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5 Stories For a Freer, Greener Tunisia

Tafline Laylin
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5 Stories For a Freer, Greener Tunisia

green design, sustainable design, graffiti, urban art, environmental art, tourism, eco-tourism, Middle East, Tunisia, map, clean tech, solar energyWe have collected five inspiring stories that point to the possibility of a freer, greener Tunisia  

TIME Magazine paid allegiance to the brave hearted souls in the Middle East North Africa region who rose up against despotic regimes by naming “The Protestor” as their 2011 person of the year. Known now as the Arab Spring, this powerful movement was sparked by the self-immolation of a college-educated fruit vendor in Tunisia who was fed up with corruption and dismal living conditions. Since the subsequent Jasmine Revolution, the country has teetered between its tainted past and uncertainty, but these five stories point to the very real possibility that its residents can look forward to a freer and greener future.

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Does the Skyscraper Index Predict Economic Turmoil?

Brian Nitz
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Does the Skyscraper Index Predict Economic Turmoil?

Sharjah, UAE, Middle East, skyscrapers, urban development, unsustainable development, architectureBrian argues that skyscrapers are not only “un-green,” but they could be a precursor to economic turmoil.

The Empire State Building was completed in 1931, the same year E.Y. “Yip” Harburg wrote these lyrics: “Once I built a tower up to the sun, brick and rivet and lime. Once I built a tower, now its done. Brother, can you spare a dime?” The song grew to become an anthem to unemployed American builders during the Great Depression. But these words could easily apply to those put out of work after building Burj Khalifa or one of hundreds of other skyscrapers that now cast long shadows across the Mideast.

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Piping Sunlight with Solotubes, Plastic Bottles and Islamic Architecture

Brian Nitz
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Piping Sunlight with Solotubes, Plastic Bottles and Islamic Architecture

green design, sustainable design, Solotubes, daylighting, Islamic Architecture, Middle EastIslamic architects piped sunlight into homes using star-shaped skylights but Brian and his wife installed Solotubes.

One of the first changes my wife and I made to our house was to install a Solotube in the kitchen. This device consists of a translucent dome on the roof which is connected to a highly silvered six foot long pipe through the attic. The bottom end of the pipe spills sunlight into the kitchen even during the dullest winter days. But we have discovered that the idea isn’t new. Islamic architects have been using a variation of the technique for hundreds of years.

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Iran’s Energy Minister Looks to Green Energy After Sanctions

Tafline Laylin
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Iran’s Energy Minister Looks to Green Energy After Sanctions

green energy, clean energy, renewable energy, solar, Iran, sanctions, Middle East, subsidies, Jameh Mosque, YazdSanctions have backed fossil-rich Iran into a corner, which could bode well for the country’s renewable sector. 

The western-led sanctions against Iran have crippled the country’s ability to provide for its 74 million strong population, Reuters reports. Food prices have skyrocketed and many ships holding supplies are waiting for payment before allowing Iran to collect inventory. Meanwhile, sanctions have made conducting financial transactions virtually impossible. While the government’s failure to act could be disastrous for Iranian nationals, one potential upside is that the Energy Minister has recently admitted the importance of beefing up the country’s renewable energy sector.

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World Bank to Fill in till Global Climate Deal?

Susan Kraemer
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World Bank to Fill in till Global Climate Deal?

The funding for many of the great renewable energy projects within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and other developing regions, will continue to be directed via the World Bank, Reuters reports.

The funds support projects which cut climate-changing greenhouse gas emissions in developing nations under the EU’s cap & trade law, and is likely to be needed for the next five years while the UN designs the climate deal that will supercede it.

A typical example of funding of clean energy projects to cut climate change: Egypt Now Contracting a Whopping 1000 MW Wind Farm!

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New Israeli Railway Line Approved Between Tel Aviv and Eilat

Karen Chernick
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New Israeli Railway Line Approved Between Tel Aviv and Eilat

"eilat underwater eco tourism"Eco-tourists may be able to get to see these underwater creatures in Eilat faster due to the construction of a railway line from Tel Aviv.

Eilat, located at the southern tip of Israel, draws both local and international tourists year-round due to its warm weather and marine biodiversity.  Though not equipped with an international airport, it does receive domestic flights since the only alternatives are to drive yourself (which takes about six hours from Tel Aviv) or take a public bus (which takes even longer).

The Israeli Cabinet is hoping to improve public transportation to this popular destination and approved the construction of a new railway line from Tel Aviv to Eilat this week.  The train would shorten the travel time to a speedy two hours.

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Reporters Notebook: The Ethical Aspects Of Islamic Banking

Arwa Aburawa
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Reporters Notebook: The Ethical Aspects Of Islamic Banking

islamic-banking-ethical-arms-industryAre Islamic banks anti-war? Islamic banks discourage investment in the arms and military industry as well as speculation and taking excessive risks

A couple of weeks ago, I was asked by a fantastic organisation to look into Islamic banking and how ethical it really is. Whilst I learnt that most Islamic banks may not have the best environmental record, I did discover that they do have some distinct ethical selling points. One of which is their reluctance to invest in the arms industry as well as an aversion to speculation and excessive risks which can destabilize the market. At a time when no-one trusts their bank, Islamic banking doesn’t look like such a bad alternative to the conventional profit-driven financial system.

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Dubai Breaks its Own Record for the World’s Tallest Hotel

Tafline Laylin
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Dubai Breaks its Own Record for the World’s Tallest Hotel

Dubai, green building, unsustainable development, tourism, Emirates Airlines, JW Marriott Hotel, Dubai, Gold, United Arab EmiratesWhen it is complete, the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai Hotel will be the world’s tallest.

Never mind that scientists have discovered giant plumes of methane that could speed up global-warming, which could contribute to even higher temperatures in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other countries.

Pay no attention to the fact that hundreds of partially unoccupied towers already line the Gulf shoreline: JW Marriott is building the world’s newest tallest hotel in Dubai.

72 Stories tall, the Rose Reyhaan Rotana on Sheikh Zayed Road currently holds the record as the world’s tallest hotel, but it is soon to be surpassed.

When the twin 1,165 feet JW Marriott Marquis Dubai hotel towers are complete, they will have ten additional floors each and 1,608 rooms between them.

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Akrya Resort for Japanese Sensibility on Koh Samui, Thailand

Karin Kloosterman
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Akrya Resort for Japanese Sensibility on Koh Samui, Thailand

akyra hotel review
An excellent time to get away from the cold weather, Thailand can easily become the Cancun or Ibiza for the Middle East. This week I’ve landed at the Japanese-influenced resort called Akyra. And while it is not a certified eco-hotel, which I am going to seek out and review later, there are a few elements of the resort that are in line with some of the values we might be looking for when looking to tread lighter on the planet. Of course sleeping on a beach bungalow without air-con is the best option for eco-travel in Thailand and something I do in Sinai. But not for me at this point in my life with a baby who’s now walking. I am looking for simplicity, quiet aesthetics and the kind of quality that will stand the test of time.

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Palestinians Attempt to Build Secret Renewable Energy Plants

Tafline Laylin
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1
Palestinians Attempt to Build Secret Renewable Energy Plants

Renewable energy, Israel, Palestinian Authority, solar power, green design, sustainable design, eco-design, Palestinians living in Masafer Yatta who do not have access to the electrical grid have been developing home grown renewable energy plants.

Palestinians living in the Masafer Yatta village have been secretly pursuing wind and solar energy projects in order to mitigate a serious shortfall of energy in the village.

But the 150,000 residents that live in Area C, which has been under Israeli control since 1993, live in constant fear that Israeli authorities will demolish their projects. Why? Because Israelis are opposed to any new infrastructure projects that are built outside of construction and planning laws.

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Siemens Headquarters at Masdar City Scoops Coveted Architecture Award

Tafline Laylin
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Siemens Headquarters at Masdar City Scoops Coveted Architecture Award

green design, sustainable design, eco design, Masdar City, Siemens, architecture,The LEED-hopeful Siemens headquarters in Masdar City has been awarded the coveted 2012 MIPIM future projects award. 

It wasn’t long ago that the first batch of photographs depicting the new Siemens headquarters made its way through the virtual world, but the LEED Platinum-hopeful building designed by Sheppard Robson has already scooped a coveted architecture award, Zawya news reports.

The MIPIM Architectural Review Future Projects Award in the office category acknowledges the resource-efficient construction’s contribution to Masdar’s overall goal to become a leading center of all things renewable and sustainable, and the designers will receive their prize at the MIPIM international real estate even in Cannes, France, on March 7.

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Green Tu B’Shvat Tour of Tel Aviv Celebrates the City’s Planted Areas

Karen Chernick
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Green Tu B’Shvat Tour of Tel Aviv Celebrates the City’s Planted Areas

"green boulevard tel aviv"An English-language ‘green’ tour of Tel Aviv will take place this weekend in honor of Tu B’Shvat, the Jewish New Year for trees.

The city of Tel Aviv is no stranger to green tours, in fact it has seen all kinds of them.  Tel Aviv’s eco-tourists can enjoy a running tour of the city, a biking tour, or an annual tour of the city’s green architecture.  This Saturday, in honor of the Jewish Tu B’Shvat holiday, a special green tour will guide people along the belt of Tel Aviv’s green, tree-lined boulevards.

Tu B’shvat, also known as the “Jewish New Year for trees”, marks the time that determines a tree’s age.  It also commemorates the beginning of spring, and trees are often planted in celebration.

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Weekly Vegewarian Recipe: Asparagus and Mushroom Risotto

Miriam Kresh
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Weekly Vegewarian Recipe: Asparagus and Mushroom Risotto

image-vegan-risottoThis creamy vegan rice dish, dotted with little chunks of aromatic asparagus, satisfies the taste for something substantial and savory.

Asparagus has been in the markets for some time in the Middle East. It’s worth buying it for this low-fat, creamy risotto. And don’t forget another great vegan recipe – Chickpea and Artichoke Salad. Two great dishes for a vegan buffet.

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Israel’s Bedouin Get Solar from Arava (+ Obama)

Susan Kraemer
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Israel’s Bedouin Get Solar from Arava (+ Obama)

Arava-Power-Tarabin-Bedouin

Arava Power Company pioneers first ever solar contract for Israel’s Bedouin minority

The first-ever license for a solar project has been awarded this week to Israel’s bedouin community by Israel’s Public Utility Authority. Yosef Abramowitz of Arava Power Company promoted and led the solar project, to make a solar energy dream come true for Bedouin living in the Israel’s Negev desert.

The Obama Administration is supplying 80 percent of the $30 million of financing it will take to build the small photovoltaic solar farm, using the little-known Overseas Private Investment Corporation of the US government: OPIC.

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Gulf Municipality Pampers Villa Owners Who Don’t Get Green Building

Tafline Laylin
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1
Gulf Municipality Pampers Villa Owners Who Don’t Get Green Building

green building, sustainable building, energy, water, carbon footprint, Estidama, United Arab Emirates, villas, Abu Dhabi, pearl ratingGoing green doesn’t come naturally to wealthy villa owners in the Gulf.

An online real estate  company listed a seven bedroom villa in Dubai’s neighboring Emirate Abu Dhabi for $95,300 a year, which amounts to nearly $8,000 a month. Anyone who can afford to spend that much money on rent probably has little incentive to turn off the lights in order to conserve energy or shorten their showers, which may explain why the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council sometimes has to meet with villa owners six times before they grasp the minimum requirements of the country’s mandatory Estidama green building code.

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Exploring Bangkok by electric bike with teenagers

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With two teenagers in tow and four nights to spare, we decided to give Thailand’s capital the attention it deserved. My son had one request: he wanted to rent electric bikes. A friend of his had explored Japan this way, and he was convinced Bangkok would be just as exciting.

Jailhouse Booze For Home Bootleggers

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You don’t have to languish in jail to make Jailhouse Booze. It’s an easy, fun project you can make in your own kitchen, with fruit juice. Old-time jailbirds used to call it Pruno. We also have another, no-waste, alternative wine recipe: Pea Pod Wine.

5 projects to help kickstart your company’s sustainability journey 

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True progress happens when environmental ambition meets action. Decarbonizing efficiently is possible for any business in any sector, but actually getting started can sometimes feel daunting.   The trick? It’s to start small and build momentum. Here are five potential projects to help you get started.  

Hydrophilis Rebreather: After the Penis Jokes and Shark Bait Memes, Oliver Isler Says His Underwater Dream Is Serious

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The Hydrophilis rebreather is a new scuba system that could make diving safer and more fun.

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