How to Design a Logo for an Eco-Friendly Business
Logos are critical to the success of your business, especially an eco-friendly one. Your logo can set you apart from companies that are not environmentally conscious.
consumer power
Protecting birds from powerlines in the Middle East
Many species of birds are threatened by chemicals, alterations in their environment, aircraft, and electrocution. Larger birds, in particular, are more prone to suffering electrocution because their body size and wingspan exceed the phase-to-ground or phase-to-phase distance. When the wings touch the line or ground component, the body forms a path through which an electrical […]
The Rise (& Fall?) Of Consumer Society in the Middle East
I speak to historian Relli Shechter about smoking in Egypt, consumerism and why the Middle East still has a long way to go before it embraces sustainability When we think of consumerism and the consumer society, the Middle East is not the first thing to come to mind. Wall St, Las Vegas, London, China – […]
“Green It” Shop Brings Green Urban Living to Tel Aviv
Green It is Tel Aviv’s new one-stop-shop for green urban living. As the ecological movement becomes mainstream, more and more businesses cater to the green lifestyle. We’ve seen this trend develop in the Middle East, with eco-friendly shops popping up in Beirut, fair trade shops in Masdar City, and even specialty stores focusing on one […]
Rachel Botsman Makes the Case for Collaborative Consumption
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQa3kUJPEko[/youtube] Moving from a culture of “me” to a culture of “we”. Rachel Botsman, a researcher and social innovator, is hooked on the idea of what she calls “collaborative consumption” – a phenomenon that is gaining force in the 21st century. She recently gave a TED talk about the concept (see clip above) and said […]
Detox your life: Take the ‘Buy-Nothing-Ramadan’ Challenge
During the Holy month of Ramadan, followers have the opportunity to reflect on and reduce their consumption patterns with the “buy-nothing” challenge Despite many people’s initial impressions, Islam’s holy month of fasting known as Ramadan isn’t all about food and drink. It is a time for Muslims to reflect, to re-asses their faith and also […]
Omani Handicrafts Facing Extinction Versus Machine Made Imitations
At stake for Oman is the extinction of traditional handicrafts in the face of cheaper, machine made imitations. Man making khanjars (traditional Omani daggers). [image via: v.williams46] Omani handicrafts – such as silver items, woven cloths, and pottery – may have been passed down from generation to generation and faced difficulties such as material shortages […]
Frankenstein Falafel? Israeli consumers at risk from GM foods
Recent laboratory tests have discovered that consumers in Israel are eating Genetically Modified Organisms – whether they like it or not. Tests by Milouda Quality Control Laboratories, which analyses food destined for sale in the European Union, discovered GM soya in popular foods sold in stores across Israel, reports Haaretz. Food contaminated with GM included baked goods, […]
Beer Sheva Getting 100,000 Sq. Meters of Greenwash
Beer Sheva, the long-suffering capital of Israel’s Negev desert, just broke ground on the biggest shopping mall in Israel. Like the other seven malls of Beer Sheva, this $180.5 million complex will continue to suck business out of the dilapidated but walkable Old City. Unlike the others, this one claims to be green. Architect rendering, […]
Shop for Social and Environmental Meaning in the Old City of Acco
This coming Tuesday, July 7th a new store will be opening up in the Old City of Acco in northern Israel. A store that invites its customers to “Shop For Meaning.” Stocked with products carrying both social and environmental messages, the Shop for Meaning will also function as a center for professional apprenticeship for young […]
Palestinian Mall Chain Could Bring Suburban Living to West Bank
One of America’s most enduring gifts to the Middle East is the suburban indoor shopping mall. Israel’s first was the Ayalon Center outside of Tel Aviv (1986). Istanbul saw the Atakoy Mall go up in 1987. Jordan’s pioneer was Amman’s Abdoun Mall in 2001 (Picture from virtualtourist.com), and Beirut‘s ABC Mall opened its doors in […]
Buy Nothing Day can save someone’s life or soul
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.
Enduring Protracted Tales of Eco-sheds in "Almost Green"
Freelance writer James Glave has successfully turned the planning and construction of a shed on his property in British Columbia into a thriving trade. His book, “Almost Green,” his own blog site devoted to the book and his promotional activities selling it, coupled with the Facebook group and the website devoted to renting out the […]
Review of 'No Logo': Getting Frustrated With Klein's Screed
This week’s eco-book review is by Prophet Daniella Cheslow: Although Starbucks never made it in Israel, McDonald’s, Burger King, Puma, Crocs, Nike, Diesel, and the Coffee Bean are among the hundreds of global brands that have found eager customers among Sabras. I read Naomi Klein’s ‘NoLogo’ for some insight into the branded city of Tel […]