The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has announced the success of its campaign to plant 1.0 billion trees in 2007 as an effort in fighting climate change and combating desertification. In a joint press conference with Prof. Wangari Maathai, the inspiration behind the initiative and Nobel Laureate, UNEP's Executive Directorn Achim Steiner said: "I am delighted to say that an initiative to... [read more]

At last the Arab oil producing countries have got serious about the need to mitigate climate change. In the last OPEC summit held in Saudi Arabia, the Arab Gulf countries have decided to develop a US $ 750 million research fund for Climate Change. I only hope this vast amount of money will be used for a comprehensive package of introducing environmentally friendly technologies in the Arab World and... [read more]

At last some good news emerging from Iraq. After decades of systematic destruction and neglecance, the marshes area in Iraq is about to be restored to its dazzling nature. The wetlands are considered as aunique ecosystem at the global level but were destroyed in the 1980s in an attempt to control the security area between the Iraqi-Iranian borders during the 8 years war between the two countries.... [read more]

The UAE is planning to introduce the first package of environmental protection codes in construction in the Arab World. The booming construction industry in the UAE will be environmentally regulated as of 2008. This is a news item from Gulf News   By Ahmed Elewa and Marten Youssef, Staff Reporters Published November 25, 2007   Dubai: The UAE is actively seeking to upgrade its environmental... [read more]

A documentary about the impacts of the oil spill cause dby Israeli strikes on Lebanon in the summer of 2006 has won an international award in a film festival in Italy. The film, produced by the World Comnservation Union (IUCN) and called "The Oil Spill in Lebanon", depicts the environmentally-disastrous oil slick caused by Israel’s bombing of the Jiyyeh power plant in south Lebanon on July 13... [read more]

Wild plant species are not only beautiful or compose the nasic ingredients of ecosystem but they can also be a remarkable source for well being by providing medicinal uses and subsequently income generating activities that can help communities to overcome the burden of poverty. One such example of sustainable use and conservation of medicinal plants in Jordanian Badia (desert) is provided by this... [read more]

For a long time ex-situ and genetic resources conservation efforts were not considered as a high priority in the Arab World although the region contains a lot of the global wealth of plant genetic diversity. One impressive breakthrough was announced a few days ago with the creation of the "first" gene bank in Africa and the Arab World in Tunisia. I am not really certain whether this is really the... [read more]

An increasing awareness of the importance of green technologies is slowly spreading in the Arab World, and some opportunities are there to grab by international corporations. Envoys and fact-finders are roaming in the region to identify good opportunities and at the same time provide some good advise to decision makers. If this trend is going to enhance the impact and penetration of sound technology... [read more]

In a landmark transition towards comprehensive and effective environmental compliance systems in Jordan the Ministry of Environment is currently developing a robust bylaw for environmental compliance and enforcement. The announcement came by the Minister of Environment Khalid Irani during the opening of a joint Jordanian-USA workshop on environmental inspection and enforcement that included the environmental... [read more]

There is a continuous flow of praise for the new ecological standards used by the UAE construction boom. Such innovations bring hope of upscaling and replication in other Arab countries. This is a good feature from Ethical Corporation Magazine   By: Amelia Shepherd-Smith   Two years after it signed the Kyoto Protocol, the United Arab Emirates is developing its own green building ratings... [read more]

I have published this article in the weekly "The Star" newspaper. I am hoping to publish a weekly environmental article in this newspaper starting next week. I hope you find it useful   By: Batir Wardam   In the past few weeks readers of the daily newspapers in Jordan were getting information about the closure, penalization and warnings of various factories and developmental facilities in... [read more]

Source: IRIN News   Ramzi Msharrafyeh stepped carefully between the burned bushes and trees in the village of Ayn Trez, 34km southwest of Beirut, where the air is still heavy with the smell of smoke. This oak tree is among a few that survived the fires,” he said. “It’s almost 500 years old, and nearly all of Lebanon’s princes and presidents sat under it. It’s called the Saad oak tree.” Earlier... [read more]

The horrific conditions in Iraq are not only manifested in occupation, terrorism and loss of infrastructure services, but there is a huge environmental burden resulting from the current cycle of violence starting in 2003. This is a gloomy but true assessment by Jeffery St Clair and Joshua Frank   The ecological effects of war, like its horrific toll on human life, are exponential. When the Bush... [read more]

The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) has stated it will establish four new nature reserves in one of the most vulnerable and threatened ecosystems in Jordan: the Jordan Valley. The reserves will be a result of a new project for the integrated ecosystem management of Jordan Valley. This is the report from Jordan Times   By Hana Namrouqa   AMMAN - Four new nature reserves... [read more]

Renound Egyptian scientist Dr. farouq Al Baz has acheived a remarkable discovery few weeks ago by specifying the location of groundwater wells in the war torn area of Darfur. Will this discovery bring the people in the area closer to peace and development or it will increase the intensity of the conflict. This is a thorough report from the Christian Science Monitor   Farouk el-Baz has been peering... [read more]

There is a glimpse at the end of the tunnel of scientific darkness in the Arab World. More good news are emerging from Arab countries which highlight new thinking towards more investment and innovations in science policies and applications. This is a report from Seed Magazine with impressive optimistic thrust   by Saira Jesani   In 2005, UNESCO's Science Report identified the Arab region... [read more]

After all the extravaganza and hype associated with the New 7 Wonders competition that reached its maximum on July 7th with the announcement of the new 7 wonders list, including the great city of Petra in Jordan, the same organization is opening up the initial nominations for round two of the competition focusing on natural wonders. The initial phase of nominations is now open online. Nominations... [read more]