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Inspiring Qatari Man Designs Solar Generator For High-End Desert Camps

cleantech, Qatar, solar energy, Hashim Al SadaAfter watching a sobering documentary about global warming, Hashim Al Sada has devoted his career to developing solar powered solutions for Qatar.

If you can’t beat ’em, do you join ’em or redirect the game? Qatari desert camps are often equipped with a variety of electronics, including refrigerators, air-conditioning units (check out these Dead Sea inspired Advantix Systems), and televisions powered by diesel generators. (Berbers in the Sahara also rely on diesel generators to pump water). Rather than dismissing these trappings and the pollution generated to maintain them, the 26 year old Qatari inventor Hashim Al Sada created a clean energy alternative that will allow his fellow Qataris to enjoy these full-luxury “camping” trips without the attendant environmental destruction.

RECIPE: Crunchy Chickpeas for Healthy Snacking

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chick pea snack
Quick to make and satisfying – roasted chickpeas answer the need for a healthy snack.

When we casually dump a can-full of chickpeas into a pan, we’re thinking of dinner, not how the ancient world ate the little yellow grains. But chickpeas  found in Middle-Eastern archeological excavations have been proved to be eaten by folks as far back as 6790 BCE. The ancients ate young chickpeas raw, boiled the mature grains, and also ate the leaves. So can we. In fact, having access to the pungent spices of the Middle East, we can make far more delicious snacks of them than our faraway forefathers ever ate. (See our delicious recipe for humous here, and our equally good chickpea-filled sambusak pastries.)

High in protein and fiber, with satisfying complex carbohydrates, chickpeas seasoned with Middle Eastern spices and roasted are easy to make and popular with everyone.

Israeli Court Bans Use of West Bank Sewage Plant

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The Israeli High Court recently ordered an Israeli sewage treatment plant built illegally in the West Bank to stop its work. So should Israel be thinking of building solar fields there?

A couple of days ago, the Israeli High Court of Justice banned the operation of a sewage treatment plant built illegally on Palestinian land in the West Bank settlement of Ofra.

The court found that the plant was built using a fictitious building permit and funded to the tune of NIS 7.8million by the Israeli state. Yesh Din, the human rights organisation petitioned the court on behalf of the residents of the Palestinian village of Ein Yabrud and after two years, the case was finally resolved. But what does this outcome mean for the Israeli government plans to build solar fields in the contested Palestinian territories?

Leonardo DiCaprio To Join Zayed Prize Jury

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As the Middle East is short on its own green celebrities, the Zayed Prize has decided to nab some from Hollywood (and tennis) instead

The Zayed Prize is the most prestigious green energy award in the Middle East so it’s easy to see why they have the pick of the bunch when it comes to putting together their jury. This year however, they really have outdone themselves.

As well as securing Mohammed Nasheed, the president of the Republic of Maldives who has campaigned internationally on climate change, they have managed to convince Leonardo DiCaprio, the Oscar-award winning actor/environmental activist, and Grand Slam Tennis Champion Andre Agassi to join them. Cherie Blair, wife of the previous Prime Minister of the UK Tony Blair, will also be deciding the winners for the award for innovation, leadership, long-term vision and impact on renewable energy and sustainability.

GE Plans to Buy Israeli LED Brightspark Lightech

LED lighting, GE, CleantechGE is expanding its geographical and technological reach. Israeli firm Lightech is the latest to join the ranks of GE acquisitions.

General Electric is becoming more fully ensconced in the Middle East. In addition to committing to developing a major hub in Masdar City – one of this region’s mostly widely publicized sustainability projects – the American company recently announced plans to set up a major R&D center in the Israeli city Haifa.

GE is also expanding its technological base by engorging itself on a slew of cleantech companies. According to GigaOm, Lightech, which specializes in LED and low-voltage halogen lighting systems, is the latest company to join the ranks of GE acquisitions in a deal that could cost the electrical supply corporation a cool $15 to $20 million.

Organic Farming On the Rise In Emirates

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Since 2007, land dedicated to organic greenhouse farming across the United Arab Emirates has increased by 15 percent

Despite some debate over the carbon-footprint of locally grown food when using desalinated water, it is widely accepted that growing your own food locally is better and greener than shipping it in from all corners of the world. Therefore, revelations that the modest organic farming movement in the United Arab Emirates is on the rise is definitely good news.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Environment and Water, the total area of organic greenhouse farms reached 2,196 acres in 2010, up from just 110 acres in 2007. Whilst the growth is small, it is a step in the right direction in a country reluctant to reduce its dependency on oil to desalinate water or reduce its waste.

Greater Flamingos Return to Abu Dhabi Wetlands and Hopefully to Bu Tinah

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Greater flamingos and chicks found in Abu Dhabi once again.

Abu Dhabi’s remaining wetlands and its well publicized Bu Tinah archipelago have been mentioned a number of times by Green Prophet; especially with it being nominated for designation as one of  the earth’s Seven World Wonders. But now this natural wonder, along with other designated wetlands such as Abu Dhabi’s Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, may once again become home to increasing numbers of beautiful Greater Flamingos that are attracted to these areas as nesting sites.

Ramadan: The Time To Go Green Is Now

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As the holy Islamic month of fasting approaches, why not prepare for a greener Ramadan now?

There are literally a couple of days left till Ramadan starts, so I want to make a last ditch attempt to encourage Muslims to go green in the holy month of fasting. Whilst Tafline explored the darker side of fasting in countries less tolerant of a Muslim’s decision not to fast, I want to look at the ways that Muslims are embracing a greener Ramadan in the hope that such behaviour will one day become the norm all year round.

Palestine’s Aspirations For A Green Ramallah

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green ramallah palestineThe cultural and political heart of Palestine, the city of Ramallah, wants to improve its green credentials

As well as hosting Palestine’s first environmental festival this year and assisting the construction of the country’s first green city named ‘Rawabi’, Ramallah has aspirations to be an environmentally friendly city of its own.

The municipality of Ramallah recently released a mission statement which says: “We want the city of Ramallah to be beautiful, green, safe, clean, and environmentally friendly for the sake of all its residents.” As part of the efforts to improve the city, the municipality states that more greenery will be planted, an awareness-raising campaign focused on schools will be launched and a clean-up programme initiated.

RECIPE: Kanafeh, Arabic Cheese Pastry

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image-kanafeh-arabic-pastryKanafeh: sweet cheese filling under a crunchy topping. A favorite Ramadan dessert.

Ramadan 2011 begins after sunset on July 31st. One of the many luscious traditional pastries served during the night meals of Ramadan month is kanafeh. Subtly flavored with lemon and rosewater, doused with syrup, it makes up for all the calories burnt off during the daytime fast. Serve it with Turkish coffee.

Another lovely Arabic pastry for Ramadan break-fast or any time, is date-stuffed ma’moul cookies. Substitute dates for the nuts in the recipe, for dates are said to be the first food Muhammad ate when he broke his fast.

Kanafeh isn’t hard to make at home. The steps are simple and the ingredients widely available. If the classic kanaifa dough isn’t to be found in your area, substitute angel-hair (vermicelli) noodles. The trick is to massage the dough strands with melted butter – patience is required.

What I think is that it’s probably really good reflexology therapy, as the dough gently presses reflex points while you squeeze it. And the butter should leave you with the softest hands… But  eaters won’t be concerned with the thoughts of the cook once they put a spoonful of kanafeh in their mouths. They’ll just want more kanafeh.

Environmental Concerns Greet Wadi Rum World Heritage Status

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Can Wadi Rum cope with a predicted influx of tourists attracted by its World Heritage status?

In June, the Jordanian desert valley of Wadi Rum joined the UNESCO World Heritage List, with a decision which has been much predicted since the end of 2010. According to Green Prophet’s Tafline Laylin, writing in September 2010, UNESCO certification would “ease the task to sustainably manage both the cultural and natural beauty that makes this site such a strong candidate for the United Nations’ esteemed recognition”.

With the certification finally announced in summer 2011, Jordanian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Haifa Abu Ghazaleh told The Jordan Times newspaper that “This win is considered as a recognition for Jordan and its heritage, and will have a great impact on the country’s tourism sector”.

Walking in the Shadow of a Moroccan Camel

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eco-tourism, sustainable tourism, Morocco, travel, natureLed by Berber guides, five Australians and I head out on the Chebbi dunes outside Merzouga, Morocco for an unforgettable night under star-filled skies.

Yesterday, Merzouga in southern Morocco (a stone’s throw from the border of Algeria) was so hot that I almost passed out in the internet cafe where I worked all day. There’s no air-conditioning here and the fan seemed to only revolve once a minute.

Out on the dunes, the sun is even less forgiving, so our Berber guide, who is leading one of the last few tours that Tucan Travel will conduct in Morocco, postponed our departure until 6pm. After a few fits and giggles (think young girls on smelly, curmudgeonly camels), we and another two small groups made our steady way across some of Morocco’s most impressive sand dunes.

Dickson Despommier: we can end hunger in Middle East with vertical farming

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vertical farming middle eastLack of space in urban environments often means that farming opportunities are limited, but a technique of farming indoors and upwards may resolve this problem

Over a week ago, I had the opportunity to attend an event featuring Dickson Despommier, the grandfather of vertical farming. As Green Prophet editor Karin explains in an interview with a vertical farming expert, vertical farming is where crops are grown in buildings and on various levels to save not only space but water. Despommier explains that in today’s world, 80% of the earth’s available land is already farmed and so we need to come up with better ways to grow food for our increasingly urban and populated world.

flux-device-prototype
This device called Eddy makes it easy for anyone, anywhere to access the benefits of hydroponics. Until now you had to spend thousands of dollars for systems and know how. For more see www.fluxiot.com

Here at Green Prophet, we have already looked the potential of green roofs in the Middle East, growing food without soil as well as sprouting urban agriculture groups. Or companies like flux leading the sensor tech revolution. Now I take another look at one development in urban food growing – vertical farming – and the potential it has to solve food problems in the Middle East.

Uses 70% Less Water Than Traditional Farming

Some of the advantages of vertical farming, which incorporates growing techniques such as hydroponics (growing without soil), is that there is no crop loss from severe weather events and you can grow crops all year. However, the big advantage for places such as the Middle East, is that vertical farming uses around 70% less water than traditional farming. As the growing conditions are a lot more controlled, water isn’t lost due to inefficiencies such as leaks and evaporation.

This is a huge advantage for those considering adopting the technique in the water-scare Middle East as it means that it could potentially make growing a lot more commercially viable. Indeed, Despommier revealed that countries such Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Qatar have already show interest in the technique. According to Despommier, there was a meeting in 2009 with the Jordan mayor office to discuss the farming technique and there were also a pyramid-shaped vertical farm designed for Dubai.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1clRcxZS52s&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

End The African Land Grab

Whilst in its tentative stages, vertical farming in the Middle East could be a great solution to the regions current water problems and its huge reliance on food imports. This novel way of farming could also end the African land grab by countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to secure food supplies.

Since the Arab Spring riots, which were in part sparked by food shortages and rising prices, food security has climbed up the agenda of many Middle Eastern governments. Let’s hope that they consider improving their own food self-sufficiency through green techniques such as vertical farming and not just buying up tracts of fertile land from drought-stricken and troubled nations in Africa such as Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia.

:: Image via kris krug/flickr.

For more information on urban agriculture in the Middle East see:

What Urban Rooftop Gardening Could Do For The Middle East

Gaza’s Green Roofs of Herbs and Vegetables

Beirut Is Getting Its First Green-Roofed Tower

New Record Heat Waves Not Like “Good Old Dustbowl Days”

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heat index map
Weather paradox: severe drought in south with flooding elsewhere

With 122 degrees in New York City, intense drought and wild fires in several American states, and mass starvation due to abnormal drought in the Horn of Africa.   Middle Eastern countries like Yemen are “running dry” , and ones like Egypt are in danger of not being able to feed themselves. All this appears to be pointing to very unnatural climate changes that are looking more and more as being caused by global warming. The extreme heat and lack of moisture occurring in many parts of the USA seem to be much different than the “drought indexes” of the 1930’s when states like Arkansas and Oklahoma were plagued by what was known as the “dust bowl” .

Apply Now for Ford & UNESCO’s $100,000 Enviro-Grants

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greenwashing, environmental funds, Ford, UNESCOFord offers up another $100,000 to get green initiatives in the Gulf and Levant rolling. Applications are due 10 September, 2011.

After writing a visceral post about environmental organizations that accept money from large corporations, in protest of greenwashing, Arwa interviewed the Emirates Diving Association, who explained their decision to accept $10,000 from Ford.

One of the world’s largest auto manufacturers, since 2000 Ford has donated more than $1 million to 130 environmental initiatives throughout the Gulf and the Levant, including to whale and dolphin research, beach cleanups, sea turtle and monk seal research off the coasts of Syria, and to Omani Leopard Conservation.

This year the company has teamed up with UNESCO to expand its reach. Government and non-government initiatives committed to Conservation Engineering, Protection of the Natural Environment, or Environmental Education are encouraged to apply for a share of $100,000 currently up for grabs. If that’s you, please visit Ford’s website and fill out the application before 10 September, 2011. Rules and further details available there.

image via farm4

More on corporate sponsorship:

“We Are Not a PR Stunt” – Marine Protection Group on Corporate Sponsorship

Should Green Organizations Accept Sponsorship from Big Bad Corporations?