Invasive species of the Mediterranean Sea
The Med region is changing as hundreds of new species invade. Can you imagine floating in Cefalu with killer jellyfish?
Tunisia
Crab legs overturn fishing industry pest into new export
An invasive species introduced into the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal, the blue crab threatened the artisanal fishing techniques used along the Tunisian coastline, specifically damaging the gillnets and traps used in the Charfia (a traditional, fixed fishery system that blocks the path of fish and leads them to traps). Now they are for export.
Death Valley peaks hot – the highest since ’31 at 130F
Death Valley, USA. It's looking pretty hot out there. Climate change is forcing its effects.
Tunisia’s lagoon farms and hanging gardens recognized as world heritage sites
Ramli agricultural systems in the lagoons of Ghar El Melh and hanging gardens of Djebba El Olia provide vital ecosystem services and traditional knowledge preservation.
Breast milk reveals how many banned pesticides plague Tunisians
Rachel Carson would be shocked: A recent study has found that the concentrations of banned chemicals like PCBs, DDT and organochlorines found in human breast milk of women sampled throughout Tunisia indicate widespread and elevated contamination particularly in older members of rural populations with high dairy and meat intake. Although these concentration levels are relatively low for […]
Why donkeys should be the new garbage truck
Tunisians are famous the world over for trash selfies. Now simple calculations made by this Green Prophet shows that Tunisia, and many other countries in the MENA region, could spend at least three times as less than they do for collecting municipal solid waste by donkey.
Tunisia’s eco-conscious start-up: Exploralis
As I enter Arafet Ben Marzou’s new “office” at the top floor of an apartment building facing the lakes in Tunis, I am met with a very familiar feeling: that silicon valley, young brains, start-up feel. Only this time it is “ à la Tunisienne”, and I have to say, I prefer it.
Sand and Salt Siege film to highlight Tunisia’s eco struggles
A Siege of Salt and Sand (trailer), a new documentary film about Tunisia, promises to be an important motivator in redefining the current political agenda towards adapting to climate change and mitigating environmental issues in Tunisia.
Mysterious mass fish die-off in Tunisia sparks world-ending debate (video)
Earlier this month several Tunisians in Hammamet, Sphax and Mahdia woke up to their beaches infested with dead fish and jelly fish, a beached whale in Tunis, off the coast of Sidi Bou Saïd was also carried to shore.
Ten months, 7000 miles of earth, a bike, and a Tunisian passport
In 2010 Arafet Ben Marzou, like an increasing number of Tunisians, began to reach his personal limits of frustration when he saw his home country digress towards a political, religious and economic system that was draining Tunisians from their liberty, thoughts and creativity.
Driba Atelier in Tunis – the bliss of unpretentious anarchic creativism
The Driba Atelier (or L’atelier Driba) in Tunis is one of those unique places that emanate a natural and humble love for creativity. Their motto “on travail pour le plaisir et avec plaisir” (we work for pleasure and with pleasure), their obsession: to restore objects from the past and preserve the Tunisian handicraft heritage.
Shale gas and fracking lies exposed in Tunisia by local bloggers
The fight against shale gas extraction through hydraulic fracturing continues in Tunisia where governments are lying and the water weary warn of disasters ahead.
Tunisia’s handmade tiles risk disappearing forever
The history of handmade tiles in Tunisia is fascinating. Green Prophet digs deep between the tiles of a rundown factory in Roman Neapolis, Nabeul, a historic tile making center in Tunisia, to discover what fragments remain of this disappearing art.
TEDx CarthageWomen in Tunisia Sells Out in 4 Minutes
After the success of TEDx Hiriya in Israel which focused on sustainability, its now the turn of TEDx Carthage, which will be held on the 8th of December in Tunisia.
Tunisia’s Mohammad Ali Is Transgender Against Muslim’s Societal Odds
Tunisian female footballer Fatima Maleh announced on national radio that she is now a man, legally registered in civil records as Mohammad Ali. One not-small step for this man; and a giant leap for Tunisia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community.
Mediterranean Surveillance Crew Eyes Oil Spills from the Sky
It’s hard to monitor vessels that pollute out at sea, so five aircrafts from Algeria, France, Italy, Morocco and Spain got together to keep an eye on the Mediterranean Sea in a recent coordinated aerial surveillance program organized by the Regional Marine Pollution Emergency Response Center for the Mediterranean Sea (REMPEC).
Swine Flu Death Toll in Middle East Region
Are you at risk? Get swine flu updates for the PA, Israel, Yemen, Iraq, Tunisia and Jordan. Health officials in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) are calling on residents to get vaccinated against the H1N1 virus (“swine flu”) after 25 deaths in recent weeks.Over 700 infections of H1N1 have been reported in the West Bank […]
Star Wars Filming Sets in Matmata, Tunisia Promotes Desert Tourism for the Berbers
R2D2 – Tunisia’s landscape and subterranean dwellings have made it ideal for filming our Star Wars movies! When the Star Wars films began they chose Turkey and its fairy chimneys for the futuristic backdrop of the science fiction films. Later films were shot in Tunisia and some fans have even gone so far as to […]
Moroccan stuffed potatoes are called mafroum
Mafroum potatoes melt in your mouth and fill your senses with truly Middle Eastern flavors. A festive dish, mafroum is one of those foods that reminds me of Moroccan grandmothers who bustle into the kitchen, don an apron, and lovingly conjure delicious food out of vegetables and meat fresh from the shouk.And one of the […]
How Arab World Buildings Use Energy (Infographic)
Tunisian buildings are the most energy intense in the Arab world. Carboun has released a powerful infographic which details how energy is consumed in the Middle East. Using data received from personal contributions, the World Bank and the International Energy Agency, founder Karim Elgendy has mapped out energy use by country in each of the […]
Z: The Anonymous Tunisian Cartoonist Championing Nature
‘Z’ is an anonymous cartoonist whose pink flamingo trademark came about due to his efforts to stop development projects which would destroy the bird’s natural habitat By day an architect and by night a bitingly critical cartoonist, ‘Z’ is a force to be reckoned with. His criticism of the previous Tunisian dictator Ben Ali meant […]
Tunisian Water Distributor Puts People Ahead of Commerce Amid Shortages
A sweltering heat wave has swept through Tunisia, disrupting both electrical and water supplies just days before Ramadan begins. Extreme heat destabilizes electrical cables, with as many as three cables a day fraying under the pressure in some cities. Disruptions in the electricity supply in turn cause water pipes to malfunction, leaving many homes, businesses […]
Radio Groovalizacion Communicates Middle East Migration Through Music
Toni Polo, founder of Radio Groovalizacion explains how music and migration are shaping contemporary culture in the Middle East and North Arfica. As an avid “world music” listener – although I don’t like this term but I still haven’t found a better one- it is always an immense pleasure to discover hidden musical gems. One organization […]
Pisa Italians and Arab Immigrants Lean Closer Through Public Art
Green Prophet runs into an interesting event in Pisa, Italy. When tourists visit Pisa, Italy they discover not only that the tower really does lean but also that there is a considerable number of immigrants and refugees speaking perfect Italian waiting for them. The Arab spring has created a considerable influx of refugees seeking stability […]
Tel Aviv and Beirut Are Most Expensive City for Expatriates
Beirut overtakes Abu Dhabi and Dubai, becoming the most expensive city for expatriates in the Middle East region, after Tel Aviv According to Mercer’s latest Cost of Living survey Tokyo has become the world’s most expensive city for expatriates, pushing Luanda, Angola to second place while Karachi, Pakistan is ranked as the world least expensive […]