New Wind Venture Seen as Bridge of Peace Across the Green Line

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Representatives of Israeli and Palestinian partner companies pose after reaching agreement on joint venture for wind power.  (Courtesy photo) Cynics might say that diplomatic attempts to foster Palestinian-Israeli relations are too often “full of hot air.” But a new green Israeli-Palestinian initiative aims to put politics aside and harness the winds blowing across the Green […]

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Potato Power Fires Up Organic Battery

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Can Mr. Potatohead outrun the Energizer Bunny? Researchers in Israel and California develop a potato battery, 50 times cheaper than the Energizer equivalent. Here’s one for potato lovers: the Hebrew University in Jerusalem has developed a solid organic electric battery that uses potatoes for energy. The simple, sustainable device, they say in a press announcement, […]

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Sourdough Part IV: The Sourdough Schedule

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It’s Slow Food defined, but worth it. Miriam winds down the sourdough series with a plan. It’s true, sourdough takes time. So do all good things. But once you’ve established your starter, a world of delicious home-made breads opens up to you. And the good news is that sourdough also makes quicker breads like muffins, […]

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Tafline Laylin: From Tour Guide To Green Prophet

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Loving wild places gives us the impetus to protect them Before I started writing about green building and eco-tourism in Israel and the Middle East, I was a tour guide in North America.  For three years I taught foreigners about camping, ecology, geography, and history in National Parks throughout the lower 48, Alaska, and Canada.  […]

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Clean Rivers and 8 Israel-Related Headlines, Week of June 8, 2010

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Clean rivers in Israel, youth environmental projects, Israel’s upcoming greenhouse gas registry and more headlines related to Israeli cleantech and the environment. Image by Or Hiltch. During the week of June 8, 2010, Israel’s Ministry of Tourism announced that it will be investing $30 million into making Israel a top cycling destination for tourists. Würth […]

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Increase in Water Theft in Jordan Has Broad Implications for Middle East

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Thieves divert public water in Jordan for greenhouses and swimming pools. With the Middle East facing a severe water shortage, government efforts to desalinate sea water, regulate usage and prevent waste are being undermined by a growing problem: theft. Thieves have gotten creative about diverting water from public pipes for private or business purposes, bypassing […]

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Lots of ‘Ifs’ – But Afghan Mineral Reserves Offer Hope for the War-torn Country (and for the Electric Car Industry)

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Afghanistan’s desolate Ghazni Province may hold the world’s largest deposits of lithium. (Image: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times) Just days after the Afghan War became the longest war in US history – 104 months, surpassing the 103-month American engagement in Vietnam – the New York Times, quoting top US government officials, reported the discovery of […]

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