 2018 VGMAs scheduled for Saturday, April 24 at the Accra International Conference Center. News in Ghana report that it will be 19th edition of the event with the theme ‘Our Music beyond Borders.”

The VGMAs is one of the most prestigious events in the music industry that aims to honor, reward and identify key players for their outstanding works in the music year 2017/2018. Many have taunted it as the ‘Grammy’s’ of Ghana. We reflect on some of the awards that have been held in the 18 years organized by Charterhouse Ghana whose reign may come to an end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4NJfNiQVbvo

  1. Retention Artiste of the Year Award

The award is currently held by Joe Mettle who also broke the record for becoming the first Gospel musician to take home the award. It seems like history will repeat itself this year as he is also in the nomination list for the award. If Joe Mettle wins the award again, he will also hold the record of first artiste to retain the award.

  1. First posthumous winner

This is a new category introduced at the 2018 VGMAs. In the history of the event, there has not been a posthumous awardee. The favorite for the nominations will be the late Ebony Reigns who died in a tragic accident. This will add to her sixth nomination at the event.

  1. First Female Artiste of the Year

Gender inclusivity has become part of the award scheme as this year saw the opening of the award. The women in the music industry have really leveled the playing field to battle it out with their male counterparts.

All eyes will be on the late Ebony Reigns, who despite her death has really elevated the female musicians in the country. Despite other deserving female artistes nominated for the award, it will be a no-brainer that the late star will take home the first ever female award at the 2018 VGMAs.

  1. Most Awards won in a night

Stakes are running high to see who will break the record set by Highlife stalwart Ofori Amponsah in 2005 when he took home seven awards at the VGMAs. All eyes will be on veteran rapper Sarkodie to break the streak with nine nominations in different categories. All he has to do is add one more honor to beat the record.

  1. Artiste of the Year awards

Ever since the debut of the award at the VGMAs, only two artists have had the privilege to take home the award two times in a row. It will be multi-talented artist VIP who rebranded to VVIP who took the award in 2004 and 2011 versus rapper Sarkodie who bagged the award in 2010 and 2012. It will be interesting to see who of the two acts will be crowned three time winner of the award.

 

 

 

Penguins swim the Dead Sea and walk Israel’s desert?

0

penguins dead sea Israel Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary Activists dressed as penguins by the Dead Sea in Israel, asking for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary on Penguin Awareness Day 2018.

Of course animals don’t live in the Dead Sea, except for maybe a strange bacteria that can tolerate the high salinity and mineral content. If so what were penguins doing at the Dead Sea and in Israel’s desert? In fact you might have seen penguins exploring a city near year earlier this year or even today. The ruse is Greenpeace’s way to say wake up, people. We need to build a sanctuary in the Antarctic Ocean as ice caps start melting.

The two-legged walking about town started on Penguin Awareness Day 2018 (20 January, this year), where groups of penguins have been popping up in iconic locations around the world. Volunteers hope to build an international Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary –– a safe haven for penguins, whales and seals, putting the waters off-limits to the industrial fishing vessels sucking up the tiny shrimp-like krill which Antarctic life relies on.

The proposed reserve will be five times the size of Germany.

Related: Remember these lesbian penguins coming out at this Israeli zoo?

To help mark the occasion, Tel Aviv’s city hill lit up with the image of a penguin to mark Greenpeace’s Penguin Awareness Day back in January.

In a statement, the environmental group said the image displayed in lights on Tel Aviv’s city hall would be shared worldwide as part of its campaign for the creation of a nature reserve on Antarctica’s shores.The city halls’s lights are often used to show solidarity with different causes or following terror attacks around the world.

The benefits of an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary would be global. Healthy oceans sustain precious wildlife, help limit climate change and provide food security for billions of people.’

penguins Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary in Israel at the desert Activists dressed as penguins by the Dead Sea in Israel, asking for an Antarctic Ocean Sanctuary on Penguin Awareness Day 2018.

You can join the movement here, without having to put on a penguin costume (unless you want to).

المغاربة يبعثون رسالة الى العالم: تحرر من الوقود الأحفوري وانتقل الى الطاقة الشمسية

الدار البيضاء، ٢٩ نيسان ٢٠١٨: انضم اليوم مئات الأشخاص إلى لافتة غرينبيس البشرية على شكل الشمس تقول: “تحرر – طالب بالطاقة الشمسية”، مع المعلم مسجد الحسن الثاني في الخلفية في الدار البيضاء -المغرب.

أرسل المشاركون رسالة في اللغات الثلاث، العربية والإنجليزية والأمازيغية، تدعو قادة العالم ولاسيما قادة الشرق الأوسط وشمال أفريقيا إلى تسريع الانتقال إلى الطاقة المتجددة ووضع حد لعصر الوقود الأحفوري القذر.

قال جوليان جريصاتي، مسؤول حملات غرينبيس المتوسط في العالم العربي وشمال أفريقيا: “لقد اخترنا المغرب لأن لا يمكن الجدل في انه القائد العالمي في مجال الطاقة المتجددة، وبالتالي فهو البلد الذي نتوقع منه الأكثر!”

وأضاف جريصاتي “اكتشف العالم خلال مؤتمر الأمم المتحدة حول المناخ (كوب 22)  تفاني الشعب المغربي القوي في محاربة التغير المناخي. واليوم أظهروا مرة أخرى عزمهم الراسخ على رؤية عالم مدعوم بالطاقة المتجددة بنسبة 100٪ وتحررهم من قبضة الوقود الأحفوري القذر. “

وعلى الرغم من أن المغرب سجل إنجازات كبيرة في انتقاله نحو الطاقة المتجددة بفضل مشاريع الطاقة الشمسية والرياح الضخمة، إلا أن البلاد لا تزال متأخرة كثيراً عندما يتعلق الأمر بتوزيع الطاقة الشمسية. هناك حاجة لتعديل قانون الطاقة المتجددة الحالي (13-09) لجعله أقل إزعاجًا وبيروقراطيًا للأفراد لإمتلاك وبيع الطاقة المتجددة، وتطبيق القانون 58-15 الذي يتيح توصيل أنظمة الطاقة المتجددة الى الجهد المنخفض للشبكة.

وأضاف جريصاتي: “على صناع القرار في المغرب أن يضعوا تركيزهم في التغلب على العقبات التنظيمية والبنى التحتية والمالية التي تمنع الأسر المغربية من إنتاج وبيع الكهرباء من النظم الكهروضوئية”. “يجب أن تكون ملكية أنظمة الطاقة الشمسية متاحة لكل مواطن، ولدينا إيمان قوي بأن المغرب سيكون مثالاِ يحتذى به في هذا المجال!”

وختم جريصاتي: “لم يكن هذا اليوم ناجحاً دون جهود المئات من المتطوعين، وشركائنا من المنظمات غير الحكومية، بما في ذلك التحالف المغربي من أجل المناخ والتنمية المستدامة (AMCDD) والحكومة المحلية التي سهّلت التنظيم واللوجيستيات والتراخيص”.

وقد تم تنفيذ هذا النشاط بعد تقديم تدريب بعنوان “تحرك مع غرينبيس” للمتطوعين الشباب المغربيين وممثلي المنظمات غير الحكومية المحلية لتعزيز مهاراتهم في التواصل والتعبئة.

وهذان الحدثان هما جزء من الحراك العالمي Break Break، الذي يهدف إلى إنهاء عصر الوقود الأحفوري وبناء عصر مستدام يرتكز على الطاقة المتجددة. كما أنهما يندرجان تحت عمل غرينبيس في المغرب الذي يدعو إلى توفير الطاقة الشمسية اللامركزية للجميع.

يتمحور حراك “Break Free” منذ العام 2016 حول الناس وهو مدعوم بالتعبئة والعصيان المدني والمواجهة الخلاقة. الآلاف من الأشخاص من أكثر من 25 دولة يقودون التحركات التي تغير مسار الطاقة في عالمنا. ويهدف حراك Break Free إلى إلقاء الضوء وتسهيل وتضخيم وتعزيز المقاومة المستمرة من المجتمعات الأمامية في جميع أنحاء العالم من خلال خلق مليار عمل شجاع.