Page 28 – Green Prophet

Yaniv Levy’s Lifelong Quest to Protect Sea Turtles in a Time of War and Greed

Animals

-

May 22, 2025

A few weeks ago, I took my son Gabriel to the edge of the sand dunes in Michmoret, a peaceful pocket of the Israeli Mediterranean coast a half hour drive from Tel Aviv. We weren’t there to sunbathe or surf, but to meet a man who has dedicated his life to turtles—at first the ancient ones who still roam the Indian Ocean’s most sacred atoll and injured survivors stranded ashore in a Mediterranean Sea increasingly shaped by war, overfishing, plastics, and politics.

This is the story of Dr. Yaniv Levy, founder of Israel’s Sea Turtle Rescue Center—the world’s only government-supported turtle hospital and breeding center unlike any in the world. But to understand why his work matters, you have to go back nearly 30 years, to another coastline altogether: Aldabra Atoll, part of the Seychelles, one of the last untouched Edens left on Earth.

“My Heart Is Still There”

Photo of Yaniv Levy's photo on Aldabra with a tortoise — Photo of Yaniv Levy’s photo on Aldabra with a tortoise

Levy’s journey began in the mid-1990s. He was 26 and nursing invisible wounds and finding solace underwater—onboard a dive boat in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. For three years he lived and worked on the boat, as a deck-hand, first mate and a dive instructor and guide, spending many months navigating between remote islands of the Seychelles, mainly in Assomption Island and the Aldabra Atoll.

A photo from Aldabra Atoll taken by Yaniv Levy

Aldabra is no ordinary coral ring island. Home to giant tortoises, flightless rails, sacred ibis, and staggering numbers of green and hawksbill turtles, it is so pristine that boats are prohibited from entering its lagoon, and a 40 km radius around it. Access comes only through Assomption Island, a now-threatened outpost with a tiny airstrip, where wealthy tourists fly from Mahe before sailing two hours to what Levy calls “holy land.”

“I kissed the ground,” he recalls. “It is one of the most untouched places in the world… maybe one of the five last places of Eden.”

But Eden is under siege.

sea turtle rescue, turtle hospital, marine animal rehabilitation, plastic pollution, Mediterranean Sea turtles, endangered species, Yaniv Levy turtle rescue, Israel marine conservation, wildlife hospital, turtle conservation, marine biology research, ocean plastics, sea turtle rehabilitation, turtle entanglement, turtle rescue center, animal hospital, marine wildlife rescue, turtle recovery, plastic-free oceans, turtle tracking, eco tourism Israel, sea turtle sanctuary, ocean pollution, climate impact on turtles, wildlife vet, stranded turtles, marine life protection, sea turtle release, sustainable oceans, Seychelles turtle research, Aldabra turtles, turtle conservation Seychelles, Indian Ocean turtles, nesting beaches, wildlife protection, coral reef ecosystem, marine ecology, green turtle, loggerhead turtle, turtle tagging, animal rescue — Yaniv Levi Sketches of Aldabra Atoll when he worked there for 2 years in the mid-90s

Rare birds Yaniv Levy photographed on Aldabra

Today, Qatari developers with alleged terror-funding links are eyeing Assomption for luxury tourism, a move Levy fears will devastate Aldabra by turning its logistical lifeline into a backdoor for exploitation. Green Prophet was contacted by the developer’s PR company but they have not returned with any answers to our questions. It’s been 2 weeks.

“They will kill Aldabra. No questions asked,” says Levy. “It is one of the most preserved areas of the world.”

“You Are a Scientist”

While in the Seychelles, Levy met Roselle Chapman, a British biologist who would become both his mentor and his love. It was she—and her supervisor, the renowned Seychelles-based turtle researcher Dr. Jeanne Mortimer—who first taught him to track, study, and live among turtles.

“She looked at my maps, my drawings, my charts… and said, ‘You are a researcher.’ That changed my life.”

Levy would spend up to 10 days at a time on Aldabra, and over all every visit for two to three months. Sleeping on the boat or near nesting beaches, diving with manta rays and sharks. He remembers it as “the best diving I ever had.”

His dates with Chapman? “They were at turtle nesting sites.”

Injured green sea turtle resting in a saltwater rehabilitation tank at Yaniv's turtle hospital in Israel — A map into the Aldabra Atoll. The turtle nesting sites are marked in a strip of black dots on the top-middle left

From Paradise Lost to Hospital Founder

The boat company in the Seychelles went bankrupt–– the original plan was sailing to Micronesia with a documentary crew with only a brief stopover for drydock and maintenance before heading to Micronesia. He found himself in Ashkelon, Israel and started his Marine Biology undergrad degree in Michmoret as Roselle predicted he should, and then, a turtle washed up.

“It was a loggerhead with a hook deep in its throat,” he recalls. A vet removed the necrotic tissue, and Levy—now reporting the case to the authorities as required by law—caught the attention of Ze’ev Kulur, Israel’s chief turtle biologist on behalf of the National Nature and Parks Authority at the time.

He saved the turtle.

After demonstrating his experience in Israel and on Aldabra, Levy was encouraged to launch a formal turtle rescue initiative. In 1999, he founded what would become the only government-supported turtle hospital in the world—a marine rehabilitation facility with research credentials, surgical suites, and even prosthetic limbs and buoyancy stabilizers designed in-house.

“They are lifers,” Levy says of his breeding turtles, about 30 of them in a large pool swimming together. “They’ve only lived in captivity. I don’t believe they can adapt to live in the wild, but their being here in captivity is with a cause for their whole population, they will reproduce and their hatchlings will return to sea and revive the almost extinct population.”

His 30 baby turtle “children”, now over 20 years old, are given names like Moana, Stitch, and Pocahontas. “I call my human kids my second batch,” he says.

Sea Turtles Have No Borders

Levy has treated over 2,000 sea turtles from Israel, Gaza, and beyond. He sees victims of boat strikes, plastic entanglement, and most disturbingly, war and fishing trauma.

The bags get shredded at sea and the sea turtles get caught in them. — Plastic feed bags originating from Greece, Russia, Europe are tossed into the sea and become confusing “reeds” that turtles get tangled in. The feed bags are thrown overboard at sea when live animals are being shipped live for slaughter. The bags get shredded at sea and the sea turtles get caught in them thinking they are nesting sites.

“The booms and the bangs… the turtles suffer,” he says. Explosions in Egypt’s Bardawil Lake, where fishermen still use blast fishing, are particularly devastating. “Soft tissue trauma, inner ear injuries. Shockwave trauma.”

He’s tracked turtles rehabilitated in Michmoret—16 tagged individuals—and most of them returned to these dangerous waters. He’s also seen evidence of dynamite fishing in Lebanon, confirming earlier reports by Green Prophet.

In countries nearby, suspicious people sometimes trap or catch birds, turtles and animals tagged by Israel, calling them spies of the Mossad. They are often, sadly, killed.

According to Levy, turtle injuries are not always visible. Some are so weak they can no longer float or dive. For these cases, Levy has invented floating slings that suspend turtles partially in water, allowing them to heal without exhausting themselves.

Plastic straws, he says, are a red herring. “The real problem is the polypropylene feed sacks—20kg bags used in livestock farming. Turtles get caught in them and lose fins and many die. That straw video from Costa Rica? It’s not really true about the straws, and maybe he tried the best he could, but what’s killing turtles at sea is something else, Levy tells Green Prophet.

He’s written research papers on this phenomenon, citing feed bags for livestock from Eastern European countries that have made it to the sea.

A Message from Eden

Levy’s work is both clinical and spiritual. A veterinarian scientist with a PhD, he’s published research on turtle rehabilitation and consults globally on marine conservation. But when asked about fear—of being alone on Aldabra, for instance—his answer is revealing:

“I’m more afraid of people than of animals.”

Yaniv Levi looks into his turtle rehab pools. Each one holds a turtle. Temperatures are kept constant and the pools monitored by the minute

Though his collaboration with Gaza has decreased—some residents now eat turtles out of protein desperation—he emphasizes empathy. “I don’t judge. I understand.”

He also stresses the regional unity among turtle workers. “Despite the conflict, we work with our Arab neighbors. People who work with turtles are… cool.”

The Israel Sea Turtle Rescue Center will open its breeding program to the public in September, offering hands-on education for children and adults. More than 600 volunteers already help guard nesting sites, relocate eggs to hatcheries, and release baby turtles back to sea.

“This is not just conservation,” Levy says. “It’s about showing that turtles have no borders.”

Assomption Island may seem far away—just a dot on a maritime chart near Mahe—but its fate is linked to our own. The ecological encroachment by luxury developers and the silent suffering of sea turtles in war zones should alarm anyone who cares about nature’s last strongholds.

Sign up for hatching tours and more at the Israel Sea Turtle Rescue Center.

? Learn more: Israel Sea Turtle Rescue Center
? Related: Green Prophet on Seychelles island development threatens Aldabra Atoll
? Take Action: Stop development at Assomption Island. Support the campaign at friendsofaldabra.org

A Solar-Powered Device Pulls Drinking Water from Desert Air

Peace

Bhok Thompson

-

May 22, 2025

0

A Solar-Powered Device Pulls Drinking Water from Desert Air

In one of the driest places on Earth — Chile’s Atacama Desert — a team of scientists has successfully harvested clean drinking water using nothing but sunlight and a novel sponge-like material. The breakthrough could revolutionize water access for arid regions around the globe.

The device relies on a spongy hydrogel that acts like a water magnet. During the cool, humid nights, the gel absorbs moisture from the air. Then, as the desert sun rises, solar energy heats the gel, causing it to release the trapped moisture. The evaporated water condenses on a surface and can be collected — clean, drinkable, and entirely off-grid.

Even in the Atacama — where some regions see less than 1 mm of rain annually — the system was able to produce 0.6 liters of water per square meter per day. Over time, that could be enough to provide a meaningful supply of water for households or farms without requiring electricity or plumbing.

The prototype system is low-maintenance and scalable, with projected costs of around $150 per square meter of solar panel. And with an estimated lifespan of 20 years, the technology offers a potentially affordable solution for communities facing chronic water shortages.

While not yet ready for mass deployment, the project highlights how combining simple materials with renewable energy can unlock vital resources from the air itself — even in the harshest environments on Earth.

Monkey kidnapping? Capuchins Are Abducting Baby Howler Monkeys—and It’s Spreading Like a Fad

Animals

Bhok Thompson

-

May 22, 2025

0

Monkey kidnapping? Capuchins Are Abducting Baby Howler Monkeys—and It’s Spreading Like a Fad

Young male capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus imitator) have been observed ‘kidnapping’ infant howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata coibensis) in Panama. Behavioral ecologist and co-author Zoë Goldsborough said it was “shocking” to discover scenes of capuchins carrying baby howlers in footage captured on camera traps.

On Jicarón Island, part of Panama’s Coiba National Park, white-faced capuchin monkeys are known for something remarkable: they use stone tools to crack nuts and shellfish—a rare behavior among wild primates. But in 2022, researchers monitoring the monkeys’ tool use discovered something even more unusual: capuchins carrying infant howler monkeys on their backs.

The discovery was made by Zoë Goldsborough, a doctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, while reviewing motion-triggered camera footage from the island. “It was so weird that I went straight to my advisor’s office,” she said. That advisor, Dr. Brendan Barrett, and his team began reconstructing the event using months of camera trap data.

What they found was startling. Over a 15-month period, five subadult male capuchins were filmed carrying 11 different infant howler monkeys for days at a time. The footage shows the monkeys moving through the forest with howler babies clinging to their backs or bellies, even while using tools.

In a well-known case from 2006, a pair of capuchins adopted a baby marmoset and succeeded in raising it into adulthood. But there was a problem with this interpretation: animal adoption is almost always carried out by females, who presumably do it to practice “caring” for infants. “The fact that a male was the exclusive carrier of these babies was an important piece of the puzzle,” she said.

Related: Why are orcas sinking boats?

Most of the early cases involved a single male, dubbed “Joker,” who carried at least four different howler infants. While cross-species adoption has been documented before, it is typically done by females and often linked to maternal practice. Here, only young males carried the infants—an anomaly in the animal kingdom.

Initially considered a one-off, the behavior re-emerged months later and spread to other young males in the group. The researchers describe it as a socially transmitted tradition, comparable to other non-functional cultural behaviors observed in animals, like chimpanzees wearing grass in their ears or orcas balancing dead salmon on their heads as “salmon hats”.

But unlike playful gestures, this behavior comes at a cost—at least for the howlers. The infants, likely no older than four weeks, appear to have been forcibly taken from their mothers, who were recorded nearby calling out. Despite no observed violence, the capuchins couldn’t provide the milk necessary for the babies to survive. Four of the 11 are known to have died. None are believed to have survived.

Cameras captured five different males carrying 11 howler babies over the course of 15 months.© MPI of Animal Behavior/ Brendan Barrett — Cameras captured five different males carrying 11 howler babies over the course of 15 months.
© MPI of Animal Behavior/ Brendan Barrett

“There was no clear benefit to the capuchins,” Goldsborough said. “They weren’t playing with them. They weren’t gaining attention from their peers. It might even have made tool use more cumbersome.”

So what drove it? According to Dr. Meg Crofoot, managing director of the institute, the behavior may stem from the capuchins’ unusually easy lifestyle. With no predators and few food competitors on the island, male capuchins may have ample time and cognitive space to invent—and share—novel behaviors. “This tradition shows us that necessity is not always the mother of invention,” she said. “Boredom might be enough.”

The study is the first documented case of a social tradition in which animals repeatedly abduct and carry infants of another species without any apparent gain. It challenges traditional assumptions about the evolution of culture in animals and raises difficult ethical questions.

If the behavior spreads beyond this group or begins to affect the local howler population—already endangered on Jicarón—it could pose a conservation risk. The camera trapping study ended in mid-2023, and data is still being analyzed to determine whether the behavior has persisted or spread.

“It left a profound impression on all of us,” said Crofoot. “It’s a sobering reminder that animal culture, like human culture, can evolve in ways that are unpredictable—and even destructive.”

Trump Lifts Ban on $5 Billion Empire Wind Project—Why Offshore Wind Is Back, and What We Learned from Ivanpah’s Collapse

Energy

Julie Steinbeck

-

May 22, 2025

0

In a dramatic reversal, President Donald Trump has lifted a federal stop-work order on the $5 billion Empire Wind project off the coast of New York, reigniting one of America’s most ambitious offshore wind energy developments. The move comes just weeks after the Department of the Interior froze the project, citing concerns about marine life from a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) report.

Equinor, the Norwegian energy firm behind Empire Wind, confirmed construction will now resume. With 30 percent of the offshore infrastructure already in place and weekly suspension costs exceeding $50 million, the restart comes as a lifeline—not just for the company, but for New York’s clean energy goals.

Governor Kathy Hochul praised the decision, noting it will immediately restore roughly 1,500 union jobs.

“I want to thank President Trump for his willingness to work with me to save the 1,500 good paying union jobs that were on the line and helping get this essential project back on track,” she said in a statement.

Equinor CEO Anders Opedal echoed the sentiment, calling the decision a victory for both workers and long-term U.S. energy investment.

“This solution saves thousands of American jobs and provides for continued investments in energy infrastructure in the U.S.,” said Opedal.

Offshore Wind at a Crossroads

The resurrection of Empire Wind is more than a political gesture—it’s a crucial inflection point for America’s renewable energy transition. The U.S. currently has four major offshore wind farms under construction: Empire Wind, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, Sunrise Wind, and Revolution Wind. Together, they represent the core of the Biden-era goal of reaching 30 gigawatts of offshore capacity by 2030.

But that vision has faltered. Soaring costs, regulatory whiplash, and supply chain constraints have slowed development. Many in the energy sector feared that the sudden halt of Empire Wind might signal the unraveling of confidence in offshore projects.

Now, the reboot signals that—at least for now—offshore wind remains a national priority, even under an administration often skeptical of renewables.

A Lesson from the Desert: What Happened to Ivanpah

The Empire Wind revival also reopens another conversation: what happens when green megaprojects collapse? For that, look to Ivanpah, the $2.2 billion solar thermal plant in California’s Mojave Desert that once symbolized the promise of utility-scale renewable power.

Ivanpah, CSP plant — Ivanpah was propped up by government grants. Was there oversight?

Today, Ivanpah is effectively defunct—its towers still standing, but its output and relevance fading into obsolescence. Speaking to Green Prophet in 2024, Moshe Luz, one of Ivanpah’s former lead engineers, described how the project was doomed not by a lack of vision, but by poor policy support, unpredictable regulation, and a technology that was rapidly overtaken by more efficient solar PV systems.

“We built something beautiful and huge, but we didn’t build a future-proof system,” Luz told us. “When support dried up and expectations shifted, the project couldn’t adapt fast enough.”

That collapse serves as a cautionary tale. Empire Wind, and projects like it, depend not only on federal approval but on long-term political and public backing. The stakes aren’t just ecological—they’re economic, cultural, and structural.

What’s Next?
Equinor now faces a race to mitigate delays. The company said it will work closely with regulators and suppliers—including turbine-maker Vestas—to get the timeline back on track. The project, once operational, will generate up to 2 gigawatts of clean electricity—enough to power over a million homes in New York.

But the long-term success of offshore wind in the U.S. hinges on something more elusive than turbines or transmission lines: policy coherence. Inconsistency kills momentum. And unlike Ivanpah, the offshore wind industry still has a chance to deliver on its early promise—if political winds don’t shift again.

For deeper stories on the climate, technology, and energy transitions reshaping our world, follow Green Prophet.

Medical Cannabis Offers Chronic Pain Relief Without Sacrificing Mental Clarity, Study Finds

Health

Bhok Thompson

-

May 22, 2025

0

A growing number of chronic pain patients are turning to medical cannabis—and finding relief without the mental fog that often comes with traditional painkillers, according to a new peer-reviewed study published in Cureus.

The research, conducted by the Rothman Institute Foundation for Opioid Research & Education, examined how people living with chronic musculoskeletal pain are using cannabis, what benefits they’re experiencing, and whether long-term use affects cognitive function.

“Over 80% of participants reported that medical cannabis helped manage their pain,” said Dr. Mohammad Khak, co-author of the study and researcher at the Rothman Institute. “Many also noted improvements in sleep and anxiety, indicating cannabis could provide broader symptom relief than typical pain medications.”

Importantly, 40% of those surveyed reduced their use of traditional analgesics after starting cannabis—some even scaled back their opioid use.

“This suggests cannabis might be a safer alternative or complement to conventional pain management, especially in light of the ongoing opioid epidemic,” said Dr. Ari Greis, senior author of the study and assistant professor at Drexel University College of Medicine.

Patients used cannabis in a variety of forms, including oils, vaporizers, and smoked flower. Most had tried conventional treatments without success, turning to cannabis as a last resort when pain became unmanageable. Still, only about 25% of users received a physician’s recommendation, pointing to ongoing challenges in medical cannabis access and acceptance.

“This study underscores barriers such as a lack of physician training, complex regulations, and persistent stigma,” added Dr. Khak.

The study also explored concerns over cognitive side effects. While some patients experienced mild symptoms like dry mouth or fatigue, most reported no serious cognitive impairment—suggesting that medical cannabis can often be used without affecting mental sharpness.

Researchers stressed that while patient-reported outcomes are promising, larger clinical trials are essential to confirm the long-term safety and effectiveness of medical cannabis for chronic musculoskeletal pain. They also called for improved education for healthcare providers and more streamlined regulations to help guide responsible cannabis use in pain treatment.

The Rising Threat of Woven Plastic Sacks to Eastern Mediterranean Sea Turtles

Animals

Karin Kloosterman

-

May 22, 2025

0

sea turtle rescue, Yaniv Levy, Israel Sea Turtle Rescue Center, sea turtles Mediterranean, loggerhead turtle entanglement, green sea turtle plastic, Caretta caretta, Chelonia mydas, polypropylene sacks pollution, marine animal rehabilitation, turtle growth rates, plastic pollution turtles, epipelagic phase turtles, turtle hospital Israel, marine conservation Israel, turtle amputation recovery, Mediterranean plastic debris, juvenile sea turtle threats, floating plastic hazards, turtle rescue Michmoret, Israeli marine biology, sea turtle entanglement, plastic feed bags marine, turtle strandings Israel — Sea turtle caught in a plastic feed sack, by Yaniv Levi

Commonly used for livestock feed—woven sacks act like floating death traps, snaring turtles by the neck or limbs

In a groundbreaking study published in Marine Science, researchers from Israel’s Sea Turtle Rescue Center (ISTRC), the University of Haifa, and Ruppin Academic Center present the first high-resolution monthly growth data for sea turtles in the eastern Mediterranean—and uncover a deadly new threat: entanglement in polypropylene (PP) sacks.

This study, authored by Shir Sassoon, Yair Suari, and Dr. Yaniv Levy, focuses on the “epipelagic phase”—the early life stage of sea turtles when hatchlings drift passively in open water. While most conservation efforts target nesting beaches, this study shifts attention offshore, where plastic pollution silently kills juvenile turtles long before they reach maturity.

Turtle ‘Lost Years’ Finally Found

Sea turtles spend up to a decade adrift in the open sea, a period known to scientists as the “lost years” due to limited data. Using over two decades of rescue records (1999–2020), the team compiled length data from 577 young turtles—both loggerhead (Caretta caretta) and green (Chelonia mydas)—to track monthly growth for the first time in this region.

Findings show that loggerhead turtles grow at an average of 0.76 cm per month during their first 19 months of life, while green turtles grow faster—0.92 cm per month over the first 11 months. These growth rates mirror those found in other parts of the Mediterranean but fill critical knowledge gaps, particularly for green turtles during this early life stage.

Seasonal fluctuations in growth were also observed, with reduced rates in winter months, highlighting the sensitivity of juvenile turtles to environmental conditions.

Polypropylene: A Lethal Trap

But the most shocking discovery wasn’t about how turtles grow—it was about how they’re dying.

Out of 324 injured epipelagic phase turtles treated at the ISTRC, nearly half (48%) were entangled in woven polypropylene sacks. These sacks—commonly used for livestock feed—act like floating death traps, snaring turtles by the neck or limbs. Many were so severely injured that they required amputations; 12% died from their injuries.

Loggerhead turtles were most affected, particularly during the summer months. Between 2008 and 2020, PP sack entanglements surged from just 20% to 75% of all epipelagic injury cases. The number of incidents jumped significantly after 2017, suggesting a new pattern in maritime waste disposal.

These sacks are strong, lightweight, and slow to degrade—perfect for transport, devastating for marine life. When researchers traced the logos on the sacks, they found origins from as far as Romania, Russia, and Greece, mostly linked to livestock shipping.

“The threads unravel and act like tourniquets,” says Dr. Yaniv Levy, director of ISTRC. “We see turtles arrive unable to swim, starved, and in pain. Many suffer limb loss or systemic infections.”

Floating sacks may mimic natural cover like Sargassum seaweed, attracting juvenile turtles who use them as shelter. Once entangled, turtles often cannot free themselves.

ISTRC is uniquely positioned to collect long-term health and injury data. Their clinical records have helped transform the hospital into a research center that informs both policy and turtle care. Turtles are triaged with CT scans, blood tests, and X-rays, and their rehabilitation includes custom slings, IVs, and even prosthetics.

Rehabilitated turtles are typically released after two months of care, but the team notes that many never reach land for rescue. The actual impact is likely far greater than reported.

Policy Implications

The study urges international regulation on maritime waste, especially from livestock carriers. The team tracked suspect ships using Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), identifying several that sail regularly through Israeli waters but do not dock—making legal accountability difficult. There is a natural current that causes plastic sacks tossed illegally off the ship into the sea, to end up on the Levantine shores where they entangle juvenile turtles. Some plastics are believed to be dumped close to show where they blow into the sea.

A proposed bill in the Israeli Knesset calls for an end to live animal shipments, which would reduce sack and marine waste dramatically. It would also reduce undue animal suffering while being shipped for slaughter while alive at sea. Meanwhile, the study suggests declaring protected marine zones and enhancing multinational enforcement to curb this specific pollutant.

The epipelagic phase is one of the most vulnerable life stages for sea turtles. And while global conservation has made strides in nesting beach protection, this study shows that the open sea remains a lawless frontier.

If you live near a marine environment and find a turtle entangled in plastics, it’s important not to remove it without a veterinarian, says Levy. The plastic can cause reduced blood flow and necrotic tissue and removing it puts poisoned blood into the turtle. The turtle above explains what a vet needs to do to treat the turtle. First a round of antibiotics.

The problem with turtles is feed sacks, not plastic straws, Levy emphasizes.

“Plastic pollution regulations must be extended to pelagic zones,” the authors write in the paper. “We need international collaboration and enforcement—not just for turtles, but for the oceans.”

As Dr. Levy notes, these early-stage turtles are not just victims—they’re indicators. “They’re telling us where our waste ends up, and how fast we need to act.”

A museum for Middle East soil

Sustainable

Karin Kloosterman

-

May 21, 2025

0

If you think of the Middle East, sand, not soil comes to mind. But the complex ecosystem which includes Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Iraq, Iran and the United Arab Emirates has a rich soil tradition, the Levant especially as it is once considered the bread basket of the planet, and it’s where emmer wheat was first cultivated.

Now the United Arab Emirates has declared they will build a soil museum of the Middle East. Like seed banks, dispersed in underground vaults and fridges throughout the world, a soil bank can help us know more about the complex and rich ecosystems of the east.

Designed to promote soil conservation and responsible resource management in arid environments, the guide will serve as a blueprint for institutions across the region. Backed by ADFD funding, the guide will be transformed into a practical training and capacity-building programme featuring technical workshops and scientific mentoring. ICBA will lead the technical delivery, drawing on its expertise in sustainable agriculture and its success in launching and operating the Emirates Soil Museum.

The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD) and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) will fund and develop the Middle East and North Africa’s first comprehensive guide for establishing and operating soil museums.

Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of ADFD, said: “This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and knowledge partnerships. We believe science-backed solutions like this museum guide can shape regional resilience and inform effective policies for generations to come.”

Four years on, the Emirates Soil Museum has carved out a reputation for itself as a go-to place of learning about environmental protection and sustainable development in the UAE and beyond.

The agreement also outlines the organization of an international scientific symposium on 5 December 2025 to coincide with World Soil Day, with the participation of over 200 experts, researchers, and decision-makers from around the world to discuss soil, salinity, and climate change issues in arid regions.

Established in December 2016 with support from ADFD, Emirates Soil Museum is the first specialized soil museum in the region. Located at ICBA’s headquarters in Dubai, the museum aims to raise awareness about the role of soil in the environment, agriculture, and food security, while showcasing the diversity of soil types in the UAE.

Since its launch, the museum has welcomed more than 13,500 visitors from various sectors of society and has become a reference center for environmental awareness and non-traditional education. Time for a wider understanding of soil and how it sustains life.

::Emirates Soil Museum

The Role of Asset Management in Public Sector Efficiency

Business

Bhok Thompson

-

May 21, 2025

0

Innovation Africa — If you are running an impact charity or a small impact solar energy business, you need to know all the ins and outs of government compliance when you get those grants

Managing the efficient use of resources is one of the major challenges public organizations face. Asset management is key to improving operational efficiency. Asset management enables public entities to employ the benefits from the effective use of their resources/assets to make better use of the resources/assets, lower costs, and improve service delivery. This post is about the role of asset management in the efficiency of the public sector.

What is Asset Management

In short, asset management is the systematic process of developing, operating, maintaining, and disposing of assets most cost-effectively, not the most expensive manner. This includes infrastructure, facilities, vehicles, and technology, among other public sector resources. With a structured process in place and asset management software for government, public organizations can guarantee that these resources are put to the best possible use.

Better Use of Resources

Public entities facing the charge of meeting the needs of their communities need to be mindful of how they utilize resources. The process of asset management helps identify underutilized/surplus assets for reallocation/disposal. Not only does this provide free resources, but it also ensures that the free resources go where they are needed most. Example: facility utilization evaluation to repurpose or build a new facility

Reducing Operational Costs

Another advantage of proper asset management is cost reduction. Public organizations with properly maintained, long-term planned assets create less need for repairs and replacement activities. This can also be known as scheduled maintenance for the assets, as they will be functional and operational to function properly with maximum effect and avoid any sudden breakdown. This helps with budgeting and minimizes financial stress.

Improving Service Delivery

Public sector entities are established primarily for the efficient delivery of services to a community. The state of asset management is reflected in the quality and availability of these services. By managing your assets efficiently, you minimize the risk of service interruptions, which in turn leads to uninterrupted service delivery. A good example would be a fleet of vehicles that is routinely looked after and can reach and respond to the emergency services and public transportation sectors as soon as possible.

Supporting Strategic Planning

Asset management also provides information and data, which helps in strategic planning and decision-making. Using asset data, public organizations can predict future demand and plan their resources accordingly. This type of information helps with long-term planning so that infrastructure and resources adapt in line with community needs. Strategic asset management aligns resources with organizational goals, thereby boosting the overall efficiency of the resources.

Environmental Footprint and Sustainability

Public sector organizations are starting to focus on sustainability. This fosters environmental goals through effective asset management. Organizations that optimize resource use decrease waste and use less energy. Moreover, public entities invest in environmentally friendly technologies and infrastructure.

Technology and Innovation

Technology advancements in the public sector have significantly transformed asset management by streamlining operations, planning, and data handling. The integration of advanced tools has enhanced how assets are operated, managed, and improved. Modern software solutions now offer real-time data and insights, enabling more informed decision-making. Predictive maintenance, powered by these technologies, helps identify and address issues before they occur. Ultimately, innovation drives greater efficiency and effectiveness in public sector asset management.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite its many benefits, asset management faces its own problems. Public sector organizations are required to deal with financial constraints, expectations from stakeholders, and a lot of regulatory conditions. Creating a strategic asset management plan needs cross-departmental teamwork and good communication. It is equally important to train your staff and invest in technology to ensure that goals are met.

Conclusion

The primary role of asset management is to improve the efficiency level within the public sector, taking care of all the possible aspects. Public organizations that release resources, reduce expenditure, and increase service delivery can perform better for their locality. This is complemented by strategic planning, change management, and technology to help public sector organizations continue to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible. Adopting capital asset management is good for the organization and contributes to the well-being of the entire community.

Global Progress and Setbacks: Tracking Water Quality Indicators Toward SDG 6 by 2030

Water

Jane Marsh

-

May 19, 2025

0

The United Nations has 17 objectives that paint a more resource-conscious and fair world called the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The sixth mission is to “ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all” by 2030. The turn of the decade will happen before too long, so assessing progress and moments for improvement at this stage is critical. How is SDG 6 going, and what can humanity do to achieve it?

The Wins and Conditions

Years of governmental and humanitarian work have achieved massive wins for the planet since the goal’s inception. Here is how each pillar of this goal has changed between 2015 and 2022.

More Widespread Sanitation and Hygiene Services

Many nations have water availability, but no way to clean it for drinking and basic hygiene needs. It is why enhancing access to already clean water and sanitation technologies must occur simultaneously. Sanitation services rose from 49% to 57%, and hygiene services rose from 67% to 75%.

The positive movement is necessary, but it also needs to happen faster. Current accomplishments have given millions of people better sanitation while informing them of the best steps forward. For example, rural areas saw enhancements while urban regions are unaltered or have reduced water quality.

Increased Access to Drinking Water

Water scarcity plagues the planet, as the climate crisis causes reserves to run dry and rains to be infrequent. It impacts 785 million people globally but is becoming less common every year.

Dependability is uncertain, so restoring access is essential for an equitable world. In these years, access to safe drinking water rose from 69% to 73%. The positive trend influences the goal because it shows the power of collaboration, but the future needs work to occur six times faster than this rate to meet the target.

Better Water Efficiency

Resource use efficiency is an aspect of this goal because it lowers global water stress levels. It dictates how much freshwater is available versus how many renewable resources can compensate for demand. The worldwide average was at a safe range in 2020 because of optimizations in agriculture and industry. Small adjustments like investing in low-flow fixtures and water recycling technologies make a monumental difference.

However, the progress also shows that the average hides regional differences, as countries in southern Asia and northern Africa see unprecedented levels of water stress.

The Setbacks and Improvement Areas

Algaeing makes a clean, natural dye that looks like midnight and it's based on algae — Algaeing makes a clean, natural dye that doesn’t pollute waterways

As valuable as the wins are for giving clean and plentiful water to nations, many are not on track to meet 2030 expectations. Several obstacles hinder progress, and knowing what they are and how they influence SDG 6’s trajectory is crucial for discovering solutions.

Robust advocacy networks to increase urgency for these issues are vital for getting as close as possible. These are the setbacks activists, governments and citizens can work on together.

Decline in Official Development Assistance

Investments are the lifeblood of most infrastructure development and water access expansion. Funding for these projects has slowed between 2015 and 2021, declining from $9.6 to $8.1 billion.

Private and public stakeholder interests have changed everywhere for many reasons, whether geopolitically or socioculturally influenced. Regardless, advocates and legislators must establish programs and convince investors to reach peak commitment.

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Is Rare

IWRM is a methodology that balances commercial and industrial water use with the needs of the citizens. It ensures there are enough resources to go around while paying attention to the impacts usage has on ecosystems and the future of sustainable development. Implementation rose to 57% in 2023, but the goal is 91% by 2030.

Companies using the most resources can catalyze change by budgeting for more holistic water management systems. Many could wait until it is mandatory through regulatory power, but organizations must act while they wait for more standardization.

Water Quality Is Declining

In the U.S., around 40% of its water does not meet the standards of the Clean Water Act, which is the primary framework for regulatory influence. Many of the world’s low-quality reserves demonstrate a greater need for monitoring technologies and even better sanitation density.

The reality should inspire collaborative efforts to share advanced technologies, like the Internet of Things, to let nations collect more data about what impacts their water. Increasing awareness of specific pollutants informs targeted treatment needs.

Adverse Actions Against Water Protections

Many private, public and governmental choices are hurting essential natural water features and resources. They need elevated protections to achieve SDG 6. For example, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty, which influences accessibility to people in Pakistan.

Global wetlands are also under threat in many nations, with many in desperate need of restoration and care. Mangroves, marshes and other ecosystems are critical for filtering water while serving as essential carbon sinks. These processes have a lasting impact on neighboring communities and habitats by boosting soil quality. This helps industries like agriculture conserve water, as the soil is better at absorbing it to achieve better growth cycles.

Activities like this must receive opposition from legislators and citizens alike. Otherwise, they will continue to happen. Neglecting water protection is one of the most widespread negative influences on SDG 6, as it culminates in many actions.

Ensuring Water and Sanitation for All

The progress and setbacks bring equal hope to this objective. Every win is a celebration, which sustains momentum until humanity hits its 2030 goal. Simultaneously, each shortcoming will inspire greater action and innovation. Current projections prove progress is slow in 2025, but accelerating efforts and boosting funding for related projects could get it there despite potential barriers.

Korea’s New Plastic Eats Itself in the Ocean—Without Losing Its Strength

Green Tech and Gadgets

Karin Kloosterman

-

May 19, 2025

0

Korean team develops biodegradable plastics

Nylon’s dirty little secret? It sticks around. From fishing nets to yoga pants, nylon takes decades to degrade—especially in oceans—choking marine life and clogging ecosystems. But a Korean research team has just pulled off a sustainability moonshot: a new polyester-amide (PEA) plastic that acts like nylon, but disappears like magic—breaking down 92% in real ocean water within a year.

Developed by a powerhouse team from KRICT, Inha University, and Sogang University, the new PEA is built for the real world: flexible, strong, heat-resistant, and ready for mass production. You can iron it at 150°C, use it to lift 10 kg, and make everything from fishing nets to food wrap—and then let it quietly decompose when it’s done.

What makes this different from the “biodegradable” hype you’ve heard before? Most so-called green plastics fall apart too soon or not at all. PLA, for example, barely degrades in marine water (0.1%). The new PEA? 92.1%. That’s not a typo.

And it’s not just smart science—it’s smart supply chain. The polymer is made using castor oil (a non-edible crop) and recycled nylon waste, slashing carbon emissions to about one-third that of virgin nylon 6. No toxic solvents required, and it can be cooked up in standard polyester factories with just minor tweaks.

The results were published in the March 2025 issue of Advanced Materials and are already turning heads. Expect industrial adoption within two years.

“This material does what no other biodegradable plastic could,” said Dr. Sungbae Park, co-lead on the project. “It’s tough, it’s scalable, and it knows when to vanish.”

Finally, a plastic that knows when to leave the party.

Recipe: Lettuce Soup

Food

Miriam Kresh

-

May 19, 2025

0

Faced with too much of one vegetable, my go-to strategy is to make soup. It’s a matter of peering inside the vegetable crisper and thinking, Oops, those carrots are getting old – or, Why did I buy all those expensive mushrooms? The answer to this veg dilemma is: make soup.

I had a head of lettuce that had been languishing in the fridge, and no desire to chop it into salad. It was attractive to look at; the leaves small, varicolored red and green, with frilly tops. But the ribs were oddly tough, rather than crisp, and the flavor somehow too strong.

So I stood contemplating it. The outer leaves had gotten brown and slimy, but after I stripped all that away, I saw that the heart of the lettuce was sound. Waste not, want not, I thought. How about soup?

Of all my cookbooks, only one had a recipe for lettuce soup – a French chiffonade served cold. But the Internet yielded a number of recipes. People’s enthusiastic comments pushed me farther in as I realized how easy the recipe is, and how adaptable. Substitute a cup of chopped, mixed salad greens, arugula, or spinach for part of the lettuce to get a deeper green color. Some throw in a handful of peas, or a quarter-cup diced cooked potatoes, or cook in a tablespoon of rice for more body.

One comment struck a note with me: don’t make it too fancy if you want the delicate lettuce flavor to come through, or in the end you’ll have just a vegetable soup. I decided to keep it simple, as I was curious. And was surprised and pleased at how tasty and soothing lettuce soup really is.

Note: you can choose to go vegan with this soup: omit the dairy and substitute olive oil.

Lettuce Soup

Surprisingly delicious lettuce soup

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion (chopped)
2 medium cloves garlic (chopped)
3 cups water
8 cups lettuce leaves (clean and coarsely chopped)
1 small handful parsley or celery leaves (coarsely chopped)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Optional but recommended: 2 tablespoons fresh or sour cream
Fresh lemon juice to taste
Choose one or more optional garnishes to float on the soup: thin slices of fresh radish (halved cherry tomatoes, a little finely chopped cilantro or dill, a drizzle of olive oil, toasted sliced almonds, croutons.)

Melt the butter over medium heat. Don’t let it brown.
Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes.
Add water, bring to a simmer, and cook, covered, until vegetables are very tender, about 8 minutes.
Add lettuce and parsley and cook until wilted and softened, 2-4 minutes.
Blend the soup until very smooth. I used a stick blender right in the pot, having first removed it from the heat and allowed the soup to cool somewhat before blending.
Add the fresh or sour cream; blend again.
Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. Here’s where you add lemon juice for bright flavor – from a quarter to half a medium lemon. Taste and judge, but don’t let the lemon overwhelm the soup.
Eat it hot, tepid or cold. It’s good hot, but I like it best tepid, drizzled with olive oil and drunk out of a cup. It would also be pleasant served cold on a summer evening, with crusty bread or crackers.

Enjoy!

Soup

Easy, Recipe, soup

He’s swimming in shark territory to show us Jaws isn’t that scary

Nature

Julie Steinbeck

-

May 19, 2025

0

Lewis Pugh was the first person to complete a long-distance swim in every ocean of the world. He pioneers swims in the most vulnerable ecosystems on Earth to campaign for their protection. In 2007 he became the first person to swim across the North Pole and in 2018 the first person to swim the entire 328-mile (528km) length of the English Channel. He is also the only person to have swum the 217-mile (350km) length of the River Thames (in 2006), and the only person to have swum down a river underneath the Antarctic Ice Sheet (in 2020). In 2013, Mr. Pugh was appointed United Nations Environment Programme Patron of the Oceans. In 2016, he played a pivotal role in creating the largest Marine Protected Area in the world in the Ross Sea off Antarctica. The Lewis Pugh Foundation has helped protect 3.5 million km2 of ocean, an area larger than Western Europe. Mr. Pugh is from Plymouth, UK. He worked as a maritime lawyer in London before becoming a full-time ocean advocate. — Lewis Pugh

Fifty years after the blockbuster film “Jaws” turned sharks into the world’s most feared underwater villains, celebrated endurance swimmer Lewis Pugh will seek to rewrite the narrative on sharks for a new generation.

From May 15–26, 2025, Pugh will swim the 60-mile (96 km) circumference of Martha’s Vineyard — the same waters that terrified millions — to raise awareness about the slaughter of sharks worldwide and its effect on ocean ecosystems.

A shark attack recently killed an Israeli in area where sharks were known to congregate. Feeding the sharks, which was warned against, is believed to be the cause of the tragic accident.

A man was killed from a shark attack last month in this area off the Hadera coast

Although ocean swimming carries inherent risks, Pugh’s team will take precautions to reduce encounters with sharks.

“I’m frightened of sharks,” Pugh readily admits. “But I’m more terrified of a world without them, and that’s what we’re looking at if we don’t act now. Without sharks to keep them in balance, marine ecosystems are unraveling at frightening speed. We need a new narrative about these magnificent animals because the one we’ve been hearing for the past 50 years threatens our oceans.”

Since 1970, shark populations have plummeted by approximately 70% worldwide through overfishing and habitat destruction, the Lewis Pugh Foundation noted. Each year, an estimated 100 million sharks are killed — that’s 274,000 every single day — for their fins, meat, oil, and sport. The result isn’t just species loss; it’s ecological collapse, with devastating consequences for ocean health and global food security.

“Sharks are integral to ocean health, and ocean health is integral to human survival,” says Pugh. “This is not just about future generations. We must learn to respect and protect sharks today, and this will be my key message.”

Over the past few decades Great White Shark numbers have recovered around Martha’s Vineyard thanks to conservation efforts. In addition, Pugh says, Massachusetts, to its credit, has recently taken efforts to protect white sharks from on-shore fishing. But this is not the case worldwide, where Great White Sharks are under increased threat.

As an endurance swimmer Pugh is unparalleled. He has pioneered swims in some of the most vulnerable ecosystems on earth to campaign for their protection. Most recently, in 2023, he swam the 315-mile (507km) Hudson River to praise its clean-up and highlight how rivers affect ocean health. The SHARK SWIM launches a three-year campaign by the Lewis Pugh Foundation to engage over one billion people with science, education, and acts of advocacy. It’s a central thrust of LPF’s 30×30 initiative: to fully protect 30% of our oceans by 2030.

“When we damage the environment, we create conditions that are ripe for conflict,” Pugh says. “But when we protect the environment, we foster peace. For centuries we have not only been fighting over the environment, we have been fighting against it. We must learn to make peace with nature for the sake of future generations.”

You can follow his swim here.

The Future of Color is Green (and Blue): Algae as a Natural Dye for a Planet in Transition

Design

Bhok Thompson

-

May 19, 2025

0

The Future of Color is Green (and Blue): Algae as a Natural Dye for a Planet in Transition

In an age when consumers crave authenticity, sustainability, and connection to nature, the world of color is undergoing a quiet revolution. The synthetic pigments once championed for their vibrancy and reliability are now being questioned for their environmental cost. These synthetics dyes have polluted planet and people. In their place, a new palette is emerging—one shaped by tide, stone, sea, and the spark of shifting light.

At its center: algae, the ocean’s quiet alchemist.

Moroccan laborer harvests red gold algae — Seasonal harvesters of red gold algae are underpaid and exploited.

Algae, one of the oldest life forms on Earth, is being rediscovered not only for its food and fuel potential, but also for its ability to create natural pigments that are safe, sustainable, and steeped in the rhythm of the Earth. These aquatic organisms—ranging from spirulina to red seaweed—offer a spectrum of hues: verdant greens, deep blues, rust reds, and dusky purples.

Unlike synthetic dyes, which often contain petroleum derivatives and heavy metals, algae-based pigments are biodegradable, non-toxic, and renewable. As algae are cultivated in controlled aquatic systems or harvested from sustainable wild sources, their environmental impact is significantly lower than land-based crops used in textile dyeing, which consume vast quantities of water and pesticides.

This new color story is about more than just appearance. It’s about feeling grounded and alive. Inspired by the quiet beauty of dusk and the celestial shimmer of moonlight on waves, designers and artists are turning to algae pigments to evoke a palette that feels intimate, lived-in, and elemental. These are tones shaped not by factories but by sunlight, salt, and the slow dance of tide and time.

In fashion, we see algae-based dyes used in capsule collections like the seaweed-dyed silks from Algaeing and Living Ink, who previously turned algae into bio-based inks.

In interiors, algae pigments are finding their way into ceramic glazes, wall treatments, and ethical home goods. In cosmetics, spirulina’s vibrant green is used in eyeliners and shadows, offering beauty that heals rather than harms. Spirulina is also a superfood.

At Green Prophet, we’ve long followed algae’s transformative potential—from algae solar panels and bioplastics to its use in wastewater treatment and as a vegan protein source. Now, as color becomes another frontier of ecological consciousness, we see a full-circle return to Earth’s original pigments.

How to grow an olive tree in a container

Gardening

Miriam Kresh

-

May 18, 2025

8

How to grow an olive tree in a container

Don’t have a garden? You can still own a fruiting olive tree, grown in a container. A sunny balcony and the right climate are the essential things; that, and time.

Italians have grown fruit trees in containers for centuries, keeping them protected in special sheds during the winter.

Come spring, the trees are wheeled out to the sunshine again. While we can dream of owning an olive grove like the one we visited in the Galilee, olive trees successfully grow in pots too.

Assuming your climate suits the olive, you should acquire a sapling from a nursery or buy one online. Olive trees grown from pits revert to the original wild olive, and if they produce fruit at all, it will be wizened and not very good to eat. So don’t do it. Consult the nursery manager and choose the variety you’d like best. To maximize fruiting potential, you should actually have two of the same variety in the area. This may be impractical where there’s limited space, of course.

When to plant an olive tree in a pot?

olive tree pot — Read this guide for growing an olive tree in a pot

Spring is the best time to re-pot the sapling into its permanent container. Tender saplings suffer under frost or harsh winter weather, so it’s best to transplant after all danger of frost has passed. When the temperature threatens to dip under 50°F/10ºC, the tree should be brought indoors. It may be taken out to enjoy the sunshine on warmer days. A trolley, on which the container stands permanently, is useful there.

Choose a spot that gets plenty of full sun and only partial shade. Have a clay pot about 2 feet/61 centimeters deep and the same width at the ready. No need for pebbles or other drainage device at the bottom. Pour enough soil in to cover the bottom thickly. Knock the sapling out of its original container and place in the new pot. Fill the pot with soil around the tree and make sure it stands stable. Water thoroughly.

Soil and watering olives trees in a container

Ordinary potting soil; no special fertilizers or compost at first. Wait until there are signs of growth in the following spring to add compost or concentrated fertilizer to the soil. Keep the soil lightly moist, but not over-watered. A mature tree can withstand drought, but until a sapling is established and thriving in its new environment, it needs light moisture.

Care of the tree

We recommend pruning with caution for the first four years: remove branches under 3 feet/91.5 centimeters as well as suckers. Others recommend watching for flowering and then pruning off the tips of the branches, above a pair of leaves, as well.

Plant hygiene

Watch out for scale infestation. Buy a natural insecticide product from the plant nursery. Traditional Mediterranean farmers whitewash the bottom half of the trunk to keep ants away. Weed out any wind-born seedlings the minute you notice them.

The next step is to enjoy the lovely sight of the tree’s silvery-green foliage moving while the breeze rustles through it. Because it may take up to five years before it produces any fruit for you. You’ll need to discuss when you can expect fruit with the gardener at the nursery. But by then you and the tree will have become good friends, and the fruit will be a nice bonus.

If you can’t find local, search online for olive tree sapling delivery to your home. Once you get one growing you can grow clones from the original using patience or a rooting hormone.

What kind of olive tree to plant in a container?

olive marinade — *Make your own tasty marinade, no matter what olives you have at home.*

Barnea, suri, kalamata? Your supermarket or farmer’s market usually offers a good variety of olives. Juicy green, black, brown or purple olives glistening in their own oil. Olives seasoned with chilies, lemons and herbs; olives pitted and left empty; olives stuffed with red pimentos; olives in brine or in wine marinade – enough olives to make your senses reel.

And like grape varieties for wine, there are more kinds of olives in the world than you’ll ever know. Every region where olives are grown yields a particular variety, each with its unique shape, size, and flavor. Get the low down on olive varieties here. Having problems? Check out the olive tree guide to longer-term

More about olive trees and olives:

The unseen tech behind eco villages

Home

Bhok Thompson

-

May 18, 2025

0

If you picture an eco-village, you might imagine a simple dwelling with permaculture gardens and a very slow, rural pace of life. While often true, this rustic image undermines the technology that is increasingly being used to achieve their sustainability – technology that we shouldn’t be frightened of or avoid, but use to harness a greener way of life.

Energy solutions

Energy independence is a big part of eco villages. While solar panels are the visible, sung heros here, the real magic lies in integrated systems underpinning them. Smart microgrids are used to manage locally generated power from diverse mix of sources like solar, micro-hydro, or even wind. They balance loads and incorporate battery banks for storage, which reduces the reliance on external grids.

Advanced solar integration can be expressed through Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), in which the solar cells become part of the building fabric itself. The real MVPs, though, are the energy efficiency monitoring systems, such as smart meters and community dashboards, which can track both generation and consumption. Through finding patterns, or possibly using machine learning, it’s possible to better align the two so there’s no waste (this is even more important when many dwellings share energy).

Intelligent water management systems

rain catchment — In the city you can collect water form your air conditioner. Off grid, you’d better try the rain

Water is life, and eco-villages treat it as such through age-old conservation and reuse techniques. Rainwater harvesting isn’t just barrels, it means having integrated roof catchments feeding into systems with first-flush diverters that automatically discard the initial, most contaminated runoff. Water then passes through staged filtration, like sediment traps, then by sand or gravel, before collection in large cisterns. Again, IoT sensors are often used to help determine and notify of capacity and cleanliness levels.

For accessing this water, particularly for irrigation, choose a submersible pump for its efficiency – this can quickly transfer water in a reliable way. Further along the cycle might be constructed wetlands, which are carefully designed shallow beds. They’re planted with aquatic vegetation and use natural microbial processes within their gravel and sand substrates to purify greywater (sometimes even pre-treated blackwater), making it safe for irrigation with minimal energy input.

Waste not, want not

Dooda is a Lebanese vermiculture compost business.

“Waste” is a resource that’s awaiting transformation. Composting techniques like vermicomposting (using worms) or Bokashi (fermentation) help process organic matter into rich soil amendments. Of course, these are old techniques that don’t require much technology.

However, investing in some innovative technology can open more doors to transformation, as not all transformation can be naturally captured. Some communities employ anaerobic biogas digesters, which are sealed tanks that break down food scraps and animal manure in an oxygen-free environment. This produces methane gas for cooking or heating as well as a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer. IoT sensors, again, can track microbial activity to help boost gas yields.

Technology as the invisible foundation

Energy, water, and waste are the three flows that need to be managed by intelligent technologies. This infrastructure is frequently “unseen” because it’s designed to be integrated and harmonious with natural systems, rather than intrusive (it’s not consumption-led). Harmony between dwellings can be difficult, and this is where integrated systems can communicate. It goes to show that such communities are not anti-technology, but instead are simply selective about only using technology that benefits them and aligns with their values.

Hot topics

Finance

Marketing

Politics

Strategy

Hot topics

Finance

Marketing

Politics

Strategy

Sea Turtles Have No Borders

A Message from Eden

Commonly used for livestock feed—woven sacks act like floating death traps, snaring turtles by the neck or limbs

Turtle ‘Lost Years’ Finally Found

Polypropylene: A Lethal Trap

Policy Implications

What is Asset Management

Better Use of Resources

Reducing Operational Costs

Improving Service Delivery

Supporting Strategic Planning

Environmental Footprint and Sustainability

Technology and Innovation

Challenges and Considerations

Conclusion

The Wins and Conditions

More Widespread Sanitation and Hygiene Services

Increased Access to Drinking Water

Better Water Efficiency

The Setbacks and Improvement Areas

Decline in Official Development Assistance

Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Is Rare

Water Quality Is Declining

Adverse Actions Against Water Protections

Ensuring Water and Sanitation for All

Lettuce Soup

When to plant an olive tree in a pot?

Soil and watering olives trees in a container

Care of the tree

Plant hygiene

What kind of olive tree to plant in a container?

Energy solutions

Intelligent water management systems

Waste not, want not

Technology as the invisible foundation

Company

Headlines

Newsletter