By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH 01/24/2011 02:46 According to researchers at Hebrew University in J’lem, climate change may cause pine and maple trees to disappear if no action is taken. Talkbacks (5) Many tree species in Israel, North America and Eurasia that depend on the wind to disperse their seeds may be at risk of extinction, according […]

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By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – The Middle East, one of the driest regions in the world, will witness shifting rainfall patterns due to climate change which will result in less freshwater for the region’s growing population, according to a new report. As experts predict effects of climate change to start affecting the region within 50-100 […]

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By Simona Sikimic Monday, January 24, 2011 BEIRUT: A Lebanese Army helicopter commenced national reforestation efforts Sunday, spraying pine and oak seeds in the vicinity of the village of Fatri, in the district of Jbeil. The planting drive is part of President Michel Sleiman’s pledge to make 2011 an “exceptional year for the environment” by […]

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By EHUD ZION WALDOKS 01/17/2011 02:18 Expert tells ‘Post’: “Under current regulations, there’s no way to immediately verify claims that the water supply may have been poisoned.” Talkbacks (2) The government should adopt new regulations requiring all water corporations to continuously monitor the quality of the water, Dovev Lewinsohn, CEO of Whitewater Security and Checklight, […]

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New facility, slated to be completed in 2013, will produce 150 million cubic meters of water each year Reuters Published: 01.20.11, 14:01 / Israel Business SDL Desalination Ltd said on Sunday it began construction of the world’s largest reverse osmosis desalination plant, hoping to alleviate Israel’s water shortage. The group said the new plant in […]

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By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – Despite the delay in the implementation of the Disi Water Conveyance Project, Minister of Water and Irrigation Mohammad Najjar on Sunday said the venture will be completed on its due date in early 2013. “There is a delay in the implementation of the Disi project in terms of digging the […]

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By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – The Water Authority of Jordan (WAJ) on Sunday announced plans for increasing water supply from underground wells in summer to cope with demand in light of the scant rainfall. WAJ Secretary General Munir Oweiss said the authority has rented several private wells in different governorates to pump additional water to […]

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In the past two years, over 3,000 trees in Palestinian villages have been destroyed or stolen. When volunteers celebrated Tu Bishvat by planting trees in Maghar, near Ramallah, settlers slammed the event. By Amira Hass Equipped with an extra pair of glasses, I went to the village of Maghar near Ramallah, on Route 60. In […]

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Greece is trying to see how it could be viewed as a transportation hub and a services center Monday, January 24, 2011 By Paul Taylor Reuters ATHENS: Greece has begun exploratory talks with Israel about cooperation on transporting recently discovered offshore Israeli natural gas to markets in Europe, Investment Minister Harris Pamboukis said. Pamboukis told […]

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By SHARON WROBEL 01/23/2011 15:22 After Netanyahu decided to adopt committee’s recommendations, government’s take on gas, oil discoveries will rise from 33% to 52-62%. Talkbacks (1) The cabinet on Sunday approved the Sheshinski Committee’s proposals to raise taxes on gas and oil profits following the recommendation of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. “The natural resource is […]

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Plan drafted by Finance Ministry committee roughly doubles current tax rates to collect 52% to 62% of revenues from gas, oil finds Associated Press Published: 01.24.11, 07:52 / Israel Business Share on TwitterShare on Facebook share The cabinet approved a sharp increase in taxes on profits from its recently discovered gas reserves Sunday, despite opposition […]

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Bank of Israel governor: Vested interests must not be allowed to affect distribution of gas profits by illicit means. The public must not be swayed by dirty tactics and personal affronts. By Guy Rolnik He circled his prey warily, built his case piece by piece, missing not one single point for or against. He built […]

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By SHARON WROBEL 01/17/2011 07:02 “It doesn’t seem appropriate that two Knesset committees should hold separate hearings on the same recommendations” says Knesset Speaker Rivlin. Talkbacks (1) Knesset committee hearings scheduled for Monday on the Sheshinski Committee recommendations to raise taxes on gas and oil profits have been canceled. “It doesn’t seem appropriate that two […]

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By EHUD ZION WALDOKS 01/17/2011 02:26 A 700,000 euro grant from Europe Aid, the Local Energy Center will provide expert assistance to local authorities, conduct energy audits. The “Local Energy Center” was launched Sunday to help local authorities reduce their electricity usage by becoming more efficient. Energy efficiency is considered the cheapest and fastest way […]

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Activists block Jerusalem Chords Bridge in protest of third Ashkelon facility Yael Darel Published: 01.18.11, 07:48 / Israel Activism Share on TwitterShare on Facebook share Greenpeace Organization activists climbed the Jerusalem Chords Bridge on Sunday protesting against the planned opening of a third coal plant in Ashkelon. The activists arrived at the city entrance around […]

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By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH 01/17/2011 03:57 5 people rappel their way up 60 meters, drape sign “Bibi, Stop the Coal Power Station” in protest of Ashkelon coal-fired plant. Although it will be at least seven more months until Jerusalem’s Bridge of Strings is used by the light rail, the majestic structure is already being used for […]

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By Simona Sikimic Friday, January 21, 2011 BEIRUT: Water scarcity in the region can be channeled for a common good and used to reduce, rather than ignite conflict, an environmental report released Thursday has claimed. “The Blue Peace: Rethinking Middle East Water” launched at the Beirut-based Carnegie Middle East Center, proposes radical cooperation between the […]

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By Dureid Mahasneh I never thought that I would write one day an article defending the trees of Ajloun, as I always thought that trees are sacred to Jordanians. We celebrate yearly, on January 16, Arbor Day by planting trees across the country, and pray for rain to keep us and our forests alive. We […]

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By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – The Aleppo pines in the Dibbeen Forest Reserve are recovering faster than expected from a wildfire that destroyed thousands of trees, according to conservationists. A recent study released by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) revealed that the rate of Aleppo pine trees’ natural regeneration reached 175 […]

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By Mohammad Ghazal AMMAN – The number of migratory birds stopping over in Jordan has dropped by 20 per cent due to an “unprecedented absence of rain”, the Royal Society for Conservation of Nature (RSCN) said on Wednesday. Researchers said they are witnessing a significant drop in the number of birds, who are normally attracted […]

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