Grand Mufti introduces green pilgrimage -

A Muslim Seven Year Plan will turn Medina into a green model city and make the journeys of millions of worshippers to Mecca sustainable.

Friends of the Earth Middle East - newsletter - December 2009 Newsletter

I haven't posted much about the group Friends of the Earth Middle East but I greatly admire their efforts and thought I would post a link to their December 2009 Newsletter that discusses some of their initiatives such as the Good Waters Neighbor and the construction of a Jordan Valley Environmental Education Center in Ouja Palestine. EcoPeace / Friends of the Earth Middle East - newsletter - Good water neighbors

Nature Iraq Featured on 60 Minutes

Resurrecting Eden - 60 Minutes - CBS News


Watch CBS News Videos Online

Denmark Family Uses Wind Turbine for all of its Electricity

Netanyahu Deeply Concerned about Solar Energy

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "The strategic problem of the State of Israel is first and foremost the concentration of oil in the wrong hands and the unjust distribution of wealth in the world. If we develop energy alternatives to oil we will be able to change the global energy balance. I am ready to recruit government and private funds to encourage research and development in the search for alternatives to oil. The most available source we have in plenty - sunlight, solar energy.""

Read the story on the website of the Israeli Ministry of the Environment

Uncomfortable but Insightful video about the occasional hysteria of (elitist) environmentalism

I typically abhor the commentary of this gentleman and his rabid disavowal of liberal thought on the basis of his republican jingoism but what is great about an open mind is that I sometimes agree with him. here is a great video featuring the former president and founder of GreenPeace scoffing at alarmist environmentalism.

Universal micro-USB cell phone charger, a solution to 51,000 tons of third party chargers produced each year.

This is fantastic to see. With some 51,000 tons of redundant cell phone chargers produced each year, there is now a common sense (retroactive capitalist) market solution to all that mindless production.

The GSMA also estimates that they will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 13.6m tonnes.

"This is a significant step in reducing the environmental impact of mobile charging," said Malcolm Johnson, director of ITU's Telecommunication Standardisation Bureau.

"Universal chargers are a common-sense solution that I look forward to seeing in other areas."

The charger has a micro-USB port at the connecting end, using similar technology to digital cameras.

It is not compulsory for manufacturers to adopt the new chargers but the ITU says that some have already signed up to it.

BBC NEWS | Technology | Universal phone charger approved

Revolutionary water filtration system designed to save lives | Exchange | Ode Magazine

MERIP Article Announcing Egypt's Watershed for Environmental Mobilization

Middle East Report Online: Damietta Mobilizes for Its Environment by Sharif Elmusa and Jeannie Sowers: "Damietta protests may well mark a watershed for environmental mobilization in Egypt. The coalition that emerged to oppose the EAgrium plant crossed class and occupational lines, and included representatives of voluntary associations, members of Parliament, businessmen, university professors, landowners, and members of unions and professional syndicates."

NPR Soapbox Update on Solar Energy and Environmentalism in Egypt

An excellent profile of the community efforts in the Zabaleen Copt Community by NPR production assistant, Kimberly Adams.

Community-based Solar Energy Initiatives in Coptic Cairo

Amidst fears of Swine Flu, the Egyptian government and Muslim-majority public have been quick to condemn pig rearing practices of the Copts particularly in the poorer neighborhoods of Cairo. Here is a NPR story about Solar Cities, an initiative of T.H. Culhane and Sybille Culhane, and their project in the Zabaleen Zurayib Project Area of Old Cairo.

Lester Brown on tour to promote the fourth edition (Plan 4.0) of his infamous utopian text graces U of C

The World Beyond the Headlines: Lester Brown on Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization | The University of Chicago Events Calendar

Shared via AddThis

"It can be very frustrating being on the people side of development."

So says Waren Feek, the Executive Director of the Communication Initiative, a progressive network of journalists and development specialists interested in people over profit.
Little Green People | The Communication Initiative Network:

الحذف المعرق--في عراق

gun poster.jpg (JPEG Image, 1240x1754 pixels)

I just thought this was a particularly interesting and evocative poster presenting the Iraqis with information that killing birds is bad. I should also state that I work for Nature Iraq as a researcher and translator. Great operation, effective and intelligent organization.

The $22 Billion Dollar Eco-Friendly Utopia for Conscious Wealthy

Masdar City Exploring Geothermal Power
Icelandic Firm is receiving 1.6 million to drill exploratory wells for the city-sized environmentally friendly mall in the Middle East. Click here for the project's latest fund raising.

Palestine Village in South Hebron Hills Gets Electricity but Stays off the Grid

Check out the organization responsible, Community, Energy and Technology in the Middle East--Sustainable Development for the Communities of the South Hebron Hills

According to Stiglitz, capitalism can have a soul, development can be just, and human and social well-being is more than GDP

"Too often, we confuse ends with means."
So Says Joseph Stiglitz in an article about the recently released "International Commission on the Measurement of Economic Performance and Social Progress" initiated by French president Sarkozy.

Check it

Towards a Better Measure of Well-being - STWR - Share The World's Resources

First a Green Rosh Hashanah then a Green Ramadan. What's next? A Green Christmas? In sha'allah.

This is great to see. From the noble Junaid at CIOGC here in Chicago:

Illinois Muslims strive to reduce their carbon footprint during “Green” Ramadan - CIOGC.org

An interesting discussion about Islamic-based environmentalism and sustainable development

Eco-Islam Development – Inside Islam

Israel’s Army Makes Advances In Green, But Victory Comes First | Green Prophet

I have the deepest respect for the folks over at Green Prophet primarily because they carry the most up-to-date news about environmental issues relating to the Middle East altogether absent in the mainstream coverage of the region. However, when I saw this post I realized how particularly abstract environmentalist advocacy is without a deeper consideration of the politics involved.

"But besides finding ways to prevent pollution and other environmental damage, the introduction of environmental education into various military training courses may be the best way to promote better awareness in environmental protection, according to Maj. Victor Weiss, of the IDF Education Corps."

“'We are an important “link” in the education of young soldiers, both in the military and afterwards. By introducing environmental values to soldiers during their army service, these values can carry over into civilian life, and make them more aware of protecting and preserving the environment once their military service is over,' Maj. Weiss said.'"

Israel’s Army Makes Advances In Green, But Victory Comes First | Green Prophet

Opening Day

I am officially opening this today since I feel the need to put some critical perspective on the steady increase of blogs devoted to environmentalist advocacy in and for the Middle East as well as other issues involved with the politics of sustainable development inherent in the rationalities of global environmentalism. While I have had the idea to begin this blog for over a year, particularly when I began work on my MA thesis, I was nevertheless busy finishing my degree and thus it kept getting put on the back burner, so to speak.