Falaj, also known as qanat or aflaj, is an ancient water management system, that has watered the Arabian Peninsula’s arid lands for centuries. Qanat comes from the Semetic word meaning to dig and some say that the qanat systems are as long as the distance from the earth to the moon. Long-ago tribesmen found underground springs in the foothills of the region, and engineered a technology that channels the water over the land, irrigating farms and oases and supplying households with water as needed.  Although some say that falaj is a concept 3000 years old, others claim 5000 years. We reported on the Al-Baydha project for regenerative agriculture in Saudi Arabia with similar aims here.

What we do know is how admirable and sustainable the falaj system is, built entirely from local materials and hewed out of rock and earth by hand.  First deep wells were dug, or  underground springs redirected, to flow into tunnels that emerge on land and into stone channels containing the streaming water. The waterflow moves across miles of land, as determined by the ancients, entirely by gravity. 

Shafts whose function is to regulate the flow of water are sunk in the channels about every 20 meters.  Today, field irrigation is managed by government-appointed overseers, who monitor which fields receive water, and for how many hours. This is done in some areas by removing covers of brick, stones and sheep fleeces from the openings of the shafts to let the water run in another given direction, then replacing the covers to force the water back.

The Aflaj Irrigation Systems of Oman are ancient water channels from 500 AD located in the regions of Dakhiliyah, Sharqiyah and Batinah. However, they represent a type of irrigation system as old as 5000 years in the region named as Qanat or Kariz as originally named in Persia. This one is in the UAE.

In other falaj,  slab-like barriers are inserted into points built into the channel walls to divert the water, then put back as needed.

Falaj comes from the word aflaj, meaning split, or divided. As the photo above shows, the channels may be split to provide field irrigation on one side, and household water on the other.

Walk through a village in Oman, and you’ll  see pure, channeled water flowing in the streets and between houses. Some channels may be partially covered with slabs of stone placed at regular intervals over the top, to prevent night animals that come to drink from falling in and polluting the water.  

There might even be a bath house for the community, with the water provided by the falaj. In the 14th and 15th centuries, governments whose falaj systems had deteriorated rebuilt the tunnels and overland channels. Recognizing the huge value of the ancient waterways,  today’s Emirati and Omani governments have repaired many and put them back in use. Some areas in Oman have over 50 working falaj.

In the UAE there are seven oases, the largest in Al Ain. The stream rippling and burbling between thriving date palms and water greenery is a beautiful thing to see, and it also irrigates 1.200 acres of land, supplying over 550 farms. 

Community areas were once cleared around the mouths of the channels, where the tribes met to take their share of the crop and hold festivities.  Forts and castles were built around the Al Ain oasis to protect it from marauders, and important archaeological discoveries have been made there. UNESCO declared five of the UAE falaj systems to be heritage sites in 2011. 

The falaj system is said to have originated in ancient Iran early in the first millennium BCE, spreading to China and India.  Tribal laborers known as muqannis hand-built and maintained the water channels and shafts, as their descendants do to this day. 

The post This ancient Arab irrigation system invented before Rome’s aqueduct appeared first on Green Prophet.

Israelis are renowned not only for their clean tech innovation, but also smart, savvy and water-efficient agriculture. This genius will be on display at the 2015 Milan Expo with a living pavilion designed by Knafo Klimor Architects.

The 40,000 or so Jews who flocked to Palestine in the early 20th century to escape European pogroms and establish the “Land of Israel” found themselves with very little water and a lot of desert, but that didn’t deter them from pursuing their long held dream.

Instead, these hard working families were among the first Israelis to turn an immense natural challenge into an innovation opportunity, something for which the nation, despite all its political controversies and troubles, has since received great recognition.

Related: This wavy Expo pavilion will eat greenhouse gases in 2015

Contemporary agricultural developments, which are shared ubiquitously through academic programs and small startups to help developing countries and other modern nations meet their own resource challenges, will be on display at the 2015 Milan Expo with a fabulous living pavilion called Fields of Tomorrow.

Knafo Klimor Architects worked with an Italian firm PRR Architetti to design the 995 square meter pavilion. In addition to showcasing the agricultural history described above, it boasts a living wall planted with Israeli cereals and produce.

This unique vertical garden is comprised of a series of modular tiles planted with various crops that are then fixed to a slanted steel frame. In order to irrigate the plants, the team have integrated a computer-controlled drop watering system that demonstrates another Israeli specialty – water conservation.

“The cultivation of rocky land, the growth of vegetables in the desert, the invention of new methods of irrigation, the upgrading of seed quality are part of the inception of modern agriculture marked by creativity, dare and achievements,” the architects told World Architecture News.

Consistent with the 2015 expo’s theme “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life,” the pavilion will showcase other innovations to an estimated two million visitors from the beginning of May to the end of October, next year.

Related: Qatar’s Sahara Forest Project grows its first cucumbers from saltwater

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Designed for a hill above the West Bank village of Bir Zeit, the terraced Palestine Museum would unfold down the slope in a series of planted terraces.

Each of these, known as sanasils, would be planted with a different species of plant – including some key crops such as oranges and olives. Others would feature wilder plants that grow naturally in the verdant hills of the region, including the many healing herbs used by ancient people who once called the area home.

The more domesticated species will be kept close to the apex of the main building, while the wilder plants will be encouraged to flourish in the wings branching out from this sprawling complex.

Heneghan Peng noted in their design brief the design with its traditional Palestinian landscape patterns was first conceived as a folded paper model.

It then evolved to take on the form of a zig zag of non-uniform three dimensional terraces that appear to tumble down the side of the hill.

More than just a cosmetic approach, however, the vegetated rooftop will actually produce food, and the stepped terraces will promote efficient irrigation – much in the same way that several generations of Berber farmers in Morocco have conserved water.

Meanwhile, the interior will feature a series of typical museum functions, including exhibits, a cafeteria and a gift shop, and a classroom to promote extracurricular learning.

Envisioned as a two-phase project, the Palestine Museum would create a distinctive identity for the Palestinian people, as well as a tribute to the natural and human diversity located at the junction of a historical trade route.

:: Architizer

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In a bid to highlight our water use and waste, photographer Peter Holmes has created a series of memorable portraits of water use in different countries. 

“Statistics about water consumption are difficult to comprehend and are un-relatable to everyday life – this project attempts to make water consumption visible in a meaningful way.” Well, that’s one way to justify dumping water over people doing something innocent like reading or drinking a cup of tea from places as far afield as Canada and Morocco. It took photographer Peter Holmes over two years to complete the portraits which “bridge the gap between statistics and significance of water use” in a bid to make it more ‘visible’. The stunning results are featured below.

According to Holmes, the water is dumped on the people doing something which takes around one hour. There were no second takes – which I am sure the subjects appreciated! The photos do however give a really visceral sense of the amount of water use disparity there is. In Morocco the average person uses 4.5 litres per hour (top image) whilst in California the average person uses 32 liters every hour. Indeed, the USA did pretty bad overall with the average American using 23.75 liters every hour – so those lovely volunteers were really in for a soaking.

Europe didn’t do too badly – Belgians use 4.3 liters per hour, Serbians consume 5.3 liters per hour and the Spanish use 12 liters. In England it was 4.9 liters per person every hour and 3.8 liters per person every hour in the Netherlands. Turkey was closer to European standards than the rest of MENA with the average person using 9.3 Liters every hour.

For more on water in MENA see:
Water Scarcity Leads More To Peace Than War (INTERVIEW)
Jordan Struggles To Provide Water For Syrian Refugees
Middle East and Med Cities Face 100-year Floods 

All photos via Peter Holmes / Water Portraits on Flickr.

The post Water Portraits – Making A Splash For Water Conservation (PHOTOS) appeared first on Green Prophet.

Egypt’s network of canals are filthy, stagnant and have become dumping sites which breed disease and discontent

Egypt may be synonymous with the majestic Nile but the network of canals that bring water from this important waterway to the surrounding agricultural lands are filthy, rancid and breeding grounds for rats and disease. According to a recent report by Al Jazeera, the Egyptian government is simply not doing enough to provide suitable garbage management and this means local see little alternative to dumping in the stagnant canals. Government mismanagement and corruption has been highlighted by campaigner Sarah Rifaat as one of the major barriers to action on climate issues in a recent interview. This case with the canals shows how such factors play out in real life. 

On the outskirts of Cairo, severe water shortages in the village of Abu Sir are making it hard for farmers to cultivate their crops and is also contributing to public health problems. Farmers there are accusing the Ministry of Irrigation of diverting water to new neighbourhoods, leaving them with stagnant canals that are quickly turning into rubbish dumps. As more and more rubbish piles up, rats are not far behind and for the children who play in these dumps, disease can be no surprise. Water shortages are also forcing women to collect supplies from wells and farmers say that they have no choice but to wait for water as their crops wither.

A local resident speaking to Al Jazeera explains that due to limited garbage collection, the residents of Abu Sir are forced to dump their rubbish where they can – usually the canals. The dire state of the canals has forced farmers to hire out contractors to clear the rubbish, something they say that the government should be doing. There is clearly a lack of infrastructure and the government needs to do more to provide locals with the amenities to dispose of their rubbish safely.

However, writing on the Arabist blog, a member of a local horse riders organisation says they have worked with Abu Sir residents to develop a garbage collection operation. According to the Egyptian Endurance Riding Association (EERA) website the project was funded by the Egyptian Swiss Development Fund with a total grant of LE 1,700,000.

The scheme meant that each household had to pay a fee of EGP 5.00 a month but unfortunately many villagers had a hard time paying this fee. Another issue the organisation raises is that although community members were keen to take part in cleaning-up campaigns, the results weren’t satisfactory “due to community embedded habits of dumping waste in irrigation canals.”

Clearly, there is a balance to be struck in terms of making sure there are real and viable alternatives to getting rid of rubbish before we can talk about changing embedded habits. It also makes absolutely no sense to be asking poor villagers to pay to dispose of their rubbish safely – if we do, can we really be surprised when we find them dumping trash in their own precious canals?

: Top image is a snapshot of the Al Jazeera report and the second photo is of clear up by EERA.

For more on Egypt and it’s environmental issues see:

Egyptian Campaigner: ‘Corruption not Climate Awareness is Holding Us Back’

Frack Off Shell! Egyptians Launch Anti-Fracking Campaign

Egypt Environment Activists Fighting Back Over Sina Red Sea Bridge

The post Egypt’s Filthy Canals Are Breeding Disease and Discontent appeared first on Green Prophet.

The Japanese company in charge of rehabilitation recently sent a delegation to Israel looking for experts and entrepreneurs, especially in the fields of water management and recycling. According to the company’s liaison in Israel, Lior Daeri, Israeli groups that participate will receive tax breaks worth NIS 50 million (roughly $12.8 million dollars).

Israel’s green business sectors have developed strong connections throughout Asia. China and Israel are currently collaborating on solar energy projects. India and Israel are working together in agricultural innovation and restoration efforts, especially with regards to India’s waterways.

Back in May, twelve young leaders completed a year-long Israel-Asia Leaders Fellowship Program, organized by the Israel-Asia Center in Jerusalem. Many of the fellows, from countries such as Singapore, China, and India, spent the year working part-time at an international networking platform and studying at Israeli universities, pursuing graduate degrees in environmental and agricultural-fields.

But one Asian superpower has so far been absent from Israel’s diverse green partnerships. While Israel imports around $2.5 billion worth of goods a year from Japan, Israel exports much less to the Land of the Rising Sun.

Politics and cultural differences previously stood in the way of Israel developing closer relations with Japan. According to Dr. Roni Burstein, chairman of the Israel-Japan Friendship Society and Chamber of Commerce , Japan imports 90 percent of its oil from Arab countries that do not have good relations with Israel.

Also, Japanese culture, conservative, polite and centered on the value of tradition, is in many ways juxtaposed to the Israeli start-up, pioneer ethos. Independent, tenacious Israeli entrepreneurs generally prefer uncensored opinions and minimal ceremony. The local Israeli phrase “combina,” derived from the English word combine, means to get something done through creativity, connections, ingenuity, or the unusual use of available resources.

But the tides are changing. Both nations are on the cutting edge of developing technology. And slowly, closer ties are being formed. American-born Professor Kenneth Grossberg is currently organizing a tour of Israel for Japanese businessmen and students from the prestigious Waseda University in Tokyo. They will visit the Technion, Israeli Institute of Technology; Haifa’s Matam Research Park, home to IBM, Google, Philips, and Microsoft facilities; Tefen Industrial Park, built by industrialist Stef Wertheimer to promote creativity by linking industry with art, and companies such as Nanometrics and Given Imaging, creator of the “pill camera.”

“Japan and Israel are like yin and yang, but their opposite sides complement each other,” said Grossberg. As long as the situation remains relatively stable in Israel, the Japanese are open to increased collaboration.

::Ynet

Image of nuclear plant in Japan via Silverkblack, Shutterstock

Images of Tikotin Museum of Japanese Art in Haifa via  Hanay and Asaf Elron, Wikimedia Commons

Read more about Israel’s green connections to Asia:

Why China Will be Tipping Point for EVs – Interview With Better Place’s Mike Granoff

Israel and Korea to boost environmental cooperation

NaanDanJain’s Irrigation Technology Strengthens Ties Between India and Israel

The post Japan Wants Israel Clean Tech Experts to Rebuild Fukushima appeared first on Green Prophet.

Israel’s national water company, Mekorot (who we’ve interviewed here), is expanding with projects across the globe. It will build and operate two desalination plants in Cyprus to supply almost half of the country’s drinking water. Also on the horizon is a $180 million deal to build a water filtering facility along the La Plata River near Buenos Aires, Argentina. Mekorot Chairman Alex Wiznitzer said he hopes Mekorot’s water projects will be able to create contacts in nearby Arab countries. The United Nation’s has called the Middle East the world’s most water-stressed region. Water security is a vital regional issue.

Wiznitzer told Reuters: “The underdeveloped world doesn’t understand that water is the number one problem in the world. Not oil. Not gas. Not other resources. Water.”

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development predicts that by 2050 global water demand will increase by 55 percent. By marketing its expertise and technologies related to wastewater reuse, water security and desalination, Israel has developed a billion-dollar industry.

Mekorot plans to invest $1.5 billion over the next four years to reach its goal of reclaiming 90 percent of Israel’s wastewater. The company says it currently reuses 75 percent, mainly for irrigation, making it the world’s most efficient national water recycling system. Spain claims the distant second place with 12 percent.

Geoffrey D. Dabelko, the director of the Environmental Change and Security Program (ECSP), a nonpartisan policy forum on environment, population, health, and security issues at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington DC, believes that cooperation over limited water resources could potentially lead to peace in the Middle East. So far cooperative regional projects have been marginal and inconsistent. It looks like only time will tell if waning water resources in the Middle East will lead to increased cooperation or conflict.

::Reuters

Image of Nahalei Menashe water project reservoir in Caesarea, Israel, via RickP, Wikimedia Commons 

The post Israel’s Mekorot Builds Global Connections Through Water appeared first on Green Prophet.

In 2009 I travelled to the High Atlas mountain region of Morocco to reach some friends that ran an eco-lodge in a very lonesome village with a wholesome lifestyle. The mother of Houssa, the owner of the eco-lodge, revealed the interesting methods used in the Berber tradition to manage their water supply. Sadly, these indigenous traditions have been falling apart since dam projects funded by the World Bank have disrupted local practices. “Now families are fighting over water, this was never the case in the past, our system was perfect, we don’t know why international organizations have come to help” Houssa’s mother said.

Water allocation methods 

Water allocation methods used by the Berbers depend on two things: Land Tenure and Time. First Land Tenure is divided by elevation and the paths of springs. Land above the spring is used for seasonal grazing and land below for agriculture and personal use. And the organization of land-ownership is designated by tribe – so any water issues that arise are discussed between different tribes.

Second, Berbers allocate water by time, not quantity. This is true whether the allocation is between villages, between lineages (large extended family units), or between individual users. Careful allocation schedules are decided unanimously and set by days of the week.

So, three days for the upstream riparian and four for the downstream riparian, then by days between villages and finally hours between family lineages. This is because different times of the day have different evaporation rates throughout the year, so the schedule is methodologically designed to respect the natural water flow while ensuring fair allocation for all.

Allocating water benefits by time vs. volume

Allocating by time rather than volume has two benefits. The first is sustainability: water allocation by time respects the fluctuations of water supply of the river due to climatic conditions. Water is allocated according to the rate of available water flow rather than according to estimated absolute quantity in volumetric terms.

Two units of time (hours for instance) equate different volumes of water depending on the season and climatic conditions, two units of volume  always equate to the same amount but do not follow the rates of water flow (availability). The Berber system avoids the kind of over-allocation that has been happening along the Colorado River and has resulted in a perpetual shortage.

This system encourages greater efficiency of water use. For instance, Berbers deal with a fluctuating supply of water by prioritizing. The highest priority is drinking water for humans and animals, followed by irrigation water and water for mills. Irrigation water brought to land through modern means and to bring new lands into cultivation is given the least priority.

Finally, water allocation can be bought and sold through units of time rather than volume; this avoids the need for storage and again respects the effective quantity of water available in nature at that time.

International organizations do more harm than good

Although it is true that these methods may only be efficient when populations are relatively small and manageable, it is also obvious that these indigenous methods have worked relatively well up till now and that “modern” initiatives may disrupt the system and create tensions between families, villages and tribes – creating new problems.

The international preoccupation with reaching the seventh millennium development goal: “Halve, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation,” risks indigenous watershed management systems being hastily overlooked.

This may result in international organizations, that mean well, doing more harm than good. In this specific case, local farmers argue that the World Bank’s initiative to build new dams has destroyed secular water allocation methods because some of the streams have dried up.

The moral of the story is very simple: more than “Think before you act” or “Look before you leap,” International organizations should actively observe and seek to integrate their initiatives with local practices. Of course, this is perhaps easier said than done.

More on Berber Culture and Tradition:

Semi-Sustainable Berber Agriculture

Making Cobras Swoon is Not so Charming

Moroccan Love Potion Spiced With Pot

The post Morocco’s Berbers Had Water Management Sorted appeared first on Green Prophet.

It was over five years ago when I first learned about a wudu that was environmentally friendly. Despite being a keen Eco-Muslim, I didn’t see how clean water for ritual ablutions could get, well, any cleaner. After one Hajj pilgrimage in 2005 and many cold water washes however, here is proof that wudu really can be part of the active green faith.

Borrowing a chapter title from Ibrahim Abdal-Matin’s Green Deen book, the wonderful world of wudu begins with a Muslim’s relationship to water.

Wudu (woo-dhoo) is a physical ritual where Muslims immerse themselves in a symbolic purification before prayer and every act of worship. The word itself comes from the Arabic root “wa-da`a” which means to make brighter. Wudu is essential to connecting with God and seeing His signs – water from rain, a lake, small streams becoming oceans, or a running tap.

How to make wudu ablution

The ablution consists of an important routine: rinsing the mouth 3 times, the nose, washing the whole face 3 times, each forearm, the top of your head, behind the ears, neck, feet and between each toe.

Each movement with water physically washes away dirt and in essence the negative actions of that limb. Wudu is a reminder of blessings; it’s a control switch, a health check.

The Prophet Muhammad of Islam said, “cleanliness is part of faith” (tahoor shatril imaan). He also warned against “squandering water” even if next to a river; the Prophet always advocated an eco-wudu.

An eco-Wudu

Muslims make wudu up to five times a day, and the amount of water spilled can add up. Growing an ‘eco-beard‘ can saves masses of water whereas shaving can use up to 11 gallons of water on average per household. Most of this is wasted from keeping the tap running and more energy is eaten up by using hot water instead of cold.

As believers, wudu can be a part of our eco lifestyle and a more conscious effort of resourcefully using one of our most precious blessings from God.

I haven’t perfected my wudu and in those panic-last-minute-prayermoments, I confess that I have left the tap running in the past. No more! Here are several winning ideas that could just make our wudu more wonderful:

Tips for making your wudu green:

Turn tap off: It sounds obvious but closing your taps when making wudu will significantly change how you use water. Fill a pot or bucket for your ablutions. Use a glass to rinse your mouth. Take a jug of water with you outside and perform a spiritual wudu in nature.

• Check your wudu count: For experimental purposes time how long it takes for you to complete wudu while leaving the tap running on normal pressure.
• Next time place a bucket under the tap and leave the tap running for the same amount of time it took for you to do wudu. Measure this water. This is your wudu count. I measured my wudu count which came to nearly 2.5 litres of water. The Prophet Muhammad performed his wudu with 16 handfuls of water! It isn’t a scientific test but it’s useful for directly seeing your water impact, and as the idea creator Ibrahim Abdal-Matin said, “Having a number can help you determine a goal for reducing that number.”
• Water saving toilets: Install a toilet with an inlet valve that reduces the water volume used to flush clean, saving up to 25%. 
• Personal hygiene is fundamental to the wudu but does not come with practical solutions, especially in public restrooms. That awkward moment when someone walks in on you with your foot in the sink… You can buy water carrying pouches created specifically for such scenarios. One can hold 1 litre of water, is ergonomically designed with spout and folds away for discretion. The product can save water and save a lot of public bother

Wudu with dust

These suggestions can be implemented in our homes and mosques. With enough awareness I hope to see a change in our value system so that while others have to perform their wudu in dust – known as tayammum, we’re not pouring away our blessings with water.

More on water management:
How Islam Could Help Fight Water Scarcity
The Story of Hajjar: Muslim Women and Water Conservation
Water & The Middle East At A Glance (Infographic)

The post What is an eco wudu? 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.