The extreme weather threatening the US and parts of Europe has already downed electricity for thousands of people and made it hard to access supplies. Be smart; be prepared. Build a family emergency kit to get you and your household through at least 72 hours without normal services, as comfortably and safely as possible.

Make a list of things each family member regularly uses and can’t do without. For instance, a baby will need diapers, many changes of clothes, moist towelettes and specific food. Anyone depending on medications should have seven days’ supply stored away. Feminine hygiene products, entertainment items, pet supplies – each person or pet has unique needs.

Discuss it with your family. They’ll remind you of things you may not have thought of. Make sure you have these things, then store them in an accessible place.

If you can, make up an individual box or package for each person, and put it where they can easily find it.

Now let’s look at an all-purpose list of indispensable supplies. Below is the Red Cross list, with our comments in parenthesis:

• Water: one gallon per person, per day: 3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home. (We bought water purification tablets and used them to store tap water in tightly closed buckets. But plain non-perfumed bleach will also serve to sanitize water. Find instructions here.
• Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items: 3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home. (Store foods that your family likes. And a manual can opener)
• Flashlight (or two)
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
• Extra batteries for flashlight and radio
• First aid kit (Things to have in the first-aid kit )
• Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
• Multi-purpose tool
• Sanitation and personal hygiene items (toilet paper, feminine hygiene products. Baby wipes can be used in a pinch for personal hygiene when no running water available. Also, shops that sell adult diapers often sell full-body moist towels; worth having for hygiene and comfort.)
• Copies of personal documents: medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies (plus marriage/divorce documents, bank account information). Put these documents in sealed, waterproof bags and keep them in a getaway suitcase in case of evacuation. Here is FEMA’s guide to safeguarding critical documents and valuables.
• Cell phone with chargers (and a portable power bank)
• Family and emergency contact information (put these names and numbers on everyone’s phones. Plus keep a paper copy taped to the refrigerator.)
• Extra cash
• Emergency blankets or sleeping bags
• Map(s) of the area

Depending on the types of disasters that are common where you live, also consider adding these things to your kit:

• Whistle (to call for help)
• N95 or surgical masks
• Matches
• Rain gear
• Towels
  Work gloves
• Tools/supplies for securing your home
• Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes
• Plastic sheeting
• Duct tape
• Scissors
• Household liquid bleach
• Entertainment (and comfort) items
• Two-way radios
• Extra set of car keys and house keys (give a set to a trusted neighbor or friend)

We add:

• Moist antiseptic towels to sanitize areas.
• A portable solar-powered or hand-crank lantern, to avoid tripping in the dark.
• Several long-burning candles for comforting light; assuming that it’s safe to have fire burning.
• Two or three cigarette lighters. A cigarette lighter supplies fire many more times than a box of matches.

If the suppy list seems too long to deal with, the Red Cross sells emergency kits of all sizes on their site. But we recommend building your own kit that suits your particular needs.

Other notes:

Wash and dry all the laundry in the hamper, and don’t let more accumulate. If the power goes down or water stops running in the pipes, you’ll at least have clean changes of clothes. This is important not only for hygiene but for mental health: having to live in dirty clothes makes stress worse.

If it seems likely that running water might stop, improvise a toilet made from a tall, sturdy metal bucket, strong plastic bags to line it, and a tight lid. You can also order a portable toilet online.

If you wonder where to store the emergency supplies, stash the boxes or suitcases in unused spaces. Under a table. Under beds; under the sofa. On top of closets, or under a sink. In the space under the stairs. Out on the patio; in the garage – always assuming it’s safe to go outside. Put decorative items away and use the space for emergency storage. It might feel crowded, but you’ll restore order after the emergency.

The important thing is to stay safe and be prepared.

The post How does one start prepping? appeared first on Green Prophet.

The Green Paths to Future initiative in Dubai spans about 10 miles and stands as a groundbreaking eco-project to redefine Dubai’s urban landscape, spearheading a transformational change in sustainability, liveability and climate resilience.

Dubai’s Green Paths to Future initiative was conceived to address the pressing challenges of rapid urbanisation causing desertification, urban heat islands and high energy consumption. Desertification leads to arable land loss and biodiversity decline. Urban heat islands worsen scorching temperatures, impacting health and increasing cooling energy use. Some sources say that over the next century cities such as Dubai may become unlivable as they will be too hot to sustain human life.

Related: Neste works with Dubai for SAF

Industrial areas add air pollution, heat emissions, greenhouse gases and water stress. They disrupt habitats, worsen air quality and strain resources. For Expo 2020, Dubai planted over twenty thousand trees, covering 2.3 million m2, mitigating desertification, enhancing air quality and reducing soil erosion. Addressing industrial impact was crucial for a sustainable Expo and a better Dubai.

We’d like to see more trees planted. Although the Dutch company Airshades is a low-energy idea to provide shade for residents in Dubai, natural cover by trees will be better for beauty, climate change, and overall health.

Trees provide roots systems to absorb water that can dampen the effects of unprecedented, torrential rainfalls that put parts of the United Arab Emirates underwater last week, bringing Dubai to a standstill.

Green paths and tree planting mean sustainable, accessible green pathways that offer residents and visitors an enhanced quality of life while combating the urban heat island effect, boosting air quality, and fostering a more vibrant urban environment.

The initiative’s design draws from innovative strategies. It incorporates sustainable landscaping with drought-resistant plant species, integrates modular elements for adaptability, and employs intelligent irrigation systems for efficient water usage. The project is a balance of large infrastructure insertion in a city fabric blended with the landscape to balance and enhance a sustainable design approach.

The results of the Green Paths to Future initiative are both measurable and remarkable. Over 20,000 trees were planted, and more than four million seedlings are strategically placed around roadsides leading to the Expo 2020 venue, effectively creating a new green urban landscape. Beyond its aesthetic impact, the initiative has tangibly improved air quality and introduced sustainable urban mobility solutions.

With Expo 2020 Dubai being a catalyst, the initiative has addressed immediate challenges and created a legacy that contributes to Dubai’s long-term goals. The collaborative effort between governmental bodies, private sector stakeholders and the community showcases Dubai’s commitment to holistic sustainability. The initiative’s success has attracted global events like the UN Climate Change Conference of Parties (COP28), highlighting its impact on the City’s international standing.

Moreover, our landscape projects have a profound impact across social, economic and environmental domains, backed by air quality tests for quantifiable data. Socially, green enhancements improve air quality, enhancing public health and fostering community interaction, enriching the quality of life for all.

Economically, these projects raise property values, attracting tourism and commerce, bolstering local businesses, and reducing healthcare costs through improved air quality, leading to sustained economic growth. Environmentally, our initiatives combat air pollution, sequester carbon and mitigate urban heat islands, aligning with climate goals and enhancing biodiversity.

These projects align with Dubai’s 2040 Urban Master Plan, UAE’s UN Sustainable Development Goals, and national sustainability agendas, positioning Dubai as a pioneering green city.

The post Dubai’s green paths a sensible start to mitigating climate change appeared first on Green Prophet.

Kharabeesh, the Jordanian satirical entertainment and media network, was quick to comment, posting cleverly Photoshopped images to their Facebook page, like the one above of a submarine navigating an Amman highway.

People hopped aboard the snarky train via personal blogs, Instagram and Twitter, posting comments accusing the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) of being unprepared for the heavy torrents that flooded the town.

Earlier that morning, I’d walked from one appointment to another, skipping across piles of discarded cigarettes butts and tossed bottles.  As I ducked plastic bags blown skyward by the rising winds, I was thinking how this town needed a wash – that’s when I heard the first thunder-clap. Minutes later the rain began, and out came the stunned shopkeepers.  Everyone was taking pictures, in short order they flooded the internet with proof of the storm.

The posted reactions ranged from comical to caustic, with pictures of people “swimming” and fishing in whirlpools. Others slammed authorities for city infrastructure that proved inadequate to handle precipitation. (Note: exceptional snowfall last December made many roads impassable and caused electrical power outages, closing many areas of Amman for weeks).

The Jordan Times reported several of the tweets: “I have always dreamed of visiting Italy’s Venice, but thanks to God and GAM, Venice came to us,” commented Dina (@Idiinaa). Maen Khaldi (@maen_Khaldi) wrote, “In the past, we used to take days off from school when it snowed, but nowadays if it rains for half-an-hour the whole capital becomes paralysed.”

Others were less amused. “I think it is time GAM did its job. It is unbelievable. It has been the same story for the past 10 years; if it rains a little bit Amman drowns,” tweeted Sami Jabri (@Sami-Jabri). Adham Etoom ‏(@AdhamEtoom) said flooding in Amman is a form of corruption since human and financial resources are not properly utilized.

Many wondered if West Amman was underwater, how were the more remote areas in the country coping?

Within an hour, Monday’s storm had flooded major streets and tunnels, requiring hours of work by GAM crews to clear. GAM Public Works Department Deputy Director Yasser Atiyyat said in a press statement that everything went back to normal within two hours after the rain stopped in most parts of Amman. In actuality, traffic remained clogged through the evening rush hour.

GAM’s Road Department Director Ahmad Khreisat said that work on key roadway underpasses was challenged by power outages that prevented pump operation. Sand and construction material washed away by the surge blocked parts of the city sewage network, adding to the floods.

Khreisat blamed flooding on the city’s many construction sites, saying that an increasing loss of open space reduces the city’s ability to absorb the rainfall. He added that GAM is working to improve sewer networks to cope with heavy rainfall, but a larger question looms: which authority evaluates planning applications to assure that new projects don’t overburden city infrastructure such as storm sewers? Who checks that new buildings can be served by existing road networks without causing untenable traffic patterns? And why aren’t building codes being revised to require more stringent measures for surface water run-off capture and control?

Comedy aside, the floods were catastrophic.  Civil Defense Department teams rescued four people stranded in a tent and five people whose house was inundated with rainwater in the northern city of Irbid.  They pumped rainwater from dozens of houses across Amman were water levels rose above street level, and at least one city mall was closed due to flooded ground level shops.

At least three people died as a result of flooding.  One woman was washed from in front of her house; her body was recovered 3 km away. In Amman’s Wadi Saqra area (walkable from my home), two men died after being electrocuted in a flooded building. Irbid experienced landslides that blocked roads, and uprooted olive trees and parts of nearby forests.

This weather is unseasonably cold and wet.  Farmers are being urged to avoid picking olives during the current weather conditions to avoid any risks related to unstable ground conditions. To quote the ridiculously popular characters in the American TV series Game of Thrones, “Winter is coming”.  Woe to the unprepared, and to all living in low-lying areas.

Lead images from Kharabeesh; all others by author.

The post Jordan municipalities flooded with criticism following record rain appeared first on Green Prophet.

Flash floods are very dangerous; they come quickly, often catch people by surprise, and their force is formidable. This is especially true of Israel’s Wadi Zin, a deceptively dry riverbed most of the time. Visitors to the Dead Sea captured rare footage of a recent flash flood – a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMm8wWNo7cA[/youtube]

Periodic flooding of the Zin river is well documented in Biblical texts (river translates to wadi in Arabic or nahal in Hebrew) and in modern times.

The river rises in the Ramon Crater, a unique geological phenonemon known as a Makhtesh formed by erosion, which is located in the Negev Desert roughly 52 miles south of Beersheba.

When full, the 75 mile long river drains 600 square miles before dumping into the southern edge of the Dead Sea, but most of the time the river is dry, located as it is in the parched desert.

Related: 5 Star Isrotel Beresheet overlooks the Ramon Crater in Israel

When it does come to life, though, with a flash flood, it is a dramatic event that is rarely witnessed since flash floods are feared in this region.

Heavy rains in the desert highlands finally made their way to the Dead Sea region, as this footage reveals. The massive sandy waters rush down the riverbed before crashing over a precipice, creating small but powerful waterfalls.

A dog barely escaped being swept up by the water and several spectators are seen running as the water crashed down the valley.

Bear in mind, however, that sudden water surges such as this are also exceptionally destructive. Any vegetation in the river’s path would have been destroyed, and soil eroded.

Still, it’s pretty cool to watch a river come back to life with a flash flood – especially in the desert.

The post Incredible video captures rare footage of Wadi Zin flash flood in Israel appeared first on Green Prophet.