Environment and Climate in the Middle East

news, conferences, policy discussions and academic publications on environmental issues and climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean

Environment and Climate in the Middle East

Archives for October, 2013

Palestinian water engineer: Regional cooperation on water possible on private-sector level – Jerusalem Post

By SHARON UDASIN 10/24/2013 For those Palestinians and Israelis working together on the ground in the water sector, cooperation has become a necessity – but on a business- to-business level rather than at governmental scale. “Individuals and entrepreneurs find it easier to cooperate than governments,” Shukri Haramy, director of MEDCO, told a conference in Tel […]

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In a Polluted Stream, a Pathway to Peace – New York Times

By JEFF WHEELWRIGHT October 9, 2013 MORRO BAY, Calif. — PEACE talks are under way again in Jerusalem. If the past is any guide, the two sides are stymied over difficult issues like settlements and borders. The negotiators badly need a new approach, and one is right beneath their feet, in the Kidron Valley, the […]

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As Dead Sea shrinks, Israel attempts damage control – Haaretz

As Dead Sea water levels recede and land erodes, efforts are being made to save the ‘world’s lowest nature reserve’: Einot Tzukim. By Zafrir Rinat | Oct. 28, 2013 Visitors to the Einot Tzukim nature reserve near the Dead Sea might be surprised to discover two new pools at the site. The artificial pools were […]

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UK’s Arup seeks to partner with Mekorot – YNET

British engineering firm in talks with Israel’s national water company to team up on water projects in various parts of world Reuters Published: 10.28.13, 07:59 / Israel Business Arup is in talks with Israel’s national water company Mekorot to partner on water projects in various parts of the world, a senior executive at the British […]

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Global warming, global security – Jordan Times

by Muniruzzaman Khan | Oct 27, 2013 | 22:02 On September 27, the 195 member countries of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), supported by the work of thousands of scientists from around the world, released its Fifth Assessment Report. Even for a military man like me, the latest scientific evidence on […]

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Railroads and cycle routes in Beirut? It can be done – Daily Star

October 25, 2013 12:49 AM By Brooke Anderson The Daily Star BEIRUT: Green transportation may seem like a dream in Lebanon, where cars clog the road and the thick layer of smog hanging over the capital is visible from the mountains. But Wednesday night, some 30 people involved in the transportation sector as well as […]

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Sacred leverage – Daily Star

October 24, 2013 The Cedars of Lebanon have long been a national symbol; these days they are especially symbolic – but of what is wrong with the country. Round two of a particularly depressing episode involving the Cedars unfolded this week. Round one took place this summer, when a former MP from Bsharri decided that […]

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Mideast, Africa energy use to surge 114% till 2050 – Al Arabiyah

27 October 2013 Saudi Gazette Energy consumption in the Middle East and North Africa will increase by as much as 114 percent from 2010 to 2050, the World Energy Council’s report said. This was based on estimates assuming “priority is given to achieving individual access and affordability of energy via economic growth.” However, energy consumption […]

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Gas, oil reserves may be higher than thought – Daily Star

October 28, 2013 12:22 AM By Laila Bassam BEIRUT: Lebanese caretaker Energy Minister Gebran Bassil said new estimates for nearly half of Lebanese waters suggested the country’s reserves of natural gas and oil might be larger than previously thought. “The current estimate, under a probability of 50 percent, for almost 45 percent of our waters […]

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EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East’s Annual “Good Water Neighbors” Conference 2013

NVITATION to EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East’s Annual “Good Water Neighbors” Conference 2013 Held on the occasion of the UN International Year of Water Cooperation The Urgency of Shared Water Issues – Water Can No Longer Wait November 13-14, 2013, Sharon Hotel, Herzliya, Israel (Live Video Link with Hague, Netherlands) EcoPeace / […]

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Shapira slams Knesset’s failure to secure dangerous substances – Jerusalem Post

By YONAH JEREMY BOB 10/15/2013 Comptroller warns government must stop ecological disaster from natural gas extraction and ensure resources benefit whole population. The Energy and Water Ministry and the government as a whole must take the necessary steps regarding the country’s search and extraction of its natural gas resources off the coast “without any further […]

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Environment Ministry declares Jerusalem bus station polluted – Jerusalem Post

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH 10/03/2013 21:00 The levels of carbon monoxide, which is a marker for dirty air from vehicles, are high and must be reduced, ministry says. The air at the Jerusalem’s central bus station where passengers line up for buses is excessively polluted and endangers public health, the Environment Ministry said on Thursday. It […]

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5 springs in Bethlehem area ‘dangerously contaminated’ – Ma’an

ETHLEHEM (Ma’an) – Research by high school students has concluded that five major springs which serve as a main source of water in the south Bethlehem area are inadequate for human use as a result of the high rates of fecal coliform bacteria contaminating that water. The research was organized as an extracurricular activity by […]

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National Geographic Team Visits Palestine – WAFA

RAMALLAH, October 14, 2013 (WAFA) – A team from National Geographic listened Monday to Palestinian officials speak about the situation in the Palestinian areas, mainly those that remain under full Israeli control. The team met at the presidential headquarters with Nimr Hammad, political advisor to President Mahmoud Abbas, and other officials. Hammad complained that Israeli […]

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Traffic worse in Israel’s cities than on highways, report shows – Haaretz

Municipalities prefer income from curbside parking spaces to freeing up extra traffic lanes. By Daniel Schmil | Oct. 10, 2013 The early morning radio traffic reports give the impression that most of the country’s gridlock is concentrated on intercity expressways like the Ayalon and Geha highways. But when they get into their cars and start […]

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East Jerusalem residents: City lied about contested highway – Haaretz

Municipality told court a deal had been reached on 6-lane highway that would bisect their village. Not so, say Beit Safafa residents. By Nir Hasson | Oct. 13, 2013 Residents of an East Jerusalem neighborhood that stands to be severed in half due to construction of a six-lane highway are claiming that the Jerusalem municipality […]

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Israel’s municipal elections spotlight environmental issues – Haaretz

Bike paths, clean air, coastal preservation are suddenly considered vote-getters. By Zafrir Rinat | Oct. 15, 2013 Until a few years ago, it was hard to convince politicians that there was any electoral benefit in promoting environmental projects, such as bike paths. They were interested mostly in big projects such as paving roads and real […]

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Natural Gas: Lebanon / Israel – Daily Star, Jerusalem Post

Gas and oil won’t make Lebanon happier – Daily Star October 11, 2013 12:16 AM By Imad Atalla A responsible and happy citizenry forms the fundamental underpinning of a happy nation. How does gas and oil figure in the happiness equation? Gas and oil are the latest drama in Lebanon, Israel and Cyprus. While all […]

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Ebay and Israeli renewable energy firm move forward with power plant deal – Jerusalem Post

By SHARON UDASIN 09/26/2013 20:08 The Israeli renewable energy firm Ormat Technologies Inc. will likely be providing online auction giant eBay Inc. with a 5-megawatt recovered energy generation (REG) power plant to be constructed in Utah, the companies announced on Thursday. The firms recently signed a joint development agreement that will allow them to proceed […]

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Navigating the Anthropocene is humanity’s most daunting challenge – Daily Star

October 12, 2013 12:28 AM By Kevin J. Noone Take a deep breath. Savor it for a moment. Now consider this: None of our modern human ancestors ever breathed anything like it – and, the way things are going, nor will our descendants. Since the Industrial Revolution began, human activity has substantially changed the atmosphere’s […]

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