By DAVID E. MILLER 04/06/2011 Moving central city cemeteries to the outskirts of Egypt’s crowded capital city irks religious scholars. A request by the Cairo Municipality to relocate ancient cemeteries to the outskirts of the crowded megalopolis and create room for parks and other open spaces has been rejected by religious authorities, who argue that […]

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Assistant Secretary General of the Ministry for Water and Irrigation Adnan al-Zoubi said that the ministry has developed a plan to address the shortage in Jordan’s water reserves, via use of the groundwater reserves located in various parts of the Kingdom. Zoubi told AmmanNet that the ministry’s plan will include the diversion of water wells […]

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By Hana Namrouqa AMMAN – A group of young Jordanians are collecting pledges from people across the Kingdom to carry garbage bags in their cars in order to end the “phenomenon of littering”. The students, from different universities in the country, started the “For a cleaner Jordan” campaign with the aim of getting a million […]

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By SHARON UDASIN 04/01/2011 01:01 BGU’s first Jordanian PhD student discusses his work in desalinization and a road to regional peace via science. It was a rather difficult decision for Amer Sweity to come from his hometown of Amman, Jordan, to complete a master’s degree and then PhD at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. But […]

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FoEME held a symposium in Jericho on March 2nd, highlighting the importance of a healthy, clean and rehabilitated Lower Jordan River for the development of the Palestinian economy. This important event built upon the on-going work of FoEME to foster political will, public support and concrete action towards the rehabilitation of the Lower Jordan River, […]

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April 2011 By: Mostafa K.Tolba A pivotal point in climate negotiations has always been the principle of ‘common but differentiated responsibilities’. This point continues to be a source of huge differences between developed and developing countries. Developing countries insist that developed ones have historical responsibility and should cut emissions and provide developing countries with finances […]

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April 2011 By: Mohamed El-Ashry In 1992, the international community gathered in Rio to offer a vision for a more sustainable future. At that meeting, two new international environmental agreements were opened for signature: the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. At the UN Millennium Summit in 2000 […]

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5 Beware of an Arab Fukushima (editorial by Najib Saab) 8 Tips for your home office 11 Roadmap to climate change talks ( by Mostafa Kamal Tolba) 13 Energy for sustainable development (by Mohamed El-Ashry) 20 Ecological footpint of Arab countries (cover story) 28 Laureates of Zayed international prize for the environment 40 Salt-tolerant vegetables […]

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WASHINGTON, April 1, 2011 (WAFA) — The World Bank Board of Directors Thursday approved a $3 million grant to the Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) that will fund the know-how needed to design and implement a sustainable water resources management strategy, said a World Bank press release. The amount will also be used to train Palestinians […]

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By Hana Namrouqa DEAD SEA – Water experts from 32 countries on Thursday called for subsidising water efficiency programmes and improving public involvement strategies to achieve water reduction targets. At the conclusion of the sixth International Water Association (IWA) Specialist Conference on Efficient Use and Management of Water (Efficient 2011) on Thursday, the experts underscored […]

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It has become clear that the IDF manages its land in a scandalous way. This is possible because the army enjoys full autonomy regarding this land – as it does in most of its activities – and civilian bodies don’t supervise it. By Reuven Pedatzur It is common knowledge that the Israel Defense Forces is […]

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By SHARON UDASIN 04/05/2011 01:55 The first phase of the plan will involve evacuating the asbestos from public lands; the next phase will include private areas as well. After a law for asbestos removal and prohibition passed its second and third Knesset readings this week, the Environmental Protection Ministry announced on Monday that it had […]

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The plan involves digging tunnels and building bridges and will leave the highway with three lanes of traffic in each direction. By Avi Bar-Eli The Jerusalem-Tel Aviv road near the capital will be widened and upgraded significantly to the tune of NIS 2.5 billion. The major renovations will affect the section from the Sha’ar Hagai […]

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By Barry Malone ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Ethiopia on Wednesday said it planned to build a huge dam on the Nile despite a long-running row with Egypt over use of the river and concern the dispute may spark a war. The nine countries through which the river passes have for more than a decade been […]

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By Hana Namrouqa DEAD SEA – Water experts on Tuesday called on governments to apply cost-effective water demand management in light of shrinking water resources around the globe due to surging populations and changing climates. The experts agreed that sustainable solutions for the looming water crisis, represented by responsible and efficient water demand management systems, […]

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By SHARON UDASIN 03/31/2011 04:52 Green Movement leads 11th-hour protest in front of Knesset to save Arava Desert’s last remaining dunes. Israel’s Green Movement held a demonstration Wednesday afternoon in front of the Knesset calling for the government to revoke plans to mine Samar sand dunes, the Arava Desert’s last remaining dunes, which host a […]

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By EHUD ZION WALDOCKS 03/24/2011 02:49 Despite coming late to the party, the army is looking to turn its act around environmentally. Talkbacks (1) Vast tracts of land, millions of square meters of buildings and installations, hazardous materials, sewage, gas stations and infrastructure of all shapes and sizes, the IDF is the largest organization in […]

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By SHARON UDASIN 03/24/2011 05:20 Infrastructures Minister Landau recites ‘Shehecheyanu’ blessing, calling it a first step toward weaning the country from enemy resources. Talkbacks (6) Sitting in the back seat of a Renault Fluence Z.E. car during the five-minute battery exchange process, one hears only silence as the engine restarts. Better Place launched its first […]

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By SHARON UDASIN 03/30/2011 06:55 Most of the public buildings selected to receive the solar systems are schools and community centers. The Jerusalem Municipality issued a tender this week to Moriah Jerusalem Development Company to construct 50 new solar energy systems on the rooftops of public buildings, which will cost the company NIS 35 million, […]

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By : Mohamed El-Ashry In 1992, the international community gathered in Rio to offer a vision for a more sustainable future. At that meeting, two new international environmental agreements were opened for signature: the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. At the UN Millennium Summit in 2000 and […]

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