Health insurance is a regulated financial product. Insurers operate under binding contracts, overseen by state insurance commissioners, that legally obligate them to pay claims meeting policy terms. Policyholders who believe a covered claim was wrongfully denied have legal recourse through state regulatory channels.
The New Zealand Merino Company, now rebranded as Zentera, has quietly removed the phrase “world’s leading ethical wool brand” from its website, a notable change that comes after a disturbing investigation by PETA Asia-Pacific into the company’s ZQ-certified wool supply chain, PETA reports to Green Prophet.
Somehow vegetables with short seasons excite the imagination and appetite more sharply than produce that’s available all year around. Good Middle Eastern cooks have many recipes for delicate fava beans, and this turmeric-fragrant soup is one.
Health insurance is a regulated financial product. Insurers operate under binding contracts, overseen by state insurance commissioners, that legally obligate them to pay claims meeting policy terms. Policyholders who believe a covered claim was wrongfully denied have legal recourse through state regulatory channels.
The New Zealand Merino Company, now rebranded as Zentera, has quietly removed the phrase “world’s leading ethical wool brand” from its website, a notable change that comes after a disturbing investigation by PETA Asia-Pacific into the company’s ZQ-certified wool supply chain, PETA reports to Green Prophet.
Somehow vegetables with short seasons excite the imagination and appetite more sharply than produce that’s available all year around. Good Middle Eastern cooks have many recipes for delicate fava beans, and this turmeric-fragrant soup is one.
Health insurance is a regulated financial product. Insurers operate under binding contracts, overseen by state insurance commissioners, that legally obligate them to pay claims meeting policy terms. Policyholders who believe a covered claim was wrongfully denied have legal recourse through state regulatory channels.
The New Zealand Merino Company, now rebranded as Zentera, has quietly removed the phrase “world’s leading ethical wool brand” from its website, a notable change that comes after a disturbing investigation by PETA Asia-Pacific into the company’s ZQ-certified wool supply chain, PETA reports to Green Prophet.
Somehow vegetables with short seasons excite the imagination and appetite more sharply than produce that’s available all year around. Good Middle Eastern cooks have many recipes for delicate fava beans, and this turmeric-fragrant soup is one.
Health insurance is a regulated financial product. Insurers operate under binding contracts, overseen by state insurance commissioners, that legally obligate them to pay claims meeting policy terms. Policyholders who believe a covered claim was wrongfully denied have legal recourse through state regulatory channels.
The New Zealand Merino Company, now rebranded as Zentera, has quietly removed the phrase “world’s leading ethical wool brand” from its website, a notable change that comes after a disturbing investigation by PETA Asia-Pacific into the company’s ZQ-certified wool supply chain, PETA reports to Green Prophet.
Somehow vegetables with short seasons excite the imagination and appetite more sharply than produce that’s available all year around. Good Middle Eastern cooks have many recipes for delicate fava beans, and this turmeric-fragrant soup is one.
Health insurance is a regulated financial product. Insurers operate under binding contracts, overseen by state insurance commissioners, that legally obligate them to pay claims meeting policy terms. Policyholders who believe a covered claim was wrongfully denied have legal recourse through state regulatory channels.
The New Zealand Merino Company, now rebranded as Zentera, has quietly removed the phrase “world’s leading ethical wool brand” from its website, a notable change that comes after a disturbing investigation by PETA Asia-Pacific into the company’s ZQ-certified wool supply chain, PETA reports to Green Prophet.
Somehow vegetables with short seasons excite the imagination and appetite more sharply than produce that’s available all year around. Good Middle Eastern cooks have many recipes for delicate fava beans, and this turmeric-fragrant soup is one.
Health insurance is a regulated financial product. Insurers operate under binding contracts, overseen by state insurance commissioners, that legally obligate them to pay claims meeting policy terms. Policyholders who believe a covered claim was wrongfully denied have legal recourse through state regulatory channels.
The New Zealand Merino Company, now rebranded as Zentera, has quietly removed the phrase “world’s leading ethical wool brand” from its website, a notable change that comes after a disturbing investigation by PETA Asia-Pacific into the company’s ZQ-certified wool supply chain, PETA reports to Green Prophet.
Somehow vegetables with short seasons excite the imagination and appetite more sharply than produce that’s available all year around. Good Middle Eastern cooks have many recipes for delicate fava beans, and this turmeric-fragrant soup is one.
Health insurance is a regulated financial product. Insurers operate under binding contracts, overseen by state insurance commissioners, that legally obligate them to pay claims meeting policy terms. Policyholders who believe a covered claim was wrongfully denied have legal recourse through state regulatory channels.
The New Zealand Merino Company, now rebranded as Zentera, has quietly removed the phrase “world’s leading ethical wool brand” from its website, a notable change that comes after a disturbing investigation by PETA Asia-Pacific into the company’s ZQ-certified wool supply chain, PETA reports to Green Prophet.
Somehow vegetables with short seasons excite the imagination and appetite more sharply than produce that’s available all year around. Good Middle Eastern cooks have many recipes for delicate fava beans, and this turmeric-fragrant soup is one.
Health insurance is a regulated financial product. Insurers operate under binding contracts, overseen by state insurance commissioners, that legally obligate them to pay claims meeting policy terms. Policyholders who believe a covered claim was wrongfully denied have legal recourse through state regulatory channels.
The New Zealand Merino Company, now rebranded as Zentera, has quietly removed the phrase “world’s leading ethical wool brand” from its website, a notable change that comes after a disturbing investigation by PETA Asia-Pacific into the company’s ZQ-certified wool supply chain, PETA reports to Green Prophet.
Somehow vegetables with short seasons excite the imagination and appetite more sharply than produce that’s available all year around. Good Middle Eastern cooks have many recipes for delicate fava beans, and this turmeric-fragrant soup is one.
Online critics are alarmed at Gazans catching dolphins and sharks for dinner. But with little fresh protein available would this stop you from eating an endangered creature?
Before you wag your finger over eating dolphins in Taiji, Japan the fishermen’s union hunts, capture, and slaughter different types of dolphins. They claim it’s tradition. This is the heart of the captive dolphin trade. The slaughtered dolphin meat is sold in local supermarkets, but is not very popular.
Hunters in Japan coralling dolphins
The Japanese government sanctions it and sends their Coast Guard and even their Navy to escort and protect these hunters. At least 1,800 dolphins were killed last year in Japan for meat according to the Dolphin Project.
In the Faröe Islands owned by Denmark, the locals partake in hunting and terrorize dolphins and whales, driving them onto the beaches where men, women, and children join in the slaughter. According to Sea Shepherd Global this past September 7th, over 150 white-sided dolphins were killed in a grindadrap (whale and dolphin hunt) in the Faroe Islands bay of Skalafjord.
The slaughter documented by Sea Shepherd crew on the ground, has drawn significant criticism due to the targeting of white-sided dolphins, a species that is not traditionally hunted in the Faroes and has seen declining support for such hunts in recent years. Historically the locals did hunt dolphins in small numbers on human powered boats. Now with motor boats the dolphins don’t stand a chance.
Washington bans farmed fishing at sea to protect Puget Sound
Washington State made history, becoming the first—and only—place in the world to successfully remove and permanently ban commercial net pen aquaculture.
Farmed fish can occur at sea and on land in pools, rainfed ponds, in tanks or in raceways. The approach is called aquaculture and for decades has been sold as a viable, and sustainable alternative to fishing from seas that are overfished. But not all environments are suitable for marine aquaculture, where fish live in cages and their effluent discharges at high concentrations in the coastal areas.
In addition to sea lice and viruses, a number of other pathogens found in farmed fish may pose a risk to wild salmon. Bacteria: Two bacterial diseases have the potential to impact wild salmon. The first, bacterial kidney disease (BKD) is caused by Renibacterium salmoninarum.
Because of the reduction of wild salmon in areas like Puget Sound, local orcas are starving as wild populations dwindle.
On January 7, the Washington State Board of Natural Resources cast a landmark vote to adopt a new rule prohibiting commercial finfish net pen aquaculture in all state-managed marine waters. Fish pens endandered Puget Sound’s ecosystems, and the activists who brought this decision to life say they are safeguarding the health of Washington’s public waters for generations to come.
“This is a landmark moment for environmental protection,” said Emma Helverson, Executive Director of Wild Fish Conservancy who led the change in law. “Thanks to the commitment of the public and the leadership of Tribal Nations, we have achieved something extraordinary. This victory is not just for Puget Sound—it’s for every community, every species, and every ecosystem that has been impacted by the harmful practice of commercial net pens.”
Puget Sound is home to wild salmon and Southern Resident orcas.
An orca in Canada British Columbia
This week’s victory is the direct result of Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz’s 2022 decision to deny the industry new decade-long leases for net pens, and her subsequent executive order directing the Department of Natural Resources to develop rules to permanently ban this practice.
These actions resulted in the complete removal of commercial net pens in Washington, making 2024 the first year in four decades that Puget Sound was free from daily pollution and the devastating impacts that net pens cause.
Just days before the vote, Tahlequah (J35), the Southern Resident orca who made global headlines in 2018 after she carried her stillborn calf for 17 days straight, was observed once again grieving her newest dead calf. Recent research shows an alarming 69% of Southern Resident orca pregnancies end in miscarriage due to malnutrition and that miscarriages far outnumber births of endangered orcas. J35 “Tahlequah” (pronounced tah-le-KWAH) is a 25-year-old female Southern resident killer whale. She is the matriarch of the J17 matriline.
The stark reality of mother orcas losing their calves is a painful reminder that these whales are starving and struggling to survive due to the depletion of large, quality, and abundant wild Chinook salmon, their primary food source.
A fish farm in the UAE
“I hope the public will join us in thanking Commissioner Hilary Franz and her committed agency staff. From the very first steps she took in response to the 2017 Cypress Island net pen collapse, Commissioner Franz has been a fierce and unwavering leader, holding the industry accountable for their harmful actions, listening to the public’s voices, and ultimately making this historic victory possible,” says Helverson.
The rule was adopted by a majority 4-2 vote, with Commissioner Franz, Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki, University of Washington’s Dan Brown, and Governor Jay Inslee’s financial advisor Jim Cahill all voting to approve the ban. The decision was informed by overwhelming public support, with over 80% of public comments submitted in favor of the permanent ban and is a direct response to the ongoing crisis facing wild salmon populations and Southern Resident killer whales, which rely on healthy, abundant runs for survival.
“In casting their votes for the permanent ban, these leaders set a new standard of environmental stewardship for governments and leaders, emphasizing that merely minimizing risks isn’t enough given the crisis facing wild salmon and the orcas who depend on them, “says Helverson. “These leaders recognize completely avoiding risk and harm is the only way to prevent the further decline toward extinction for these iconic species and to protect the public’s immense sacrifices and investments in their recovery.”
Since 2017, Wild Fish Conservancy has led the Our Sound, Our Salmon (OSOS) campaign and coalition to protect wild salmon and Puget Sound from the harm of net pen aquaculture. Over the past decade, this dedicated coalition has worked alongside Washington’s Tribal Nations in the legislature, courts, and countless advocacy efforts.
Washington’s success will also serve as a powerful model providing important momentum for the global movement to eliminate open water net pens, an industry that poses a threat to marine ecosystems everywhere in the world they exist.
Similar efforts to protect public waters and ecosystems from this industry are already underway in countries such as British Columbia, Chile, Scotland, Norway, Finland, and Tasmania and through the Global Salmon Farming Resistance.
How we can help? According to the Global Salmon Institute, the farmed salmon industry has grown substantially in the past 60 years. Approximately 70% of salmon produced worldwide is farmed. In 2021, more than 2.8 million tons of farmed salmonids were produced. In comparison, only around 705,000 tons of wild salmonids were caught.
Outside the United States in developing economies in the Middle East like Saudi Arabia, farmed fishing is growing quickly and there are non-existent activist groups to protect nature. Saudi Arabia’s fish farming industry, the production of fish farmed in saltwater and inland waters has surged by 56.4% since 2021, reaching an unprecedented 140,000 tons in 2023. In addition to aquaculture, marine fisheries in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf contributed 74,700 tons, which represents a 16.2% increase over 2022. This brings the total fish production from aquaculture and marine fishing to 214,000 tons in 2023 –– yet how many activists or researchers are documenting the harm to the whales and sharks in the Red Sea?
Meanwhile the goal in Saudi Arabia, according to its Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture is to increase the per capita fish consumption to 30 pounds annually. Popular fish varieties in Saudi Arabia include Nile tilapia, sea bass, dentex, and shrimp.
As suburbs grow and cottage country expands, how do mammals fare with humans encroaching on wild spaces? Tracking coyote movement in metropolitan areas shows the animals spend lots of time in natural settings, but a new study suggests the human element of city life has a bigger impact than the environment on urban coyote survival.
Researchers monitoring coyotes in Chicago found that habitat – areas with relatively high levels of vegetation cover and low levels of human infrastructure – did not influence coyote survival in positive or negative ways. Instead, areas densely populated with humans were associated with longer coyote lifespans. This means coyotes lived longer around people than out in the wild.
“What we found was really interesting, in that the societal characteristics seem to play a much more important role in predicting coyote survival time than the environmental characteristics,” said Emily Zepeda from The Ohio State University. “And then we found this positive effect of human population density on survival time. Both of those things are unexpected because we usually associate human activity with detrimental effects on wildlife.”
The study was published recently in the journal Urban Ecosystems.
Urban coyote researchers
The data comes from the Urban Coyote Research Project, a long-term study of coyote ecology in the Chicago Metropolitan Area led by Stan Gehrt, a wildlife ecologist at Ohio State and senior author of the new paper.
Gehrt and colleagues estimate that 4,000 coyotes live in Chicago, one of the largest metropolitan areas in North America. Gehrt’s previous behavioral, genetics and biological studies offer hints at how coyotes have adjusted to life in the city. This new work sought to identify the diverse urban factors that help or hinder their ability to survive.
Putting on a VHF radio-collar
Tracking data on the movement of 214 coyotes living in the Chicago area between 2013 and 2021 was used for the study. The duration of each coyote’s tracking period served as a proxy of its survival time.
Potential factors the researchers predicted would affect urban coyote survival included a mix of societal and environmental characteristics: neighborhood median income, human density and demographics; and road density, parks and golf courses, and “disturbed” regions dominated by infrastructure and vacant land. These factors were analyzed alongside the coyote monitoring data in a statistical model to determine their relationships with survival time.
The results showed a positive relationship between survival rate and human population density – at low human densities, coyote survival was generally low. The data also revealed an interaction between neighborhood income and density: In areas with low human density, median income was not significantly associated with survival, likely due to the absence of humans. However, at moderate and high levels of human density, coyotes in lower-income areas were 1 1/2 times more likely to survive to age 2 than coyotes in high-income areas.
City coyote – coyote attacks are rare
“We’ve hypothesized that population density may have a positive effect because it’s actually providing resources like human-related structures or food that allow coyotes to weather the harsh conditions of the winter, which is a major mortality factor for Chicago coyotes,” Zepeda said.
Plentiful resources might become problematic, she said, when the food and shelter, combined with more vegetation and less pollution in high-income areas, draws a crowd of coyotes – which leads to higher disease transmission and fighting over territory.
“There might be more individuals in those areas, but survival time may be shorter there,” she said. “You might die younger in an area where there are a lot of competitors.”
The findings build on growing evidence that societal processes that benefit and marginalize human populations trickle down to urban ecosystems – suggesting that the presence, or lack, of humans, and the conditions in which they live, has potential to override natural influences on urban wildlife.
And yet, it was surprising not to find a connection between natural habitats and longer survival, Zepeda said, because “anecdotally, we see really high densities of coyotes in nature preserves and urban parks. That’s often where you see coyotes in the city if you see them at all.”
Researchers can only speculate, but Zepeda said it could mean the habitat categories on city maps aren’t specific enough or that hunting and trapping is more common in natural settings. Or it could simply be a sign of how crafty coyotes are.
“It could speak to how adaptable they are that they might prefer natural habitat, but at least in terms of survival, they can do just as well in more urbanized areas,” she sad.
21 October 2024. Gadam Baliah village, Wasat Al Gedaref locality, Gedaref, Sudan. Hawa Ahmed, a resilient farmer from Gadam Baliah village, Gedaref, showcasing her crops’ progress.
Urgent action, in particular immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access, is required to address the widening famine in Sudan, where almost 25 million people face acute food insecurity.
According to the latest analysis from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), half of Sudan’s population – or 24.6 million people – are facing acute food insecurity levels. This is 3.5 million more people since June 2024.
The latest report by the IPC, a multi-partner initiative for improving food security and nutrition analysis and decision-making, is the worst in the country’s history. Widespread starvation and acute malnutrition have already resulted in tens of thousands of deaths in a country where almost two-thirds of the population depends on agriculture.
Production of key crops such as sorghum, millet and wheat during the first year of the conflict – the 2023/24 season – was down 46 percent from the previous year. This production loss could have fed approximately 18 million people for a year and represented an economic loss of between $1.3 and $1.7 billion.
Restricted humanitarian access is exacerbating the situation, while sustained violence and economic turmoil have disrupted markets, driving the price of staple goods to unaffordable levels.
This marks the fourth time that famine has been confirmed in a country over the past 15 years.
“We must take urgent action to address the famine in Sudan,” said Beth Bechdol, the Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations told a UN Security Council meeting in New York.
“If we fail to act now, collectively, and at scale, millions of lives are even further at risk, and (…) so is the stability of many nations in the region,” she added.
According to Bechdol, the following actions deserve prioritizing and require the Security Council’s support:
1) political leverage to end hostilities and bring relief to the people of Sudan;
2) immediate and unimpeded humanitarian access, as well as safe reopening of commercial supply routes to address current shortfalls in key hunger hotspots, as stated recently by FAO and its UN partner agencies;
3) the delivery of multi-sectoral humanitarian assistance, especially emergency agricultural support which is key to ensuring local food production, building resilience and preventing further humanitarian catastrophe.
The source of Sudan’s conflicts?
2020 Pew Research Center data estimates that 91 percent of the population is Muslim, 5.4 percent Christian, 2.8 percent follow Indigenous religions, and the remainder follow other religions or are unaffiliated. Some religious advocacy groups estimate non-Muslims make up more than 13 percent of the population.
Sudan ended over a quarter-century of Islamist-military rule with the 2019 overthrow of President Omar al-Bashir, whose rule was based on Islamism, Arab supremacy, and the ruthless application of military power, according to the Jameston Foundation: A joint civilian-military government was formed to lead the transition to a civilian-led democracy. However, an October 2021 coup led by Sudan’s military and security forces ended all progress toward civilian rule, severing at the same time most of Sudan’s economic and financial ties to the West.
Wind turbine tiny home. Designers used the smallest available nacelle for an additional challenge. Credit: Vattenfall / Jorrit Lousberg
Remember 15 years ago when cargotecture was the “thing” and our resident architect blew the lid off the premise of upcycled ship containers being safe and eco friendly? There is such a lag on the concepts of design and the time it takes to make a dream reality –- meaning we are still seeing new cargotecture concepts brought to life, even though, maybe, it wasn’t such a great idea in hot countries. And some of the containers contained hazardous materials that should not be in contact with people. But what about decommissioned wind turbines?
Time for a new eco obsession? How about living in a wind turbine blade that has fulfilled its purpose of collecting energy? A new report from the US Department of Energy, the DOE, outlines recommendations that could increase the recycling and reuse of decommissioned wind energy equipment and materials to create a more circular economy and sustainable supply chain.
The research reveals that existing US infrastructure could process 90% of the mass of decommissioned wind turbines. However, the remaining 10% will need new strategies and innovative recycling methods to achieve a more sustainable wind energy industry. This research will help guide over $20 million in investments previously announced from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to advance technologies that address this gap.
Looking for recycling innovators and funding them too
“The US already has the ability to recycle most wind turbine materials, so achieving a fully sustainable domestic wind energy industry is well within reach,” said Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “Innovation is key to closing the loop, and this research will help guide national investments and strategies aimed at advancing technologies that can solve the remaining challenges and provide more affordable, equitable, and accessible clean energy options to the American people.”
The new Recycling Wind Energy Systems in the United States report provides an assessment of research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) needs and gaps in existing wind energy-related supply chains to support the transition to a more sustainable and circular US wind energy industry. This is research that could easily be applied to other wind energy markets.
A team of researchers, led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory with support from Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories, developed the report. The effective reuse and recycling of wind system components, parts, and materials will rely on a combination of measures, including:
Improved end-of-life decommissioning collection and scrap sorting practices.
Strategic siting of recycling facilities.
Expanded and improved recovery and recycling infrastructure.
Substitution of hard-to-recycle and critical materials with more easily separable and affordable materials, improved component designs and manufacturing techniques, or the development of modular system components.
Optimized properties of recovered materials for second-life applications.
Greater access to wind energy waste streams and the equipment required to disassemble wind energy components.
Towers, foundations, and steel-based subcomponents in drivetrains offer the greatest potential currently to be successfully recycled, whereas blades, generators, and nacelle covers are likely to prove more difficult. Unless you want to live inside a wind turbine nacelle?
A nacelle is a streamlined container for aircraft parts such as engines, fuel or equipment. You can see one above.
Recovering critical materials and alloying elements from generators and power electronics, such as nickel, cobalt, and zinc, will be crucial in establishing a circular economy for wind systems.
Short-term strategies for decommissioning include promoting blade production using more easily recyclable thermoplastic resins and reusing these resins in cement production, they write.
Thermoplastic-based blade recycling technologies, such as pyrolysis and chemical dissolution, could be viable medium- and long-term options. Other medium- and long-term solutions include high-yield techniques for separating compounds found in power electronics and hybrid methods for recycling permanent magnets.
Regional factors—such as material demand, disposal fees, transportation distances, and an available skilled workforce—will play vital roles in ensuring the success and cost-competitiveness of recycling wind energy components.
Funding for Wind Turbine Recycling
Other potential uses for wind turbine blades include floating solar farms, traffic noise barriers, and boat houses. Vattenfall / Jorrit Lousberg Jorrit Lousberg
Research used to compile this report will be used to guide the development of the Wind Energy Recycling Research, Development, and Demonstration program funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
DOE recently announced an investment of $20 million to improve the recycling of wind energy technologies. This effort, which focuses on enabling sustainable wind turbine components, enabling wind turbine material recycling and reuse processes, and qualifying recycled and recyclable material, will help increase the sustainability of wind energy materials and bolster the domestic supply chain. If you have a recycling solution, apply!
Applications are due on Feb. 11, 2025. You could make a new company out of a bold idea.
But let’s look at a consumer product for inspiration. Living in a wind turbine? As of today that’s possible.
The energy company Vattenfall and design studio Superuse converted a nacelle, the top part of a wind turbine, into a tiny house. This nacelle is 4 yards wide, ten yards long and three yards high and comes from a turbine that stood in Austria for 20 years.
With the tiny house, Vattenfall demonstrates how materials can be reused in innovative ways. The tiny house was on display during Dutch Design Week from 19 to 27 October.
Jos de Krieger, partner Superuse and Blade-Made: “At least ten thousand of this generation of nacelles are available, spread around the world. Most of them have yet to be decommissioned. This offers perspective and a challenge for owners and decommissioners. If such a complex structure as a house is possible, then numerous simpler solutions are also feasible and scalable.”
In collaboration with Reliving, the tiny house was furnished with sustainably produced and second-hand furniture, including a table made of circuform that incorporates material from a recycled wind turbine blade. The electrical installation was installed by Vattenfall subsidiary Feenstra.
The nacelle used for construction was taken from a V80 2MW turbine built at the Austrian Gols wind farm in 2005. During 20 years of faithful service, the turbine produced 73GWh of electricity, enough to power more than 29-thousand households for a year. The nacelle once stood at a height of 100 metres.
A wind turbine tiny home presented at a Dutch design fair.
Dutch company Business in Wind decommissioned the wind farm and made the nacelle available for this project.
Nubian architecture, developed along the Nile River, showcases a harmonious blend of ingenuity, environmental adaptation, and community focus. Rooted in the challenges of a hot and arid climate, this architectural tradition offers timeless principles that remain highly relevant as architects strive to create sustainable, eco-friendly housing and communities today.
The Nubians are an indigenous African ethnic group native to the region along the Nile River, primarily in what is now southern Egypt and northern Sudan. They are one of the oldest civilizations in the world, with a history that dates back thousands of years. They believe in monotheism but some have converted to Christianity over the years.
The foundation of Nubian architecture lies in its use of locally sourced, natural materials. Sun-dried mud bricks, made from Nile silt mixed with clay and straw, provided excellent insulation, regulating indoor temperatures. REadily available palm tree wood and reeds can be used for roofing and reinforcement, while mud or lime-based plaster finished walls, offering durability and a natural aesthetic.
A hallmark of Nubian construction is the Nubian vault, a technique for creating arched roofs without the need for timber or modern scaffolding. This gravity-based, pressure-stabilized structure was not only resource-efficient but also incredibly durable.
Rounded and domed forms further optimized buildings for thermal comfort, reducing heat absorption and ensuring even cooling. See Hassan Fathy.
Nubian builders mastered passive cooling techniques long before modern technology. Thick walls and small, strategically placed windows insulated interiors from extreme heat, while buildings were oriented to harness natural ventilation. This design minimized reliance on artificial cooling, making it inherently energy-efficient.
Nubian mud architecture exterior. Image via @geminipunkass and @gemini.punkassNubian mud architecture exterior. Image via @geminipunkass and @gemini.punkass
The Nubians also prioritized community-centric layouts. And this is why modern architects like Hassan Fathy thought that this ancient building tradition could solve many problems in Egypt. Homes were arranged around shared courtyards, fostering social interaction and communal living. Resources like water wells and shaded open spaces were shared, reinforcing a sense of collective responsibility and resilience.
Integration with nature was a cornerstone of Nubian architecture. Structures were often built on elevated ground to mitigate flooding, and materials were biodegradable, leaving minimal environmental impact. This synergy with the environment ensured sustainability across generations.
Buildings were often adorned with symbolic patterns and decorations, painted using natural pigments. These artistic touches reflected the community’s cultural identity and spiritual values.
Image via Kevin and Miranda.
Today there isn’t such a thing as a Nubian territory but you can visit Nubian people in Egypt and Sudan, living in their villages, preserved in time. Want to find a colorful Nubian village to explore? Check out the travel vlog of Kevin and Miranda and get going.
In 2018, archaeologists excavating near Aswan, Egypt, uncovered the remains of a young woman who lived approximately 3,700 years ago. Tragically, she was in the final stages of pregnancy at the time of her death, but the fetus was not positioned head-down in her pelvic area—a typical orientation for late-term pregnancy. This finding suggests that complications during childbirth may have led to both their deaths. A fracture on her pelvis may have complicated the situation.
The woman’s skeleton exhibited pelvic abnormalities, possibly from a previously misaligned fracture, which could have contributed to difficulties during labor. Buried alongside her were items such as a pottery jar, a red-and-black container characteristic of ancient Nubian craftsmanship, and beads fashioned from ostrich eggshells.
These artifacts not only indicate her cultural connections but also imply she may have been a bead maker, reflecting her role and status within her community.
This poignant discovery offers a glimpse into the maternal health challenges faced by women in ancient times and underscores the potential dangers of childbirth in that era. It also highlights the rich cultural interactions in the region, as evidenced by the Nubian-style artifacts found in the burial.
The woman was found in a grave-pit, inside a small cemetery, with the skeletal remains of the unborn baby still in her stomach
“There’s something very poignant and quite sweet about it, but also very sad,” Nigel Hetherington, an Egypt-based archaeologist and heritage consultant said about the find. The find was made by the Aswan-Kom Ombo Archaeological Project (AKAP), led by Yale University and University of Bologna. The project has investigated selected areas in the Aswan-Kom Ombo region since 2005.
Preliminary analysis of the mother’s corpse also revealed that the woman’s pelvis was misaligned, which could have been a fracture that hadn’t healed properly. Waziri said the injury could have been the cause of the labor problems.
The skeleton in the grave pit was found wrapped in a leather burial shroud.
There were also two pottery vessels in the grave – one a small jar, the other a fine bowl that appeared to have once been polished in red on the outside, and black on the inside, a Nubian style; this kind of vessel was popular in nomadic communities.
Egyptians tended to pray to female deities like Hathor, Taweret, and Bes.
The archaeological mission also found numerous unfinished ostrich eggshell beads and black fragments, which Dr. Waziri also speculated was an offering. “The beads were common, but they were for the burial for the poor, since they weren’t gold beads, it makes sense,” Ahmed Salah, an Egyptology graduate from the American University of Cairo, told Arab News.
Moshe Basson, chef, food historian and owner of the famous Eucalyptus restaurant in Jerusalem, has finally published his cookbook. Its title is, naturally, The Eucalyptus Cookbook. The foreword is by Claudia Roden, an international authority on the foods of the Middle East and the Mediterranean.
I’ve often eaten at The Eucalyptus, and to my delight, I found recipes in the book for dishes I’ve enjoyed there, such as chicken makloubah, Basson’s signature dish. Chicken and vegetables are cooked with rice, then the pot turned upside down on a platter to present a savory cake. I cooked it. It’s delicious, and elicits a “Wow!” from impressed guests. Read a personal interview with Moshe Basson.
The contents begin with vegetable recipes and go on to soups, grain and bean-based foods, meat, chicken, and fish, sweets, cocktails, and condiments and basics.
Peppered throughout the book are beautiful photos of the dishes and the chef himself at work.
There are recipes for all varieties of eaters. Vegans and omnivores alike will find appetizing recipes in the vegetables, soups, and grains and beans sections. Bonus: here’s a vegan maklubah recipe, with portobello mushrooms, cauliflower, and eggplant. It must be said though that the list of meat dishes is the longest in the book. And very delicious they are, as I’ve had occasion to find out.
As the Eucalyptus Restaurant is kosher and serves meat, the desserts don’t include dairy in any form. Almond and soy replace milk and cream. In the few places where butter is listed (a nod to tradition as in the baklava recipe), sunflower oil is the suggested alternative. It must also be noted that there are no artificial ingredients in The Eucalyptus recipes.
Moshe Basson’s book has a version of green shakshuka
The book is a great read for food lovers. Basson loves to tell stories, and you’ll find many there. His recounts vignettes from his childhood in the Judean hills with his Iraqi immigrant parents, and from his travels and present home life. He tells of his early culinary inspirations, often quoting his mother, Spirons. He combines his passion for reviving biblical foods (with delicious variations) with references from Jewish and other historical sources. He meditates on beloved dishes central to family life, especially dishes for Shabbat and holidays, such as the hamine overnight stew, Iraqi style.
Read carefully, and you’ll find little humorous asides, like this tip for cooking Jerusalem artichoke soup: “Don’t lift the cover during the first 25 minutes – Jerusalem artichoke is a crazy vegetable and a draft of cold wind may prevent the tubers from ever getting soft.” He also recommends that when you grind his cilantro pesto with a mortar and pestle, you should “raise your voice in song, because the sound is good for the spices.” Well – that’s if you choose the ancient way over your food processor.
Especially endearing are vignettes like the one in which we see Basson’s mother cooking Aruk chicken fritters and keeping an eagle eye on hungry grandchildren getting ready to filch them. I don’t know if I could resist those savory patties, myself (mouthwatering photos and recipe on pages 136-139.)
Recipes with wild greens cast an interesting light on foraged food. I’ve eaten Basson’s gnocchi based on mallows with much pleasure, and as nettles are just coming up in the backyard, I’ll soon be opening the book to the nettles soup page.
From simple daily foods like humus to sumptuous party dishes like figs stuffed with chicken in tamarind sauce, the Eucalyptus Cookbook offers over a hundred recipes to choose from. Browse its pages, and be prepared to cook.
Forget coffins. At least the traditional ones. That was the idea we explored in a recent post on green burials, but that story overlooked a new product in the mortuary arts tool kit that takes burial full circle. The Capsula Mundi project by Italian designers Anna Citelli and Raoul Bretzel is an organic, biodegradable burial capsule that directly converts cadavers into nutrients for trees.
The design duo explain that their larger concept is to create entire cemeteries full of trees instead of tombstones. Low maintenance swaths of land that require minimal irrigation (if any at all) will – when mature – provide new and protected wildlife habitat, and serve as carbon sinks and natural ‘air-fresheners’ to nearby urban areas.
They anticipate advance purchasing of their burial capsules, stating that each client will be able to choose their favorite tree.The project’s site already has a number of trees to choose from.
As with other green burials such as Bios Urna (shrub pots pre-planted with soil, seeds, and human remains) and Poetree Burial Planter (human ashes in a biodegradable cork pot, planted with a boxwood sapling and ringed with the deceased’s inscription in ceramic), families and friends could visit the future flora, care for it and rest in its shade.
Capsula Mundi
Presumably, if we chose a fruit tree, they could harvest some fruit and make jam. If it was a maple, they could tap it for pancake syrup. Unique ways to remember deceased and continue the “circle of life”, indeed.
The designers point out on their website that the process circumvents the need for coffins, saving valuable resources. Bodies would be left in a natural state, with no embalming chemicals to poison the soil and groundwater. It’s certainly sustainable, so why does this scheme give me the creeps?
I attribute my unease to the burial process. Unlike the schemes in our past post, the Capsula Mundi uses whole bodies, not cremated remains. Stretchable fabric encapsulates bodies bent into fetal position and shaped up in an egg-like orb, with a sapling atop the planted human bulb.
It’s that fetal pose part, so adorable in a newborn, but for others? The idea makes me ache. And don’t get me started on their story-board (above). The only thing pulls my gaze from the curled-up cute dead guy is the ant.
No zen-like picnics in the lovely forest for me, I’d be obsessed with all those shrinking sacks of below-ground people tucked tightly into tree-feeding balls. Call me claustrophobic, but it’s like being trapped in an economy airplane seat for eternity.
The project is now only a concept because Italian law forbids such burials. But rest assured I’ll think of it every time I fly on the cheap.
The Capsula Mundi urn is a biodegradable urn. The ashes are put in through a hole, closed with a cone shaped screw top. After the burial, a tree, chosen in life by the deceased, in consideration of the local ecosystem, will be planted in top of it. Capsula Mundi biodegradable urn turns the ashes into a tree. Capsula Mundi urns are made in Italy. Each urn is unique, thanks to handcrafted interventions during production. And it comes in two versions: Sand and White.
“Capsula Mundi for the body is still in a start-up phase,” write the designers. “This kind of burial is legal in many countries but not everywhere. In Italy, where this project was born, only the Capsula Mundi urn is permitted. However, “green cemeteries” are popular in many other countries, especially in the English speaking countries.
Since 2003, when Capsula Mundi was exhibited for the first time at the “Salone del Mobile” (an international furniture exhibition in Milan, Italy) our team has been working to raise awareness and to promote the idea, fully convinced that before changing laws, we need to challenge the way people think.
Both teachers and students are embracing tools that make education more engaging and interactive. QR codes have emerged as a powerful solution, bridging the gap between traditional learning materials and the digital age. These versatile codes provide instant access to a wealth of resources, and with platforms like me-qr, educators can easily create qr code solutions to make learning exciting, dynamic, and seamless.
The Role of QR Codes in Modern Education
QR codes are revolutionizing how students interact with educational materials. A free qr code generator online to even write my discussion post empowers teachers to deliver information in a way that resonates with tech-savvy learners. By linking QR codes to videos, quizzes, or additional reading materials, teachers can turn static resources into engaging, interactive content.
Students can also take advantage of a qr code generator free online for their projects and presentations. By embedding QR codes in their work, they can link to supporting research, multimedia files, or even their explanatory videos, elevating the quality and interactivity of their assignments. This fosters creativity and encourages students to think beyond the conventional boundaries of classroom learning.
Creative Applications of QR Codes in Education
The possibilities for using QR codes in the classroom are nearly endless. Teachers and students alike can use a qr generator in ways that make learning both fun and functional:
interactive homework – teachers can link assignments to videos or audio explanations, using a qr maker to make complex concepts more understandable;
instant access to study materials – a qr code generator online can provide students with quick access to digital textbooks, additional resources, or practice tests;
collaborative learning – students working on group projects can use a qr code creator to share documents, timelines, and updates in real-time;
gamification – teachers can create scavenger hunts or gamified quizzes using a free qr code generator, encouraging active participation in lessons;
parental engagement – educators can share QR codes with parents to provide updates on their child’s progress or access to class announcements.
Me-qr simplifies these processes by enabling educators to generate qr code free for any purpose. Their platform offers dynamic QR codes, allowing teachers to update the linked content without having to replace the code. This flexibility is invaluable for lesson planning and adapting to changing educational needs.
Why QR Codes Are the Future of Education
QR codes are not just a tool for convenience; they represent a significant shift in how education is delivered. A qrcode generator removes the limitations of physical learning materials, replacing them with digital tools that are accessible anytime, anywhere. This not only saves resources but also ensures that educational content is always current and relevant.
Moreover, using an online qr code generator allows teachers to track student engagement. By analyzing how often QR codes are scanned, educators can gain insights into which materials resonate with students and adjust their teaching strategies accordingly. This data-driven approach enhances the effectiveness of lessons and helps teachers better meet the needs of their learners.
For students, the ability to scan a qr generator online and instantly access study aids, tutorials, or supplementary materials creates a more personalized learning experience. QR codes make it easier to cater to diverse learning styles, providing visual, auditory, and interactive content that supports different preferences and paces.
How Me-qr Supports Education
Me-qr is a valuable resource for educators looking to integrate QR codes into their teaching strategies. With their intuitive platform, teachers can create qr code free for a variety of applications, from sharing lesson plans to linking interactive exercises. The ability to customize QR codes with colors, logos, and designs ensures that the codes are visually appealing and align with the classroom’s branding.
Me-qr’s dynamic QR codes are especially useful for educators. Whether it’s updating content linked to a homework assignment or adding new resources to a previously shared QR code, teachers can make real-time adjustments without reprinting or redesigning the code. This level of adaptability streamlines the teaching process and ensures that students always have access to the most relevant information.
Conclusion
QR codes are revolutionizing education, offering tools that make learning more engaging, interactive, and accessible. With a free qr generator, teachers can transform lessons into dynamic experiences that resonate with today’s students. From interactive homework assignments to gamified classroom activities, QR codes bring an exciting, tech-driven approach to education.
CubeSats have emerged as a university project, and, originally, this tech was used for educational missions – primarily because of its affordability. Today, with the rapid private space sector development, these compact, easily scalable mini-satellites are actively used for a wide range of commercial purposes and are steadily securing their positions in missions from international space agencies.
Thanks to advances in private-made CubeSat components, such as these https://dragonflyaerospace.com/components/, CubeSats are becoming increasingly more advanced and versatile. At the same time, they retain their uniform design, measuring 10x10x10 cm per unit (1U) while increasing scalability. Modern CubeSats can measure up to 27U, but that is still very compact compared to previous-generation space tech!
Below, we will explain the main CubeSat structures and mechanisms that make these satellites work, explaining the importance of CubeSat components in modern satellite missions. But first, we need to understand what today’s space missions are usually about, so let’s start with that.
What are the objectives of the CubeSat mission?
Right now, every launched CubeSat focuses on its own mission, but the range of applications has evolved far beyond education. Currently, the most common CubeSat missions include:
Earth Observation: EO is an extremely vast industry segment – in fact, most spacecraft in our planet’s orbit are EO tech, and many of those satellites are CubeSat. Depending on the components they carry, actual applications may include environment monitoring of pollution levels in waters or air; urban planning; tracking illegal mining, fishing, or poaching activities, etc.
Technology demonstration: most new space tech is tested and demonstrated with CubeSats because, if something goes wrong, the cost of losing a CubeSat is lesser than it could have been with a larger satellite. But that does not mean CubeSat technology is unreliable. In fact, these satellites successfully coped with most demonstration missions – including testing for NASA’s upcoming Mars landing.
Internet of Things: most IoT devices remotely controlled from our smartphones are backed up by CubeSat constellations, so every time you turn up home heating while still at work, you can thank advances in CubeSat components.
Clearly, such a range of applications requires a series of advanced equipment to carry out designated missions. So, let’s take a better look at the CubeSat component’s functions and variations.
What are the main components of a CubeSat?
Even though the actual CubeSat components list may vary slightly depending on mission goals, some components are an absolute must-have for a CubeSat to operate:
Structure is a component that holds all other pieces together; it is normally made of highly durable materials to withstand harsh space environments;
Power component supplies electricity to all other CubeSat components – usually through built-in batteries or by generating power via solar panels;
Communication component is a series of antennae and receivers that transmit data back to Earth and receive new commands from ground stations;
Computer component is exactly what you may think – a powerful processor that oversees all CubeSat operations;
Attitude Determination and Control System, or ADCS component, is a complex mix of sensors that measure CubeSat position in space and make sure it is pointing in the right direction, i.e., to take images of designated areas of interest – on Earth or in deep space.
Payload may be one of the most important CubeSat components because it is the equipment a CubeSat needs to carry out its mission goals. Obviously, that’s where the differences begin because satellites are made for different missions, so the equipment necessary to fulfil them will also be different!
Besides, there have been major advances in CubeSat propulsion systems – normally, this component was reserved for pricier space tech. In a nutshell, propulsion is a series of thrusters and engines allowing satellites to adjust their position in orbit or even move to entirely new orbital destinations when initial mission objectives are complete, and it’s time to move on to a new stage.
Today, many CubeSats can do the same, but those aren’t the only impressive advances in CubeSat components and applications. So, let’s see what space agencies have in mind.
Space agency missions: what is the importance of CubeSat?
Even though most CubeSats, along with their components, are manufactured by private companies, NASA and other space agencies understand the amazing potential of this tech. For example, mini-satellites play a huge part in NASA’s upcoming lunar mission, Artemis. Its first phase, which began in 2022,launched ten CubeSats that provided a wealth of information on our Moon, including its ice layer composition.
ESA also holds CubeSat components and their potential in high regard. Its upcoming Hera mission should study the Didymos asteroid system and check how NASA’s DART mission went – that’s when the US agency crashed its impactor tech into the asteroid to see if we could deflect asteroids from their course to avoid future collisions with our planet. So, heads up for HERA because it finally looks like our space tech is on its way to helping the planet – and advances in CubeSat components will prove useful in this process.
Maybe you were raised on Teletubbies or fell in love with Hobbits? You too can have a curved, green-roof home as a backyard home for AirBNB or for your in-laws. Maybe it will be your first home and you want to make it a tiny home and green. Meet Wonderful Structures, a US company that supplies the framework upon which you can build a hobbit home. A build can be done in as little as 3 days, according to the company formerly known as Magic Homes.
Imagine a 400-square-foot tiny home with a low carbon footprint, nestled in the earth making it energy efficient to boot but with the convenience of a conventional house?
Vanlife made sense 10 years ago when global nomadism first took hold, but with a Starlink and an off grid parcel of land, true off-grid and efficient living is possible with Wonderful Structures.
The company manufactures prefabricated vaulted panels to be covered with soil so you can live in a Tolkienesque building you might be able to build yourself. Check your local building codes of course before you order.
Below are some photos of the construction process.
Can anyone build such a home anywhere? The company says: “Our technology features an innovative construction system designed to meet various standards for earthquake resistance, wind loads, and fire safety, making it eligible for approval worldwide.
“We recommend consulting your local building department to understand the specific requirements in your area. Additionally, standard construction permits will be needed for your project.”
Robert Downey Jr.’s Binishell in Malibu. Courtesy of Nicolo Bini.
Binishells are a fast-made construction made by inflating a gigantic neoprene bladder then covering this balloon in a thin coat of reinforced spray-on concrete. The technique developed in the 60s by an Italian architect could be a great solution to urban and rural housing in southern United States and Mediterranean regions.
Concrete isn’t considered an environmental material (see the problem with concrete mining here) but perhaps the technique of creating a sort of paper mache with concrete sprayed on an inflatable surface could have applications in vernacular building thinking and the use of more natural materials.
Binishell clay model
How Binishells are created: architect Nicoló Bini starts with a two-dimensional shape on the ground, then adds wooden a form around an air bladder and reinforced steel rebar, and then places concrete that sets and slowly rises from the ground.
Some installations of this technique can cost only $3500 for a tiny home, posing a solution to a housing crisis.
A Binishell rendering. Courtesy of Nicolo Bini.
The Italian-born, Australia-raised Bini started doing high-end work for Usher and Cara Delevingne but then grabbed onto an idea started by his Italian father which is now seen in seaside celebrity retreat or in disaster-area shelters that he has suggested for Pakistan and Ukraine and to protect Bedouin desert dwellers.
Binishell homes for $3500
His father Dante Bini built some 1,600 Binishells globally making him the most prolific dome builder in the world. It’s a mode of building that sits well with Middle East and western sensibilities.
Among his projects are a cave-like bungalow in Malibu, custom-built for Robert Downey Jr. and his wife.
Binishell Robert Downey Junior home in Malibu
Fit for a Hobbit or the Jetsons or the Flintstones, this home was built with spray-on concrete and with advances in 3D printing we assume these structures could be built more quickly and safely using AI and current modeling software.
Nicolo Bini and his father, Dante Bini, at the Binishell school in Narrabeen, Australia. Courtesy of Nicolo Bini.
If you look to nature it’s not easy finding squares and sharp angles. Nature loves curves and shells for protection and for homes.
Binishells can be quickly erected with locally sourced materials and a minimum of specialized tools. Darin Olien, the wellness guru and producer/co-star (with Zac Efron) of the Netflix series Down to Earth is also planning on purchasing a Binishell home which will go further than the Downey home; it will operate off the grid.
A Binishell rendering for Darin Olien. Courtesy of Nicolo Bini.
Celebrities have the resources and money to try experimental buildings as they often have multiple homes and go for showstoppers for wowing the world. But Binishells, if made with earthen materials could give livable and loveable homes as envisioned by architects like Hassan Fathy.
Given that concrete does not do well in extreme cold climates like Canada where freezing and thawing in rapid succession would crack the concrete, this could be a good alternative in Mediterranean cities. Better yet, build the homes with surfaces so at the end of life the concrete can be thrown into the sea for coral reef restoration.
Want to create a team that considers sustainable issues?
Efficient communication is at the heart of any successful sales team, and dialing software plays a pivotal role in making that happen. For businesses looking to optimize their outbound call strategy, power dialer software is an absolute must-have. But what is a power dialer, and how can it transform your business operations?
This guide explores the features, benefits, and top choices for power dialer software to help you make an informed decision.
Key Features of Power Dialer Software
Power dialer software offers faster calls, smarter workflows and better connections. Here are the main features you’ll want to keep an eye out for.
Automated Call Dialing
One of the biggest perks of a power dialer app is automated dialing. Forget manual dialing—it’s slow, prone to errors, and wastes valuable time. In its place, power dialers use various modes tailored to your needs.
Predictive Dialing: This mode calls multiple numbers at once, connecting live calls to available agents. It’s a great fit for high-volume sales teams who need to maximize their time.
Progressive Dialing: Here, the system dials one number at a time, only when an agent is ready. It strikes the perfect balance between efficiency and personal engagement.
Preview Dialing: Ideal for leads that require a more tailored approach, this mode lets agents review lead information before initiating the call.
Call Routing and Distribution
Routing calls to the right person is both convenient and essential for a positive customer experience. Modern power dialers use intelligent routing to ensure each call reaches the best-suited agent based on:
Availability
Expertise or skill set
Call priority
This minimizes wait times and eliminates the frustration of repeatedly being transferred.
You can manage advanced routing rules directly in Microsoft Teams with integrated contact center tools at ROGER365.io, so agents always see the right customer details at the right moment. This clarity in workflows keeps customer journeys smooth and helps teams hit their targets with less effort.
Call Analytics and Reporting
A power dialer doesn’t just connect calls; it tracks and measures performance. With detailed analytics, you can see metrics like:
Call duration
Answer rates
Conversion rates
These insights are useful for coaching your team and fine-tuning your outreach strategy.
CRM Integration
One of the most powerful features of a power dialer system is its integration with CRMs. This allows agents to view customer history, add notes, and update statuses—all without switching between platforms. This seamless flow keeps your team on the same page and eliminates the hassle of juggling multiple tools at once.
Real-Time Monitoring and Call Recording
For managers, monitoring live calls is like having a bird’s-eye view of your team’s performance. Features like call whispering (where managers can speak directly to the agent without the lead hearing) and barge-in capabilities make training and quality control a lot simpler. Call recording ensures every interaction can be reviewed for training or compliance purposes.
Lead Management and Prioritization
Not all leads are created equal. With features like lead scoring and segmentation, power dialers help teams focus on high-priority opportunities. You’ll save time by reaching the right people at the right moment.
Benefits of Power Dialer Software
Why should businesses invest in a power dialer app? Here’s what makes it an essential tool for modern teams.
Increased Call Efficiency
Manual dialing can waste precious seconds, adding up to hours of lost productivity. By automating this process, power dialers allow agents to spend more time connecting with leads and less time punching in numbers.
Improved Agent Productivity
By cutting down on tedious admin work, agents get to focus on what they’re really great at—connecting with customers and closing deals. With features like CRM integration and lead prioritization, they’ll always have the right info ready to go when they need it most.
Enhanced Lead Conversion Rates
With more calls made and better-prepared agents, power dialers naturally lead to higher conversion rates. Features like preview dialing and call analytics give teams the insights they need to fine-tune their approach.
Better Customer Experience
Faster connections and smarter routing mean leads get the help they need without any frustration. Personalized interactions, backed by CRM data, make conversations more engaging and relevant, leaving a lasting impression.
Scalability for Growing Teams
As your team expands, your power dialer system should grow with you. Whether you’re a startup bringing on your first agents or an enterprise scaling globally, these tools are built to adapt to your needs.
Best Power Dialer Software Picks
Choosing the right power dialer software depends on your business’s specific needs, whether it’s seamless CRM integration, advanced analytics, or handling high call volumes. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top options, highlighting what makes each one stand out.
CloudCall
CloudCall is a brilliant choice for businesses aiming to simplify their communication workflows. As a cloud-based solution, it ensures flexibility, allowing teams to make and manage calls from anywhere.
Key Features:
CloudCall offers powerful CRM integrations that enable teams to keep track of customer interactions in real-time. Its call analytics tools offer detailed insights into call performance, helping managers identify trends and improve strategies. Compliance tools also ensure that every call meets regulatory standards, providing peace of mind for teams handling sensitive customer information.
Best For:
Small to medium-sized businesses looking for an all-in-one communications platform will find CloudCall incredibly helpful. It’s especially beneficial for businesses that already rely on CRM systems.
Five9
Five9 is a great option for enterprises and high-volume call centers that need a reliable solution to manage their outbound dialing operations.
Key Features:
Five9’s predictive dialing capabilities ensure minimal downtime between calls by dialing numbers in advance and connecting agents only when a live call is detected. It also offers multi-channel support, allowing teams to communicate via voice, email, and chat, all from one platform. With agent performance tracking, managers can monitor metrics like call times and conversions to optimize team performance.
Best For:
Enterprises and large-scale call centers will benefit most from Five9, especially those handling significant outbound call volumes.
Aircall
Aircall is designed with user-friendliness in mind, offering seamless integration with popular CRMs and collaboration tools to keep teams connected.
Key Features:
Aircall simplifies communication with features like call queuing and easy collaboration for multi-user teams. It effortlessly integrates with CRMs such as Salesforce and HubSpot, ensuring that all customer data is synced and accessible during calls. This focus on usability makes it a favorite among businesses that value efficiency and usability.
Best For:
Teams that need a dialer solution capable of working harmoniously with their existing tools. Its intuitive interface and CRM integrations make it particularly useful for sales teams that prioritize collaboration and efficiency.
Mojo Dialer
Mojo Dialer is a specialized solution catering to businesses with extensive lead lists, such as real estate agencies.
Key Features:
This platform is perfect for lead management, providing tools for organizing and prioritizing prospects. Automated follow-ups ensure no opportunity slips through the cracks, while call recording capabilities allow teams to review conversations for training or quality assurance.
Best For:
Real estate agents and businesses that rely on high-volume lead generation will find Mojo Dialer particularly valuable.
PhoneBurner
PhoneBurner is all about efficiency, offering tools that help sales teams make the most of their time and resources.
Key Features:
With predictive dialing and VoIP integration, PhoneBurner eliminates wasted time spent on manual dialing or disconnected calls. The platform also includes real-time reporting, allowing managers to track metrics like call durations, outcomes, and agent performance.
Best For:
Sales teams and marketing professionals focused on lead generation. Its emphasis on speed and analytics ensures that teams can connect with more prospects and refine their approaches for better results.
To sum up, power dialer software is a powerful tool that helps sales teams improve efficiency, increase productivity, and deliver better customer experiences. By automating time-consuming tasks and streamlining workflows, power dialers make it easier for businesses to connect with more leads, close more deals, and grow their operations. With the right power dialer, businesses can optimize their sales processes, enhance team performance, and create a more seamless experience for both agents and customers.
Reviving Gaza’s fishing sector hinges on restoring peace and safe access to the sea
When Hamas Palestinians attacked Israel they wouldn’t image this would lead to such a collapse of Gaza’s once thriving fishing sector. The situation could still be reversed quickly when peace is restored and fishers are granted safe access to fishing waters, along with the resumption of imports of essential fish production inputs and tools, says the UN’s FAO.
The impact of the ongoing escalation on the fishing sector is devastating, according to the UN. Gaza’s average daily catch between October 2023 to April 2024 dropped to just 7.3 percent of 2022 levels, causing a $17.5 million production loss.
The destruction of Gaza’s two main aquaculture farms, along with the hatchery facility, has also left the sector unable to produce alternative aquatic foods through aquaculture. According to one assessment, before the conflict over 6 000 individuals in Gaza, including 4,200 registered fishers and boat owners, relied on fishing as their main income. The sector supported around 110,000 people.
North of Wadi Gaza, which separates the northern and southern parts of the Strip, the Port of Gaza City has been severely damaged, with most fishing boats destroyed.
The damage to Gaza’s fishing sector has exacerbated an already dire food security crisis. Fish, once a vital source of protein and other essential nutrients for Gazans, is now nearly unavailable. And with Hamas holding food stocks hostage, the people are at wit’s end.
“In Gaza’s fishing areas now lie broken boats, torn nets, and ruined infrastructure, standing in stark contrast to the once-vibrant industry that supported thousands of fishers for generations,” said the FAO Deputy Director-General, Beth Bechdol. It is not clear if she was there personally.
“For Gazans, the sea was not just a source of food, but a source of livelihood and identity. FAO can assist to help rebuild Gaza’s fishing industry, but for this to happen peace must first be established and fishers must be allowed to operate their boats and cast their nets without fear of harm,” she added.
Ciro Fiorillo, Head of the FAO Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip, stated, “FAO is ready to restart projects, replenish damaged boats and equipment, and inject emergency funds as soon as these key fishing inputs for production are allowed to enter the Strip, a sustained ceasefire is in place, and access to the sea is restored.
“This will help Gazan fishers resume their activities, revitalize livelihoods, contribute to economic recovery, and restore dignity to the people of Gaza.”
Before the escalation of hostilities, FAO supported over 4,000 Gazan fishers, improving food security, safety, and sustainability. Key initiatives like the marine cage project and enhanced fish stock monitoring, helped to establish inland fish farms, enhanced fishers’ skills, shared best practices, and supplied essential cold chain resources, including solar panels, ensuring a more resilient food source for Gaza.
Despite all the billions in aid given to Gaza, most of it was used to build tunnels and bombs and the fishing industry on its own could not survive without outside help, which raises an eye. How we can help Gazans?
All images supplied by the UN. December 2024. Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip.
The energy company Vattenfall and design studio Superuse converted a nacelle, the top part of a wind turbine, into a tiny house. This nacelle is 4 yards wide, ten yards long and three yards high and comes from a turbine that stood in Austria for 20 years.
I attribute my unease to the burial process. Unlike the schemes in our past post, the Capsula Mundi uses whole bodies, not cremated remains. Stretchable fabric encapsulates bodies bent into fetal position and shaped up in an egg-like orb, with a sapling atop the planted human bulb.
