By: Mohamed El-Ashry Let me start with the simple fact that “development is not possible without energy and sustainable development is not possible without sustainable energy.” There is broad consensus that the current path of global energy development is not sustainable in economic, environmental, or social terms. Twenty-five years ago, in 1987, the World Commission […]

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Najib Saab July 2013 Ten weeks after its departure from San Francisco, on the West Coast of the United States, Solar Impulse landed in New York on the East Coast. During many stopovers between the kickoff and final destination, cities were awarded green certificates for supporting eco-friendly technology, and millions visited the plane to have […]

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Anne Saab* Can Climate-ready seeds be the answer to food insecurity in the face of climate change? Climate change is predicted to have dramatic impacts on agricultural production in some regions of the world. Increased incidences of drought, higher average temperatures, and more precipitation are among the symptoms of climate change. As agriculture is highly […]

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July 26, 2013 By Samya Kullab BEIRUT: Ships sailing off Beirut’s coast emit thick plumes of smoke from their stacks, and cars line the main roads for miles during the capital’s grinding rush-hour traffic, with their exhaust pipes emitting dangerous fumes. Many factors are thought to adversely impact air quality in Lebanon, but until now, […]

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July 27, 2013 BEIRUT: The National Commission for Lebanese Women and the Friends of the Cedars Forest Commission in Bsharri signed a cooperation protocol Friday to plant a new cedar forest. The project entails planting 1,000 cedar trees in a 30,000 square meter area in the qada of Bsharri. Lebanese expatriates and tourists can sponsor […]

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By SHARON UDASIN 07/17/2013 18:32 Select Language​▼ Report says Israel Military Industries and Israel Aerospace Industries sites pose public health hazards that must be rectified. Polluted stream – illustrative photo Polluted stream – illustrative photo Photo: Zalul The long-standing failure of Israel Military Industries (IMI) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to rehabilitate areas polluted by […]

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The state comptroller cites problems such as a rocket-fuel ingredient polluting water used at orange orchards. By Zafrir Rinat | Jul. 18, 2013 A number of ministries have failed to address polluted soil and groundwater at Israel Military Industries sites in the Haifa and Rehovot areas, the state comptroller said in his report on security […]

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State Comptroller finds lack of law enforcement for traffic, construction violations, illegal theft of water in West Bank; reveals major shortage of ABC kits Yaron Druckman Published: 07.17.13, 19:47 / Israel News State Comptroller Judge Joseph Shapira has released his annual report Wednesday, revealing a string of failures in the field of security, specifically in […]

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Annual Palestinian loss of electricity increases debt to Israel by $70 million. Fear of Israel pulling plug, sinking Palestinian authority into darkness The Media Line Published: 07.18.13, 08:17 / Israel News RAMALLAH – During the pre-dawn hours in the holy month of Ramadan, while many are preparing a pre-dawn breakfast in preparation of the daylong-fast, […]

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By Zafrir Rinat | Jul. 18, 2013 Amid the plethora of environmental crises the world is facing, the disappearance of bee colonies has been pushed to the margins when it comes to public awareness. But in the long run, it is hard to ignore a problem that poses a threat to food production and will […]

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Petra | Jul 18, 2013 | 23:32 AMMAN — Water Authority of Jordan security personnel have detained several people who attempted to steal the main water pumps, electric lines and control panels at a water well complex in Karak, Water Ministry Spokesperson Omar Salameh said in a statement on Thursday. Salameh said stealing electricity control […]

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July 18, 2013 TRIPOLI, Lebanon: High temperatures and strong winds Wednesday resulted in several fires, threatening motorists along the Tripoli highway and residential neighborhoods in Qalmoun. A huge fire erupted in the reed groves in the Bahsas area near the Olympic Stadium, and spread to the international highway between Koura and Tripoli. Security forces warned […]

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by Hana Namrouqa | Jul 18, 2013 | 22:54 AMMAN — Pumping from the main pipeline supplying Zarqa with water resumed on Thursday, after authorities fixed the damage inflicted by unknown persons, a government official said. The perpetrators severely damaged the pipeline while trying to divert water to irrigate their farms, according to Ministry of […]

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uly 18, 2013 01:00 AM By Mohamad El Amin BEIRUT: The U.S. offered Wednesday to help mediate a dispute between Lebanon and Israel over the demarcation of maritime borders, Lebanese officials said after meeting with the top American energy diplomat. Both Lebanon and Israel have claimed a disputed maritime area of 874 square kilometers, which […]

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Scientists from France, West Bank, Gaza, Jordan and Israel to travel to southern town of Sde Boker to discuss common water production issues. ‘Water can be an issue for peace or for conflicts,’ says French ambassador to Israel jn1.tv Published: 07.06.13 See website for video report. VIDEO – Under the patronage of the French Embassy […]

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The Refaim Valley Park will cover more than 1,425 acres, ‏at the southern exit of Jerusalem where the Green Line passes through. By Nir Hasson 08.07.13 The Jerusalem Planning and Building Committee has approved the establishment of a new national park in southern Jerusalem, part of which will include the lands of the village of […]

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According to a report by the Israel Parks and Nature Authority, a lack of Israeli-Palestinian cooperation has impeded solutions to this problem. By Zafrir Rinat | Jul.03, 2013 Almost 90 percent of sewage from Palestinian towns in the West Bank flows into the environment untreated, contaminating the groundwater and 162 kilometers of streams, according to […]

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BETHLEHEM, July 7, 2013 (WAFA) – Jewish settlers from illegal ‘Beitar Illit’ settlement Sunday drowned Palestinian-owned agricultural land with wastewater in the village of Wadi Fukin, west of Bethlehem, according to a local source. Head of Wadi Fukin village council Ahmad Sokar told WAFA that settlers pumped wastewater to around 100 dumums of agricultural land […]

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By SHARON UDASIN 07/03/2013 The Public Utility Authority has granted a provisional license for a Druse entrepreneur to build a 6-megawatt farm in the Upper Galilee. In the government’s first motion to approve a wind power generation facility in the minority sector, the Public Utility Authority has granted a provisional license for a Druse entrepreneur […]

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By SHARON UDASIN 07/07/2013 Finance minister promises Peretz he will find funds for program, despite ongoing rumor about Treasury’s objections to plan. Finance Minister Yair Lapid promised Environmental Protection Minister Amir Peretz on Sunday morning that he would find funds for an environmental protection civil service program, despite ongoing rumors about the Treasury’s objections to […]

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