Image credit: Julia Lachman

Earlier today I posted a great video on how to build a worm tower self-spreading composter. In the process, the new YouTube interface drew me into a whole host of fascinating “how to” videos related to permaculture. One in particular caught my eye, offering a rapid time-lapse view of how a team of volunteers built a mud-walled strawbale geodesic dome house. It’s pretty awesome stuff. …Read the full story on TreeHugger

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Capitolina chandelier from Hasadna

One of my favorite things to do when I travel to new cities is check out their green shopping scenes. I was recently in the Tel Aviv/Jaffa region of Israel and had a few hours to visit the area shops and outdoor parks. Hasadna, a shop I particularly liked in the flea market section of Jaffa, was recommended to me by the tourism information shop on Ben Yehuda and Gordon Streets. Hasadna, is Hebrew for “workshop” and the store definitely has a DIY feel. All of their products are produced locally in Israel, mo…Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Tel Aviv Port public space. Image: Mayslits Kassif Architects.

On Saturday mornings, I’ve gotten into the habit of going for a run by the Marmara Sea. The concrete path is worn, and follows a busy road, but the broad view out over the churning sea to the Asian side of the city is still rejuvenating. On the jagged rocks between the path and the water, amateur fishermen set up little camps, coolers and grills at the ready to enjoy the catch of the day, while young couples hold hands and gaze out at the sea. There’s something I like about how we’re all making the best of a f…Read the full story on TreeHugger

Gray whale in Baja California, photo: Marlin Harms

It’s really not too often that there’s some good news on the endangered species front, but this is one of those times. At the least it’s really intriguing. The Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society reports that there’s been a sighting of a gray whale in the Mediterranean in the waters off Israel. Historically there were three populations of gray whales; the ones which formerly would have been in this …Read the full story on TreeHugger

Exterior of one of the zimmerbuses. All photos courtesy of zimmer.co.il.

Guest bloggers Andrea Donsky and Randy Boyer are co-founders of NaturallySavvy.com.

We may send old clunkers to the junk yard here in North America, but one family in Israel recycles old busses into bed-and-breakfast digs.

The Zi…Read the full story on TreeHugger

The “Holyland Park” apartment complex in Jerusalem. (image by Adiel lo, via Wikipedia)

A massive corruption scandal involving some of the most powerful people in Israel and an almost universally loathed building complex in Jerusalem has highlighted the need for tighter regulation of the country’s land planning system. But this hasn’t stopped the Prime Minister from pushing his plan to radically deregulate the planning system. …Read the full story on TreeHugger

A man examines plans for the boardwalk’s renovation last week at a public hearing in Tel Aviv. (photo by the author)

If there is anything approaching a holy place in this devoutly secular city, it’s the beach. People here are serious beach-goers, and fanatically protective of their city’s 14km coastline. So much so that when city hall tried to stealthily redesign a portion of the promenade a couple of years ago, it had to backtrack in the face of public opposition.

Now, the city has decided to give it another try. But this time, it is making an effort to involve the people of the city in the…Read the full story on TreeHugger

The Reading power plant in Tel Aviv, recently converted to burn natural gas instead of crude oil. (photo by Daniel Cherrin)

In a sign that it intends to take its climate change commitments seriously, Israel has appointed a high-level committee to find ways to reduce its carbon emissions.

However, a controversial reform of the town planning system has many in Israel accusing the government of promoting environmentally destructive policies. …Read the full story on TreeHugger

Image credit: Roi Caspi, Hebrew University

Decades after DDT and “Silent Spring,” scientists are still searching for better ways to improve agricultural yields and protect desirable plants and animals (including humans) from plagues of insects. The fact that DDT is still advocated by those who argue that protecting humans from diseases carried by insects outweighs the environmental risks demonstrates how serious the issue is. Additionally, insects develop resistance to pesticides, requiring application in ever larger amounts, or development of new chemistry with the p…Read the full story on TreeHugger

A building under renovation in Tel Aviv – Jaffa. Photo by Jesse Fox.

Israel’s planning system is inefficient, and long overdue for a reform – on this, almost everyone agrees. What kind of reform? On this there is no consensus, but plenty of ideas are floating around. In the meantime, an expeditious attempt to reform the system has ignited a storm of controversy, and even the High Court has been drawn into the dispute, issuing an injunction last week temporarily preventing the government from even discussing the matter.

What is it about planning reform that has so many people in Israel in an uproar?…Read the full story on TreeHugger