Genes from a bioluminescent fungus allow the glowing petunia to produce enzymes that can convert caffeic acid (an intermediate in the biosynthesis of lignin) into the light-emitting molecule luciferin and then recycle it back into caffeic acid.
Glowing plant hits the US market
Plant lovers in the United States will soon be able to buy glowing petunias (Petunia hybrida).
The $29 US plant, sold by biotech firm Light Bio, contains genes from a bioluminescent mushroom (Neonothopanus nambi).
Because this type of petunia is not native to North America and is not considered an invasive species, the chances of the modified genes spreading should be minimal – says the company.
This is a “groundbreaking event”, says plant biologist Diego Orzáez. He suggests that having “something people can touch and bring home” could even help people to be less scared of genetic engineering.
Man poses with photo of trees he helped restore
Do you think genetic engineering should be taken this lightly and that plants that glow should be sent home to teach kids about how “cool” genetic engineering is? We should be teaching kids about protecting the diversity of plant life, and help them celebrate people who plant forests, and who save apple varieties across the United States.
A tiny home can help cut down your carbon footprint.
Today, environmentally friendly building practices are much more than just a trend—they are an absolute need. It is important when we are aiming to solve environmental problems and overcome the limitations of our ecological footprint, making energy efficient buildings have come to play an essential role. This article describes 10 innovative tools for energy efficiency and there is a pledge that this could lead to the future of a more sustainable environment. Remember, as what Resustain said – the cheapest energy is the energy you don’t use.
Smart Design and Orientation: Building the path towards energy efficiency lies on the drawing board. Smart architectural design involving orientation can result in maximizing natural light and heating, which eliminates the need for artificial lighting and temperature control. For instance, buildings located on the southern side in the north hemisphere can have sunlight for warmth and light.
High-Performance Insulation: The key player is always having an effective insulation through energy conservation. Thanks to the use of high-quality materials and technologies, buildings could stay comfortable at stable temperature levels while still using far less energy needed for cooling and heating. This includes not just walls, but also roofs, floors, and even the windows as well.
Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors: It is possible to control energy leakage substantially by investing on certain double or triple-glazed windows and well-sealed doors. These elements are vital to maintain the temperature inside and help to minimize the dependency on heating and cooling systems.
Green Roofing and Walls: Green roofs and walls not only look better but also act as natural insulators. They capture heat, reduce stormwater runoff, and improve air quality as they are good options for the urban buildings.
A solar PV plant in California
Solar Power Integration: Using Photovoltaic panels for solar energy is a direct way to decrease dependence on non renewable energy sources. Solar Solutions today have gradually become efficient and cost effective, a thing that has seen them be available to a variety of buildings.
Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems: Buildings especially with Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems are major energy consumers. The cost of upgrading to energy-efficient HVAC systems has great benefits as it results in significantly reduced energy consumption while maintaining comfort levels.
Smart Lighting Solutions: Combination of LED lighting with smart, automated lighting controls that adjusts light depending on occupancy and availability of daylight, results in significant energy savings. This method does not only lead to energy savings but also leads to prolonged service life of your lighting devices.
Water Conservation Practices: Having Low-flow faucets, toilets, and showerheads are some of the water conservation measures together with rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems. These approaches minimize the energy necessary for water heating and treatment.
Växjö care home with its coveted annual Green Building Award in the category “LEED project of the year”
Use of Sustainable Materials: By selectively incorporating materials with low embodied energy and are sustainably sourced, it is possible to reduce the overall environmental impact of a building according to here. Such materials also include bamboo, recycled steel and reused wood or recycled plastic.
Regular Maintenance and Upgrades: Finally, constant maintenance and occasional improvements of building systems are necessary to keep the level of energy efficiency. This encompasses regular inspection of insulation, HVAC systems, as well as assessments to ensure all energy systems are operating at their peak.
To summarize, the journey towards sustainable building spans several dimensions and entails integrated efforts to implement sustainable design, innovative technology, and mindful practices. Through having such practices, we can considerably cut down the environmental footprints of our buildings giving a viable pathway in attaining a greener and more sustainable future.
A tiny home can help cut down your carbon footprint.
The world is growing more and more concerned about carbon footprint, climate change and the very real challenges that come with them.
In the past, people used to talk about climate change as a faraway problem, for future genrations. But with the seas currently rising, storms more frequent and violent, and temperatures soaring at record highs, the problem is undeniably at our doorsteps. And the time to act is now.
One of the biggest ways to combat climate change and contribute to a greener planet is by cutting carbon emissions – the more carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the worse the ‘greenhouse effect’ is on our planet. And one of the most effective ways of reducing your carbon footprint is by saving as much energy as possible.
Here are 11 to incorporate green living into your everyday life and do your bit for the environment.
Use energy-efficient appliances
A smart thermostat by Nest
There are many reasons toinvest in energy-efficient appliances. The first, of course, is by not using more energy than necessary to power the appliance, less fuel needs to be burnt up to create that energy, so less carbon dioxide gets released into the atmosphere.
The second is that not only do you save energy, but you’ll save money at the same time.
For example, a clunky old boiler will need to work harder to heat your home, whereas a new, A-rated energy-efficient boiler will use less energy to heat the same area.
Opt for LED Lighting
Alongside energy-efficient appliances,energy-efficientlighting can also go a long way in helping to cut carbon emissions.
LED bulbs use far less energy than their incandescent and fluorescent cousins to produce the same amount of light. Not only that, but they last lots longer, too.
Power down and unplug
Putting your computer in sleep mode might feel like a time-saving hack, but it’s actually wasting more energy than you realise. In fact, many electric appliances in your home, like your TV, use small amounts of energy while plugged in and switched on at the mains, even if the device itself is switched off.
Make sure when you’re not using something that you switch it completely off and switch it off at the mains for good measure, especially at the end of each day.
Use smart thermostats
Smart thermostats let you control the heating in your home from wherever you are using a handy app. So instead of worrying about if you’ve left the heating on at home when you’ve already left for work, or don’t want to come back to a chilly home after a long day, you can create a schedule or manually switch the heating on and off from your phone.
Make sure you have proper insulation
Green roofs also insulate. These ones are in the Faroe Islands
Draughty doors and windows work against you to keep the heat in during the winter, and keep the heat out during the summer. This makes your heating system work harder to warm up your living space when it’s cold outside, and your air conditioning system or fans have to run for longer to cool your space down in the summer.
Putting an old scarf at the bottom of a draughty door can help block it, and draught strips dor both doors and windows can be bought online and are relatively inexpensive.
Because heat rises, it’s important to make sure your loft is properly insulated too, so that your home doesn’t lose too much heat through the roof.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Everyone should be following the above ‘3 Rs of the environment’ to combat overconsumption This cuts the need for the production of new items, which all use up a lot of energy in the manufacturing process.
Use sustainable transportation
It’s no secret that gas-guzzling vehicles are one of the culprits of climate change. But while most of us aren’t likely to hop on a private jet or board a giant cruise ship every day, many of us do have the option to leave our cars at home more often and take the bus or train instead.
The UK government’stransport decarbonisation plan aims to decarbonise all forms of domestic transport by 2050, including reducing domestic aviation and rail to net zero carbon emissions.
Be conscious of your water usage
Water device collects dew
You probably already know how important it is to conserve water. But did you know that water also contributes to carbon emissions?
Water usually needs to be treated before we use it, and then afterwards before it’s returned to the environment. These treatment processes all contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases – so the more water used, the more emissions are generated.
Use renewable energy sources
A Tesla Cybertruck is the easiest way to save money on gas and you can power it up with solar energy from your home
If you’re fortunate enough to afford the initial outlay, solar panels are a great way of generating your own renewable energy at home. If not, some energy firms offer green energy tariffs, and supply energy generated from renewable sources such as wind and solar power.
Support businesses that support eco-initiatives
Businesses have a massive part to play in helping to save the environment. And more and more are making an effort to reduce their carbon footprint by taking part in green initiatives in their day-to-day business, for examplesupporting tree planting initiatives.
Utility Warehouse’s tree-planting initiative sees a tree planted for each new customer who bundles three or more services with them. The ever-growing UW Woodland is located on Bryn Arw in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
Go paperless with bills
As well as planting trees, it’s also important to save them, too, so they can continue to absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. And, of course, once trees are cut down they need to be processed – resulting in yet more emissions.
A multiservice company,Utility Warehouse (UW) makes it easy to switch to paperless bills, which can then be viewed in your online account or in theUW app.
The biggest players in cutting carbon emissions are the big companies of the world. But individuals can do their part, too. And by making at least some of these practical steps a habit in daily life, we can all work together to reduce our carbon footprint, and take steps towards a more eco-friendly world.
Once you’re down with flu, all the standard advice applies: rest, stay warm, drink lots of warm fluids, take something to relieve the symptoms. And have patience. With care and about a week, the bug will fade away.
Before you reach for the usual pain-killers and fever reducers, inspect your spice cupboard. I’ll bet at least a few natural helpers are lurking there. Read more about medicinal spices in our Middle-Eastern Spices and Medicine Guide. Bay leafs, peppercorns and sage will come to the rescue.
Chills. If you’re shivering with chills, try bay leaf tea to warm the body and encourage sweating. Break up a couple of leaves and steep them in hot water for 10 minutes, covered. Stir in a teaspoon of honey and drink. The taste is mild and pleasantly spicy, and the effect warming and comforting. My mother use to make this tea for me when I was a teenager suffering menstrual cramps. It helped, because bay leaf tea encourages blood circulation.
Hoarseness. Losing your voice? Grind 6 or 7 black peppercorns up – you can crush them in a metal or plastic bowl, with the bottom of a bottle. Cover the crushed peppercorns with honey and swallow it all down. The mixture opens up the throat and chest.
Mouth sores and sore throat. Sage infusion is a reliable germ-killer that has an affinity for the mucus membranes. Make a healing gargle with the silvery-green leaves. Steep a teaspoon of finely chopped sage leaves in boiling water, covered. Cool the infusion and gargle with it twice; then repeat twice more over the next 12 hours.
Mucus dripping into the throat while you’re sick is often the cause of infection. Blow your nose often, and gargle with sage the minute you feel that scratch in your throat.
Warning:
Sage has mild hormonal and drying properties. Pregnant and nursing women shouldn’t drink sage tea, nor eat food cooked with large amounts of it. Children, especially girls, should gargle with it, but not attempt to drink it. They won’t want to anyway; sage tea is bitter.
Headache. A cup or two of rosemary tea soothes the tired, achey head, due to its high calcium content. Make an infusion the same way as with bay leaves; steeped in hot water for 10 minutes. Sweeten to taste. Rosemary also clears brain fog for a while.
Pregnant women should avoid rosemary, as it tends to “clean out” the body. But nursing women can benefit from its high calcium content: one-half cup twice daily for no longer than three days.
Keep the vitamin C up with lovely mint tea. My Moroccan friends give their kids mint tea year round, and claim their kids never get runny noses. Drink it hot or cool, made with fresh leaves or dried. Sweeten to taste.
Loss of appetite. Sometimes a sick person just can’t face food. In that case, it’s crucial to stay hydrated with warm teas. Chamomile, being anti-inflammatory and especially soothing, is a great choice. Sweeten to taste and drink freely.
And remember the mystical healing properties of good soup. Chicken or miso soup are light and nutritious. If you’re not up to making your own, ask a friend to fix it.
A winter salad for flu-ey people: Peel an orange and slice it thinly. Layer the slices with fresh mint leaves and if available, sliced tomatoes. Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over the dish, sprinkling a little salt over all. Or use your favorite salad dressing. The orange, green, and red colors are a delight to the eyes and wake up even a waning appetite. Your body will enjoy a huge hit of vitamin C.
This post doesn’t replace professional medical advice. Consult a doctor if the symptoms are unusually strong or prolonged, or if there’s high fever.
These cheese-filled dates make a piquant addition to a cheese platter. And the recipe can’t be easier: about 10 minutes of preparation should do it, then another 12 or so minutes in the oven. And – you can prepare the dates up to 24 hours in advance and have them ready to pop in the oven just as your guests arrive. Add a tray with small glasses and a bottle of arak, and you have a party. (Try our incredible arak and pomelo cocktail.)
On the family side, this is an indulgent snack for hungry people of all ages, especially those who have to wait for dinner. Serve with a small glass of buttermilk or refreshing aryan for great nutrition and that soothing, satisfied feeling.
It’s easy to understand why dates, coming from hot climates of ancient Mesopotamia, are loved throughout Arabic culture. Food historian Nawal Nasrallah, in Dates, A Global History, writes that the ancients claimed 360 uses for the date palm, including house construction, fences, thatching, irrigation pipes, among others. Nutritious dates have also been considered medicinal. That’s without what first comes to mind when thinking of dates: food. Date syrup, filling for cookies, poultry and meat cooked with dates, date shakes, and much more. And then, surprisingly – dates as an aphrodisiac. Grooms are advised to eat dates before the wedding, to ensure a lively night.
Browsing through her encyclopedic Delights From The Garden of Eden, I came across this romantic quote, where Poet Badir Shakir al-Sayyab compares his love’s eyes to date palms:
Your eyes are like two date-palm groves
at the time of dusk,
Or two balconies from which
the full moon is receding.
So to ensure happy nights, forget the blue pill and nosh up some dates. A little poetry on the side won’t hurt, either.
Dates Baked With Goat Cheese and Walnuts
An easy and unusual way to serve dates, as appetizer or snack.
shallow baking pan
sheet baking parchment
small, sharp knife
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons fine dried bread crumbs
24 Medjool dates
125 grams – 1/4 lb. soft goat cheese
12 walnuts
Preheat oven to 375°F. – 180 °C
Line a shallow baking sheet with baking parchment, or lightly oil it.
Warm the olive oil in a skillet, over medium heat. Stir in the bread crumbs and continue stirring until the bread crumbs are golden brown, about 1 1/2 minutes. Spoon the browned crumbs onto a plate and allow to cool.
Make a small lengthwise incision in each date. Carefully remove the pits. Stuff 1 tsp. of the goat cheese into each pit-free date. Place the dates, cheese side up, in a single layer on the baking sheet.
Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the top. (The dates can be prepared up to this point up to 24 hours in advance. Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator.)
Bake the dates until warmed through, 10 to 12 minutes.
In the meantime, chop each walnut in half.
When the dates are warm and the cheese melting, press half a walnut onto the cheese.
AI deciphers the text of 2,000-year-old charred papyrus scripts, unveiling musings on music and capers.
Student researchers have used machine learning to read text hidden inside charred, unopenable scrolls from the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum. The charred scroll was buried 2,000 years ago by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
The newly revealed passages, using software and scanning called virtual unwrapping, discuss sources of pleasure including music, the colour purple and the taste of capers. The team trained an algorithm on tiny differences in texture where the ink had been, based on three-dimensional computed tomography scans of the scrolls.
The scroll is one of hundreds of intact papyri excavated in the eighteenth century from a luxury Roman villa in Herculaneum, Italy. These lumps of carbonized ash — known as the Herculaneum scrolls — are the only library that survives from the ancient world, but are too fragile to open.
Charred papyrus, too fragile to open
The winning entry, announced on 5 February, reveals hundreds of words across more than 15 columns of text, corresponding to around 5% of an entire scroll. “The contest has cleared the air on all the people saying will this even work,” says Brent Seales, a computer scientist at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, and co-founder of the prize. “Nobody doubts that anymore.”
Ancient papyrus scrolls read using AI
Luke Farritor, an undergraduate studying computer science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, used the crackle to train a machine-learning algorithm, revealing the word porphyras, ‘purple’, which won him the prize for unveiling the first letters in late October. An Egyptian PhD student in Berlin, Youssef Nader, who followed with even clearer images of the text, came second.
A team of researchers used machine-learning to image the shapes of ink on the rolled-up scroll.Credit: Vesuvius Challenge
The content of most of the previously opened Herculaneum scrolls relates to the Epicurean school of philosophy, and seems to have formed the working library of a follower of the Athenian philosopher Epicurus, who lived from 341 to 270 BC, named Philodemus.
AI looks at Vesuvius papyrus scroll to look inside
The new text revealed in the contest doesn’t name the author but, from a rough first read, researchers predict it is by Philodemus. As well as pleasurable tastes and sights, the scroll includes a figure called Xenophantus, possibly a flute-player of that name mentioned by the ancient authors Seneca and Plutarch, whose evocative playing apparently caused Alexander the Great to reach for his weapons.
Researcher Seales has been trying to read these concealed texts for nearly 20 years. His team developed software to “virtually unwrap” the surfaces of rolled-up papyri using three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) images. In 2019, he carried two of the scrolls from the Institut de France in Paris to the Diamond Light Source particle accelerator near Oxford to make high-resolution scans.
Seales team read Dead Sea scrolls from the Ein Gedi region in Israel. The Dead Sea Scrolls, also called the Qumran Caves Scrolls, are a set of ancient Jewish manuscripts from the Second Temple period. They were discovered over a period of 10 years, between 1946 and 1956, at the Qumran Caves near Ein Feshkha on the northern shore of the Dead Sea, Israel.
Wood has been a popular building material for thousands of years. It can offer a number of advantages; it’s easy to procure, strong, affordable and sustainable. It also looks fantastic and is available in a range of colours, tones and textures.
However, one downside of wood is that it can be prone to degradation. This can be prevented, but it involves providing a level of care. How can you protect your external wooden structures from the elements? Let’s find out.
Keep Your Structures Clean
When it comes to protecting your external wooden structures from the elements, the most important thing you can do is keep them clean. Being outside, these structures can quickly accumulate dirt and grime. It’s important to stay on top of things and prevent things from building up to unmanageable levels.
Whether it’s a wooden fence or a shed, regular cleaning will help prolong the life of the material. Move away any leaves or vegetation that have gathered around the structure, as this can be a breeding ground for mould and bacteria, which can cause wooden structures to rot and degrade rapidly.
Paint Wooden Structures
Another effective way of protecting your outside wood structures against the elements is to paint them. This will give them a protective coating that can keep out moisture, keeping them in good condition for a longer period of time.
Painting has an added bonus in that it makes your wooden structures look much more attractive. You can choose from a range of colours to brighten up your outdoor space and make things more visually interesting.
Use a Wood Preservative
Imagine how much condensation builds up in this tiny home when the wood fire is burning? Make sure you use the right wood protection to avoid mould damage which stains wood black.
If you’re looking to give your external wooden structures even more protection, use a wood preservative. These chemicals can be applied directly to the wood itself or over paint and will safeguard the material against moisture, bacteria and other harmful pollutants.
You can pick up wood preservative products and otherbuilding supplies from Mcblair as an example. Use wood preservatives and your outside structures will last for many years to come, whatever the weather.
Check for Signs of Wear and Tear
Cleaning your structures and using paint and preservatives are important when protecting materials against the elements, but you also need to be proactive and constantly look out for signs of wear and tear.
Small areas of damage can quickly spread, and before you know it you could be faced with a large repair job, or even having to replace a structure entirely. Inspect your structures regularly to prevent this from happening. If you spot any damage, take action quickly before it gets any worse.
Don’t just check areas you can see. You need to inspect the entirety of your structures, including roofs and less accessible spots. Thoroughly and regularly checking for signs of wear and tear is one of the most effective ways to protect your external wood structures from the elements.
Conclusion
To protect your outside wood structures from the elements, keep the material clean at all times, use paint and wood preserver and regularly inspect for signs of wear and tear.
Corals don’t do well in shipping lanes. They don’t do well when people step on them or when they are met with oil spills. Coral reefs the world over are threatened and now an international team is looking to deep dive into the research that could impact laws around them. As countries like Saudi Arabia ramp up tourism in the Red Sea with Neom and The Line, and Vision 2030, and as the Houthis threaten to blow up oil tankers, the world wants to know: how do stressors like light and noise impact the reefs?
Prof. Oren Levy, Director of the Laboratory for Molecular Marine Ecology at Bar-Ilan University, is a member of a newly-launched EU project to improve our comprehension of how biodiversity is being impacted by Light and Noise Pollution (LNP) in aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, coastal and offshore waters.
Funded by the Horizon Europe program, AquaPLAN (Aquatic Pollution from Light and Anthropogenic Noise: Management of Impacts on Biodiversity) aims to quantify the combined impacts of LNP on aquatic biodiversity in European waters and facilitate the implementation of empirically sound strategies for managing these pollutants through novel interdisciplinary approaches.
Illustrated image of The Line, Red Sea, Saudi Arabia
Prof. Levy’s contribution to the project focuses on the unique environment of tropical coral reefs in the Red Sea, where he examines the impact of light pollution on vital ecological aspects. His research targets the synchronization of coral spawning, a critical event for reef regeneration, which can be disrupted by artificial lighting. Additionally, he studies how light pollution affects the behavior of tropical fish and the colonization patterns of invertebrates in light-polluted areas, providing insights into the broader ecological impact.
Alongside colleagues from the consortium, Levy also extends his research to include the effects of noise pollution on these marine ecosystems, exploring how both light and noise pollution jointly influence coral reefs, fish behavior, and invertebrate colonization.
Understanding how LNP affects aquatic biodiversity has dramatically improved in recent decades. Evidence suggests that these effects are prevalent globally, in all types of aquatic ecosystems, from rivers and lakes to the seafloor. Despite growing knowledge and access to a range of technologies, best practice methodologies and policy interventions, there are still many critical knowledge gaps that, if addressed, would allow us to better manage and reduce these impacts.
Trankila Beach in Sinai is surrounded by coral reefs that aren’t doing well.
Project coordinator Prof. Elena Maggi from University of Pisa said, “Currently, existing regulations on the emission of Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) and anthropogenic noise are highly fragmented in inland, coastal and offshore waters. Moreover, we still need good datasets to understand how to monitor, protect and restore aquatic biodiversity effectively.”
AquaPLAN will run for four years. It is coordinated by the University of Pisa (UNIPI) and comprises a multi-actor, transdisciplinary team of 13 organizations from nine countries. The consortium recently gathered in Pisa, Italy for the project’s kickoff meeting.
A green roof is a beautiful idea for cities. They feel good, look good, they clean the air and reduce temperatures inside in the summer, increase them in the winter. They are good for the birds and the bees. But green roofs are cut off from the great web of information and possibilities found in soil attached to the earth. Scientists have a new idea: Mycorrhizal fungi.
In the US green roofs are typically planted with non-native plants in sterile soils, and their effectiveness declines over time. A Dartmouth-led research team set out to determine if managing green roof soil microbes could boost healthy urban soil development, a methodology that could be applied to support climate resilience in cities.
The team created an experimental green roof in Chicago to test how enhancing soil with native prairie microbes would change the soil microbial community over time. They were particularly interested in tracking the presence of beneficial mycorrhizal fungi.
Mycorrhizal fungi are well-known to live in roots and support plants in a symbiotic underground relationship, delivering nutrients and water to them in exchange for plant sugars. Mycorrhizal fungi could be particularly helpful to plants in green roofs that have to endure high temperatures, intense sun, and periodic flooding.
The researchers added soil rich with native mycorrhizal fungi obtained from a local restored prairie, referred to as “inoculum,” to the experimental green roof’s soil. They planted inoculated and untreated soil with native prairie plants and green roof succulents. Over two years, the team tracked changes in the mycorrhizal fungal community of the green roof. They also compared the green roof fungal species identified to those present in the inoculum and in the air.
Their findings demonstrate that active management of green roof mycorrhizal fungi accelerates soil development faster than if mycorrhizal fungal communities are left to passively reestablish on their own. Green roofs treated with mycorrhizal fungi foster a more diverse soil community that is more likely to support long-term green roof sustainability, according to the results published in New Phytologist.
“In this urban rooftop setting, we saw more diversity in the fungal communities of the inoculated soil,” said lead author Paul Metzler, soil ecology lab manager in the Department of Environmental Studies at Dartmouth. “The long-term and consistent effects of the inoculum were quite surprising, as it’s not necessarily something you would expect when working with such small microorganisms.”
Using a molecular technique called “DNA metabarcoding,” which enables the identification of multiple organisms in one sample, the researchers could identify fungi present in the green roof soils as well as potential sources of these fungi. Many fungi came from the inoculum while other species got there through some other vector such as wind.
The co-authors state that their study was different than most of its kind, as few studies track mycorrhizal community shifts over time post-inoculation and even fewer attempt to track the sources of species pools. The team also had a number of species in their green roof that likely arrived via unmeasured vectors such birds, insects, or even rats.
Green roof, Faroe island
Still, the most diverse fungal communities were those that had been treated with the inoculum, illustrating how mycorrhizal fungi could be used to improve soil health in green roofs. The results suggest that active management of soil microbial communities is effective and worth the effort and resources in cities.
“Green roofs have a shelf life and they’re not always the self-sustaining ecosystems that we think they are,” says senior author Bala Chaudhary, an associate professor of environmental studies at Dartmouth. “They can be beneficial to urban areas but tend to lose their efficacy over time.”
While green roofs are marketed as “set it and forget it,” the co-authors explain that ecological thought should be incorporated into their design, construction, and maintenance to maximize the benefits and role that green roofs play in the climate resilience of urban areas.
“Our cities could be a window into the future,” says Chaudhary. “They are experiencing the impacts of climate change—warming temperatures and increased drought and flooding—in an intensified way, which make them a great microcosm to study some of these impacts below ground.”
Call it a tajine if you own one of those lovely clay pots. Or simply regard this dish as a hearty winter stew. Either way, you’ll be enchanted with the spicy fragrance and deep colors of this Middle Eastern way with winter vegetables. Don’t hesitate to substitute canned tomatoes or frozen green beans if fresh aren’t available. And the truth is, you can cook up almost any other veg you want here: carrots, sweet potatoes, sliced red cabbage, for example.
No lack of variety here on Green Prophet. We also offer you ten winter soups to choose from.
Keep the dish vegan and serve as is, or have each diner top their dish with a spoonful or two of yogurt.
Hearty Vegetable Tajine For Cozy Winter Dinners
Loaded with butternut squash and varied greens; aromatic with Midde-Eastern spices
large, heavy pot
small bowl
large bowl
Tajine Spice Mix
1 Tablespoon cardamom powder
1 Tablespoon coriander powder
1 Tablespoon cumin powder
1/2 teaspoon ground fennel seeds
3/4 teaspoon cayenne (omit for non-spicy)
1 -1.5 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
For The Tajine
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 red onion sliced; (sub any type of onion)
2 or 3 garlic cloves (finely minced)
1 lb. 600g/ butternut squash (1/2 a small, peeled, cut into 2.5cm / 1″ cubes)
Small eggplant (cut into 2.5cm / 1/2″ cubes)
Small cauliflower head (small, cut into bite size florets)
1 bell pepper (cut into 2.5cm / 1″ pieces (red or yellow))
2 tomatoes (seeds removed, cut into 1cm / 1/3″ dice)
2 ¾ cups water
1.5 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
10.5 oz/ 300g/ canned chickpeas (drained)
45 oz/150g green beans (cut into 3.5cm / 1.5″ pieces (~2 cups cut))
Zest of 1 lemon
1.5 tablespoon lemon juice
Garnishes / for serving:
Handful of slivered almonds (toasted)
1/4 cup coriander / cilantro (roughly chopped)
Plain yogurt
Pinch of paprika or cayenne pepper
Combine spice mix ingredients.
Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F.
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add garlic and onion, cook until onion is wilted, about 1 1/2 minutes, then remove to a large bowl.
Add squash to the pan and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes or until lightly golden. Remove to same bowl.
Add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Cook eggplant for 3 minutes until softened slighty. Remove to same bowl.
Add 1 tablespoon oil; stir.
Add bell pepper and cauliflower, cook for 2 minutes until the cauliflower is golden on the edges. Remove into bowl.
Add tomato and cook for 1 minute.
Add spice mix. Stir for 1 minute.
Add all vegetables back to pot. Add water. It should just cover the vegetables, no more. Add salt and pepper.
Stir, bring to simmer on stove, then transfer to oven for 30 minutes. Or continue simmering on the stove, covered, at low heat, instead.
Remove from oven, add beans and chickpeas. Simmer for 15 minutes uncovered on stove on medium-low to cook the beans and reduce the sauce.
Stir the lemon juice and zest in. The sauce will thicken with stirring a little.
Before serving, sprinkle almonds, chopped cilantro, and a pinch of paprika over the top. Have a bowl of yogurt on the table for those who want to top their dish with it.
Serve over rice or couscous.
This tajine will keep for 5 days, refrigerated. It also freezes well, up to 3 months.
A green bedroom starts with an eco mattress like this one from Avocado
Greening your life, doesn’t require you to overhaul your house.There are small ways you can green your kitchen and your bathroom; we’ve even started a series for greening your baby. Let’s take a look at the bedroom.
When John Lennon and Yoko Ono recorded the song Give Peace a Chance from their hotel bedroom in Montreal during a 10-day honeymoon bed-in, it was hardly random that they chose their sleeping quarters as the place to launch their political campaign against war: “We are just looking for a little peace,” John wrote in a song about that time.
For usual folk, the bedroom is a room set aside for life’s most intimate moments – which includes the obvious, plus sleeping, dressing, reading and even working (if you have a laptop).
Times have changed since Lennon and Ono started their not-so-private revolution in the bedroom. The spirit of activism has changed too. Today each of us knows that to stay healthy and keep the planet green, every one of us needs to nurture and develop our own inner-activist.
And the bedroom, where we spend at least one-third of our time, is a great place to start a mini-green revolution.
Some studies have shown that people are more exposed to toxins and nasty chemicals inside the house than on city streets. For that reason it is wise to make sure that if you are about to purchase sheets, furniture or mattresses you look into ones that are low emitters of formaldehyde and other chemicals and glues.
Stores around the world, many of which sell through the Internet, can supply you with non-emitting natural paints and thinners to help you create soft and clean walls that don’t interfere with your bodily processes as it slumbers off into the night. And if you can recommend any to buy in Israel, please post them in the comments section.
Entering dreamland and consolidating our daily experiences into memory are two very important processes that occur in the bedroom. And research has shown that our state of sleep today is much different than it was for our ancestors just a century ago, says sleep expert William Dement, M.D., Ph.D., of the Stanford University Sleep Research Center in The Promise of Sleep (Delacorte Press, 1999).
Our great-great grandparents slept on average 1.5 hours more per night, he says.
Before the advent of the electric light bulb, our ancestors drifted off not long after the setting sun and rose with the cock’s crow in the morning. Today, busy days and unhealthy sleeping environments mean that we often don’t have enough sleep.
“If you can see your hand after the lights are turned out, your bedroom is too light,” says Carol Venolia, a US-based ecological architect who has written the book, Natural Remodeling for the Not-So-Green House published in June 2006.
Scientists warn, Venolia explained, that if there is too much light in your bedroom, cast from streetlights, light from the bathroom etcetera, melatonin production in our bodies is disturbed which can lead to irritability and long-term health problems.
Consider soft lighting in your bedroom and avoid checking emails just before you plan to doze off. Even the strong light from the screen can give your body a jolt of light, and can have the same effect as drinking a cup of caffeinated coffee just before bed.
Houseplants can aid to your peace of mind and ones like cheese plants don’t just produce oxygen, they filter out a lot of pollutants and toxins.
(Other toxins to avoid are mothballs, used in closets to prevent moths from chewing your wool sweaters. Instead use cedar chips, rosemary, mint and peppercorns, added to cedar oil. Stored in your cupboard, it will keep the moths at bay.)
Tiled floor for the bedroom. Maybe gently heated underneith?
Pay attention to the design in your room. You want to be given the feeling of being cradled and protected when sleeping. Avoid clutter and bright colours. The Waldorf or anthroposophic movement has some great color schemes to play with.
Feng Shui experts have known this for some time. They also say to face your bed towards a door and away from drafts of the window. A strong headboard behind you is necessary for absorbing negative energies.
Nader Khalili, a visionary architect from Iran, now in California, builds “bedwombs” in his home. He digs out small shells from the side walls of his naturally crafted homes – shells that are big and deep enough for someone to sleep inside.
“It is just like a pouch that becomes a bedwomb,” he says in an online interview.
“I see them as bedwombs,” says Khalili, “because they are more in line with our own bodies. They are organic forms. You don’t see any straight lines in your body, all these angles and forms, and so on. Somewhere along the way the history of humans became very square, angular!”
While not all of us have the desire, time or resources to build a “Khalili bedwomb,” there are still some basic and necessary things to do, in order to keep the bedroom a healthy and protected environment.
Sleep as far away as possible from the noise of the street and from electric equipment that makes noise or emits electromagnetic radiation.
Experts say that keeping the heat down in the bedroom (to 65 degrees Fahrenheit) is healthier than jacking up the radiator. Avoid the use of electric blankets and excessive heat that you don’t really need and the planet will thank you.
Also consider using energy-saving bulbs. They will keep your energy bills low and can last up to 12 times longer than the conventional bulbs.
Choose some natural looking pottery elements to fill in some gentle corners of your room.
How does your bed feel? Is it comfortable? Watch out for dust mites and mold. Keep the room clean, fold down the sheets on your bed so it can air out and clean your duvet and blankets every six months to get rid of skin scales and house dust mite faeces.
Some colour theorists believe that soothing colours will help put your body into a sleepy frame of mind. Lavender, blue, or light green are among the most popular.
In the morning, take it slow and let yourself awaken gradually with the sun. (Eco Rabbi might say different, because the Torah says one should awake like a lion!)
A simple method for destroying PFAS using hydrogen and UV light
An insidious category of carcinogenic pollutants known as “forever chemicals” or PFAS may not be so permanent after all University of California, Riverside, chemical engineering and environmental scientists recently published new methods to chemically break up these harmful substances found in drinking water into smaller compounds that are essentially harmless.
Theprocess infuses contaminated water with hydrogen, then blasts the water with high-energy, short-wavelength ultraviolet light. The hydrogen polarizes water molecules to make them more reactive, while the light catalyzes chemical reactions that destroy the pollutants, known as PFAS or poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances.
This one-two punch breaks the strong fluorine-to-carbon chemicals bonds that make these pollutants so persistent and accumulative in the environment. In fact, the molecular destruction of PFAS increased from 10% to nearly 100% when compared to other ultraviolet water-treatment methods, while no other undesirable byproducts or impurities are generated, the UCR scientists reported in a paper recently published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters.
Haizhou Liu
What’s more, the cleanup technology is green.
“After the interaction, hydrogen will become water. The advantage of this technology is that it is very sustainable,” said Haizhou Liu, an associate professor in UCR’s Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering and the corresponding author of the paper.
PFAS are a family of thousands of chemical compounds characterized by fully fluorinated carbon atoms with stubbornly strong chemical bonds that last indefinitely in the environment – hence the moniker “forever chemicals.”
These compounds came into widespread use in thousands of consumer products starting in the 1940s because of their ability to resist heat, water, and lipids.
Examples of PFAS-containing products include grease-resistant paper wrappers and containers such as microwave popcorn bags, pizza boxes, and candy wrappers; stain and water repellents used on carpets, upholstery, clothing, and other fabrics; cleaning products; non-stick cookware; and paints, varnishes, and sealants, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA.
Since these compounds persist and accumulate in the environment, dairy products and meat from animals exposed to PFAS are also sources of these compounds. In fact, PFAS are so ubiquitous, scientists have found them in the blood of nearly all people tested, according to a California legislative analysis. Germans find them in their drinking water.
Studies have linked exposure to certain levels of PFAS to many ill health effects, including increased risk for prostate, kidney, and testicular cancers, according to the EPA.
Exposure to these pollutants also may lead to decreased fertility or increased high blood pressure in pregnant women, developmental effects or delays in children, low birth weight, and accelerated puberty. PFAS compounds also have been found to compromise the immune system’s ability to fight infections and to interfere with hormone function.
Because of these health effects, federal and state officials are promulgating new cleanup standards for PFAS in drinking water and in groundwater below or emanating from toxic cleanup sites.
The EPA this fall took public comments on plans to designate two PFAS substances — perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid — as hazardous substances under the federal Superfund toxic site cleanup laws. If this regulation is approved, it would hold polluters accountable for cleaning up their contamination.
In California, the State Water Resources Control Board issued an order this year for public drinking water providers to test for PFAS. If the testing exceeds specified levels, the providers must issue public notifications, remove the source or sources, or treat or blend the water.
“We are optimizing it by trying to make this technology versatile for a wide range of PFAS-contaminated source waters,” Liu said. “The technology has shown very promising results in the destruction of PFAS in both drinking water and different types of industrial wastewater.”
The other option entirely is to find clean, fresh springwater and gather water at the source.
The book Care for Creation: An Islamic Perspective, has recently been authored by the prominent Turkish environmentalist Professor İbrahim Özdemir. The topic couldn’t be more crucial nowadays; Europe has planned to slash carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 and the need of a global effort to tackle, in several manners, climate change is increasingly discussed on mass media an social media, day by day.
In his book Professor Özdemir proves that Islam is a “genetically environmentalist religion”.
That is to say: with God’s creation as it is clearly affirmed in the following verses in the Holy Quran:
In the name of God, the Gracious, the Merciful.
The Compassionate. Has taught the Quran. He created man. And taught him clear expression. The sun and the moon move according to plan. And the stars and the trees prostrate themselves. And the sky, He raised, and He set up the balance. So do not transgress in the balance. But maintain the weights with justice, and do not violate the balance.
(The Holy Quran, 55:1-9)
When we reflect on the moral implications of these verses, highlights Professor Özdemir, we will see that they would be enough for developing an environmental ethic and sustainability from the Holy Quran itself. First, justice and balance are universal; second, this universal balance is created and sustained by God, and third, humans must both attempt to comprehend and to protect this universal balance.
Indeed, how we can read again in the Holy Quran, as human beings we have been entrusted with conserving and developing (in a balanced way) our planet:
He who has made you successors (Khalifa) upon the earth.
(The Holy Quran, 6:165).
In his book Care for Creation; An Islamic Perspective, Professor Özdemir explains in detail how a good Muslim should behave to respect the environment in tune with the prescriptions of the Holy Quran and of the Sunna, mentioning the preservation of the cleanliness in public spaces, the preservation of trees, woodland and green areas, the protection of the animals (the famous French writer Montaigne touched on this subject when he said: “The Muslim Turks found hospitals and pious foundations for animals even”, to report only one example) and the need to be strongly mindful managing consumption and waste.
As history as well as Western travellers of Muslim lands observe, writes Professor Ozdemir, “Islam attaches the greatest importance to the conservation of the environment as a whole. For the environment and all the living beings within it are created by God.
“The conservation of the environment is therefore not only a human obligation but also a religious obligation.”
How profound are Yunus Emre’s, the Turkish poet of 13th century, words: “We love creatures for the sake of their Creator!”
No concerned and believing Muslim individual will forget that he is answerable for how he treats not only men but also all creatures, or that one day he will be called to account for how he acted. With the following verse, the Holy Quran warns all Muslims: “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good shall see it, And whoever does an atom’s weight of evil, shall see it” (The Holy Quran, 99: 7-8).
At the end of Care for Creation; An Islamic Perspective is reported the integral text of The Islamic Declaration on Global Climate Change, drafted in 2015. Among the members of the Islamic Declaration Team there was Professor Özdemir himself.
Nowadays Care for Creation; An Islamic Perspective can be an important source of inspiration for the growing number of Muslims engaged in environmental activities. Since it has been published (at the end of 2022) it has attracted growing interest internationally.
Five copies of Care for Creation; An Islamic Perspective have been requested by the Agency for the Legal Deposit Libraries in the UK for the catalogue of National Library of Scotland, the Bodleian Library of Oxford University, the National Library of Wales, Cambridge University Library and the library of Trinity College in Dublin.
The book will soon be available in the catalogue of the British Library as well, the most important in the world.
Care for Creation; An Islamic Perspective has been published both in paper and digital formats and it is easily available on line. We are doing our best to spread its contents and to give our small contribution to support the “brown to green” revolution. Of course there is still much theoretical and practical work to be done but we hope the publication of this book has been one of the first, crucial steps.
Manuel Olivares
Manuel Olivares is an Italian author and publisher living between Italy and the UK. He is mainly interested in ecology and comparative religion. He spent several years in Asia, mostly in India, devoting a remarkable amount of time studying Eastern religions.
More recently he has strongly supported the campaign for an eco-friendly Ramadan which had an excellent, international response. For more information visit his web site www.viverealtrimenti.com.
In 2024 sustainability is more than just a buzzword to make businesses and consumers feel good about themselves. It is a crucial transition to protect the future of our planet for future generations. For too long humanity has short-sightedly burned through resources, then disposed of waste with an “out of sight, out of mind” attitude. The resources of our planet are finite and, while substantial damage has already been done, our growing understanding has at least improved our environmental consciousness and encouraged a move towards more sustainable practices.
In recent years, the undeniable impact of climate change has been felt across the globe, with extreme weather on an unprecedented level and scientific studies suggesting that we have surpassed almost every protective boundary to ensure Earth remains safe and habitable for humanity. We are at a tipping point for our planet and improvements to sustainability are now more vital than ever before!
For decades recycling has been championed as the central solution to reducing waste and increasing sustainability but, more recently, priorities have shifted towards increasing products’ reusability. This isn’t just a trend; it’s a fundamental change in our approach to sustainability, with the potential to drastically reduce our reliance on manufacturing.
There are numerous benefits to reusability over recyclability.
Reduces reliance on virgin materials
Reusable products minimise the need for recurrent manufacturing, reducing the consumption of virgin raw materials and energy.
While recycling does play a part in decreasing the manufacture of products from scratch, it still requires energy-intensive reprocessing as well as the use of catalytic materials.
Each reuse of a reusable product avoids the need for it to be manufactured again from scratch.
Limits environmental impact
The continuing recovery and reprocessing of recyclable materials contributes to pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption. According to a recent Greenpeace report, the plastic recycling process can produce toxic chemicals that then make their way into the recycled plastic.
Reusable products have a much longer lifespan, which eases the environmental impact associated with continual reprocessing and remanufacturing. Each time a product is reused is another incidence of recycling or remanufacturing avoided.
Avoids toxic chemicals
According to the damning Greenpeace report, recycled plastics have a high level of toxicity due to chemicals like flame retardants, carcinogens and environmental pollutants, as well as numerous chemicals that can alter the body’s natural hormone levels.
The report concluded that recycling increases the toxicity of plastics and threatens the health and wellbeing of consumers, communities and recycling sector workers.
While there’s no guarantee that reusable plastic containers can’t contain similar chemicals, using, for example, reusable glass or metal bottles will avoid being exposed to recycled plastics and potentially toxic chemicals.
Avoids the complexities of recycling
Many supposedly recyclable products pose major challenges in the recycling process based on either contamination or a lack of necessary infrastructure.
Reusable products, on the other hand, offer a much more straightforward and effective way to reduce waste without relying on complex and expensive recycling systems.
Empowers consumers to “do their part”
Our society has historically been plagued by an attitude of “out of sight, out of mind” when it comes to waste. Waste materials are put into a bin and never seen again and unfortunately, this also applies to recycling.
Because recycling relies on unseen systems and processes, consumers do not have much personal involvement or investment. Whether their glass bottle goes in the waste bin or the recycling bin is largely inconsequential for the consumer and this separation does little to encourage recycling.
Reusable products empower consumers to actively control their choices and be part of the solution rather than the problem.
Educates the masses
Emphasising reusability can encourage a society-wide shift towards sustainable living.
For example, encouraging the public to use, wash and reuse their own sustainable coffee cup is more likely to have a lasting impact than simply asking them to dispose of their paper cup in a different bin.
Encouraging reusability educates individuals about the environmental consequences of their choices, allows them to take a more active role in sustainable living and fosters a mindset that prioritises long-term environmental health over short-term convenience.
Increases quality of products
Recyclable products, much like their unrecyclable counterparts, are designed to be used for a relatively short time before being disposed of.
Reusable items are manufactured with better quality materials that are designed to withstand repeated use, cleaning and long-term wear and tear. This, in turn, provides a higher quality user experience for consumers.
Reduces long-term cost of products
While disposable products (even those that are recyclable) may have a lower upfront cost, the continuous need for replacements can quickly accumulate expenses.
Quality reusable products, with proper care, prove to be much more economical over time as they are replaced less frequently, which can lead to long-term cost savings for consumers and businesses alike.
UK-based trade show contractor Quadrant2Design provide a reusable, modular trade show booth system that allows customers to save up to 70% on repeat exhibiting. Operations Director Ross Pike said “Recyclable stands were a step in the right direction for a historically wasteful industry but Quadrant2Design have taken it one step further. It is the ongoing reusability of our stands, regardless of stand space or layout, which offers our customers true sustainability and cost-efficiency.”
Supports the Circular Economy
Reusability aligns more closely with the concept of a circular economy, where products are designed to be used, reused and repurposed, instead of disposed of after a single use.
This approach contributes to creating a closed-loop system, minimising waste and maximising resource efficiency.
While recycling remains an important component of sustainable practices, an emphasis must be placed on reusability to reduce the need for constant remanufacturing.
Conclusion
The shift towards reusability over recyclability represents a fundamental change in our approach to sustainability, offering a myriad of benefits that extend beyond just environmental conservation.
From reducing reliance on virgin resources and limiting environmental impact, to empowering consumers, avoiding toxic chemicals and supporting the Circular Economy, the advantages of choosing reusable products are substantial.
Not only do reusable items contribute to long-term cost savings and product quality, but they also serve as powerful tools for educating and fostering societal shifts towards sustainable living. As we navigate the critical juncture our planet faces, prioritising reusability emerges as a decisive step towards a more responsible and enduring future.
Starting operations in 2025, this train will offer scenic journeys across Saudi Arabia’s deserts from Riyadh to Qurayyat in 40 custom luxury cabins, embracing the growing trend of sustainable, slow travel.
In the realm of travel, speed often reigns supreme. From bullet trains hurtling across continents to supersonic flights whisking passengers across oceans, the modern traveler is accustomed to reaching their destination swiftly and efficiently. Trains are the most common way of getting around countries in Europe and between cities in India, but it isn’t so for more places in the world.
But as luxury standards change to sustainable and slow a new train is emerging from the sands of Saudi Arabia – a country renowned for its opulence and penchant for the extravagant – where plans are underway for a leisurely journey aboard the “Dream of the Desert,” the kingdom’s first luxury slow train experience.
Scheduled to start at the end of 2025, the Dream of the Desert is crafted in Italy by the prestigious hospitality company Arsenale Group, and commissioned by Saudi Arabia Railways (SAR), this 40 cabin train promises to traverse the kingdom’s awe-inspiring desert interior at a leisurely pace, offering passengers an unparalleled blend of comfort, luxury, and cultural immersion.
Start in Saudi Arabia, head to Jordan and then step over the Allenby Bridge and the Jordan River to the Holy Land, Israel.
Spanning 800 miles of existing railway lines, the Dream of the Desert will embark on a journey from the capital city of Riyadh to Al Qurayyat in the northern province of Al Jawf, with stops along the way. The meticulously planned route, spanning one to two days, will encompass cultural gems such as Al Qassim, Hail, and Al Jouf, culminating near the border with Jordan, close to the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Nature Reserve.
Interestingly, the inception of the Dream of the Desert comes at a time when the global travel landscape is undergoing a paradigm shift. As the world emerges from the shadow of the Covid-19 pandemic, travelers are increasingly seeking meaningful and immersive experiences that are authentic.
One of 40 cabins, interior of Dream of the Desert
Luxury train cruising, with its emphasis on unhurried exploration and indulgent hospitality, is poised to emerge as a prominent trend in post-pandemic travel, offering discerning travelers an opportunity to savor the journey as much as the destination.
With aspirations to attract 150 million visitors by the end of the decade, the kingdom has embarked on a flurry of initiatives aimed at showcasing its diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and boundless hospitality.
Step aboard the Orient Express, and you’re instantly transported to a bygone era of glamour and intrigue. This legendary train has been synonymous with luxury travel since its inaugural journey from Paris to Istanbul in 1883. With its plush carriages, sumptuous interiors, and attentive service, the Orient Express epitomizes the golden age of rail travel.
Today, the Orient Express continues to captivate travelers with its meticulously curated itineraries through Europe’s most enchanting destinations. From the romance of Venice to the grandeur of Budapest, passengers can immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of the continent while indulging in gourmet cuisine and fine wines.
2. The Marrakesh Express:
Venture into the heart of Morocco aboard the Marrakesh Express, a train journey that embodies the vibrant spirit of North Africa. Departing from the bustling city of Marrakesh, this iconic train winds its way through the scenic landscapes of the Atlas Mountains, offering breathtaking views of rugged terrain and traditional Berber villages.
As the train meanders towards its destination, passengers are treated to a sensory feast of sights, sounds, and flavors. From the bustling souks of Marrakesh to the serene beauty of the Moroccan countryside, each moment aboard the Marrakesh Express is an exploration of the country’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.
3. The Trans-Siberian Railway:
Spanning over 9,000 kilometers across Russia, the Trans-Siberian Railway is the ultimate rail adventure, offering a journey through the vast expanse of Siberia and beyond. From the bustling streets of Moscow to the remote wilderness of Siberia, this epic train journey traverses diverse landscapes, including dense forests, sweeping plains, and majestic mountains.
Passengers aboard the Trans-Siberian Railway can immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of Russia while enjoying the comfort and luxury of the train’s cabins. Whether savoring traditional Russian cuisine in the dining car or gazing at the endless horizon from the comfort of their compartment, travelers are bound to be enchanted by the beauty and grandeur of this iconic railway.
4. The Blue Train (South Africa):
In South Africa, the Blue Train is synonymous with elegance, luxury, and unparalleled hospitality. Journeying between Pretoria and Cape Town, this iconic train offers a glamorous way to explore the stunning landscapes and vibrant culture of the country.
With its opulent furnishings, gourmet cuisine, and attentive service, the Blue Train promises an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Whether sipping champagne in the lounge car or marveling at the rugged beauty of the South African countryside, passengers aboard the Blue Train are treated to a journey of a lifetime.
5. The Glacier Express (Switzerland):
For travelers seeking a scenic escape, the Glacier Express offers a breathtaking journey through the Swiss Alps. Connecting Zermatt with St. Moritz, this iconic train winds its way through snow-capped peaks, lush valleys, and picturesque villages, offering panoramic views of Switzerland’s most stunning landscapes.
As the train makes its leisurely journey through the heart of the Alps, passengers can relax in the comfort of their seats and soak in the beauty of their surroundings. From the iconic Matterhorn to the majestic Rhine Gorge, every moment aboard the Glacier Express is a celebration of Switzerland’s natural beauty and alpine charm.
6. The Royal Scotsman (Scotland):
Step aboard the Royal Scotsman, and you’re transported to a world of luxury and refinement amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland. This boutique train offers an intimate and exclusive way to explore the country’s rich cultural heritage, from historic castles to whisky distilleries and scenic landmarks.
With its elegant furnishings, gourmet dining, and personalized service, the Royal Scotsman promises an unforgettable journey through the heart of Scotland. Whether enjoying a traditional Scottish ceilidh or savoring a dram of single malt whisky, passengers aboard the Royal Scotsman are treated to a truly immersive experience that captures the essence of Scotland’s charm and hospitality.
