August 10, 2011 12:35 AM By Marie Dhumieres BEIRUT: Half-a-century ago, over one-third of Lebanon was covered with forests. Now, they cover just 13 percent. Located in a small forest in Ramlieh, a quiet town in Mount Lebanon, the Mediterranean Forest Development and Conservation Center of Lebanon has been fighting an uphill battle against forest […]

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Gustavson Associates, commissioned to perform quick survey appraisal for Energy, submits results pointing to a 50% prospect for some 270 million barrels in area between Netanya and Ashdod Mishel Udi, Calcalist The result analysis of a survey conducted in the Gabriella license area between Netanya and Ashdod raises the likelihood of finding oil, Calcalist has […]

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UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Michael Williams says ‘neither of them are looking for a scrap on this… On the contrary they think they can de-conflict it’ Reuters Published: 08.10.11, 13:11 / Israel News Lebanese and Israeli leaders believe they can avoid conflict over their disputed maritime border despite rival claims to potentially gas-rich Mediterranean […]

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By EVA LEVIN/NO CAMELS 08/10/2011 17:15 Globe Light and Water Systems has developed a new standalone light fixture that relies solely on solar energy, rather than on gov’t-run power plants. Talkbacks (2) Eva Levin writes for No Camels. The giant structures line most of our major roads and have become an integral part of the […]

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It is not yet clear whether the document will apply to proposed solutions for one of the area’s biggest problems: the threat that Dead Sea Works’ evaporation pools will flood the hotels on the sea’s shoreline. By Zafrir Rinat After many delays, the National Planning and Building Council finally approved a policy for the Dead […]

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Ministry says only national effort can handle center’s needs. By Zafrir Rinat The Environmental Protection Ministry is working on a plan to construct a huge recycling plant that would handle a significant portion of central Israel’s municipal waste. The plan stems from the ministry’s conclusion that neither local authorities nor private investors are likely to […]

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By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – The Ministry of Environment has finalised the country’s first digital eco-map, which shows that the central region generates 68 per cent of solid chemical waste in Jordan. The digital eco-map is a database that lists all chemical plants in the Kingdom to monitor industries’ compliance with environment and health safety […]

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By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – Gazelles are believed to have become extinct in Jordan due to hunting and the destruction of their natural habitat, according to an ecologist. The Kingdom used to be home to different kinds of gazelles, but spotting one in the wild nowadays has become a rare occurrence, Ehab Eid, coordinator of […]

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New treatment plant hopes to end the deluge of sewage being pumped into the sea every day. For years Gaza’s sewage system has been close to collapse. Beaches along the Strip’s 40km of coast are heavily polluted by waste being pumped directly into the sea – 14,000 cubic metres of it per day. The people […]

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By ANNA ETRA 08/02/2011 04:45 Goal is to move toward renewable resources, away from other oil-based materials. Talkbacks (7) Researchers at the Hebrew University have developed a new method to convert waste fibers from the paper industry into non-synthetic foam that can be re-used. The project was spearheaded by Shaul Lapidot, a PhD student of […]

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by SHARON UDASIN 08/01/2011 04:16 Mekorot says despite drop, “water crisis is still not behind us,” announces plans to invest NIS 3b. to “change direction of water supply.” During January-June 2011, water consumption was 48.2 million cubic meters lower than during the same time last year, mostly attributable to heavier rains this year, which decreased […]

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By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – The Ministry of Environment has amended the Environment Protection Law to maximise penalties against violators and increase the amount of fines for environmental violations, Minister of Environment Taher Shakhshir said on Sunday. The law will be referred soon to the Prime Ministry for approval. Environment and legal experts started reviewing […]

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“The Water–Energy Nexus in Middle East and North Africa” Journal Article, Energy Policy, volume 39, issue 6, pages 4529-4540 August 2011 Authors: Afreen Siddiqi, Affiliate, Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program; Laura Diaz Anadon, Associate Director, Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program; Director, Energy Technology Innovation Policy research group; Project Manager, Energy Research, Development, Demonstration […]

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Climate Change Adaptation in the Middle East and North Africa Challenges and Opportunities Working Paper September 2010 Author: Jeannie Sowers, Former Research Fellow, The Dubai Initiative Dubai Initiative Working Papers Belfer Center Programs or Projects: The Dubai Initiative The impacts of human-induced climate change are often considered a future prospect, yet in the Middle East […]

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New Environment Ministry index classifies Palmachim Beach ‘dirtiest’ in Israel, while northern beaches receive high rankings; finds 80% of waste comprised of plastic Yael Darel Palmachim Beach has been named the dirtiest beach in Israel, according to an Environment Ministry index published recently. The index, published once a week throughout the swimming season, ranks the […]

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By SHARON UDASIN 08/01/2011 04:27 High school students depart on week-long trip with Society for the Protection of Nature to raise awareness about forlorn state of the lake. Dozens of high school students departed on a week-long trip with the Society for the Protection of Nature around Lake Kinneret on Sunday, to raise awareness about […]

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Daily Star Editorial The environmental challenges facing Lebanon today are no joke. Studies have been issued, figures have been produced, warnings have been sounded, and politicians can always find the opportunity to make speeches in which they praise the environment and call for its protection – and do little to actually fix the situation. To […]

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By Taylor Luck MAFRAQ – Sheikh Ahmed Mashagbeh has nuclear on the mind. For the last six months, the 70-year-old tribal leader has broken from his traditional role of brokering engagements and land disputes to reading up on atomic energy and nuclear waste disposal. Now a self-proclaimed nuclear expert, Mashagbeh has one simple message for […]

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By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – Greenpeace Jordan activists on Thursday raised large banners at Jabal Amman’s busy Second Circle, warning against the hazards of Jordan’s projected nuclear programme and calling for considering renewable energy sources as a substitute. The banners attracted the attention of motorists and pedestrians in the area, while many others joined the […]

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AMMAN (JT) – Unidentified gunmen on Saturday attacked a terminal on the gas pipeline to Jordan and Israel for the fifth time since February, a security official said, quoted by Agence France-Presse. Gunmen on motorbikes and cars lobbed grenades and tried to storm the terminal at Al Shulaq in north Sinai but were confronted by […]

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