Page 627 – Green Prophet

6 Tips to Cutting Down Stress

Health

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July 25, 2010

Does it sometimes feel like you are constantly racing, while life passes by in a blur? There are natural ways to avoid this stress. Image via Stig Nygaard

Rising blood pressure, muscular tension, fraying nerves, trouble sleeping and killer migraines, does this sound like your life? Well, stress is a killer and in today’s modern age we seem to be willing to accept it as a normal part of our lives, especially here in the Middle East where life wouldn’t be complete without it.

It doesn’t have to be part of your daily existence though; there is a natural way of getting rid of stress so you can avoid all the side effects that go with it. Just as much as you can get rid of migraines naturally, there are some simple keys to avoiding stress. Read on for our tips.

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Israel’s Bedouin Want Their Rightful Share of the Sun

Tech

Karin Kloosterman

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July 25, 2010

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Israel’s Bedouin Want Their Rightful Share of the Sun

It would create jobs and better dividends for the marginalized Bedouin in Israel’s Negev Desert. So will the Israeli Government allot a lease-land quota for solar energy on Bedouin-settled land?

Arava Power, based on an Israeli kibbutz, recently signed a solar energy land lease deal with Israeli Bedouin (previously nomadic people). The deal, it seems has prompted the Bedouin to want a bigger or guaranteed share in Israel’s solar energy land lease market.

According to the Jerusalem Post the Bedouin city of Rahat and its Mayor Sheikh Faiz Abu Seheban called a press conference last Thursday to publicize his community’s intentions to the Israeli government. “I sent a letter asking for a special quota of solar energy specifically for Bedouin,” the mayor said. Should the Bedouin get it?

“Entering the solar energy market would create jobs for Beduin residents and save on electricity. The Beduin are the poorest community in Israel,” he added. The Beduin would lease their land to private solar developers and would work at the solar fields.

Bedouin folk medicine

The Israeli government has plans to have 10% of its country’s energy to be from renewable sources by 2020, and has since guaranteed attractive feed-in tariffs for medium-sized projects attracting international investment and interest. Clearly the Bedouin people in Israel are no chumps. They want a share in the solar energy gold rush. Since land-rights issues for the Bedouin are still a very dodgy issue in Israel, we can foresee this topic being a very political one.

We are also concerned how these land-leases will be managed. BrightSource has already learned that it can’t just put up solar panels wherever it pleases in the Mojave Desert. Similar restrictions should be put in place in Israel’s somewhat small Negev Desert.

The Difficulties of Developing Cycling Routes in Iranian Cities

Transportation

Mehrdad Parsipour

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July 25, 2010

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The Difficulties of Developing Cycling Routes in Iranian Cities

Tehran has bikes routes in place, but people aren’t using them because they’re needed in dense urban cores.

We all know about the importance of cycling for health and for creating sustainable cities and communities (like Vauban the German car-less city) that encourage carbon-free transport.

Traditionally Iranian cities have had a rich culture of bicycling in the first decades of the twentieth century. In Tehran and some other cities like Yazd and Esfahan with its beautiful bridge in center of Iran, many urban trails were made by bicycle.But this culture was weakened in the 50s and 60s when modernization became the base of governmental strategies in Iran in several fields like architecture, urban design, and urban transportation. The automobile became the main mode of transportation. The use of bikes died out.

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Celebrating Mehregan, The Persian "Nature" Festival of Autumn

Religion

Mehrdad Parsipour

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July 25, 2010

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Celebrating Mehregan, The Persian "Nature" Festival of Autumn

Mehr was a goddess and symbol of a religious belief in Indo-Iranian culture associated with the creation of the world. Many from Iran look to their roots of this nature-based celebration with preparations already starting next month.

The Mehregan Festival or the Persian Festival of Autumn is an ancient Persian fest which is dedicated to Mehr (or Mithra/Mitra), the goddess and symbol of light, friendship, faith, love and kindness.

It is celebrated each year at the beginning of Autumn on the 16th of Mehr in the 7th month. This year October 8. But in some regions, it is celebrated earlier, like in September in the United States. And like in some religions, such as Christmas, preparations can start early.

In ancient Iran, there were two great national festivals that both were celebrated when the length of day and night were equal (solstice).

The first is exactly in the beginning of spring (summer solstice), which is called Nowruz. This festival is still the greatest national festival of Iran, despite it being an Islamic state, and is celebrated widely in the first day of spring with special ceremonies. It is also the first day of Iranian calendar and the day that the nature is alive again after winter. Nowruz is on March 21. Both Mehregan and Nowruz, derived from the Zoroastrian religion, rejoice nature and that’s why we think it’s the perfect holiday to “celebrate” on Green Prophet.

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10 Tips for Breastfeeding Your Baby in Public in the Middle East

Health

Hannah Katsman

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July 25, 2010

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Act confident when nursing your baby in public. Breastfeeding is good for you, your baby, and the environment.

If you’re living in a middle Eastern country, or visiting one, you might assume that breastfeeding in public is not accepted. It’s true that nursing in public is best avoided in some places like Iran, where the Islamic government sent officials to chop breasts off mannequins in a clothing stores. But in places where breastfeeding is considered the normal way to feed a baby, people don’t give a second thought to a nursing mother and baby.

When you are breastfeeding your baby, you’ll want to feel comfortable feeding her everywhere. Breastfeeding is enjoyable for baby and mom and helps keep you both healthy. You’re helping the environment too, because the manufacture of formula and bottles uses precious water supplies and generates pollution and waste.

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Natural Gas "War" Between Israel and Lebanon Could Lead to a "Drill Race"

Business

Benjamin Joffe-Walt - The Media Line

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July 25, 2010

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Hezbollah’s stake in the “cleaner” natural gas wells at sea expose “government inefficiency, incompetence and corruption and the lack of adequate services in transportation, water, education, health.”

Israel’s northern neighbor is scrambling to set up a legal basis to challenge the Jewish state’s discovery of a gigantic natural-gas reservoir in the Eastern Mediterranean. Lebanese leaders are scrambling to pass legislation to govern offshore gas and oil exploration, following the discoveries of two gigantic natural gas reserves off the coasts of Israel and Lebanon, two countries in a state of war for decades.

The Lebanese parliament is set to discuss two draft laws that could manage offshore gas and oil exploration on Monday. The two versions of the bill differ over who will control potential revenues from offshore gas and oil discoveries: the President, through the Ministry of Energy and Water, or an independent body.

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Nile Awareness Mission: Aswan To Alexandria In a Kayak

Cities

Tafline Laylin

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July 24, 2010

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Nile Awareness Mission: Aswan To Alexandria In a Kayak

Aly Morad and Salah El Din Helmry to kayak 27 days in January, 2011 to draw awareness to the polluted Nile River [image via David Berkowitz]

It takes a special kind of person to stop, take stock, to imagine how our actions today will translate tomorrow, the next day, and even 100 years from now. In Egypt, with its bulging population of at least 80 million, climate change could drastically impede the quality of life. And already, Egyptians can’t trust their tap water. But 2 friends aim to change all of that by kayaking from Aswan to Alexandria in 27 days.

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Turkey Helps Syria Revive Thoth – The Northern Bald Ibis

Travel

Tafline Laylin

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July 23, 2010

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Turkey Helps Syria Revive Thoth – The Northern Bald Ibis

God “Thoth” or the northern bald bis negotiates its way back from extinction in the Middle East

Syria is toiling to improve its environmental record. An internet service provider there is educating the public, and they have created a Master Plan for Renewable Energy. However, conservationists are unable to resuscitate the critically endangered Northern Bald Ibis without a little help from their Turkish friends.

The bird that was worshipped as the god Thoth during Pharonic times was thought to have gone extinct in the Middle East. But then in 2002, 7 precious birds were discovered near the ancient city of Palmyra. Apart from 2 wild colonies living in SW Morocco, according to our friends at wildlife extra, they were the only northern bald ibises left in the world. Now they are on the brink of extinction.

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Dubai's Ekotribe To Open Online Mideast Ecostore (Usable Bag Giveaway!)

Lifestyle

Karen Chernick

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July 23, 2010

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Live in the Middle East and not sure where to get eco-friendly products? Check out the Green Eco Store.

Ekotribe, a Dubai-based company started earlier this year, aims at bringing a variety of thoughtfully selected green products into every aspect of people’s lives. In order to achieve this goal, Ekotribe will soon be opening up the Green Ecostore – a one stop shop for people living in the Middle East where they can purchase eco-friendly products in the following categories: home & garden, bags, babies, kitchen, gadgets, pets, personal & books, office & stationary, kids & toys, and eco gifts.

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Masdar And The Dicey Science Of Carbon Credits

Cities

Tafline Laylin

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July 23, 2010

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Masdar And The Dicey Science Of Carbon Credits

Are oil and gas companies seeking carbon credits simply opportunists looking to make a profit? [image via oedipusphinx]

It makes some sense that Masdar City, a carbon neutral city being built in Abu Dhabi, should receive carbon credits. But rewarding large oil companies such as Abu Dhabi’s ADNOC even though they continue to emit carbon into our choking atmosphere, is a much tougher sell.

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Tips to consider before buying beauty products

Lifestyle

Naomi Ben-David

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July 23, 2010

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Tips to consider before buying beauty products

Ever look in the mirror and wonder what exactly was in those products you are slathering on your skin? Image via antkriz

Part of most women’s morning regime involves walking into the bathroom, looking into the vanity mirror and trying to figure out how to minimise her so-called defects and play up her best features. Well, with all the products we use, have you ever really thought to read the ingredients? There are some chemicals in your beauty products that you definitely could do without.

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"Khan of the White Donkey" An Eco-Retreat Along the Ancient Silk Road

Cities

Miriam Kresh

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July 23, 2010

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The renovated Khan of the White Donkey in Safed, Israel was the last stop on the Silk Road between Acre and Damascus. Now it’s a center for ecological activity, courses, and concerts.

We pushed open the brightly-painted wooden door and walked into a cool stone hall. The roof was a series of arches, in the ancient Arab style. A few steps down, in a big open space surrounded by niches built into the walls, a women’s yoga class was taking place. Located in the mystical city of Safed, Israel, this ancient caravan inn “Khan of the White Donkey” obviously houses very up-to-date activities, most focused on ecology education and health.

What isn’t immediately apparent is that it’s also a modern example of clean technology. Here’s our interview with Andy Alpern, restoration manager at the Khan of the White Donkey since 2009.

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4 Israeli Car Technologies Volkswagen Should Consider Buying

Tech

Lisa Damast

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July 22, 2010

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4 Israeli Car Technologies Volkswagen Should Consider Buying

Volkswagon Group, the world’s third largest car manufacturer is looking to Israel for cutting-edge technologies for its cars. We take a look at four technologies Volkswagon should consider. Image via Mike Babcock.

Ynet is reporting that the Volkswagon Group, made up of SEAT, Skoda and Lamborghini and others, has hired an Israeli company founded by former minister Yossi Beilin to assist it in its search for Israeli tech companies to work with.

According to the article, Volkswagon, which is the third largest car manufacturer in the world after General Motors and Toyota, is presumably looking at Israeli companies that can help it develop an electric car: “One of the areas in which the technology industries in Israel could aid The Volkswagen Group is in developing the electric car. On Tuesday, Volkswagen announced plans to launch sites around the world to develop electric cars, at an investment of five billion euro.”< Here's four Israeli technologies that can help Volkswagon with its electric car and other green efforts:

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Givot's Premature Oil Production Near Rosh Ha'Ayin, Israel

Energy

Tafline Laylin

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July 22, 2010

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Givot Olam Oil Exploration LP push to production without reservoir report or stable production rates.

In the face of serious climate change, Israel’s Petroleum Law (1952) encourages haste where oil is concerned. We’ve seen it at Adullam, where IEI plans to rake up the earth for oil shale, and now we’re getting another taste of it just outside of Tel Aviv. Givot Olam Oil Exploration LP has discovered oil near Rosh Ha’Ayin, and plan to begin assembly of production facilities by August 15, 2010.

According to a recent Globes report, “Givot Olam Oil Exploration LP (TASE:GIVO.L) announced at the close of trading yesterday that there were commercial quantities of oil at its Meged 5 well, and that the partnership intended to prepare for production at the well.”

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Register Early For the "Smart Grids" Middle East Conference

Energy

Tafline Laylin

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July 22, 2010

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Register Early For the "Smart Grids" Middle East Conference

Smart Grids are redefining the electricity future. Worldwide experts in the field will gather to share their know-how with the Middle East in Dubai this December. [image via GDS digital]

When temperatures soar, so does electricity consumption. At the peak of a scorcher day, everyone at home or in their offices hikes up their air-conditioning units at the same time, putting enormous pressure on regional and national grids. Another challenge that utilities face is incorporating renewable sources of energy, such as solar power, into the same electricity network. An emergent solution to both problems? Smart grids.

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