Dr. Tamar Makov is a lecturer at the Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management school at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Originally from Israel, she earned a BSc in Nutrition Science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem before moving to the U.S. to complete an MA and PhD in Environmental Studies at Yale University.  Recruited back to BGU in 2019, she now lectures at the university. Her research focuses on data science, circular economy, and life-cycle analysis.

See Related Article: Hebrew University Recognized as World Leader in Movement Ecology 

At the heart of her work lies industrial ecology. The field of study that industrial ecology encapsulates is the analysis of the relationship between the natural environment and industrial processes to promote sustainable development. The aim of this idea is to minimize environmental impacts and promote efficiency by integrating production and consumption development. Critical characteristics of the field of study are life-cycle assessment, economy, and sustainability. While lifecycle assessment is widely taught throughout the U.S and European universities, Israel only has about five dedicated researchers in the field. Dr. Makov’s efforts, a new curriculum at the university, and other students are looking to change this.

At BGU, Dr. Makov’s research thrusts include:

• Looking into emerging tech, to model current production systems
• Identifying current “hotspots” to identify and lessen environmental impacts
• Digitalization studies, to examine how consumer behavior shifts in response to initiatives
• Second-hand culture, the study on how reuse is effective only when it replaces new production and use of resources

By intersecting research, data, and conclusions, Dr. Makov and her associates aim to bridge theory and real-world impact. To increase efficiency and sustainability while reducing harmful environmental practices and their impacts. 

Dr. Makov also lies at an interesting intersection herself. Her educational background at Yale University and her current job at BGU highlight some notable differences in the academic mindset between American and Israeli students. In America, it is much easier for students to focus on their education. While there are inconveniences and real, valid life events, students are still given the opportunity to focus entirely on their education. However, this is not the case for all students in Israel. Makov explains that it is more challenging for students to work, especially when focusing on certain school subjects. To many during a time of war, an environmental education can be seen as secondary. It is challenging to focus on sustainability when a war is unfolding in the backyard. Additionally, many of Makov’s students were in attendance at the Nova Festival during the October 7th terrorist attacks conducted by Hamas. These are just some of the challenges and experiences that Israeli students face when they decide to attend school.

See Related Article: Desert University Goes Green With Gusto

Even if students do decide to study the environment, their tough times do not disappear. On one occasion, Dr. Makov had students studying abroad in the Netherlands. During their final presentation, three of their classmates disregarded the instructions and instead targeted the few Israeli students. Instead of displaying their knowledge, they displayed their ignorance by spouting anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiment at the horror and shock of the other students. 

Despite her international pedigree, Dr. Makov faces hurdles stemming from resource constraints and geopolitical tensions. Funding in Israel is much more limited than at major U.S. institutions. This means that research, grants, and funding overall need to be taken seriously and utilized in a careful and targeted way. Additionally, recruiting students with a background in the environmental field can be difficult. To add on, many institutions outside of Israel who used to send students to study at BGU have either pulled out, or the students have not wanted to come due to the war. Partnerships are fragile in general. One example of this came from Dr. Makov’s work on studying bluefish. The study was utilizing a particular software, one that Dr. Makov had used in the past. However, after the October 7th attacks and subsequent public response, the software company will pull its programming. This experience is not unique.

Meanwhile, Dr. Makov reflects on her own time studying abroad at Yale, where she once shared an office with a Palestinian man from Gaza. This shows that collaboration and cooperation are possible. Today, along with many others, Dr. Makov observes that many activists in the U.S. and worldwide often conflate climate issues, Israel-Palestine issues, and other social issues. In her view, this distracts from all causes and forms a generalization. She says that we are better off focusing on issues that are urgent to environmental work: low-income and minority communities still face increased environmental risks, and emerging economies like China drive global emission increases. One example of this comes from Greta Thunberg. Thunberg, who is a climate activist, recently attempted to deliver symbolic aid to Gaza. Thus, bringing the two issues close in activist dialogue. 

See Related Article: Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Joins Gaza Flotilla

As the war continues, Dr. Tamar Makov remains committed to expanding Israel’s footprint in industrial ecology and circular economy, even as she navigates a fractured global landscape. Her work demonstrates that rigorous methods, interdisciplinary teaching, and data-driven projects can still, and will continue to, pave the way toward a more sustainable future. 

The post Life-Cycle Thinking Under Fire: Industrial Ecology Mission Amid Geopolitical Conflict appeared first on Green Prophet.

The latest in a string of decisive measures to mitigate environmental destruction while boosting the green economy, the upcoming Abu Dhabi Ascent is a high level meeting designed to encourage leaders of governments, businesses, finance institutions and civil society to mobilize in support of more assertive actions to address climate change.

To be held from 4-5 May, 2014, these talks will act as a primer for the The Climate Summit slated to take place on 23 September, 2014 at the UN Headquarters in New York, one day before UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s General Assembly begins its General Debate.

“The UAE initiative to host the Abu Dhabi Ascent is an important concrete contribution to the Summit,” said UN Secretary General in a recent press release.

“This meeting is a critical milepost on the way that will help build the momentum we need for a successful Climate Summit.  I look forward to working with all leaders to ensure that the Summit catalyzes major steps on the ground and towards an ambitious global climate agreement.”

While in a better place financially than many other nations thanks to its substantial fossil fuel wealth, Abu Dhabi has demonstrated through a series of initiatives both at home and abroad it is not only necessary but also economically, environmentally and socially beneficial to invest in clean energy and other carbon mitigation strategies.

Critics may point out that its own populace still relies heavily on fossil fuels, but Abu Dhabi is pressing really hard to diversify its energy mix, support ambitious local and international startups that are researching and developing groundbreaking renewable energy initiatives, create a friendly legislative environment to support such sweeping changes, and bring leaders from the public and private domain together in such massive events as the recent Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

Many of these climate meetings result in endless talking and precious little change, but Abu Dhabi – given their own proactivity with the Shams 1 CSP Plant, investments in global clean energy projects as far afield as London and the Seychelles, and a host of other genuine measures that strengthen their long-term resilience in the face of climate change and peak oil – is in the unique position to act as a leader in real action.

Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change, the most recognizable face behind Abu Dhabi’s commitment to a greener but still prosperous future, acknowledges the emirate’s efforts to support clean energy technology across the globe.

He adds that, “The high level meeting in Abu Dhabi will be integral in encouraging and enhancing commitments from the public-private sectors and ensuring the Summit in New York is a success.”

Abu Dhabi’s leadership hopes that the upcoming summit will not only pave the way for more efficient talks in New York later this year, but also set the stage for improved negotiations at the Paris Climate Conference in December 2015.

Aerial image of Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi / Shutterstock

The post Oil-rich Abu Dhabi to mobilize climate action at UN Climate Summit appeared first on Green Prophet.

Let down by world leaders (again) at Rio+20, green Arab researcher Mohamed Abdel Raouf says it’s time for a less top-down approach to solutions

It’s been over a fortnight since the Rio+20 summit which was supposed to look at sustainable development (and in later years ‘sustained growth’ – something which is very different) whimpered to an end. The was so little progress at the climate summit that I feel sorry for those journalists who attended and were asked to write up some ‘news’. Nobody thought it was going to be as ground-breaking as the initial summit twenty years ago which saw world leaders sign up to protect biodiversity and champion sustainability but the outcome was more depressing than many hoped.

It seems climate change has fallen spectacularly off the world agenda and, with it, our chances of an international agreement with the grit to steer the planet back onto the right track. I caught up with Mohamed Abdel Raouf, a green researcher based in the Middle East after a busy and frustrating time at the Rio+20 conference to get his take on events.

Abdel Raouf seems pretty eager to get the bad news out of the way first and tells me that the official outcomes of the negotiations were disappointing. The document which emerged from the conference, titled ‘The Future We Want’, “contains hardly any new commitment by governments” he explains. “It is neither transformational nor visionary – there are no clear measurable goals/targets, no timelines and no clear indication of how the transition to green economy will be funded.” He states that the problem is a lack of leadership. World leaders weren’t able to put their national interests aside and work on a common global agenda which requires practical steps be taken towards a new type of economy.

“They are locked in the old ways of doing things,” he admits. “These ways proved to be unsustainable and inequitable and thus resulted in economic crises and drove people onto the streets of the Arab World and Wall Street to demonstrate. This also means that top-down solving of the world’s problems is no longer an option.” I think his last sentence is particularly insightful and reflects what a lot of campaigners I know have been saying about the climate summits for years – they are not the solution.

However, the forever optimistic Abdel Raouf insists that there are reasons to be hopeful. “The Arab world skepticism about the green economy shifted a little at Rio+20,” he states. “A year ago, Arab countries were suspicious of the concept, now they are exploring green economy as one tool for sustainable development.” Yet he admits that the Arab nations positioned themselves with G77 and China which was the main group opposing many parts of the document under negotiation at Rio+20.

Even so, the final document does call on Arab nations to join others in their efforts to promote sustainable development and the green economy. Whether this call will be heard and then answered is another issue all together. Personally, I remain sceptical but Abdel Raouf’s optimism is unshakable and he insists that “it may be true that humanity lost an opportunity but we definitely still have not lost hope.”

: Image of Christ The Redeemer via Niall Dunne/Shutterstock.com

For more on Rio see:

What Can Rio+20 do for the Arab World?

Qatar’s Temporary Rio+20 Pavilion Shaped Like Soaring Falcon

Israel Takes Messianic Stance on the Rio+20 UN Conference

The post Rio+20 and the Arab World: ‘Our Leaders Have Failed Us’ appeared first on Green Prophet.

We speak to Mohamed Abdel Raouf, a green researcher who will be attending the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) about what it could do for the Arab world

According to the latest reporting, the preparatory talks ahead of the Rio+20 summit have been inconclusive and raised real concerns that the conference will be a complete failure. Many delegates are frustrated at the lack of progress made around the global plan of action, entitled The Future We Want, which they hope world leaders will sign up to in Brazil in June. But Mohamed Abdel Raouf, remains hopeful that some progress will be made and also wants to encourage the Arab world to take a stronger position in favour of a Green Economy.

An independent environmental researcher, Abdel Raouf insists that “even if there is just tiny progress at Rio+20, it will be better than nothing” and it’s only through small steps that big progress can be achieved. The Rio+20 summit will be a follow-up to the landmark 1992 Earth summit in Brazil, at which international treaties to tackle climate change and conserve the Earth’s diversity of plants, animals, and other life forms were agreed.

I ask Abdel Raouf whether Arab countries are working to support the conference and its aims to encourage sustainable development. “Well, regarding RIO+20 I guess the Arab position in general is not in favour of a green economy and international environmental governance… However, I believe they must push and adopt a green economy as it is a new way to get new environmentally determinedly technology. This transfer of technology alone is a great benefit.”

And it’s not just Arab apathy world that is to blame for slow progress. Countries the world over seem keen to stick to business-as-usual. A group of NGOs and environmental organisation such as Oxfam and Greenpeace have already voiced their concern, adding that this business-as-usual approach won’t do at Rio+20. “To the presidents and prime ministers of nations responsible for changing course we say: ‘You can start to deliver sustainable development today or face the anger and disappointment of millions of citizens in the years and generations to come,’” said Rubens Born of the Forum of Brazilian NGOs and Social Movements for Environment and Development (FBOMS).

The joint statement also argued that “the current financial crises, growing inequalities, broken food system, global climate change and shrinking natural resources require a new approach to economic development but the current negotiating text offers just more of the same.”

In fact, Abdel Raouf echoes this very sentiment by stating that the root causes of the Arab Spring are environmental problems in the region as well as the unfair distribution of natural resources. “RIO+20 can be an opportunity to to tackle such environmental problems in a very structured way by changing the way the whole economy operates,” he remarked.

Image of Rio, Brazil from Mark Schwettman/Shutterstock

For more on climate summits and the Middle East North Africa region see:
Faith Leaders Prepare For Upcoming Climate Summit In South Africa
Green Buildings and the Next Climate Summit in Qatar
Guide to Durban Climate Talks and the Oil-Rich Middle East
Saudi Arabia’s Climate U-Turn Ahead of Qatar Summit

The post What Can Rio+20 Do For The Arab World? appeared first on Green Prophet.

Get your weekly dose of green news snippets from the region

It’s been another great week of green news coming from the Middle East. We hope you managed to catch our interview with Green Hajj expert Dr Husna Ahmed, our coverage of the quake-proof straw houses  as well as Tafline’s time at the Desertec conference in Cairo.  And we have more bite-size news to keep you busy this quiet Sunday too. Read on for green courses on climate change, mega-rail projects and record high fines for an oil spill in Israeli waters.

Also, don’t forget to nominate your green hero from the Middle East/North Africa region and they could win a cash prize!

Jordan Launches Masters Course On Climate Change
The University of Jordan has been granted 1 million Euros from the European Union to help establish a master’s programme on environmental engineering and climate change.  Jordan is the only Arab country to receive EU support to set up such a course, which is designed to cater to a growing interest in climate change
: Petra News

Saudi Expands Its Rail Network
The Haramain High Speed Rail Project (or Mekkah Metro as it’s known) goes into phase two and Saudi has awarded the 6.7billion Euros contract to Spain. According to Bloomberg, Saudi is laying 2,400 miles of rail lines which is almost enough to stretch across the continental US.  Alstom, the French company behind the Jerusalem Light Rail project, was targeted by Palestinian BDS campaigners and lost its bid.
: Haveeru online

Haifa Courts Imposes Record Fine On Oil Spill Company
A court in Haifa has asked the Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company to pay NIS 1.01 million after one its ships spilt oil in the Haifa seaport area in December 2010. This is the largest fine ever imposed on a ship in Israeli waters. Rani Amir, head of the ministry’s marine and coastal division told the Jerusalem Post that an estimated 30-40 tonnes of oil were spilt.
: Jerusalem Post

Egypt’s Siwa Oasis Facing Water Problems
The Nubian Aquifer which supports Egypt’s eco-tourism destination Siwa Oasis is under threat due to commercial water plants and a growing agricultural sector.  Speaking to Bikya Masr, Heba Abdella of Environmental Quality International remarked that the government is failing to enforce laws designed to protect the water resources of the region. Five water companies currently drilling Siwa’s groundwater including Siwa Water, Aqua Siwa, Hiyat Water, Amman Water and Safi Water.
: Bikya Masr

How Do You Shift To A Green Economy?
Well, according to the independent environmental researcher Mohamed Abdel Raouf, you get governments to do some of the following: reform subsidies, incorporate sustainable development into trade agreements, integrate management of freshwater, introduce environmental legislation and encourage the participation of the various stakeholders (NGOs, academia, business, women, youth…etc) in the design and execution of policies.
: Gulf News

Scotland Offers Qatar Some Green Advice
This partnership is as odd as it gets. Scotland which is part of the UK offers to help Qatar diversify away from oil and gas and towards a more low-carbon economy.  Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond said the country – which is the world leader in the commercialization of wave and tidal technology and aims to produce all its electricity from renewables by 2020 – had a lot of experience and advice to offer.
: Gulf Times

:: Image via noticelj/flickr.

For more Green News from the region see:

Guide To The Durban Climate Talks & The Oil-Rich Middle East

Water-Intensive CSP is Impossible For Desert Solar

Israel and Cyprus Align On Natural Gas and Renewables

The post Sunday’s Green News Snippets appeared first on Green Prophet.