Page 31 – Green Prophet

How EcoPeace Uses Environmental Education to Bridge Borders in the Jordan Valley

Politics

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June 8, 2025

picture of teachers being taught and they are learning togethor. — EcoPeace’s Teacher Workshop

In a region long marked by political divides, armed conflict, and environmental degradation, EcoPeace Middle East is quietly advancing the power of peacebuilding. Peace through education. Through its cross-border teacher tours in the Jordan Valley, EcoPeace is bringing together educators from Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian territories to address critical environmental issues.

EcoPeace has offices in Tel Aviv, Israel; Amman, Jordan; and Ramallah, located in the West Bank. It exists as one of the only organizations working together across these three locations. Their goal is ambitious, complex, and challenging: to utilize environmental challenges as a catalyst for regional cooperation. For two decades, their work has been shaped by a truth that transcends borders.

See Related Article: EcoPeace gets peacebuilding award

The Jordan River, stretching from the heights of Mount Hermon to the lowest point on Earth’s surface—the Dead Sea—is a symbol of biodiversity, religion, and culture. However, it has suffered from decades, if not centuries, of abuse. For years, raw sewage from countries, Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories, has been poured into its waters. More than 600,000 Jordanians and 60,000 Palestinians continue to discharge waste into the river basin. Additionally, multiple dams have altered the flow and the stretch of the river downstream from the Sea of Galilee, which is significantly polluted.

Yet, the mindsets and actions of those living in areas surrounding the Jordan River are undergoing a change. Israeli initiatives are invested in cleaner water, infrastructure, and sewage treatment. Both state-led and NGO efforts drive this renewed focus on the restoration. These efforts are slowly but surely transforming once-over-polluted areas into zones of rehabilitation, use, and recreation. Increased cooperation, driven by EcoPeace, has allowed for coordinated responses to the shared environmental threat. These cooperation efforts are not only cleaning the Jordan River, but are also creating new channels for positive regional dialogue.

One of the most effective ways EcoPeace advances its mission is by targeting educators. Each year, the organization hosts educational conferences specifically designed for teachers, primarily those in biology, ecology, and related fields. Approximately 25 teachers from Israel, Jordan, and Palestine participate in each session. These sessions focus not only on the Jordan River being a shared resource and a symbol of regional interdependence, but also on the importance of preserving it. Additionally, they focus on the interactions between teachers from the conflicting groups.

They are designed to create empathy, cooperation, and inspire teachers to integrate transboundary environmental programming into their curriculum. Each session is followed up by support and guidance on how to engage students with the environmental peacebuilding material. Workshops used to take place in Jordan, with all participants traveling there. However, due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, sessions are now held in Cyprus.

The teacher workshops and tours serve as a platform for both learning and dialogue. Regional-political complexities are not ignored; they are engaged, debated, and discussed. However, the program encourages participants to look beyond national and media narratives to instead focus on the common good. Helping educate the youth to provide a better environmental future. When teachers from Tel Aviv, Amman, and Ramallah examine the same stretch of polluted river, it creates a shared experience. The shared concern for the Jordan River, as well as other environmental issues, and, on a larger scale, the region, becomes the foundation for a deeper understanding.

EcoPeace’s work is not limited to the Jordan Valley. The organization is also active along the Alexander Stream and near the Dead Sea. Both areas, like the Jordan River, face enormous environmental stress. What all of these locations have in common is that all three participants within EcoPeace are affected. Both geographical ties and responsibility ties interconnect the Middle East. The typical mindset of “It is someone else’s problem” does not work. It takes teachers, the youth, and the region as a whole to come together to solve these problems because they are everyone’s.

EcoPeace’s strategy is dual, combining both bottom-up and top-down approaches. The bottom-up approach focuses on the aforementioned teacher workshops and trickles down education to the youth. The top-down approach focuses on EcoPeace’s efforts to collaborate with government officials and decision-makers, aiming to influence policy and regional environmental practices.

The organization has been instrumental in advancing the “Green Blue Deal.” This is a project that entails Israel providing desalinated water to Jordan in exchange for energy. This is made possible due to Israel’s experience and expertise in desalination plants, along with Jordan’s expansive geographic area for solar and wind farms. Projects like this are designed to foster interdependence, where both countries rely on each other for mutual benefit. With interdependence comes cooperation, and with cooperation comes increased normalcy in relations.

Ma'an Wind Farm — Ma’an Wind Farm in Jordan

Even amid rising tensions and conflicts, EcoPeace remains committed to its mission. In the aftermath of the October 7th attacks carried out by the terrorist organization known as Hamas, the organization maintained communication across all offices. Staff members checked in on colleagues from all sides, underscoring their commitment to preserving connection even during times of conflict.

See Related Article: The wind farms of the Middle East

The resilience of the educational programs is astounding. While many participants may enter tours with skepticism or strong preconceived notions, they often leave with new perspectives and a deeper appreciation. While political solutions remain improbable, educational ones are already in motion.

EcoPeace aims to expand the teacher programs and increase its reach in the coming years. With more than 1,000 students already directly impacted by the initiative, the organization utilizes teachers as ambassadors for environmental peacemaking.

In a region where peace is scarce, EcoPeace offers a solution—one where educators plant the seeds of coexistence.

To learn more about EcoPeace’s educational programs and environmental peacebuilding efforts, visit https://ecopeaceme.org.

Meet Hyphyn, the First Biodegradable Performance Upholstery

Design

Julie Steinbeck

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June 8, 2025

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In an industry often criticized for waste and pollution, a revolutionary material is changing the narrative. Hyphyn, the first biodegradable performance vinyl, is setting a new standard for sustainable design—without sacrificing the durability that businesses, designers, and institutions have come to rely on.

Engineered with a patented enzyme system and a proprietary resin blend, Hyphyn performs like the commercial-grade vinyl used in high-traffic settings—offices, hospitals, hotels, schools—but offers something no other vinyl can: it breaks down responsibly at the end of its life. In landfill conditions, over 90% of Hyphyn biodegrades within two years. No microplastics. No toxic legacy.

“True innovation isn’t just about creating something new—it’s about rethinking what’s possible,” says Iwan Nassimi, Executive Vice President at Nassimi, the company behind Hyphyn. “We reimagined vinyl’s entire lifecycle.”

Traditional vinyl is prized for its low cost, resilience, and cleanability. But it lingers in landfills for generations, shedding microplastics and leaching chemicals. Hyphyn disrupts that cycle. This new material gives sustainability-minded designers and specifiers a powerful alternative—one that doesn’t require compromising on performance. Hyphyn maintains the strength, finish, and easy maintenance of traditional vinyl, but degrades only when it reaches a landfill, where its embedded enzymes activate, breaking the material down into inert gases. These gases are then captured and turned into energy—a rare win-win in waste management.

“Hyphyn isn’t just about where a product begins or how it performs,” adds Nassimi. “It’s about where it ends up—and what it leaves behind.”

Hyphyn will debut at the Sustainability Lab during NeoCon 2025, June 9–11, and will be showcased at select distributors in THE MART, including Arc-Com, CF Stinson, Mayer Fabrics, Momentum Textiles & Wallcovering, Pallas Textiles, and Wolf Gordon.

Greta Thunberg Sails Toward Gaza as Israeli Navy Prepares Interception

Water

Julie Steinbeck

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June 8, 2025

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Freedom Flotilla Boat, Greta Thunberg, Titantic

Climate activist Greta Thunberg is aboard a Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla (of one) now navigating the eastern Mediterranean, as the Israeli navy signals it is prepared to intercept the vessels enforcing what it calls a “security naval blockade.”

The boat is expected to arrive close to Gaza tomorrow.

The voyage—part environmental, part humanitarian, and wholly political—is shaping into another high-stakes confrontation at sea.

According to the Garmin tracker on the boat, the Barcole schooner is headed straight for the Ashdod port, suggested that some diplomatic agreement has already been discussed and agreed upon for optics. Had the boat marked Port Said, they’d likely get stopped by the Egyptian army, which has no history of kindness, when it comes to saving or helping boats in distress.

The Garmin tracker is closing in on its goal of going to Gaza. The boat has marked Ashdod Port as its final destination, suggesting that a diplomatic agreement has been made for optics.

The flotilla, organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, departed from the Italian port of Catania on June 1 and includes only vessel, confusingly, with two names, the Madleen and the Barcarole, sailing under a UK flag. On board are pro-Palestinian activists, including a Swedish and French citizen, one diplomat, and Greta Thunberg—now one of the most visible figures in the climate and social justice movement.

The ships are carrying what organizers describe as urgently needed aid: baby formula, rice, water desalination kits, women’s sanitary products, medical equipment, and prosthetics for children. Before heading south, the Madleen reportedly picked up Sudanese refugees in a symbolic move connecting global displacement crises.

“We are delivering hope and supplies where governments have failed,” said a spokesperson for the coalition. “This voyage is also a message: the blockade is not just illegal—it is lethal.”

The vessel carries 12 pro-Palestinian activists from the UK, France, Sweden, and other countries. Among them is French Member of the European Parliament Rima Hassan, who previously described the October 7th massacre as a “legitimate act.”

In an interview with the Sunday Times, Thunberg said that participants in the so-called “Freedom Flotilla” are in “high spirits” as they approach Gaza and they plan on live-streaming the interception with Israel’s navy commanders:

“We are aware of the risks, but we chose to sail because the real danger lies in remaining silent in the face of genocide,” she claimed. Following an aerial attack on a previous flotilla vessel in international waters near Malta six weeks ago, organizers arranged for a Greek drone and naval monitoring to accompany the current voyage.

Hassan posted on X (formerly Twitter) that the “Israeli army is preparing to intercept and seize the vessel using missile boats and Shayetet 13 naval commandos.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement in reply to Green Prophet’s questions on how it will react:

“The IDF enforces the security naval blockade on the Gaza Strip and is prepared for a wide range of scenarios, which it will act upon in accordance with the directives of the political echelon,” the IDF spokesperson told Green Prophet. “We have nothing more to add.”

The blockade, first implemented in 2007 following Hamas’s takeover of Gaza, has been widely criticized by international human rights groups for contributing to what the UN now calls a humanitarian catastrophe. Since the October 7, 2023 attacks and Israel’s subsequent war in Gaza, aid access has been sporadic and heavily restricted.

Last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized what he called “basic humanitarian aid” into Gaza. But on the ground, fuel shortages, infrastructure collapse, and ongoing military operations have left much of the aid bottlenecked or inaccessible. This is mainly due to the Hamas terror group calling the shots within the enclave.

While Israel has urged the UK to prevent the Barcarole—a UK-flagged ship—from approaching Gaza’s waters, the British Embassy staff in Tel Aviv told Green Prophet it is currently checking if there will be any diplomatic efforts regarding the issue. They did not get back to us.

So far, no formal action has been announced, and both London and Paris have issued recent statements condemning the ongoing restrictions on humanitarian aid to Gaza. British and French leaders have warned that unless conditions improve, “concrete actions” may follow.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition has launched similar efforts over the past 15 years, most famously the Mavi Marmara mission in 2010, during which Israeli commandos killed nine activists on a Turkish-flagged aid ship attempting to reach Gaza. That incident led to a diplomatic rupture between Israel and Turkey and triggered international investigations. On the Israeli side of the investigation improvised weapons were found on the boat and were used to attack the Israeli commandos, Israel asserted.

This time, the flotilla is more modest, and hundreds of boats have not joined them as they hoped, but the symbolism is powerful: Greta Thunberg—representing a generation of young, justice-oriented global activists—has placed herself at the heart of a decades-old conflict.

Her recent social media post from aboard the Madleen reads: “Let Gaza Live.”

For Green Prophet, the story of this flotilla is more than political theatre. It reflects the intersection of climate, conflict, and displacement—a convergence already visible across the region. With Gaza’s aquifers salinized, electricity grid collapsed, and agricultural systems destroyed, climate collapse in Gaza is not a future threat—it is a present condition.

Years ago when a peace-making desalinating plant was proposed, along with funding, Hamas sabotaged the Gaza mayor by not letting him leave the enclave to meet partners in Europe.

Greta’s presence isn’t just about humanitarian supplies. It’s about bearing witness to what happens when environmental injustice meets conflict

Green Prophet will continue to monitor the story as it unfolds.

Taurine in energy drinks may harm, not help: new study

Food

Isabella Hannah

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June 8, 2025

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Taurine in energy drinks may harm, not help: new study

Examples of Energy Drinks with Taurine:Red Bull: Contains around 1,038 mg per 8.3 oz can. Rockstar: 2,000 mg per 16 oz can. Monster: 2,000 mg per 16 oz can. Celsius: Around 1,810 mg per 12 oz can (part of a proprietary blend). Alani Nu: 2,000 mg per 12 oz can. Bang, Accelerator, Tab Energy, Go Girl Sugar-Free, Ghost Energy: Also contain taurine. — Taurine added to energy drinks

Everything in moderation, as common sense advice goes. It’s especially true when it comes to food. But people want to live forever and are buying promises of energy drinks with amino acids such as taurine, with the aim of living forever, or at least a decade longer is now in fashion.

The amino acid taurine is one of the basic building blocks of the proteins in our bodies and plays multiple other roles in biology. Previous research has suggested that low levels of taurine may signal—or even drive—aging, but a new longitudinal study by Rafael de Cabo and his team at the US National Institute on Aging (NIA) says the answer is more complicated in a new paper, published in Science.

“We clearly show that there’s no need for taurine supplementation as long as you have a healthy diet,” says Rafael de Cabo, a gerontologist at the NIA.

And one study a few months ago suggests that taking taurine-supplemented drinks or vitamins could cause harm if you have leukemia.

A new study out of the University of Rochester’s Wilmot Cancer Institute has raised serious concerns about taurine—a popular amino acid commonly added to energy drinks—potentially accelerating certain blood and bone marrow cancers rather than promoting longevity.

Researchers led by Dr. Jeevisha Bajaj found that while healthy bone marrow cells naturally produce taurine, leukemia cells can’t make it themselves. Instead, they import taurine using genes like SLC6A6, dubbed the taurine transporter.

In both human leukemia cell cultures and mouse models, this imported taurine enhanced glycolysis—the breaking down of glucose for energy—and in turn helped cancer cells thrive.

For people with leukemia: Taurine intake—via supplements, energy drinks, or intravenous use—may not be benign. The researchers suggest that limiting taurine exposure could slow disease progression, and propose future studies to monitor taurine levels in leukemia patients.

For the general public: While current evidence does not indicate taurine causes leukemia in healthy individuals, experts caution that mice models may not fully predict human risk.

Examples of Energy Drinks with Taurine:

Red Bull: Contains around 1,038 mg per 8.3 oz can.
Rockstar: 2,000 mg per 16 oz can.
Monster: 2,000 mg per 16 oz can.
Celsius: Around 1,810 mg per 12 oz can (part of a proprietary blend).
Alani Nu: 2,000 mg per 12 oz can.
Bang, Accelerator, Tab Energy, Go Girl Sugar-Free, Ghost Energy: Also contain taurine.

A new food safe blue called jagua can help save Colombian forests

Food

Julie Steinbeck

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June 8, 2025

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A new food safe blue called jagua can help save Colombian forests

Synthetic food dyes should be avoided in everything we eat. But a true blue natural food dye was missing –– until now. It comes from a fruit about the size of a kiwi or a guava, growing on a semi-deciduous tree called the Genipa americana in the forests of Colombia. Opening a new chapter in the chronicle of food safety, it’s a “holy grail” in the food industry, the first ever blue food colouring to be natural in origin and resistant to acids. Let’s hope new interest in it will help protect forests, not cut them down.

When the pulp of the unripe jagua fruit is exposed to air, it turns dark blue in colour. The pigment has been widely used by various Indigenous Peoples in South America to paint their skin and dye their clothes, ceramics and some foods.

Now it’s been hailed by the food industry as the one remaining natural food colour needed to complete the entire spectrum. It was recently included in the Codex Alimentarius, or “Food Code”, a collection of standards, guidelines and codes of practices.

The jagua blue food colouring was developed in Colombia by a private company that set about creating and collecting the data needed for the scientific assessment of the safety of this food additive.

After a thorough scientific evaluation and confirmation that it was a product for which there was a need, jagua blue has been permitted for use under the Codex standard governing food additives, which covers everything from confectionery to breakfast cereals.

For Colombia, the jagua blue standard is a big deal. Officials there predict that the inclusion of jagua blue in the Codex Alimentarius can help improve the economic wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples who have used the colorant for generations. Particularly hoping to benefit are the Emberá Indigenous Peoples, many of whom have traditionally lived on the riverbanks of the densely forested northwestern Chocó region.

Whatever the production model, Colombia hopes the safety standard can open up new markets and opportunities as well as drive biodiversity conservation and the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices.

internationally has grown exponentially.

A guide to solar farms on a farm

Food
Tech

Karin Kloosterman

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June 6, 2025

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Farming under solar panels. Bees and sheep are next.

Solar farms are often set in large desert areas, as it’s believed that not much happens in the desert. We know this is not true and all manners of life are impacted even in what looks like a dead desert. Ivanpah in California found birds, lizards and all sorts of plants that grow in the desert. Common sense people wonder about solar panels on the farm and why can’t they work? Farmers probably see it as a means to slow down farm efficiency, but a new model of success shows how solar panels and farms can work together.

At the Alliant Energy Solar Farm at Iowa State University, a 10-acre facility south of Ames, an interdisciplinary team of researchers is entering the second year of a four-year project to study agrivoltaics – agricultural use of land that’s also home to solar panels.

One of the main questions the researchers are exploring is whether growing food crops is compatible with solar arrays, using the tools and techniques needed to make produce farms viable and reliable – basics such as irrigation, fertilization, machinery, and weed and pest management. The answer is a resounding yes, said horticulture professor and chair Ajay Nair, one of the project’s leaders.

“One thing we’ve for sure found out is we can grow vegetables on a commercial scale on a solar farm. Period. There’s no doubt about it. We have demonstrated the practical aspects of an operation such as this will clearly work,” he said.

In the first year, the vegetable crops included broccoli, summer squash and bell peppers. While broccoli between the panels was a little smaller than in control plots, summer squash and peppers within the solar panel area produced better, Nair said. Additional years of growing data will be needed to draw firm conclusions, but the researchers think planting produce between panels could offer some relief from summer’s hottest days.

When partial shade can be an advantage to crops

“We know that vegetables need full sun. That’s true, but in July and August it can cause stress. Partial shade may help some plants cope,” he said.

It was too early to tell if the strawberries, raspberries, grapes and honeyberries fared better with some shade, as they typically don’t produce a full crop in their first year. But the fruit plants under the panels appeared to establish well, Nair said.

The project, which is funded by a $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, has attracted more attention than the researchers expected. The grant calls for two to three outreach events per year, but roughly 40 different groups visited the farm in 2024. The list of tours included students, growers, nonprofits, government officials, utility companies and other interested researchers. Some came from as far away as Africa and Australia.

Part of the draw has been the project’s public-private partnership. Alliant Energy built, owns and operates the solar farm, which has 3,300 panels capable of generating nearly 1.4 megawatts of electricity – enough to power about 200 homes at maximum capacity. Iowa State owns and leases to Alliant Energy the underlying land, which is part of the university’s animal science teaching and research farms.

“This solar farm advances the concept that land can be used for energy production and agriculture, while also delivering the energy solutions our Alliant Energy customers and communities can count on in a unique way,” said Nick Peterson.

“It’s been so critical to show how a utility can work with a landowner and farmers. Without that level of partnership, none of the other of things could have happened,” said O’Neal, the Henry A. Wallace Co-Chair for Sustainable Agriculture.

The agrivoltaics team has numerous plans for expanding in 2025. Research plots will now include land between fixed-angle solar panels, after focusing in 2024 solely on the tilting panels that track with the sun. Tomatoes are a new addition, and more pollinator habitat is planned, benefitting the on-site beehives included in the study.

Researchers also are looking to intensify efforts to optimize yield, such as more aggressive pest control.

The first-year production data will be analyzed by John Tyndall, a professor of natural resource ecology and management, who is developing enterprise budgeting resources to show growers the potential of a solar farm produce operation.

“Not only can you produce at these sites, but in some cases you can produce more. That’s big,” O’Neal said. “We’ll have a nice robust data set to help farmers who want to do this.”

To help manage and build upon public interest in the project, a donor funded the hiring of an outreach coordinator, Michael Killewald. That’s paved the way for a series of open houses starting June 27.

Want a tour? Online registration is required.

Team members – and their colleagues across campus – are also thinking about other research projects that would be a fit. Some animal science faculty hope to study livestock grazing under the solar panels, for instance.

These glasses see microplastics on the farm

Food

Julie Steinbeck

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June 6, 2025

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Plastics at the farm — Microplastics are inside everything. New research makes a set of glasses to see what’s lurking on farmland

Microplastics are now in our food, baby placentas, and in the brains of teens who use plastic aligners. They are blowing in the wind getting to our lungs, they are in the fish and plants and food we eat and the impact is just being noticed and understood in areas like cancer and dementia.

Microplastics are bits of plastic smaller than 5mm, and while we follow people like Boylan Slat and the Great Ocean Cleanup, the amount of plastics rolling around on farmland isn’t that well studied. These particles can disrupt soil structure, alter microbial communities that help transport soil nutrients to the plants, and even protect them. The plastic can be eaten by wheat and corn and beans, entering the food chain.

Sheep eat plastic, and you eat the sheep

Conventional detection methods, such as sample taken and looking under a microscope to count the bits is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and often ineffective at identifying small particles, making them impractical for large-scale monitoring.

But science to the rescue. Researchers at Clemson University and the USDA Agricultural Research Service have developed a new kind of space age glasses for seeing plastics in farms from above. The glasses “see” using what they call a hyperspectral imaging technique.

Plastic threads from warfare drones contaminate a farmer field in the Ukraine

The scientists study tested two types of short-wave infrared sensors on soil samples spiked with microplastics and evaluated their performance using advanced machine learning models. This system stood out for its ability to detect both polyethylene and polyamide particles – even at extremely low levels of 0.01-0.1% – offering a fast, accurate, and field-adaptable method for identifying soil microplastic contamination.

Why is this important? Many farmlands rely on mulch that is full of plastic. Think about the organic recycling programs that accept adult and baby diapers in the compost. This goes back to farming fields. Think about irrigation pipes and plastic sheets put on strawberry fields. Knowing what’s in the ground can help science and policy makers figure out how to stop negative effects.

Plastic on every farm, even on bales of hay

“This study marks a significant advance in our ability to track microplastic contamination in terrestrial ecosystems,” said Dr. Bosoon Park, “The ability to screen soils quickly and non-destructively holds great promise for agricultural sustainability and environmental protection.”

Yosef Abramowitz: The Israeli Bringing the Sun to the World’s Darkest Places

Max Izaks

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June 5, 2025

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Yosef Abramowitz: The Israeli Bringing the Sun to the World’s Darkest Places

Yosef Abramowitz, founder of Gigawatt Global, clean energy, solar fields, solar energy, speaking to crowd. — Yosef Abramowitz, CEO of Gigawat Global *Credit: Nicole Kaplan*

Meet Yosef Abramowitz, CEO of Gigawatt Global, bringing clean solar energy to millions around the world

Yosef Abramowitz, known also as Kaptain Sunshine, is an American-Israeli solar activist and developer. As a child, Abramowitz lived in Israel. However, during a brief couple of years back in America during the Yom Kippur War, Abramovitz faced confusion. Outside his Massachusetts window sat a gas station with a line wrapping around the block. The long line was a result of the conflict in the Middle East and the 1973 Arab Oil Embargo. Abramowitz’s confusion stemmed from this: how could America and the rest of the world rely on an unrenewable energy source as volatile as this? After this moment, Yosef sought change. While Jimmy Carter was installing solar panels in the White House, Abramowitz was working on early science fair solar projects. Eventually, his work and passion for Israel led him back to the country where he would do his most impactful work yet.

In 2006, after arriving at Kibbutz Ketura to attend the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, Yosef Abramowitz stepped out of his van with the last rays of the golden sun shining down on the scorching Arava Desert. In the dying sunset, he found his light. Abramowitz and his associates founded the Arava solar fields. During its 2010 inception, students, researchers, and other individuals from over 58 countries came to learn. Out of this work came Gigawatt Global and the company’s mission of being a “…multinational renewable energy company focused on the development and management of utility-scale solar fields in emerging markets.”

The goal was clear. Bring climate justice to the communities that need it most.

Gigawatt Global and its CEO, Abramowitz, have brought power to some of the most impoverished and energy-deficient countries in the world, with Rwanda, Nigeria, and South Sudan being just a few examples of the hard-to-reach places where they work.

Through his work, Abramowitz has had a significant impact. In Burundi, one of the world’s poorest countries, Abramowitz and his team successfully brought solar energy to half a million people. Another example of the extent of his beneficial humanitarian work comes from Rwanda, where he brought power to the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village. The village is home to orphans of the Rwandan genocide. “It’s both a mitzvah and a business,” Abramowitz says.

Gigawatt Global solar field in Rwanda — Rwanda Gigawatt Global Project

So, how does he do it? Abramowitz used to get support from the American Government. However, a majority of his funding comes from Blended Finance. This means that his monetary support comes from both public and private donors and investors. Abramowitz is always seeking international support, as well as funding from financial institutions such as the World Bank.

Abramowitz employs what he calls the Quadruple Bottom Line Impact Platform when bringing solar energy to countries with limited resources and infrastructure. While not the primary driver, each project must provide returns for investors. While these returns may not turn a massive profit, projects must ensure financial viability. Second, every project contributes to climate mitigation. Using solar energy not only provides energy to those in need but also reduces carbon emissions and air pollution associated with previously used, dirty, combustible fuels. Third is the humanitarian and social impact that a project will provide for its community. Finally, solar development can strengthen relationships between countries. It can build trust in fragile states and open doors for diplomacy.

Why does he do it? It may be hard to understand why someone would want to take on the challenges that Abramowitz does. He is not taking the easy projects. He is not developing solar fields in Europe, the Americas, or other developed nations. Abramowitz is going places that nobody else is going to. Not because of money, even though it is there, but because of his values. Abramowitz values Tikkun Olam, the act of repairing the world. Through his solar projects, he is helping the most vulnerable people on Earth, doing his part to make a difference. He emphasized the privilege that Western countries have. He also realizes that there are already help and resources available for these places and that there are numerous opportunities to do good outside of the established market.

It is not all sunshine for Kaptain Sunshine. Many of the places he is going are politically and infrastructurally fragile. This means that Abramowitz and his associates need to remain steadfast in their morals. It is essential to Abramowitz that he bring power to those in need. However, he will walk away if the corruption and values of those he is helping cannot align with his values.

However, Abramowitz strongly emphasized that the people he meets in Africa and around the world —the ordinary people —are the reason he does what he does. When the going gets tough, he remembers who he is working for. Not for a nation, government, or political party. For the people.

Children in Rwanda looking at solar panel — Rwandan children admiring a Gigawatt Global solar panel

There is a significant intersectionality at play in Abramowitz’s work. He described how bringing power to a country uplifts it in many other ways. Food storage, communication, and information are just a few benefits that come with energy. With these benefits, many are given a chance to succeed. In places where terror runs rampant, energy projects are run through communities to prevent them from becoming corrupted.

Yosef Abramowitz is a visionary, humanitarian, and innovator. Not only did Abramowitz help facilitate Israel’s transition to become more environmentally friendly. He helped make the world not only a cleaner place by introducing solar energy, but also a better place by bringing it to those who need it most. Following Theodor Herzl’s idea that “If you will it, it is no dream,” Abramowitz continues his dream of bringing energy to all.

:: Gigawatt Global

Why Business Insurance is Fundamental to Your Continuity Plan

Peace

Bhok Thompson

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June 5, 2025

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SOMBRA, a name fusing the Latin words for sun (sol) and shade (umbra), is more than a temporary pavilion—it’s a living laboratory. Shaped like a heliodon, the structure mimics how the sun moves through the sky, providing an intuitive experience of solar patterns. It operates without motors, electronics, or external energy. Instead, it breathes, opens, and closes using only passive physical principles. — Solar energy projects installed in public places need insurance.

When starting a business, one of the first things you need to put in place is a continuity plan. For those unaware, this is a strategic plan that outlines exactly how your business will continue operating should an unplanned disruption occur. It ensures that the critical functions of your company can continue during and after a crisis, whether that crisis is a natural disaster, a cyberattack, a power outage, or a legal case against you.

In terms of the creation of a continuity plan, you’ll have to investigate and try out a lot of things. It’s your job, for instance, to conduct a thorough risk assessment, a BIA – business impact analysis – go through recovery strategies, test and train some drills and simulations, and regularly update your plan based on any new risks or organisational changes. But while all of these things will help you to create a continuity plan that works, all that work will go to nothing if you don’t have a crucial safeguard in place: insurance.

Getting Insurance in 2025

The LEED-Platinum property seeks to minimise its environmental and literal environmental footprint by cantilevering the accommodation spaces above the coral reefs with only a few square meters of ground impact at the base of the supporting column. The result is an aerial accommodation ‘pod’ that almost seems to defy gravity and suspends the guest directly above and within the beauty of an untouched marine eco-system; an observation platform for guests to witness the fish, birds and turtles that thrive in the area. The entire project is powered by a centralized solar farm and fresh water is supplied from a solar powered desalination plant. Recycling of waste material takes place on the island minimizing the need to bring or remove materials from the site. The entire infrastructural backbone of the project forms part of a visitor experience where guest can be exposed to and learn about the approach that goes into making the project a truly self-sustained human development. The design language of the resort compliments the uniqueness of the site. The approach to the façade design has been to minimize visual impact, employing a highly reflective stainless-steel skin polished to a mirror finish. These reflective orbs float, almost imperceptible, reflecting the colors and surface patterns of the ocean, the intense colors of the sky as they change throughout the day. This approach serves to lessen the visual impact of the architecture on the surrounding environment while also greatly improv the building’s energy performance with a near 100% reflection of the solar gain at the mirror surface. These heavily insulated spaces can be effectively cooled with minimal energy losses. — View from above, Shebaya in Saudi Arabia. Travel companies and hotels need insurance

The key reason why insurance is so important to the success of your plan is because, while your continuity plan sets out how you’re going to respond to a crisis, insurance ensures you have the financial resources to actually follow through.

Without adequate coverage, even the most detailed and well-practiced plans can fall apart under the weight of unexpected costs, so you need to know you have the right insurance in place to bridge the gap between intention and action, and make sure the funds are there to respond immediately. In terms of getting the right insurance, there are many platforms out there that offer comprehensive, reliable insurance to see you through any kind of crisis.

What you’re looking for, however, is something that can be tailored specifically to your business. A strong platform, in this case, is Next Insurance, which has been recognised as one of the best platforms in the US for small businesses, especially for those who need easy, affordable insurance that can grow alongside the business itself.

Through this platform, you can tailor your insurance to cover anything from a loss of assets to more complex disruptions like data breaches, professional errors, or a sudden halt in operations due to supply chain issues. The key point, however, is that you utilise that flexibility to prepare for your vulnerabilities and have that support in place to take effect when needed.

Why Business Insurance is Fundamental to Your Continuity Plan

Let’s say, for instance, a fire has destroyed your primary office space. Your continuity plan might dictate a shift to remote work, the use of cloud backups, or a temporary relocation site – but how are you going to pay for all this? It might be true that you’ve portioned out a section of your budget to cover your business in this eventuality, but with the landscape of business changing all the time, you can’t say for sure whether those finances will be there when a crisis strikes.

You might have spent that money, for instance, on equipment upgrades, a developed marketing plan to stay competitive, or it may have gone towards unexpected staffing costs. Building and developing a business in a straight, uninterrupted line is the dream, but it’s not necessarily the reality.

With something like property insurance, however, the cost of replacing your equipment, furniture, and, more importantly, your infrastructure, will be taken care of. This will then allow you to focus on executing your continuity plan swiftly and effectively, without being paralysed by financial stress.

The same can be true if you’ve experienced a cyberattack or you’ve lost data through equipment failure. There are so many unforeseen events that can cripple your business, even with a continuity plan in place, but if you have the insurance there – and have taken the time to ensure it’s tailored and suited to your company – you’ll know that you have the means to navigate these events and come out on the other side. This will then give you the peace of mind to grow and develop confidently, without any stress that the work you’re putting in will come to nothing.

What we know about the Barcarole “Freedom Flotilla” boat heading to Gaza with Greta Thunberg

Travel

Karin Kloosterman

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June 5, 2025

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As the world’s most iconic—and polarizing—climate activist, Greta Thunberg documents her “Titanic-like” moments aboard the Barcarole, a boat renamed Madleen by its crew, Israel’s IDF has confirmed she will not be allowed to dock in Gaza. While Israeli authorities reportedly considered allowing the vessel to land, they ultimately declined, fearing it would set a precedent that could be replicated by others.

The IDF spokesperson desk told Green Prophet: “The IDF enforces the security naval blockade on the Gaza Strip and is prepared for a wide range of scenarios, which it will act upon in accordance with the directives of the political echelon.”

Green Prophet tracked down the phone number listed as the “owner” of the boat, the Barcarole, not the Madleen as it’s painted on the boat. Our intern reporter Max Izaks called the number and a man picked up who didn’t seem to understand English. He said he was not on the boat.

“He sounded confused and I tried asking him a bunch of quick questions and he didn’t really know what I meant. He sounded Middle Eastern maybe,” says Izaks.

The single boat carrying 12 crew members departed from Catania, Sicily, on June 2, aiming to break the blockade of Gaza and deliver much-needed medical aid. Despite its lone status, the mission is being referred to as a “Freedom Flotilla” by supporters. Listed in maritime records as Barcarole, the British-flagged, Dutch-built schooner is typically docked in Lac du Bois de la Cambre, Belgium. The schooner was built in 1974.

A photo taken en route today by an Artur Skipper, shows the sails down, suggested the sail boat is cruising by diesel engine.

Gaza freedom flotilla? Virtue signaling or a real impactful protest? — Gaza freedom flotilla of one boat. When there is no wind the 18x5m boat runs on a 170hp diesel fueled engine.

The 18-meter-long schooner, built by VAN DAM NORDIA in the Netherlands, is powered by a 170 hp Ecotec diesel engine and cruises at about 5.6 knots (approximately 10.4 km/h). While it can sail, the vessel reportedly relies on engine power when wind is absent. It is equipped with modern amenities including air conditioning and a television.

Israeli military officials expect the boat to arrive within a week. At least one of the activists on board has previously been denied entry into Israel. According to a statement published in Hebrew media, the IDF plans to intercept the vessel and escort it to the Port of Ashdod, where the activists will likely be apprehended and deported. Defense Minister Israel Katz is expected to make final decisions later this week.

Freedom Flotilla tracker on route to Gaza, June 5, 2025 expected to arrive in Gaza in less than a week

“The IDF is prepared to operate on all fronts, including the maritime arena,” said Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin. “We will act accordingly.”

The UK, whose flag the Barcarole flies, maintains a diplomatic mission in Israel and supports cultural exchange programs between the two nations. If the boat is found to be violating maritime law or bilateral agreements, this could potentially spark a diplomatic dispute.

Green Prophet tried calling the number listed as the cell phone link to the boat, but the person who picked up said he was not on the flotilla.

Carbon Footprint of the Voyage

Palestine, Freedom flotilla Palestinian flags while watching a large sailboat in the sea. The boat also displays Palestinian flags and appears to be part of a pro-Palestinian flotilla. The scene takes place on — Supporters wave Palestinian flags as the Freedom Flotilla, carrying activists including Greta Thunberg, sets sail toward Gaza

Assuming the boat runs under continuous engine power with no use of sails, the estimated carbon emissions for the voyage from Catania to Gaza—approximately 1,050 nautical miles—would total 17.1 metric tons of CO₂. This assumes 6,375 liters of diesel consumed over 7.8 days of travel at 5.6 knots.

Factoring in a 15% deviation for weather routing and a 10% increase for hotel load (e.g., air conditioning and electronics), total emissions rise to approximately 20.7 metric tons of CO₂—equivalent to the annual carbon footprint of two average Europeans.

It is assumed the bilge of the boat is emptied into the sea.

Who is onboard the Freedom Flotilla and what are their nationalities?

There are 12 activists on board the Barcarole/Madleen:

Greta Thunberg – Swedish climate activist
Rima Hassan – French-Palestinian Member of European Parliament (recently denied entry to Israel at Ben Gurion Airport)
Yasemin Acar – Germany
Baptiste Andre – France
Thiago Avila – Brazil
Omar Faiad – France
Pascal Maurieras – France
Yanis Mhamdi – France
Suayb Ordu – Turkiye
Sergio Toribio – Spain
Marco van Rennes – The Netherlands
Reva Viard – France

Update: June 9, Greta Thunberg claims she is “kidnapped” by the Israeli authorities

Belgian reader notes that the location of the schooner cannot possibly be docked at Lac du Bois de la Cambre, Belgium. As it is too small too hold such a boat. He suggests the brunch on the island, however: Chalet Robinson.

France bans outdoor smoking

Cities

Bhok Thompson

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June 4, 2025

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Smoking in Paris, Anna Karina — Anna Karina, smoking in Paris

France, a country of smokers, will ban smoking in all outdoor places that can be frequented by children, like beaches, parks and bus stops, the health and family minister said in an interview published on Thursday.

“Tobacco must disappear where there are children,” Catherine Vautrin said in an interview published by the regional Ouest-France daily on its website.

The freedom to smoke “stops where children’s right to breathe clean air starts,” she said.

The restrictions will enter into force on July 1 and will include all places where children could be, such as “beaches, parks, public gardens, outside of schools, bus stops and sports venues,” she said.

Violators could be fined up to 135 euros ($154), she said.

Related: heavy smoking and stroke

Chris Dorsett, Ocean Conservancy’s Vice President of Conservation, said the news is goof for people and the planet: “Not only does banning smoking in public places protect public health, but it will also make a huge impact in keeping our ocean and beaches clean.

According to Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup data, cigarette butts are the number one most commonly found item polluting beaches and waterways in Europe and worldwide. In addition to shedding dangerous microplastic fibers, cigarette butts also leach chemicals into the environment, harming sensitive marine ecosystems. We applaud France for taking this important step to protect people and the environment from the threat of cigarette pollution.”

Israel and Sweden’s Andreas Weil, for instance, has led massive cigarette butt pickups and educations about smoking on the beaches of Tel Aviv and around the country.

Since 1986, volunteers with Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup have collected 63 million cigarette butts worldwide. In 2023 – the most recent year for which we have data, 323,431 cigarette butts were collected from beaches and waterways in Europe alone.

As for the ban, Parisian cafe terraces will be excluded from the ban, which will also not extend to electronic cigarettes.

Some 75,000 people are estimated to die from tobacco-related complications each year in France.

Man smokes hookah pipe — The shisha pipe is also known as a hookah pipe. It’s also known as a bong when used for smoking cannabis, for medical reasons of course.

According to a recent opinion survey, six out of 10 French people (62%) favour banning smoking in public places. Given the large number of Arab and North African population in France, we hope the ban extends to shisha pipes, which are thought to be safe because the tobacco smells like fruit, when in fact toxin levels can be found to be much higher than regular nicotine cigarattes.

Off-the-Grid and On Point: Rechargeable Lighting That Supports a Greener Lifestyle

Design

Bhok Thompson

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June 4, 2025

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Off-the-Grid and On Point: Rechargeable Lighting That Supports a Greener Lifestyle

In Harmoni, an eco-house in Denmark that uses sustainable lighting

Ready to give up access to electricity? Given the rising costs of conventional utilities, it’s a lifestyle more people are willing to try. Embracing an off-the-grid lifestyle is also driven by a desire to reduce carbon footprints while reducing dependence on utility companies.

But like most aspirations, you need practical tools and implementation to make an off-the-grid lifestyle possible. Knowing what your options are to achieve your goal of greener living helps determine which path you need to take. Rechargeable lighting plays a key role in environmentally sustainable lifestyles. And here are some of the options you can take advantage of.

Battery Power

Sustainable, re-charchable, LED flashlightbatteries

Yep, batteries don’t need to be connected to an outlet to provide reliable power. While some rechargeable batteries “refuel” by storing electricity, others recharge using renewable energy sources. Solar-powered rechargeable batteries are a good example.

Lighting sources that use rechargeable batteries include an LED flashlight, a generator, and an outdoor solar light fixture. Flashlights are some of the more versatile lighting choices, since these devices offer various sizes and brightness. Brightness capability is also known as lumens. If you need strong lighting, choose a device with a higher lumen output.

But if you want something for everyday use, you might go with the lower end of the lumens range. Plus, flashlights come in smaller sizes, with some even fitting on a keychain or lanyard. Choosing a rechargeable device means you’re reducing the waste and cost associated with frequent battery replacements.

Solar Power

A Tesla Powerwall can stabilize the grid and keep your home running during a blackout

With solar panels, you can generate enough electricity to run the lights and then some in your home. The adoption of solar as a renewable energy source is growing, with installations expected to triple by 2034. Furthermore, solar is projected to be the largest source of energy fueling the U.S. grid by 2050.

But you don’t have to use lights connected to the grid to harness the power of the sun. Cabins can run off solar-powered generators. Lights, from outdoor fixtures to portable lanterns, can also use solar as a fuel source.

You can take lanterns with you, whether you’re hiking or sitting outside on your porch. Outdoor solar-powered fixtures can illuminate the exterior of your property, supporting your safety and security. Solar-powered lights usually don’t require much work, either. These devices are long-lasting without the need for a ton of troubleshooting or maintenance.

Wind-Ups

If you’re not afraid of a little elbow grease, wind-up lights can be a way to embrace a greener lifestyle. These lights are usually portable and run off an internal capacitor or battery. The difference is that these devices have a crank you turn to generate energy.

By winding up the light, your actions create the energy the device needs to emit light. Although wind-up lights reduce dependence on traditional power sources, they won’t necessarily light up a whole room. These devices work best in situations where you need a reading lamp and want to illuminate a smaller space.

Wind-up lights are also sustainable solutions for campsites, RV travel, and other outdoor adventures. They’re typically small enough to pack and take with you on the trails. As long as you’re prepared to be the energy source behind these lights, they can be a viable choice.

Gas Lanterns

Keemalah at night, Phuket Thailand by Karin Kloosterman — This resort on Phucket, Thailand uses sustainable lights

Before the grid existed, people used gas lanterns to light the way. Some communities still use traditional gas-powered lanterns, which rely on fuel like kerosene. These lanterns contain a smaller amount of fuel in a base. You switch on the lamp when you need light, burning a bit of the fuel at a time.

Gas lanterns are convenient because they’re also portable. While they do require some maintenance and safety considerations, you can use them at home and off the beaten path. Gas lanterns tend to emit a bright, white flame as long as there’s enough fuel to burn.

Besides kerosene, propane, butane, and natural gas are other fuel options. You can usually find gas lanterns at home improvement stores, sporting goods retailers, and online. Options include the more well-known portable lamps and decorative outdoor fixtures for homes.

Candles

Another traditional source of light that doesn’t require electricity is the candle. You can light them with a match or a lighter if matches aren’t your thing. Like gas lanterns, candles require a few safety considerations.

You may need a base to hold the candle steady. You’ll also want to be mindful of wind, which could cause the flame to spread to nearby objects. It’s also important to extinguish candles before turning in for the night or lying down for a nap.

If kids are in your household, teaching them about fire safety and proper candle use is an additional must. However, there are flameless candle options for those who don’t want to deal with the caveats. These are battery-powered devices that emit a soft glow. You simply turn them on and off as you need to use them.

Living Off the Grid

Supporting a greener lifestyle does mean making conscious choices about what tools and energy sources you use. You still need lighting when natural sunlight isn’t available. Devices that use rechargeable batteries, solar power, human energy, and non-electrical fuel sources can keep your surroundings bright. When you want to live off the grid, know there are sustainable ways within your reach.

Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Joins Gaza Flotilla

Politics

Max Izaks

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June 4, 2025

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Greta Thunberg, climate and humanitarian activist

On June 1, 2025, the Madleen, a ship organized by the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, departed from Catania, Italy. It carries supplies such as water bottles, medical equipment, and other essential items. The goal of the mission is to break through Israel’s naval blockade and deliver aid to civilians in Gaza. The flotilla includes 12 participants from various countries. Some participants include members of the European Parliament, actors, and activists. The most high-profile figure on board may be Greta Thunberg.

Thunberg, a Swedish-born climate activist, describes the mission as aligning with her environmental and humanitarian values. She asserts that the mission reflects her beliefs that environmental justice must include all communities.

Thunberg has recently been an active participant in the youth-led, global “Free Palestine” movement. While the journey has drawn international media attention due to Thunberg’s highly controversial image, it also intersects with a long-standing, complex, and regional conflict—one where humanitarian concerns, national security, and environmental challenges collide.

Israel has enforced a naval blockade on the Gaza Strip since 2007 due to concerns related to Hamas. Hamas, a terrorist organization, attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 innocent Israeli civilians and taking over 250 hostage. The blockade is supported by other nations in the region, such as Egypt. It is utilized to prevent weapons and materials that could be used for military purposes from entering the territory. Israel allows aid to enter Gaza through land crossings, which are coordinated and monitored by international agencies.

Those who are critical of the blockade, including Thunberg and her companions, argue that the embargo contributes to deteriorating living and environmental conditions in Gaza. Supporters of the blockade assert that it is essential for the security of Israel and the safety of its civilians. Additionally, they claim internal mismanagement and a lack of cooperation from Hamas limit the support that civilians receive. Gaza is facing significant environmental challenges. There are reports that 90% of the water is undrinkable. This is due to the ongoing war, governance challenges, and the over-extraction and contamination of aquifers.

Wastewater runs rampant due to untreated sewage being discharged directly into the Mediterranean Sea and other water sources. While the Israeli blockade is often cited as the most significant factor contributing to these challenges, many international commentators and agencies have also pointed to Hamas and its recent efforts to disrupt aid distribution as a substantial factor.

In the past, infrastructure projects, including water treatment facilities and solar energy systems, many of which came from Israel, have been disrupted by a lack of cooperation between the Palestinian Authority and Hamas.

Greta Thunberg’s decision to participate in the Madleen voyage highlights the issue of environmental justice in conflict zones. It also reflects the growing trend of climate activism, which involves engaging in politically sensitive regions.

From Israel’s perspective, the debate is distinguishing between humanitarianism and efforts that legitimize terrorist organizations such as Hamas. Despite concerns, Israel has continued to permit and facilitate the transfer of aid, including food, fuel, water, and medical supplies, through its land crossings.

As the Madleen moves closer to Gaza’s waters, the following steps are uncertain. Previous flotillas have been intercepted and redirected to Ashdod Port, where the cargo is examined and transferred to Gaza via official land crossing channels. The IDF, Israel Defense Forces, recently issued a statement to the press. IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin said, “The (Israeli military) is prepared to defend the citizens of the State of Israel on all fronts — in the north, the south, the center and also in the maritime arena.

“The navy operates day and night to protect Israel’s maritime space and borders at sea. For this case as well, we are prepared,” he said in response to a question about the Freedom Flotilla vessel, declining to go into detail.
“We have gained experience in recent years, and we will act accordingly.” Spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin speaking to the media

What is clear is that Thunberg’s journey has drawn massive attention to Gaza’s humanitarian and environmental conditions. At the same time, it opens up a broader conversation on the role of ecological activism and justice in a time of war.

For Israel, the situation continues to be consistent with its responsibility to ensure humanitarian access to civilians in Gaza, while maintaining its security.

Freedom Flotilla sets sail toward Gaza with Greta Thunburg on board to liberate Gaza

Karin Kloosterman

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June 4, 2025

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The Madleen—a diesel powered sail boat—is currently en route to Gaza as part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition’s effort to deliver humanitarian aid and challenge the ongoing Israeli blockade. While the word “flotilla” typically refers to a group or fleet of ships operating together, this mission finds the Madleen sailing alone, with prominent climate activist Greta Thunberg onboard.

The boat is registered as Barcarole (MMSI: 232057367), a sailing vessel sailing under the flag of United Kingdom. Her length overall (LOA) is 18 meters and her width is 5 meters.

Though equipped with sails to reduce fuel use, the Madleen also depends on a diesel engine.

Still, the voyage raises questions for environmental advocates about issues like bilge discharge (are there composting toilets onboard?), fuel sourcing, and carbon offsetting—especially with a high-profile environmentalist onboard.

The current crew consists of 12 individuals from a range of countries and professional backgrounds. Notably: Greta Thunberg (Sweden) – Global climate activist, now expanding her focus to include humanitarian issues.

Liam Cunningham (Ireland) – Actor known for his role in Game of Thrones, and an advocate for refugee rights and humanitarian causes.

Rima Hassan (France) – Human rights lawyer and newly elected member of the European Parliament, known for her outspoken support for Palestinian rights. She has previously been denied entry to Israel over security concerns.

Other crew members include activists, journalists, and medical professionals from around the world—including one from Turkey, where press freedom remains a contentious issue. While the group is diverse, they are united in their mission to highlight what they describe as a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The Madleen is reportedly carrying basic aid supplies, including baby formula, food staples, hygiene products, and medical equipment. Still, given the vessel’s limited cargo capacity, its humanitarian impact is likely to be symbolic rather than substantial. The mission is as much political as logistical, aimed at drawing attention to the blockade, which restricts the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza.

Egypt, which also borders Gaza, reportedly charges refugees large sums—often around $5,000—for safe passage, limiting alternative escape routes for civilians.

Related: a pod of orcas sink a ship

Public reactions have been mixed. Some online voices have expressed harsh criticism and even hostility toward the voyage. Others see it as a legitimate and peaceful form of protest aimed at raising awareness.

The intersection of environmental and human rights activism is particularly visible in this mission. The coalition claims to minimize its environmental footprint using sails, yet questions remain about the broader sustainability and ethics of such journeys.

The use of flotillas to challenge the Gaza blockade has been done before, most notably the Mavi Marmara in 2010. That mission, organized by the Turkish NGO IHH, ended in violence when Israeli forces boarded the ship in international waters. Nine activists were killed, and a tenth died later from his injuries. Israel claimed self-defense, citing improvised weapons used by passengers that they found later. The IHH has faced allegations of ties to terrorist groups, which it denies. The event remains controversial and is cited by both sides of the debate as either a cautionary tale or a justification for resistance.

US Senator Lindsey Graham announced in a controversial post on X, “I hope Greta and her friends can swim.”

On X, the Maccabee Task Force wrote, “Greta Thunberg’s so-called “freedom flotilla” encapsulates the delusion and hypocrisy surrounding the Israel-Gaza war. This isn’t a humanitarian mission—it’s a Mediterranean leisure cruise.

“Participants are smiling, swimming, and filming TikTok videos. This is self-serving activism. And let’s be honest: she wouldn’t dare try this stunt anywhere near Hamas-controlled waters. She knows she’s safe because Israel has Hamas on the ropes. That’s what makes this spectacle possible. It’s not activism. Its performance. And it’s pathetic.”

Participants on the boat posted on X about a worrying drone circling overhead yesterday, “From Forensic Architecture: Helenic Coast Guard Heron drone was seen active close to your location a couple of hours ago – ADSB hasn’t updated assets location since 20:30 pm. It did a similar trajectory the last couple of days.”

It turned out to be Greek coast guard patrol drone doing routine surveillance.

Drone deployed from Greece to survey Greta Thunberg

Among the crew is Brazilian Thiago Ávila who supports “the resistance”. He met Hezbollah’s former leader Hassan Nasrallah in 2006 and also attended Nasrallah’s funeral in Beirut in February 2025. Here he is singing a “resistance” song aboard the boat, in a video posted to X. Hezbollah is considered a terror organization by the US, Canada and Europe, the Arab League, Japan etc.

Whether the Madleen’s voyage ends peacefully or is met with confrontation remains to be seen. What is clear is that such missions continue to stir international debate—not only about the politics of Gaza but also about the evolving roles of civil disobedience, humanitarian action, and environmental responsibility in an increasingly complex world.

While violence uprisings happen in the Middle East, there is little acceptance of peaceful protest, especially in Gaza. Before the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, people in Gaza had tried to rise up against Hamas and were met with a fatal warning or their end.

Meanwhile the Freedom Flotilla has an excellent opportunity to shed a light on Libya’s human rights abuses as it sails by Libya, a country mired in instability and lawlessness over a decade after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi. Armed groups continue to operate with impunity, engaging in extrajudicial killings, kidnappings, and attacks on civilians.

Let us hope that this Gaza “flotilla of one” can offer more than just political controversy and instead deliver a message of unity, dignity, and peace for all people everywhere.

We are waiting for a response from Israel’s IDF on what Israel plans to do once Greta Thunberg enters its territory.

You can follow the yacht’s Garmin tracker here.

Iraqi Zaha Hadid’s legacy reinvented in Saudi Arabia’s clay-rooted museum?

Architecture

Karin Kloosterman

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June 4, 2025

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Zaha Hadid may have passed away in 2016 at 65, but her architectural spirit continues to shape the Middle East with grace, innovation, and a reverence for heritage. Her UK-based firm carries her legacy of bold Middle Eastern sensuality. She wasn’t shy to dominate an all-male world of starchitects becoming one herself. She even designed refugee shelter with her own brand of culture and grace.

The latest project carrying her name—the Asaan, Misk Heritage Museum in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia—is more than just a cultural institution. It is a homecoming for Muslim and Arabian influence on design and architecture.

Hadad was the first female and first Muslim to win the coveted Pritzker prize.

She was known as “The Lady Gaga of Architecture” but her work was not sustainable by design.

Designed by Zaha Hadid Architects (ZHA) which continues her legacy, and supported by the Misk Foundation, the new museum blends low-carbon adobe construction, according to press materials with bold contemporary design, becoming ZHA’s first earthen building globally. Yet despite its forward-thinking form, the Asaan Museum is built literally and metaphorically from the soil of Saudi heritage.

Related: Zaha Hadid dead at 65

“Asaan” means “inheritance passed down through generations,” and that inheritance is being reimagined in the heart of the Najdi world. The museum will rise in Diriyah’s historic At-Turaif district—a UNESCO World Heritage site where 600 years of mud-brick architecture tell the story of the first Saudi state.

This is not another glass monolith. The Asaan is made of locally produced clay mud-bricks, shaped into thick, cooling adobe walls that honor the vernacular of Najdi architecture and reduce energy consumption in the blistering desert heat. The structure is organized around three shaded courtyards, anchoring programs in education, the arts, and administration, just as the heart of old Najdi homes once revolved around their shaded interior courtyards.

Related: what is Najdi architecture?

Zaha Hadid, born in Baghdad, Iraq was always drawn to the cultural topography of the Middle East. Her projects across the region have been provocative, poetic, and deeply aware of place. From the Bee’ah Headquarters in Sharjah—a Green Prophet favorite for its net-zero ambitions—to the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC) in Riyadh, her buildings dance between the sensuousness in math and the mystical.

But, as our resident ports architect wrote, Zaha was in no way an environmentalist, even though we wanted her to be one: “in her penchant for novel building materials, and the result was difficult-to-construct projects that often dramatically blew budgets. She showed a chronic aversion to local context, and no moral conscience when it came to environmental issues, or the health and safety protection for people who brought her designs to reality. Apparently her clients did not find this problematic.”

The Asaan Museum takes that ethos even deeper—into the very earth of Diriyah. The Asaan Museum is part of the ambitious Diriyah Gate masterplan, which aims to transform the ancient city into a 100% walkable, climate-resilient cultural capital. Public plazas, rooftop promenades, conservation labs, and interactive exhibits will bring Saudis and international visitors alike into intimate contact with the country’s layered history.

The museum is not merely a place to view the past—it is designed to engage, educate, and empower. In a region where cultural erasure often moves faster than preservation, the museum offers a new model: a living heritage center designed by a woman who understood the language of permanence and transformation.

In 2012, Green Prophet wrote about how Zaha Hadid’s work in the Middle East was “a contradiction—extravagant yet humble, futuristic but rooted.” Today, Asaan fulfills that paradox perfectly. It is at once timeless and timely, emerging from the earth to remind us that the future is not built only from new materials—but from memory, identity, and ancestral wisdom. Let’s hope they lose local builders, pay them a fair wage, and that materials are made from local, sustainable sources.

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