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Jordan and Israel Find Risks in Dead Sea – Red Sea Canal

Maurice Picow
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8
Jordan and Israel Find Risks in Dead Sea – Red Sea Canal

red sea, dead sea canal, jordan israelThe dire situation of the Dead Sea has recently been dramatized by eco artists like Sigalit Landau

The Dead Sea is again in environmental headlines as a project to remove salt accumulations from the lakes southern portions have passed preliminary readings in Israel’s parliament.  The salt removal project would be largely paid for by the Dead Sea Works, with the profits derived from the sale of the extracted minerals to be placed in a special rehabilitation fund. This project comes on the heels of warnings by environmentalists that the hotels located in this portion of the Dead Sea could be  flooded by the ironically rising waters .

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Understanding Cairo Beyond the Complaints

Does Vandousselaere
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2

david sims cairo medieval versus modern, understanding cairoDirty, polluted, and badly managed: Understanding Cairo, The Logic of a City Out of Control goes beyond the usual rhetoric

“The Egyptian middle classes and intelligentsia, as well as a sizable slice of the foreign community, love to deplore what Cairo has become. Crowds and congestion, pollution, garbage, chaos, gridlocked traffic, horrendous architecture, and no green space, all are endlessly invoked to describe the mess that Cairo has become.”

This is how David Sims, a Cairo based urban planner and economist, puts it. And whether one reads Egyptian newspapers or publications on urban planning, this is how Egypt’s capital city is usually depicted. Sometimes part of an appeal to change just about everything, rarely is checked whether these descriptions are fact or fiction.

Sim’s book distinguishes itself from others by going beyond the usual complaining.

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Applesauce for Hanukkah Latkehs RECIPE

Miriam Kresh
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0
Applesauce for Hanukkah Latkehs RECIPE

healthy applesauce recipe, latkehs, hannukahMake your own applesauce for Hannukah meals this year. It’s surprisingly easy.

Apples are in full season – just when they’re urgently needed. For cooking down into applesauce, of course, because during the Hebrew holiday of Hannukah, those delicious latkehs need that sweet apple touch for toppings. If you need a traditional latkeh recipe, here is ours. Or try this spicy twist on that traditional potato pancake. The recipe below has a fun, surprise ingredient that will make your applesauce unique.

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Folded Paper Jewelry That Makes Origami Look Chic

Karen Chernick
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1
Folded Paper Jewelry That Makes Origami Look Chic

"folded paper jewelry"Hila Rawet Karni’s jewelry items look so luxurious, you’d never guess they’re made of paper.

As an accessory that often falls victim to changing fads and trends and which is usually made of precious stones and metals, jewelry is potentially one of the more energy intensive (and polluting) of accessories.  But it doesn’t have to be.  Jewelry can be made out of anything ranging from used bullets to upcycled fabric scraps.  It can even be made out of as unexpected a material as paper, as Israeli industrial designer Hila Rawet Karni demonstrates.  In her unique approach to the paper-folding art of origami, beautiful paper necklaces, earrings, brooches and headbands are made.

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Aircraft Emissions: Um, Stewardess, Got An Aspirin?

Faisal O'Keefe
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3
Aircraft Emissions: Um, Stewardess, Got An Aspirin?

Aircraft behemoth Boeing estimates at least 90,000 commercial planes fly daily: a massive fuel burn that translates into elephantine emissions of toxic air. There is opportunity for change in the Middle East.

If you are not already afraid of the giant plume of methane gas now emitting greenhouses gases into the atmosphere, there’s another worry: air emissions. Airplane emissions are plunked into two broad source categories: stationary (think factories) or mobile: planes, ships, heavy construction equipment. Environmental agencies have a hard enough battle regulating fixed assets within defined geopolitical limits, never mind chasing these moving polluters around the globe. Did you know that aviation has been exempt from all international controls on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions?

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Nature Iraq Acts as “Waterkeeper” for Ailing Upper Tigris River

Tafline Laylin
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0
Nature Iraq Acts as “Waterkeeper” for Ailing Upper Tigris River

conservation, nature conservation, water issues, Iraq, Nature Iraq, environmental degradation, water pollution, degraded waterwaysThe Upper Tigris River in Iraq could get a new lease on life as an Iraqi conservation group receives support to study its numerous environmental threats.

Western governments are much more interested in Iraq’s post-conflict “democracy building” than environmental issues, according to the folks over at Nature Iraq, who are well known for their combat zone conservation work. The small conservation outfit attempted to keep an eye on the country’s degraded waterways but had to give up once they ran out of financial resources in 2009.

Their main concern is to monitor the Lesser Zab River, which rises in Iran and eventually runs into the Tigris River. This historically important waterway is threatened by fuel spills from smuggling activities, water diversion and irrigation projects, dam construction, gravel mining operations; and municipal sewage and solid waste impacts among other issues, but Nature Iraq has felt powerless to do anything about it. Until now.

After gaining official acceptance to the International Waterkeeper Alliance this year, Iraq’s Waterkeeper Nabil Musa set out to familiarize himself with rivers under his jurisdiction and to conduct a number of clean-up, outreach and educational projects. Even more importantly, the Waterkeeper received a grant from the UK-based Rufford Small Grants Foundation to conduct a threat assessment of the Lesser Zab River in Kurdistan, Northern Iraq and develop action plans for addressing the river’s unique threats.

This is a tremendous boon for nature conservation in Iraq in particular and for the Middle East in general.

Algae Biofuel Closer as NATO and NASA Step Into the Slime

Maurice Picow
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2
Algae Biofuel Closer as NATO and NASA Step Into the Slime

algae biofuelOne day, giant algae biofuel farms like this prototype may help solve world fuel and food needs

Interest in creating biofuels from algae is increasing. We’ve covered Isaac Berzin from GreenFuel who rejuvenated NASA’s original idea; then there is Iran creating biofuel from algae (they didn’t answer our emails though); and Seambotic an Israel company launching a commercial algae farm in the USA to grow algae for use in both biofuel and food products.

There are other players in our global village: California based OriginOil, an innovator in algae based biofuel technology is forming a joint venture, Future Energy Solutions Unlimited Inc (FES), with the Energime Group of Companies to test and eventually produce algae based biofuels for strategic fuel centers throughout the world. This biofuel is targeted to be used for satisfying a “mission-critical need of US military and NATO for strategic fuels independence.”

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Giant Plumes of Gurgling Methane Could Fast-Track Planetary Warming

Tafline Laylin
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48
Giant Plumes of Gurgling Methane Could Fast-Track Planetary Warming

global warming, carbon emissions, methane, greenhouse gases, arctic, permafrost

Recent discoveries have confirmed scientists’ longstanding fears that global warming would catalyze the release of millions of tons of potential greenhouse gas emissions locked up in ice and permafrost in the great white north.

Layer after layer of plant debris that has not yet decomposed lies trapped in arctic and subarctic permafrost. As global temperatures rise and this perennial ice begins to melt, previously frozen organic matter will thaw out and decompose, releasing huge quantities of greenhouse gases into our already saturated atmosphere.

This may not seem like such an earth-shattering phenomenon, but scientists are deeply troubled since there’s a strong chance that methane (CH4) will be released – as it does in anaerobic wetland conditions – which does not bode well for planetary warming since it is 21 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide (CO2).

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Milken Institute: Israel’s Offshore Gas Bonanza Both An Opportunity And A Risk

Shifra Mincer
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1
Milken Institute: Israel’s Offshore Gas Bonanza Both An Opportunity And A Risk

ancient shekelIsrael’s natural gas wells could lead to an unsustainable shekel.

Although the revolution in Egypt this past spring threatened Israel’s gas supply from the south, Israel took relief in its newly discovered Tamar and Leviathan gas fields deep beneath the Mediterranean Sea, estimated to produce tens of billions of cubic feet of natural gas.

But even though the discovery will likely increase Israel’s GDP by more than 2 percent, and help it produce energy domestically, a recent report by the Milken Institute says there may be some serious negative consequences as well. Presented at the Globes Israel Business Conference, which took place on December 11 to 12 in Tel Aviv, the report recommends that Israel create a “sovereign investment fund,” a government-owned gas company stock portfolio that could be invested in international markets.

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Sanserif Creatius Brings Recycled Cardboard Furniture to UAE

Karen Chernick
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2
Sanserif Creatius Brings Recycled Cardboard Furniture to UAE

"saudi arabia cardboard chair"Thanks to a recent feature in Sadiyaty Magazine, residents of the UAE may soon be interested in recycled cardboard furniture.

The latest issue of Sadiyaty Magazine, an Arabic publication on design trends and fashion, featured design team Sanserif Creatius’s cardboard Valentina throne chair – and no wonder.  The Spanish designers at Sanserif Creatius are enamored with Arabic art and design and have integrated Arabesque details into many of their furnishings, including the cardboard Mustafa table.  In integrating Arabic arches, geometric shapes and scallops into their designs, will Sanserif Creatius be the design company that makes eco-friendly cardboard furniture palatable to the Arab world?

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Light Bulb Terrarium and 5 New Uses For Old Light Bulbs

Karen Chernick
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2
Light Bulb Terrarium and 5 New Uses For Old Light Bulbs

"light bulb terrarium"Just because incandescent light bulbs are less energy efficient than CFLs doesn’t mean you need to toss them.  Upcycle them!

IKEA Israel won’t even sell incandescent light bulbs any more, and people are gradually switching to more energy efficient compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs).  No need to toss the baby out with the bathwater, though – those incandescent bulbs can still be useful. Read on for 5 great ways to turn those old bulbs into something new – including a how-to tutorial on making a light bulb terrarium.

1. Upcycled Light Bulb Terrarium

As shown in the photo above, a light bulb terrarium is literally a green way to reuse an old incandescent bulb.  These small terrariums are a bright gift idea and are perfect for decorating a desk, shelf, or window sill.  Check out instructions on how to pull this off at Instructables.

"light bulb christmas ornament"2. Light Bulb Christmas Ornaments

Ho ho ho and and an old halogen light bulb (or other form of incandescent bulb).  With the Christmas season upon us, some upcyclers may be looking for ways to make Christmas ornaments.  Light bulbs are easily personalized and decorated with yuletide cheer.  Get some inspiration at Instructables.

"light bulbs chemical glassware"3. Converting Light Bulbs into Chemical Glassware

A more scientific project would be to convert your old light bulbs into chemical glassware.  This idea is not new (it was published in Popular Science in 1933, as seen above), but it’s still relevant.  Check out the full instructions at Modern Mechanix.

"light bulb hanging vase"4. Light Bulb Hanging Vase

Small, clear, and vase-shaped already, old incandescent light bulbs are easily transformed into miniature vases.  You could either build a stand for the bulb, or have it hang with thread or wire.  Place a flower plucked from your garden in the bulb vase, or alternatively you could use it to keep your basil fresh.  Easy instructions can be found at Instructables.

"light bulb oil lamp"5. Light Bulb Oil Lamp

Brooklyn-based designer Sergio Silva sells similar light bulb oil lamps for a hefty sum, but you can make your own with fairly basic equipment.  Make a single oil lamp or a set of nine as an alternative and upcycled Hannukah menorah.  Learn how at Instructables.

Note: Before attempting any of these projects, make sure that you have safely hollowed out the wiring from the light bulb.

Read more about light bulbs and green lighting:
IKEA Israel Stops Selling Incandescent Bulbs
Don’t Sit Close to Your CFL Lightbulbs, They May Cause Skin Cancer
Shining Your Green Lights, Tips for Greening Your Home Lighting

Construction of Israel’s First LEED Platinum EcoBuilding by Geotectura Begins

Tafline Laylin
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2
Construction of Israel’s First LEED Platinum EcoBuilding by Geotectura Begins

Geotectura, TAU, Porter School of Environmental Studies, LEED, LEED Platinum, Eco-Building, Eco Design, Green Design, Sustainable Design, Sustainable DevelopmentWe’re so thrilled to announce that Geotectura has finally broken ground on Israel’s very first LEED Platinum Building.

We’ve been waiting for this happy moment since November 2008 when Geotectura together with Axelrod-Grobman Architects and Chen Architects first won a prestigious international competition to design TAU’s Porter School of Environmental Studies. After years of information gathering and preparation, the firm is finally breaking ground on what they hope will be Israel’s very first LEED Platinum certified building.

Although there are few precedents in Israel’s architectural history, the designers and PSES have approached this project with an uncompromising commitment to reducing its environmental impact. From brownfield rehabilitation to the most advanced energy and water saving techniques, the PSES EcoBuilding’s groundbreaking design is bound to inspire a whole new era of sustainable development.

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GE Energy Shows MENA Region How to Reduce Gas Flaring

Susan Kraemer
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GE Energy Shows MENA Region How to Reduce Gas Flaring

Bakken-from-space-gas-flares-GE-MENAGE Energy demonstrates its Jenbacher gas engine at the Gas Arabia Summit 2011 in Oman today.

The extent of the global problem of gas flaring can be seen in this satellite photo of North America, that is quite bewildering at first sight. On the right we see the twin cities of Minneapolis and St Paul Minnesota, but the much larger spread-out bright light on the left is out in the middle of nowhere, in the almost unpopulated states northwest of Minnesota. What on earth is that light there? Has some new city sprung up in those deserted lands, unknown to the rest of us?

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Better Place-Eldan Partnership To Offer Electric Car Rentals

Shifra Mincer
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0

better place eldan rent electric carRent an electric car when you travel to Israel.

Often thought of as too expensive or sophisticated for the average driver, plug-in electric vehicles will soon be available even to the occasional driver. Israel’s largest car rental company, Eldan, signed an agreement with Better Place electric vehicle company on December 5, making hundreds of Renault Fluence Z.E. electric cars available to the general public by 2012 through Eldan’s standard rental program. The decision, which makes Eldan the first car rental company to offer EVs as an option, may push the electric vehicle (EV) farther into the Israeli mainstream.

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Find Last-Minute Christmas Gifts at 6 Sustainable Stores in the Middle East

Tafline Laylin
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0
Find Last-Minute Christmas Gifts at 6 Sustainable Stores in the Middle East

the middle east, fair trade, eco-stores, eco-shoping, sex shop, sustainable development, Christmas, holiday shopping,

The wonderful thing about living in the Middle East is that we have so many holidays each year. But we like to celebrate the earth-friendly way, so check out our suggestions for good places to buy sustainable gifts.

We know most of our readers are unlikely to buy into the mad consumer rush that Christmas has become and our Christmas wish list is also quite simple, but giving away thoughtful, socially-conscious gifts that tell the people in your life how special they are definitely makes the season warmer. We have compiled a list of 6 stores throughout the Middle East that offer everything from natural beauty products and local crafts to the most beautiful recycled glass art – all of which are reasonably-priced and both earth and people friendly. If you’re looking for gifts that you can be proud of, come on in to see what our region’s talented artisans have to offer.

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