Kids on bikes cruise past Azrieli towers. A couple of years ago I read a book called Carfree Cities, which put forward a very convincing case for reducing the use of private cars in the city, and set out a whole series of design alternatives which, according to author J.H. Crawford, would obviate the need […]
Israelis are notorious for their love of gadgets. Well, at least Israeli men are. And Israeli kids. It’s a pretty true stereotype that Israeli elementary schoolers had their own cell phones way before cellphones were widespread in the US. Hand an Israeli kid pretty much any electronic gadget and they’ll figure it out in less […]
Ernst & Young has announced Clean Tech investment is at record levels as a new investment fund is looking to focus on Israel’s clean tech. International accounting firm Ernst & Young estimates fully 11% of global venture capital funding will go to clean technology in 2008, up from just 1.6% of VC investments five years […]
Although there are Israelis who hop between Eilat and Tel Aviv on a plane rather than brave the four-and-a-half hour Egged bus ride, for the most part Israel’s postage stamp size makes the country easy to tackle without taking to the skies. Not so for the USA. I decided last week that I will visit […]
Karnit Goldwasser is most commonly known as the widow of IDF soldier Ehud Goldwasser, who was abducted by Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement during the Second Lebanon-Israel War. Before that tragedy took place, however, she was busy doing things other than lobby for the release of her husband and his fellow soldiers. She was busy getting a […]
A jatropha nursery in Kaffrine, Senegal It will take dedicated visionaries to help stop America’s addiction to foreign oil. And that’s what Doron Levi, the COO of alternative energy company Galten Global Alternative Energy has his heart set on doing. The telephone line was shaky and his Internet connection unreliable, yet Levi spoke with me […]
In a few hours Jews in Israel will start the annual holiday Yom Kippur, and a day-long fast. It is by default, the greenest day of the year in Israel. For more than 24 hours, starting at sunset tonight, Jewish people will not only refrain from eating, but driving, shopping, wearing leather (and body lotion), […]
For those readers about to participate in tonight’s Yom Kippur fast, Green Prophet Daniella Cheslow offers up many reasons why we need to think again about food production in this weeks ‘eco-reads’ review: Paul Roberts may be the only food writer capable of swinging from prehistoric man gathering berries to a doomsday scenario ten years […]
About 500 bodies wait submerged in a Philippine ferry –– ironically named the Princess of the Stars –– until divers and authorities feel it is safe to proceed. The ferry capsized en route to Manila in June after being hit by a typhoon, killing an estimated 750 people. Only 56 people survived the accident, while […]
The Jewish Day of Repentance, Yom Kippur, is a day of introspection and self-evaluation. While doing so make sure not to sin in the green realm. On a day that no one showers and most people are out of the house for most of the day, in synagogue, there is a relatively low eco-print. But […]
Since 1982, the American Jewish Communities’ Project Interchange has been giving a first-hand introduction of Israel and its regional historical and contemporary challenges to current and future United States and international leaders. This past mission has been focused on the greens. Just five weeks into the job Stephanie Hillman, Greenpeace Mediterranean’s brand new project director, […]
With a population in the Irish Republic of 4 million, Ireland has a smaller population than Israel, but is spread over a larger land mass. Island life brings certain unique environmental and economic issues to a community, and it's clear that the Irish Government has pioneered some green initiatives, and yet is slow to respond in other cases.
It has been estimated that a single gram of dog waste can contain 23 million fecal coliform bacteria, which are known to cause cramps, diarrhea, intestinal illness, and serious kidney disorders in humans. EPA even estimates that two or three days’ worth of droppings from a population of about 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria […]
City councils world-wide are watching as municipal workers in the Israeli city of Petach Tikva are DNA-testing dog droppings in order to identify and fine irresponsible pet owners. Update in 2021: the pilot project has come to life in Tel Aviv. Under a six-month trial program residents are being asked to voluntarily bring their dogs […]
After celebrating Rosh Hashana sustainably this past week (even making pomegranate-nut salad for that extra special touch), some of us may be looking forward on our calendars and wondering how to celebrate the next holiday in an environmentally friendly way. Yom Kippur is already, by default, observed in a green way due to the complete […]