Could Aqaba’s heat-resilient corals help restore the world’s dying reefs?
DEUTSCHE WELLE (17/1/2022) Beneath the warm, crystal-clear waters of the Gulf of Aqaba at the northern tip of the Red Sea, lies a bustling city of colorful corals. At sunrise, fish emerge from their coral shelters, joining eels, turtles and octopuses to swim through these teeming waters. This vibrant scene is untouched by the mass […]
Read →
How micro-forests are bringing nature back to Jordan’s cities
THE NATIONAL (15/12/2021) Asphalt and concrete spread across the densely-populated eastern neighbourhoods of Amman. Only a few trees dot a dry, dusty park tucked away in the suburb of Marka. But over the last year, the local park has been receiving unusual visitors. “We are seeing a lot of bees, butterflies, many different birds,” says […]
Read →
Planned copper mine raises fears for biodiversity hotspot in Jordan
MONGABAY 9/11/2021 Rugged hills frame a valley surrounded by evergreen oak, pistachio and pine trees in the village of Dana, where stone houses built centuries ago perch on the edge of a canyon that blends into the natural surroundings. At a crossroads between Europe, Africa and Asia, the Dana Biosphere Reserve is home to Jordan’s […]
Read →
Copper mine threatens Jordan’s largest nature reserve
AL JAZEERA (3/10/2021) At dawn, blue and pink rays start to break over Dana’s mountain ridges. Birdsong and rustling leaves are the only sounds in the valley. Spread over 300sq km (116sq miles) from towering sandstone cliffs to desert plains, the Dana Biosphere Reserve is Jordan’s largest and most diverse protected region but its days […]
Read →
The Portuguese government wants to build a new airport; environmentalists want climate justice
EQUAL TIMES (21/6/2021) Standing on a wooden tripod on a major road leading to Lisbon Airport, a young activist holds a pink flag that depicts an airplane in flames, and raises her clenched fist. “Climate Justice Now!” reads a large banner hanging from a footbridge above the blocked road. Drums and chants echo across roads […]
Read →
Could solar energy help revive Jordan’s virus-hit economy?
AL JAZEERA (24/7/2020) Jordan is often described as “resource-poor” due to its lack of fossil fuels, limited agricultural land and water scarcity. But with more than 310 days of sun a year, strong winds and vast desert lands, the kingdom’s potential for renewable energy is among the most promising in the world. Over the last […]
Read →
Desert green: Jordanians on frontline of climate change turn to permaculture
MIDDLE EAST EYE (23/3/2019) Olive, lemon and palm trees provide shade over the small garden where Abu ElHajj recently started growing carrots, tomatoes, beans and herbs. Surrounded by arid cliffs and a harsh desert landscape, it seems an unlikely place to start cultivating food. Facing drought and rising temperatures, Jordan is on the frontline of climate change. Overgrazing […]
Read →