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“Green” Solar Coooker Project Prevents Darfur Rapes

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ou61_Wtu5TY&feature=player_embedded[/youtube] These solar cookers are very inexpensive to make, and yet their impact on Darfur’s families is immeasurable

Spreading compassion for all things and attending to the suffering of others is steeped in the Jewish tradition, in part as a result of deep scars left behind by the holocaust. Nor does this philosophy extend to Israel alone. British Jews are doing their part to reverse environmental damage, while Jews around the world pay their respects to the world’s sadness on Tisha B’Av. So when Rachel Andres traveled to Darfur and learned that women, who had already endured the unthinkable horrors of genocide, were being exposed to rape and attack while collecting firewood for cooking, she decided to do something about it.

Interview with Egyptian Eco-Fashion Designer Nadia Nour

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nadia-nour-clothing Since her launch in 2008, Egyptian fashion designer Nadia Nour has been wowing fashionistas with her elegantly glamorous and individual fashion range which also happen to be environmentally-friendly.

Graduating with a degree in Fashion and Philosophy, it’s seems that Nadia Nour was destined to create an ethical fashion range that gracefully combines her love for fashion with concerns for the planet. With a focus on organic cotton, silks and vintage fabrics, Nadia has also shown her commitment to her home city by producing locally in New York City’s Garment District.

She insists that you can still wear high-end fashion, show off your personal style and reduce your carbon footprint. I spoke to Nadia about what inspires her work, her top tips for eco-shoppers and how her Arab heritage shapes her work.

4 New Ways to Have Fun with Watermelon

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watermelon carvingEver thought of doing more with your watermelon than simply slicing and dicing?

Are you melting in the sticky Middle Eastern summer? Well here is a juicy fruit that is always a favourite, being nice and refreshing, the perfect thing for a summer’s day. There are many reasons for its popularity and not only because it is chock full of vital nutrients. Juices, desserts and decoration; watermelon is a lot more versatile than what you may have originally thought.

Beating the Nationalist Drum and Israel’s Oil Interests

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oil-tel-aviv

Israel needs to move away from nationalist oil rhetoric and pursue renewable energy projects instead

I was astounded to happen on the full-page advertisement on the back of the business section in the October 10, 2010 issue of  Maariv. “Israeli Gas or Arab Gas: What Do You Prefer?” read the central heading. The Arabic writing on the wall was translated: “Someone wants you not to understand.”

Striking a xenophobic tenor, the ad explains that “a year ago a large deposit of oil was discovered off the coast of Israel. Oil production from the new well would cancel Israel’s dependence on foreign-Arab sources and provide Israel with great resources for decades to come.” The article fails to note that the  reserves in the Leviathan field have yet to be proven.  

If Homo Sapiens Want A Home, They’re Gonna Need Some Biodiversity First

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biodiversity-numerous-speciesIf our leaders don’t get their hands dirty and effect real plans to protect biodiversity, we stand to lose the land we live on

We have begun to reach the climatic “tipping points” environmentalists worry so much about – the point where the glass of (camel) milk is leaning, leaning and it hasn’t leaned so far that the milk has leaked out but then boom, the glass falls over, milk splatters everywhere, and someone has to come in to mop it up. The United Nations (UN) looks to the dismal health of the Amazon forest, certain freshwater lakes, and coral reef ecosystems like the Red Sea for signs that unless our leaders implement schemes that protect biodiversity more urgently, humanity is going to shed some serious tears.   

Israel Cleantech Intelligence: Olive Oil and 8 More Headlines

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natural gas gets approval

Ben Gurion University’s green passion, natural gas fields, the health benefits of oil and more headlines related to Israeli cleantech and the environment. Image by conanil.

During the week of August 1, 2010, BrightSource Energy’s plans for the world’s largest solar plant in the Mojave came one step closer. The future of the Dead Sea continues to draw international interest and according the Ernst and Young, Israel’s government needs to do more to enable Israel to take the lead in cleantech. For these stories and more, see this week’s headlines below.

Desert University Goes Green With Gusto

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 With a strong environmental flavor to its courses already, it’s no wonder that Ben Gurion University is embracing the Green Campus label with such enthusiasm.

It may not be the first, or the only, university campus in Israel to receive the “Green Campus” label from the Ministry of Environmental Protection, (Haifa reduced their energy consumption by 22%) but Ben-Gurion University (BGU) in the country’s Negev desert can be singled out for having the most passionate and involved administration.

Too Hot To Handle? Mammals Scatter Pests With Their Breath

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aphids-eat-leafThe aphids’ survival technique against chomping mammals may be used against them to spare crops

Whether we’re trying to ensure public health in Iran or expanding limited water sources in Israel, we’re constantly mining solutions to humanity’s woes. Unfortunately, many businesses leave their ethics at home and invest in ventures, such as pesticides, that are terrible for the environment. Pests are every farmer’s nemesis, but a recent study conducted by the University of Haifa shows that it may not be necessary to spend $1 billion USD to rid crops of these pesky marauders. It may only take a little hot breath.

RECIPE: Golden Roasted Potato Wedges

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herbed roasted potato wedgesWho can resist a potato? These crisp-skinned potato wedges seasoned with olive oil and Middle-Eastern herbs make a great side dish for any meal.

The warm scent of organic potatoes roasting in olive oil and pungent spices. Far healthier than fries. And the good feeling of slow food happening in your own kitchen, with an easy recipe.

Ah…lunch looks good!

Solar Power To The People Of Abu Dhabi

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solar-power-abu-dhabiWill Abu Dhabi’s citizens choose solar panels for their roofs when electricity prices go up?

The residents of the United Arab Emirates capital, Abu Dhabi, will soon experience three major changes as the Abu Dhabi Distribution Company electricity supplier plans to install a meter for every apartment and a solar panel on every roof, according to The National.  While meters that measure a customer’s consumption are common features in the West, they only recently began to appear in the UAE.

“Organic and Islamic” – Muslims Showcase Ethical and Fair-Trade Fashion

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 In Islam, fair-trade is more than just a fashion statement, it’s a deeply-ingrained value

Many people wouldn’t normally associate Islam with fair-trade and ethical fashion but that is all set to change as a growing number of Muslim companies rediscover Islam’s fair-trade message. Whilst fair-trade fashion would generally conjure up images of well-dressed hippies, there is a new generation of Muslims who are placing ethical concerns at the heart of their work and wardrobe. Not only does this indicate rising green and ethical awareness in Muslim businesses, it also means there is a growing demand from normal Muslims for environmentally-friendly options. I spoke to some of the people behind these unique companies from across the UK, Canada and the Middle East to find out more.

Participate in Greenpeace and jovoto’s Design Competition, “Creativity for the Energy Revolution”

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Help Greenpeace and jovoto bring renewable energy to Germany with awesome graphic design

Are you a creative designer looking to use your aesthetic powers towards eco-friendly means?  Greenpeace and jovoto’s joint design contest, Creativity for the Energy Revolution, is a good place to start.  The competition attempts to use cool design to spread the message about converting Germany’s current energy production system from nuclear and charcoal generated energy to solar, wind, water power, biogas and geothermal energy.

Should Cities In The Middle East Be More Dense, Like Manhattan?

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creative-population-densityThough urban density is better for the environment, we don’t have to give up all the benefits of country living (such as locally-grown food)

Though we laud the farmers who rough it on the land, grow food that we can buy, and live an interconnected life, city life is more sustainable. But not just any city life. Urban density that enables citizens to use public transportation and walk is necessary to maximize land use and minimize carbon output. Any system that leaves open even the slightest window of driving opportunity will compel people to use the car, which is not so great for air quality.

For cities in the UAE, for example,where only 1 in 25 Emiratis choose to walk, city planners can provide a little more incentive. Through his research, David Owen concluded that Manhattan offers a winning model; Jonathan Hiskes relays why.

Chemicals Colouring Our Food – A Rainbow to Avoid

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colourful-donutWhen it comes to your food, are you eying the list of added colours?

Red, blue, yellow and green, there is an absolute rainbow of colours out there that you can find in your food. When you stop to think about it though, most of these colours do not occur with the same vibrancy in nature as they do in your cereal, so why is it that we want to eat them? After all, when was the last time you saw a brilliant blue in naturally grown food?

Arab High-Tech Entrepreneurs Changing the Face of Nazareth

arab-israeli-engineersGalil Software brings high-tech opportunities to Arab engineers in Israel’s geographic peripheries

Earlier we reported that Israel needs to pick up its cleantech pace. And sustainability is business means creating employment options for everybody, not just an elite few. Perhaps an infusion of Israeli-Arab engineering talent will help?

This Israeli high-tech firm – unlike the majority that are located around the Israeli nucleus Tel Aviv – is mostly staffed by members of the country’s Arab minority. With a modest investment, Galil Software set up shop in downtown Nazareth and won its first account in 2008 when it employed a couple dozen engineers. Today, Said says, Galil Software employs about 125 engineers, 90 percent of them Israeli Arabs in an external resource and development firm for large multinational companies based in Israel like HP, Amdocs and General Electric.