Waste(not)water for Agriculture
Reclaimed Water is Water for Farms Reclaimed water is wastewater that has been treated to improve its quality to render it usable to irrigate crops. Most of the crops grown in Palestine are rain-fed, which causes significant fluctuations in annual productivity[1]. However, supplementing rain-fed farming with irrigated farming using treated wastewater would greatly stabilize production.
The Iris of Jordan
When thinking of flowers the first thing that comes in mind is its bright, striking colors. However, the national flower of Jordan is the jet-black Iris. Blooming in spring, this delicate flower can be seen near all of Jordan’s cities during its short season. Still, the flower grows in abundance in particular on village roads […]
Reflections on my internship with FoEME
During the first six months of my student exchange program from Germany I worked on an independent study completed in cooperation with Dr. Fischhendler from the Institute of Geography in the Hebrew University. It was, in fact, Dr. Fischhendler who suggested that I contact FoEME, after highlighting some of the major problems with water distribution and […]
Cesspits in Jordan Valley
Cesspits are sealed tanks that vary in shapes and sizes and have been used for over 100 years. Cesspits store liquid waste such as wastes from the showers and toilets; which are taken for disposal. Tanks are placed directly underground-because of ground conditions- with one manhole cover announcing their whereabouts. Cesspits should be cleared out […]
The WANA Forum: HIMA’s Role in Conflict Resolution and Peace-Building
May 29th-30th, 2012, the West Asia – North Africa (WANA) Forum on “The Human Integrated Management Approach (HIMA) Global Initiative: HIMA’s Role in Conflict Resolution and Peace-Building” was held at the Kempinski Hotel in Amman. The forum was opened by His Royal Highness El Hassan bin Talal and Her Royal Highness Sumaya bint El Hassan. […]
A Visit from American University Students
A group of students passionate about the environment visited Friends of the Earth Middle East- Amman this past week to learn about Jordanian environmental issues and challenges. Eighteen students from the University of Minnesota met with FoEME staff to discuss the status of the Lower Jordan River, and to learn about our EcoPark. A Good […]
Signing Ceremony of WEDO/FoEME´s new groundwater project
On May 9th, WEDO/FoEME and local municipalities came together to sign the new Protecting Groundwater project´s Memorandum of Understanding. The ceremony took place in Auja environmental center, north of Jericho. The MoU was signed between WEDO/FoEME and representatives from the participating local communities of Yatta, Baka Sharkia, Auja, Fasayel and Wadi Fukin. Nader al Khatib, WEDO/FoEME´s Palestinian Director, said that […]
Come Kiss the Otter at FoEME and Global Nature Fund’s Green Week Booth in Brussels!
From May 22nd to May 25th, FoEME and its partner Global Nature Fund’s efforts to rehabilitate the Lower Jordan River will be spotlighted at the Green Week Conference in Brussels. This year the conference, aptly entitled “Every Drop Counts,” focuses on water; the FoEME and GNF booth will highlight the Lutra lutra, also known as […]
Advancing the Bakoura Jordanian National Park initiative in the Jordanian Parliament
The Health and Environment Committee of the Jordanian Lower House of Parliament held a hearing on Monday, May 14th concerning the proposal of Friends of the Earth Middle East (FoEME) to create a Jordanian National Park at Bakoura. FoEME called for the meeting to discuss the organization’s long-time plans for the area, currently a military-controlled […]
Reflections of an American Intern with Friends of the Earth Middle East
I use my cab rides to practice Arabic. After a day or two interning with Friends of the Earth Middle East, I mastered a new Arabic script: a FoEME elevator pitch for cab drivers. Oh, I heard about them on the radio, drivers would respond. I’ve interned with FoEME’s Amman office for the last two […]