The Kingdom of Jordan may be about to finalize a mega-deal with Shell Oil for the extraction of oil shale on 22,000 square meters of land–almost one quarter of the country. Some 40 billion tons of shale oil are believed to exist in the central and southern regions. Natural Resources Authority (NRA) Director Maher Hijazin […]
As Green Prophet nears its first birthday, we’re are pleased to have brought you hundreds of stories about environmental issues and activism in Israel and the Middle East over the last 12 months. We’re glad to be playing our part in the mushrooming of environmental awareness in the region. According to data from Yifat Media […]
Eight months ago, Israeli environmental veterans founded Tnua Yeruka, or the Green Movement. Led by Eran Ben-Yemini, the founder of the student environmental movement Megama Yeruka, and by veteran Israeli environmentalist Alon Tal, Tnua Yeruka aims to marry the values of the green worldview with those of traditional left-wing parties, such as reducing the gaps […]
They offer a great local product that serves as a wonderful alternative to imported, carbon-footprint heavy beers (they recently sold their beers at Tel Aviv's slow food farmer's market). And to top it all off, their brewery in southern Tel Aviv has been the home of some great parties.
As a source of alternative energy, some people believe that nuclear power is extremely powerful and can be a fantastic green solution to the energy problem. There are several hazards involved though: Purifying the uranium needed to generate the energy is extremely dangerous, and if the waste is not taken care of properly it can […]
Over the past few weeks, Israel’s ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip has intensified. Commercial crossings are now closed, preventing the transfer of natural gas and other essential resources for Gaza’s 1.5 million residents. We saw earlier this year, when inventors Waseem Khazendar and Fayaz Anan created an electric car, that necessity is the mother […]
A day before Buy Nothing Day in 2008 an American salesman lost his life, as bargain hunters in a Wal-Mart shop in Long Island trampled him to death.
The winter months are fast approaching, and more of us are feeling the need to look for things to keep us warm – whether it be soup, sweaters, slippers, or socks. And for those of us who are trying to be green, the more we can avoid using electricity and non-renewable energy for our heating […]
The financial crisis is hurting Americans, but months before the hit fuel costs were already gouging into people’s pockets. Some were forced to carpool to work, others took the bus or train. While creative forms of public transportation help deal with times of fiscal uncertainty (we personally love bikes!), the long-term plan for preserving the […]
The lush marine habitat by Aqaba Beach in Jordan is among the richest in the world, attracting thousands of visitors per year. But the popularity of the beach is also its downfall: In just 20 minutes, divers recovered more than 150 kilos of garbage from the waters of the reef, including plastic cups, cans, and […]
One of the wonderful customs that the American settlers here in the Middle East has brought over from the old country is Thanksgiving. Here is my green tribute to them! In 1621, the Plymouth colonists, led by William Bradford and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is acknowledged today as one of the […]
We’ve already written about Israel’s eco tourism industry and even about new eco study abroad options in Israel for overseas college students who want to make their positive green mark here. And for the tourists Israelis who want to explore their home in an environmentally friendly way, or bring green living to their everyday lives? […]
Israel may soon have its first green airport. The Israel Airports Authority (IAA) has ordered the management of Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv to draw up a plan transforming Ben Gurion into “a leader in environmental protection.” The plan must provide solutions for the reduction of air pollution, water pollution and noise pollution. Use […]
In the Bible, Lot is well known because his wife (Irit) looked back at Sodom when angels were pulling them out of the city (even though the angels had specifically told her not to look back). As punishment, she turned into a pillar of salt. Luckily, things have since changed. Lot Spa Hotel in the […]
Since Hamas took control of Gaza in the summer of 2007, Israeli citizens have been battered with rocket attacks in Sderote, and more recently Ashkelon. Some media outlets call Israel’s interference with fuel transfer across to Gaza “a seige” but for Israelis it is just a matter of survival. Looking beyond politics and focusing on […]