Atmospheric water generators (AWGs) sound like magic: machines that can pull drinking water out of air. The idea is mentioned in the Bible, where the elders would pray for water collected as dew on plants and the catch on turning this into a machine is in the physics. To turn invisible vapor into liquid, you must remove heat, especially the latent heat of condensation. In real machines, that usually means refrigeration (cooling air below its dew point) or heating/desorbing moisture from sorbents. Either way, energy use rises fast as humidity drops. While many solutions exist on the market, the solutions aren’t magic. Too much energy needs to go into the AWG machines to make the water from thin air concept work.

Peer-reviewed assessments put many active AWGs in the rough range of ~0.35 to >1.1 kWh per liter depending on climate and design see this paper. A broader scientific review of atmospheric water harvesting thermodynamics estimates maximum yields around 0.34 to0.73 L/kWh under various assumptions, equivalent to roughly ~1.4 to 2.9 kWh per liter in the “best case” envelope. See PNIH resource. Lab and field results can be lower or higher depending on temperature, humidity, airflow, and heat exchange losses.

The core problems of AWG, water from air generators

• Low humidity = tiny water per cubic meter of air. The drier the air, the more air you must process to get a liter, which means bigger fans, larger heat exchangers, and more power.
• Cooling penalty. Condensation-based AWGs must cool air below dew point; that’s energy-intensive, especially in hot-dry regions where dew point can be very low.
• Heat management. You must dump heat to the environment (or recover it). Poor heat rejection and frosting risks can crater performance.
• Water quality isn’t “free.” Collected water still needs filtration/UV/mineralization and safe storage, adding energy and maintenance.

So how can AWGs be solved?

The most promising pathways don’t “beat physics” — they change the system boundary:

• Use low-grade heat or solar thermal to regenerate sorbents instead of running compressors. MOF-based devices have shown solar-driven harvesting in arid climates (Kim et al., in this 2018 Nature article).
• Hybridize with HVAC/dehumidification you already pay for to run. If a building must remove humidity anyway, capturing and polishing that water can be “incremental” rather than “extra.” While it might not run showers, the water can be used to water gardens or flush toilets. See our article on top uses for AC water.
• Raise efficiency via better sorbents + heat recovery. New cycling strategies and materials aim to cut regeneration energy and speed cycles (Kang et al., 2024).
• Target the right use cases. Emergency backup, remote sites, islands, and places where trucking water is expensive can justify higher kWh/L.

10 promising companies in the AWG space

1. SOURCE Global (solar “hydropanels”) — promising for off-grid drinking water where sunlight is abundant (SOURCE how it works).
2. Watergen — large deployments and claimed efficiency improvements; best fit in warm/humid conditions. See our past article on Watergen.
3. Genesis Systems — containerized systems positioned for disaster resilience and humid climates.
4. Aquaria — scaling “water from the sky” for housing developments; success depends on cost per liter vs local supply (Time on Aquaria).
5. Skysource / Skywater Alliance (WEDEW) — notable for renewable-energy framing and resilience applications (XPRIZE profile).
6. AirJoule — one to watch if real-world data confirms lower energy via novel separation/recovery approaches (AirJoule investor deck).

   

7. Uravu Labs — interesting liquid-desiccant path tied to renewables and local bottling models (Mongabay India).
8. Kara Water — consumer appliances; compelling product story, but energy economics must be transparent (Kara Water).
9. EcoloBlue — long-running commercial/home units; performance varies heavily with climate (EcoloBlue specs).
10. WaHa from Saudi Arabia is positioning around “water + dry air” and grid-independent operation; worth watching for verified field performance (WaHa). Professor Omar Yaghi, a distinguished chemist from the University of California, Berkeley, and pioneer of reticular chemistry (inventor of Metal-Organic Frameworks/MOFs). Born in Jordan and working in California, he was awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, shared with Richard Robson and Susumu Kitagawa, for this work. Waha is active in Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

    

    

AWGs are rarely the cheapest way to make water where pipelines, wells, or desalination are available. They are commonly used by armies to create water in remote locations where energy isn’t an issue. Diesel or solar does the heavy lifting. But as materials improve, and as systems tap waste heat, solar thermal, or existing dehumidification loads, AWGs can become a practical niche tool, especially for resilient, point-of-use drinking water in the places that need it most in off-grid sites and in emergency settings.

Let’s aim for the day when fusion energy is real, and we can all pull water from the air to drink. Just add some Mayu minerals to make the water work well for your body.

The post What are AWG air-water generators, and why they aren’t a golden-bullet solution (yet) appeared first on Green Prophet.

Jordan, which has long received a lion’s share of USAID for survival, and which receives $1.5 billion USD every year to help with water and basic needs, is one of the poorest countries and most water-scarce countries on Earth. In parts of Amman, the most unwalkable city on the planet, households still receive municipal water only once a week. You order a truck and a you pay $50 or so for the company to fill up your water tank. If you are lucky, you build 2 or 3 tanks so you can be sure about your next shower.

National renewable freshwater availability stands at well under 100 cubic meters per person annually, which is far below the international benchmark for “absolute scarcity.” And Jordan has started building itself as a greenhouse and agriculture center of the region.

Now Jordan is advancing one of the the largest infrastructure project in its history: the Aqaba–Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project. The plan links a massive Red Sea desalination plant to a 450-kilometer pipeline that will transport water north to the capital. An original plan over the years was the Red Dead Canal, a partnership with Israel. But after decades of inaction from both sides, they want to do it alone if they can pull off the billions in financing needed.

In 2025, the Jordanian government signed agreements with a consortium led by Meridiam and SUEZ, alongside VINCI Construction and Orascom Construction. Under a 30-year concession agreement, the consortium will design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the system before transferring it back to the Jordanian government. The total investment is estimated at approximately $6 billion USD.

What the Desalination Project Will Deliver

At full capacity, the system is expected to supply 300 million cubic meters of desalinated water per year, covering roughly one-third to 40% of Jordan’s drinking water demand.

The system includes:

• A large reverse osmosis desalination plant near Aqaba on the Red Sea
• A 300-mile conveyance pipeline to Amman
• High-capacity pumping stations lifting water more than 1,000 meters in elevation
• Expanded storage infrastructure in the Amman region

The plant’s projected output — about 800,000 to 850,000 cubic meters per day — would make it one of the largest seawater reverse osmosis facilities in the world. Saudi Arabia, which borders Jordan, currently runs the largest desalination plant in the world, a title taken from Israel not long ago. Israel has long been a pioneer of membrane technology, which is the technology needed to separate salt and brine from the water.

According to SUEZ, the project “will significantly strengthen Jordan’s long-term water security while integrating environmental best practices in desalination.”

Who Will Profit from Jordan’s Water?

The financing structure is a public-private partnership. The consortium will raise a significant portion of the capital through a mix of private equity and project debt. Multilateral development banks are expected to participate, including institutions such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Finance Corporation, alongside export credit agencies and commercial lenders.

Jordan’s government will ultimately purchase the water under long-term offtake agreements, creating predictable revenue streams for the concession holders over three decades.

That means: Infrastructure investors like Meridiam earn a stable, long-term return. SUEZ generates operating revenue from managing one of the region’s most strategic water assets. Construction giants VINCI Construction and Orascom Construction secure multi-billion-dollar engineering contracts. Lenders collect interest over the concession period. Jordan gains water security.

The question now is whether the financial model keeps water affordable for citizens while delivering returns to international investors? Locals I have spoke with found the cost of water to be negligible in their montly expenses, but will the costs increase going forward? In some countries the cost of water is free, and in others water is difficult to obtain, like on islands in Thailand where you can’t think of drinking tap water. Desalinated water is drinkable, as long as added minerals are put in place. Can Jordan do this?

Another option is for Jordan to strengthen trade with Saudi Arabia, which operates extensive desalination infrastructure along the Red Sea, producing over 3 billion cubic meters of water daily and accounting for nearly 50% of global desalination capacity. If the Vision 2030 ever comes to be, this is probably what will happen in reality.

The post Jordan’s $6 Billion Aqaba–Amman Desalination Project from the Red Sea Moves Forward appeared first on Green Prophet.

R

Over the past decade, scientists and designers have increasingly recognized that the climate challenge is not only how we build, but what we build with. The construction industry is among the world’s largest polluters, and cement production alone accounts for roughly 8 percent of global carbon emissions.

In response, researchers worldwide are developing alternative building materials with lower environmental footprints—often based on recycled or locally abundant resources. One such innovation is now emerging from Israel: a building brick made largely from recycled Dead Sea salt.

Related: she makes pretty things out of Dead Sea crystals

Turning waste into raw material

Construction places an enormous burden on natural resources. According to the United Nations Environment Program, the sector consumes around 36 percent of global energy, contributes nearly 40 percent of CO₂ emissions, and is responsible for significant air and ecosystem pollution.

Israel, meanwhile, has limited natural construction resources. One of its most abundant materials is found at the Dead Sea, one of the world’s largest sources of industrial salt and potash. Each year, millions of tons of excess salt accumulate in evaporation ponds as a byproduct of mineral extraction. The buildup raises the lakebed, alters shorelines, and presents a long-term environmental challenge.

For decades, this surplus salt was treated as waste.

Since 2015, Danny Mendler, a professor in the Chemistry Department at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has been working to change that perception. His research treats Dead Sea salt not as a nuisance to be removed, but as a raw material that can be refined and reused.

Mendler developed a process that compresses salt with a small percentage of additional materials—around five percent—under high pressure to create solid bricks with strength approaching that of conventional concrete.

“If we can replace even a fraction of cement with salt, the environmental impact would be substantial,” Mendler explains. “Reducing cement use directly reduces carbon emissions.”

From chemistry lab to architectural design

In 2025, the research moved beyond the laboratory through a collaboration with architecture students at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. As part of the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning’s Studio 1:1 program, led by Michal Bleicher and Dan Price, students translated the material into a workable building system.

The group examined the physical qualities of salt—its mass, translucency, and structural behavior—and designed a prototype structure they called the Mediterranean Igloo. Through this process, they defined a standardized brick size of 8 × 8 × 24 centimeters, a 1:3 ratio that allows modular flexibility in construction.

The outcome was a uniform, scalable brick made primarily from Dead Sea salt—adaptable in shape, thickness, and surface texture, and compatible with contemporary building needs. Compared with conventional materials, the salt bricks offer a lower-pollution alternative while repurposing an existing environmental burden.

International recognition

The project was presented in October at Change: The Shape of Transformation, part of the Venice Architecture Biennale. Selected from 55 academic institutions worldwide, the Technion team was among just ten invited to exhibit.

The students transported physical salt bricks to Venice, drawing significant interest from architects and researchers. According to Bleicher, the response underscored growing global attention to material innovation in architecture.

“This is a material that is both natural and engineered,” she says. “Our next goal is to construct a full-scale structure in Israel using these bricks. We believe this approach can turn a serious environmental problem into a practical solution.”

What stands in the way

Despite its promise, widespread adoption is not imminent. The construction industry is notoriously conservative, and introducing new materials requires years of testing, certification, and regulatory approval.

“Every new building material must pass extensive strength, durability, and safety standards,” Bleicher notes. “That takes time, funding, and supportive regulation—which is often lacking.”

Still, the idea that decades of accumulated salt waste could become part of a cleaner construction future reflects a broader shift in environmental thinking: viewing crisis not only as a risk, but as a catalyst for innovation.

This article was prepared by Zavit, the news agency of the Israeli Society for Ecology and Environmental Sciences. It is republished with permission.

The post Earth building with Dead Sea salt bricks appeared first on Green Prophet.

Can a cross-border hospital between Israel and Jordan anchor environmental cooperation too?

Israel and Jordan are moving ahead with one of the most ambitious cross-border development projects in the Middle East: the Jordan Gateway, a joint industrial and employment zone straddling the border near the Jordan River Crossing. Conceived during the 1994 Israel–Jordan peace talks, the zone is finally gaining momentum after years of legal disputes and construction delays.

Now, Israeli officials have confirmed that a hospital on the Israeli side, designed primarily to treat Jordanian patients, is under active government consideration. We’ve written about water cooperation and the Red Dead Canal which never happened. And now that Israel is cooperating with India, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the region is gearing up for movement of goods, people and know-how form the east to the west.

The proposed medical centre, described by Emek HaMaayanot Regional Council head Itamar Matiash as “a centre for cancer treatment, so that people from Jordan or further away could come and receive treatment,” would become the flagship of a wider cluster of medical, academic and innovation-based services planned for the Israeli half of the zone.

Meanwhile, the Jordanian side is already home to several low-tech factories aimed at reducing unemployment, which remains around 18 per cent in the kingdom compared with roughly 3 per cent in Israel.

The defining feature of the Jordan Gateway is its carefully engineered border model. Workers from both countries will be able to enter the shared industrial zone while remaining inside an “ex-territorial bubble”. Jordanians entering the Israeli zone will not be granted entry to Israel beyond the site, and Israelis crossing to the Jordanian side will not enter Jordan proper. Full entry into either country will continue to require the formal Allenby Crossing procedures.

This controlled permeability reflects both diplomatic pragmatism and urgent security realities following the 2023 Hamas-led attack and subsequent regional instability, as well as recent violent incidents involving drivers crossing from Jordan into Israel to commit acts of terror. But not everyone should suffer from terrorism.

Beyond bilateral cooperation, the project’s strategic significance extends far beyond the Jordan Valley. The site is now positioned as a critical node in the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), the US-backed transport vision designed to link Indian manufacturing hubs to Gulf ports, Israel and ultimately to European markets. This route circumvents passing through Iranian waters and areas of the Red Sea being terrorized by Yemen’s Houthis and Somalian pirates.

Under current planning, goods could cross into Israel at the Jordan Gateway, be transferred onto rail lines to Haifa Port and then shipped onwards to Europe. Officials from the United States and European Union have already conducted site visits and expressed interest in the zone’s potential role as a resilient logistics alternative to traditional Red Sea and Suez routes.

But if the Jordan Gateway is to become a model for regional integration, its long-term success will depend as much on environmental governance as on geopolitics. The Jordan River Valley is an ecologically fragile corridor long damaged by over-extraction, pollution and climate-driven water scarcity.

Fortunately, the region already hosts some of the world’s most established cross-border environmental collaborations.

EcoPeace Middle East founded by Gidon Bromberg (and featured on Green Prophet regularly) —bringing together Jordanian, Palestinian and Israeli practitioners—has spent decades advocating joint water management and ecological restoration.

Its “Green Blue Deal for the Middle East” proposes exactly the type of shared environmental planning the Jordan Gateway will require. Likewise, the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, located near the Israel–Jordan border, has trained more than 1,800 Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian and international students in solar energy, desert agriculture and water-scarce resilience.

These networks offer rare and durable frameworks for cooperation that continue even during periods of political tension. Participation by Jordanian and Palestinian students, however, is often kept discreet, as some prefer not to publicize their involvement in cross-border programs to avoid potential social pressures when returning to their home communities.

If aligned with such environmental expertise, the Jordan Gateway could evolve into more than an industrial park or logistics hub. It could become a proof-of-concept for environmentally grounded peacebuilding—a space where economic incentives, ecological restoration and pragmatic diplomacy reinforce one another. In a region where borders often divide ecosystems that must function as a whole, this may be the most significant experiment of all. Peace comes only through shared values, and content.

Without that, peace making is an empty word.

“For a long time, my soul dwelt with those who hate peace,” says Psalm 120.

The post Peace hospital opens between Jordan and Israel appeared first on Green Prophet.

In a region long marked by political divides, armed conflict, and environmental degradation, EcoPeace Middle East is quietly advancing the power of peacebuilding. Peace through education. Through its cross-border teacher tours in the Jordan Valley, EcoPeace is bringing together educators from Israel, Jordan, and the Palestinian territories to address critical environmental issues.

EcoPeace has offices in Tel Aviv, Israel; Amman, Jordan; and Ramallah, located in the West Bank. It exists as one of the only organizations working together across these three locations. Their goal is ambitious, complex, and challenging: to utilize environmental challenges as a catalyst for regional cooperation. For two decades, their work has been shaped by a truth that transcends borders.

See Related Article: EcoPeace gets peacebuilding award

The Jordan River, stretching from the heights of Mount Hermon to the lowest point on Earth’s surface—the Dead Sea—is a symbol of biodiversity, religion, and culture. However, it has suffered from decades, if not centuries, of abuse. For years, raw sewage from countries, Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories, has been poured into its waters. More than 600,000 Jordanians and 60,000 Palestinians continue to discharge waste into the river basin. Additionally, multiple dams have altered the flow and the stretch of the river downstream from the Sea of Galilee, which is significantly polluted. 

Yet, the mindsets and actions of those living in areas surrounding the Jordan River are undergoing a change. Israeli initiatives are invested in cleaner water, infrastructure, and sewage treatment. Both state-led and NGO efforts drive this renewed focus on the restoration. These efforts are slowly but surely transforming once-over-polluted areas into zones of rehabilitation, use, and recreation. Increased cooperation, driven by EcoPeace, has allowed for coordinated responses to the shared environmental threat. These cooperation efforts are not only cleaning the Jordan River, but are also creating new channels for positive regional dialogue.

One of the most effective ways EcoPeace advances its mission is by targeting educators. Each year, the organization hosts educational conferences specifically designed for teachers, primarily those in biology, ecology, and related fields. Approximately 25 teachers from Israel, Jordan, and Palestine participate in each session. These sessions focus not only on the Jordan River being a shared resource and a symbol of regional interdependence, but also on the importance of preserving it. Additionally, they focus on the interactions between teachers from the conflicting groups.

They are designed to create empathy, cooperation, and inspire teachers to integrate transboundary environmental programming into their curriculum. Each session is followed up by support and guidance on how to engage students with the environmental peacebuilding material. Workshops used to take place in Jordan, with all participants traveling there. However, due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, sessions are now held in Cyprus.

The teacher workshops and tours serve as a platform for both learning and dialogue. Regional-political complexities are not ignored; they are engaged, debated, and discussed. However, the program encourages participants to look beyond national and media narratives to instead focus on the common good. Helping educate the youth to provide a better environmental future. When teachers from Tel Aviv, Amman, and Ramallah examine the same stretch of polluted river, it creates a shared experience. The shared concern for the Jordan River, as well as other environmental issues, and, on a larger scale, the region, becomes the foundation for a deeper understanding.

EcoPeace’s work is not limited to the Jordan Valley. The organization is also active along the Alexander Stream and near the Dead Sea. Both areas, like the Jordan River, face enormous environmental stress. What all of these locations have in common is that all three participants within EcoPeace are affected. Both geographical ties and responsibility ties interconnect the Middle East. The typical mindset of “It is someone else’s problem” does not work. It takes teachers, the youth, and the region as a whole to come together to solve these problems because they are everyone’s.

EcoPeace’s strategy is dual, combining both bottom-up and top-down approaches. The bottom-up approach focuses on the aforementioned teacher workshops and trickles down education to the youth. The top-down approach focuses on EcoPeace’s efforts to collaborate with government officials and decision-makers, aiming to influence policy and regional environmental practices. 

The organization has been instrumental in advancing the “Green Blue Deal.” This is a project that entails Israel providing desalinated water to Jordan in exchange for energy. This is made possible due to Israel’s experience and expertise in desalination plants, along with Jordan’s expansive geographic area for solar and wind farms. Projects like this are designed to foster interdependence, where both countries rely on each other for mutual benefit. With interdependence comes cooperation, and with cooperation comes increased normalcy in relations.

Even amid rising tensions and conflicts, EcoPeace remains committed to its mission. In the aftermath of the October 7th attacks carried out by the terrorist organization known as Hamas, the organization maintained communication across all offices. Staff members checked in on colleagues from all sides, underscoring their commitment to preserving connection even during times of conflict.

See Related Article: The wind farms of the Middle East

The resilience of the educational programs is astounding. While many participants may enter tours with skepticism or strong preconceived notions, they often leave with new perspectives and a deeper appreciation. While political solutions remain improbable, educational ones are already in motion. 

See Related Article: The Blue Green Deal and climate pacts between enemies

EcoPeace aims to expand the teacher programs and increase its reach in the coming years. With more than 1,000 students already directly impacted by the initiative, the organization utilizes teachers as ambassadors for environmental peacemaking.

In a region where peace is scarce, EcoPeace offers a solution—one where educators plant the seeds of coexistence. 

To learn more about EcoPeace’s educational programs and environmental peacebuilding efforts, visit https://ecopeaceme.org.

The post How EcoPeace Uses Environmental Education to Bridge Borders in the Jordan Valley appeared first on Green Prophet.

In the volcanic highlands of northern Jordan, north of Amman engineers are mining a natural resource not for energy, but for agriculture. The material: crushed volcanic rock, now also processed into a mineral-rich soil that may hold the key to reducing water and fertilizer demand in arid regions.

The project is led by Watad, a Jordanian company founded in 2019. The firm processes volcanic rocks such as zeolite, basalt, and pozzolana into what it calls “volcanic soil”—a porous, salt-resistant substrate that improves water retention and plant growth in dry climates.

“There’s zeolite, like the one we have in the mine here. There is zeolitic tuff in one of the other mines we have. There are basalt and pozzolana,” said Ibrahim al-Manaseer, a mine engineer at the site near Mafraq in an interview with Reuters. “All of them are volcanic rocks that formed thousands of years ago.”

Watad currently produces around one million tons of volcanic soil annually, and its CEO, Mohannad al-Manaseer, says the company could scale up rapidly. al-Manaseer said the goal is to replace conventional fertilizers and soil additives with a more durable and environmentally stable alternative.

Early field reports suggest volcanic soil may reduce irrigation needs by up to 60% and cut fertilizer use by 80%. That could have significant implications for Jordan, which ranks as the second most water-scarce country in the world, with per capita water availability under 100 cubic meters per year, well below the UN’s threshold for extreme water stress.

When we visited Jordan we learned that hotels and homes get fresh water shipped to reservoirs weekly. Some people keep second hidden reservoirs to avoid running out.

Related: Jordan’s leading ecological organizations

While long-term studies are still needed to assess environmental and agronomic impacts across diverse ecosystems, the use of volcanic material in soil enhancement is not new. Zeolites, in particular, have been studied for decades due to their ion exchange and adsorption properties.

What’s novel is the scale—and the urgency. In a region where desertification, rising temperatures, and resource stress are converging, Jordan’s push to mine its volcanic past could represent a rare alignment of geology and necessity.

Jordan has been working with water cooperation with Israel and the Palestinian Authority over the last couple of decades through Friends of the Earth, Middle East – Ecopeace. They are working to broker small-scale local projects in education, but also are working on larger water for energy swaps. The October 7 terror attack changed the political outlook for Israel and Jordanian cooperation, two countries that have a signed peace treaty.

Time for water cooperation? 

The Wadi Araba Treaty established cooperation between Jordan and Israel on various matters, including water sharing. In November 2022, both Jordan and Israel signed a declaration of intent at the UN climate conference to rehabilitate and protect the Jordan River, aiming to reduce pollution and restore water flow.

A 2013 agreement involved developing a desalination plant in Aqaba, with potable water shared between Israel and Jordan, and increased water releases from Lake Tiberias to Jordan. But in November 2023, Jordan announced it would not sign a proposed water-for-energy deal with Israel, citing Israel’s actions in Gaza as the reason.

Jordan is currently advancing its own water security through the Aqaba–Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance Project, aiming to produce about 300 million cubic meters of clean drinking water annually. Jordan is landlocked except for a small strip of the Red Sea, where it is bordered by Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The Abraham Accords which is creating a peace treaty and regional cooperation between countries such as Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, will likely lead to water cooperation for a very dry Jordan.

::Wated

The post Jordan turns to ancient fire and mines volcanic soil to solve water crisis appeared first on Green Prophet.

The Environmental Peacebuilding Association gave its recent award –– the 2025 Al-Moumin Award and Distinguished Lecture on Environmental Peacebuilding –– to EcoPeace leaders Nada Majdalani, Yana Abu Taleb, Gidon Bromberg, and Tareq Abu Hamed. The award honors their work in addressing complex environmental challenges through trust-building, dialogue, cooperation, and joint action among communities in Palestine, Jordan, and Israel.

Read our latest article on EcoPeace here.

The Al-Moumin Award and Lecture are named after Dr. Mishkat Al-Moumin, Iraq’s first Minister of Environment, a human rights and environmental lawyer, and an advocate for women’s rights. The award recognizes leading thinkers who are shaping the field of environmental peacebuilding.

For decades, the honorees have made remarkable contributions to environmental peacebuilding through their visionary leadership and groundbreaking initiatives. They have demonstrated exceptional commitment to fostering regional cooperation on issues critical to the region in the face of environmental and political challenges, including water security, renewable energy production, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience.

At EcoPeace, Nada, Yana, and Gidon’s efforts have advanced environmental diplomacy; built bridges between communities in Palestine, Israel, and Jordan; and achieved sustainable cross-border solutions that ensure a better future for the inhabitants of all three countries.

This work, including the Good Water Neighbors program, the Green Blue Deal, Project Prosperity, and their advocacy for improved water and energy security across the region, are complemented by on-the-ground projects that bring these principles into practical local action. All are often rightly cited as prototypical examples of environmental peacebuilding.

EcoPeace’s continued operation during the Hamas-Israel war as the only Palestinian-Israeli-Jordanian organization in any field was thanks to the tireless efforts of the directors

who ensured that EcoPeace’s staff, participants, and constituents stayed focused on the overriding need to maintain cross-border environmental cooperation and a vision for a shared future. Throughout the war, EcoPeace has secured funding and mobilized resources to address urgent water and sanitation needs, with the three directors demonstrating their commitment to environmental resilience, cross-border cooperation, and humanitarian aid, ensuring that human life, health, and environmental wellbeing are seen as interlocked priorities in this region.

Similarly, Tareq has spent a lifetime working to build trust and foster cooperation between neighbors, using science to build relationships across the Middle East, particularly between Israelis, Palestinians, and Jordanians to ensure that they can work together to address mutual environmental concerns. He established Arava Institute’s Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation upon joining the Institute in 2008. He is a member of President Isaac Herzog’s Forum on Climate Change, and as part of this role, Tareq co-chairs the Regional Cooperation and Security Task Force, which promotes regional and international collaboration on climate change. He has also led the Transboundary Renewable Energy Working Group, bringing together experts from Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, and Jordan to work on socially impactful renewable technology projects.

While Tareq has been a leader in the Arava Institute’s growth over the past 17 years, he left briefly to join Israel’s Ministry of Science, becoming the deputy chief scientist, becoming the highest-ranking Palestinian working in the Israeli government, before being named acting Chief Scientist of Israel’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Space in 2015 and 2016.

The post EcoPeace gets peacebuilding award appeared first on Green Prophet.

I first heard about seed banks years ago when I joined a Rainbow Family Gathering in a desert in Israel. Before the month-long hippie camp and festival would begin, the experienced would start up a week before, trading seeds for their personal seed banks. Why were people making their own seed banks, I wondered?

Like gardeners who use regenerative and permaculture gardening as activism against pesticides and conventional agriculture (download the Victory Garden handbook here), seed savers are worried that the state of biodiversity in the world is at risk. For this reason they have started their own seed saving in areas local to them. You might have heard of heirloom varieties? These are seeds from plants found in the wild or growing among small-hold farmers and which have unique traits such as taste, drought tolerance, smell or beauty.

You can start your own seed bank in a freezer and roots cellar around the world. I have a friend who collects seeds for cannabis plants, another for unique tomatoes. If these varieties aren’t stored, we might lose them forever much in the way we are losing large mammals. You can’t keep animals dormant forever, but seeds, as we learned in Israel and the 2000-year-old date seeds that grew, you can keep seeds dormant for times when the might be needed.

Seed saving has become increasingly important in the Middle East as a means of preserving biodiversity and ensuring food security in times of climate change and severe water shortages. It’s a global issue. 

Seed banks in Syria

Syria has a long history of agriculture, with the Euphrates River Valley serving as the cradle of civilization (see Kish in Bagdadh) and the birthplace of wheat. Ongoing conflicts in Syria between their government and rebel forces and tribes, has had a devastating impact on the country’s agricultural sector, with many farmers forced to abandon their land and crops. Some say that conflict led to this problem but back in 2007 when we started Green Prophet we could see how water shortages and drought actually created the conflict. In 2010 for instance we reported on murders in Iraq, over water. 

So seed saving in Syria is more important than ever. Seeds of important include local wheat, barley, lentils, chickpeas, and sesame seeds. The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) has been working to preserve the genetic diversity of crops in Syria through its gene bank, which is located in the city of Aleppo. But at the height of Syria’s civil war researchers believed the seed vault in Aleppo was at risk and they went on an emergency mission to ship them out of Syria with the saga described in this Nature paper. The center has collected and conserved over 155,000 samples of crop seeds from across the region, including varieties of wheat, barley, lentils, and chickpeas. These seeds are stored in a state-of-the-art facility that is designed to withstand natural disasters, wars, and other threats.

The researchers forced to leave the Syrian seedbank wrote: 

“The situation in Syria illustrates well the inextricable but complex links between climate change, food security and sociopolitical stability in fragile states. A series of droughts during 2006 to 2009 linked to climate change probably played a role in the uprising in Syria in 2011. It is clear that climate change-induced droughts alone do not account for the Syrian tragedy, but rather was one ingredient in a concoction of social, economic and political factors which together triggered the events that escalated into civil war. 

About the seeds at risk in Syria: “they represent some of the most precious biodiversity to humanity on the planet. Genebanks such as ICARDAs are so-called ex situ (outside their natural habitats) conservation facilities for crop diversity, or to use the technical term, Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA)— seeds, plants and plant parts useful in crop breeding, research or conservation for their genetic attributes. This biodiversity has shaped human societies and cultures for millennia, enabling the growth of sophisticated cities and feeding the expansion of empires. The ICARDA genebank is particularly important in this regard as it harbours the largest collection of crop diversity from the earliest centre of origin of agriculture, the Fertile Crescent.”

Seed banks in Israel

Israel is home to one of the most advanced seed banks in the Middle East. The country’s national seed bank, the Israel Plant Genebank which is located at the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) in Beit Dagan (also known as the Volcani Center), was established in 1921 and has since become one of the world’s leading centers for plant genetic resources conservation. The center engages in traditional crop breeding as well as high-tech gene research.

The Israel Gene Bank and ARO collections include 30,000 samples from approximately 2070 different species. Around 15,000 of these samples were collected in Israel, primarily from wild populations.

The seed banks also hold cultivars and commercial varieties from 152 countries on missions when Israeli scientists look for seeds that can adapt to commercial cultivation in Israel. This kind of research started in Israel in the 1800s at Mikve Israel, a Jewish settlement and agricultural school between Jaffa and Jerusalem. The village is now home to Tel Aviv’s Waldorf School, Hinuch Aviv.

The Arava Institute in the desert also holds a seed bank.

Seed bank in Lebanon

Lebanon is home to the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI), which is responsible for conserving and preserving the genetic resources of crops in the country. The institute has collected and conserved thousands of samples of crop seeds from across Lebanon, including varieties of wheat, barley, lentils, and chickpeas. A quick look and the website is not working, a sign of the lack of functioning in the Lebanese government experiencing major power outages daily. 

But ICARDA, which opened the seed bank in Syria is headquartered in Lebanon. ICARDA’s work in Lebanon is made possible through the support of Lebanon’s LARI, the FAO, UNDP, GCDT, European Commission and in collaboration with the Lebanese University, and the American University of Beirut. 

ICARDA today runs four main research stations in the Central Bekaa Valley: Tel Amara, Haush-Sneid, Kfardan and Terbol. Together these centers reflect the three different agro-climatic zones in Lebanon: Mediterranean, coastal and semi-arid climates. Scientists there run trials of winter crops, spring chickpea, and summer crops at the centers.

Terbol, the biggest of the four research stations, is an excellent site for disease screening mainly for durum wheat, bread wheat, and food legumes. Tests contributing to the development of improved production systems for barley, lentil, grasspea and faba beans.

Seed banks in Turkey

Turkey is home to several seed banks, including the Turkish Seed Gene Bank (TSGB), established in 2010 as a unit of Central Research Institute for Field Crops. Turkey is also home to the Aegean Agricultural Research Institute (AARI), which is responsible for conserving and preserving the genetic resources of crops in the Aegean region. Like all the websites in the Middle East, information is outdated and lacking so contact specific researchers for the most current research in the field.

Back in 2020 Turkey raided a British Institute in Ankara and seized a seed collection collected by a British researcher in 1969. The Turks said they don’t want their seeds plundered. There is an important debate on ownership of seed diversity. Should it belong to one culture, nationality or time? Or do these seeds belong to all humanity? Questions worth asking.

Many of the seed varieties that are stored in the Levant area seed banks are at risk of extinction due to a range of factors, including climate change, urbanization, and conflicts which seem to be never-ending. If archeologists and researchers from the past didn’t save them, would they have been saved?

For example, many varieties of emmer wheat that have been grown in the Middle East for thousands of years are at risk of disappearing due to the increasing use of high-yield modern varieties that are more resistant to pests and diseases. Should they be held for safe-guarding by other nations? Or should they stay in the Middle East?

There are local heroes starting to grow local and heirloom varieties. You will find them when you start looking. Now is the time to start the debate and actions towards saving our seeds. 

The post Types of seed banks and how they work in hot climates appeared first on Green Prophet.

Water-poor Jordan is home to numerous organizations dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainability. Here are ten prominent eco-organizations making significant contributions. Jordanians are extremely positive and friendly people. It’s worth a visit.

1. Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN): Established in 1966, RSCN is an independent national organization committed to protecting Jordan’s natural resources. It manages several nature reserves and spearheads efforts in wildlife conservation and environmental education.
   ::myjordanjourney.com
2. EcoPeace Middle East: This unique organization brings together Jordanian, Palestinian, and Israeli environmentalists to promote sustainable development and peace in the region. Their initiatives focus on water conservation, ecological rehabilitation, and fostering cross-border cooperation.
   ::ecopeaceme.org
3. Jordan Environmental Union (JEU): Serving as a national advocacy front, JEU comprises nine of Jordan’s most active environmental NGOs. Their collective efforts cover various environmental sectors, promoting stewardship and conservation across the country.
   :: jordanewe.com
4. Jordan Green Building Council (JGBC): Dedicated to promoting sustainable building practices, JGBC works to raise awareness and implement green building standards in Jordan’s construction industry.
5. Jordanian Friends of the Environment (JOFOE): This organization focuses on environmental education and awareness campaigns, encouraging community involvement in conservation efforts.
6. Energy Conservation and Environment Sustainability Society (ECESS): ECESS advocates for energy efficiency and the adoption of sustainable practices to reduce environmental impact.
7. Jordanian Society for Desertification Control and Badia Development (JSDCBD): Committed to combating desertification, this society implements projects aimed at land rehabilitation and sustainable development in arid regions.
8. Climate Action Network (CAN) Jordan: CAN Jordan works to address climate change by fostering partnerships among local communities, businesses, and government bodies, aiming to transition towards a sustainable society.
   ::prima-med.org
9. Jordanian Royal Ecological Diving Society (JREDS): Focusing on marine conservation, JREDS conducts activities related to the protection of marine ecosystems, particularly in the Gulf of Aqaba.
10. Edama Association: Edama is a business association that seeks innovative solutions in energy, water, and environment sectors, promoting sustainable development in Jordan.

Have an organization to add? Contact us walla@greenprophet.com

The post Jordan’s leading ecological organizations appeared first on Green Prophet.

Amman, Jordan’s bustling capital, is not just a city of ancient ruins and vibrant souks—it’s also home to a growing number of eco-friendly parks and green spaces. These areas offer a refreshing escape from urban life while promoting sustainability and environmental awareness. Here are ten eco-conscious parks and spaces you should explore in Amman:

1. Al Hussein Public Parks – A sprawling space with beautifully landscaped gardens, cultural exhibits, and recreational areas. It’s designed to promote environmental awareness through its natural features and sustainable landscaping.
2. King Hussein Park – Known for its wide-open green spaces, walking paths, and eco-friendly design, this park is perfect for families and nature lovers looking to unwind in an urban setting.
3. Sharhabil Bin Hassneh EcoPark – Located just outside Amman, this eco-park is a haven for biodiversity. It offers hiking trails, bird-watching spots, and environmental education programs focused on sustainability and conservation.
4. Jordan EcoPark – Nestled in the Jordan Valley, this park is a model for eco-tourism. Visitors can explore its diverse wildlife, scenic trails, and learn about local conservation efforts.
5. Wild Jordan Center – More than just a park, this eco-tourism hub in downtown Amman promotes sustainable living through eco-friendly workshops, organic products, and breathtaking views of the city.
6. The Hashemite Plaza – While known for its Roman ruins, the plaza also features green spaces that blend historical charm with sustainable urban design, creating a balance between culture and nature.
7. Prince Hashem Bird Garden – A peaceful sanctuary for bird lovers, this garden offers a safe habitat for local and migratory birds while educating visitors about avian conservation efforts.
8. Japanese Park – A serene space inspired by Japanese garden aesthetics, promoting harmony with nature and mindfulness through minimalist landscaping and eco-friendly principles.
9. King Abdullah Park – A favorite among locals, this park offers ample green space, shaded walking paths, and recreational facilities designed with environmental sustainability in mind.
10. Zahran Park – A community-focused park known for its lush greenery and commitment to maintaining a clean, eco-friendly environment for residents and visitors alike.

These parks showcase Amman’s dedication to blending green spaces with sustainable living, offering both locals and tourists a chance to connect with nature while supporting eco-friendly initiatives.

The post Top 10 Eco-Friendly Parks and Green Spaces in Amman, Jordan appeared first on Green Prophet.