Making the World’s Deserts Bloom
August 27, 2012
With the desert covering a large part of its surface, Israel as been motivated to develop solutions to overcome its lack of arable land and potable water. These solutions are being used in desert and dryland regions around the world.
The vast majority of Israel’s top 10 advances to combat desertification featured in Israel21C‘s recent article are based on research conducted at BGU’s Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research (BIDR).
BIDR innovations highlighted include developing a runoff agroforestry system based on techniques used by the ancient Nabataeans; solar energy technologies to prevent further deforestation; designing climate-responsive, energy efficient buildings; and even a system that uses low quality water to raise fish in the desert.
Read the full article on Israel21C >>
ABOUT AMERICANS FOR BEN-GURION UNIVERSITY
By supporting a world-class academic institution that not only nurtures the Negev, but also shares its expertise locally and globally, Americans for Ben-Gurion University engages a community of Americans who are committed to improving the world. David Ben-Gurion envisioned that Israel’s future would be forged in the Negev. The cutting-edge research carried out at Ben-Gurion University drives that vision by sustaining a desert Silicon Valley, with the “Stanford of the Negev” at its center. The Americans for Ben-Gurion University movement supports a 21st century unifying vision for Israel by rallying around BGU’s remarkable work and role as an apolitical beacon of light in the Negev desert.
About Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev embraces the endless potential we have as individuals and as a commonality to adapt and to thrive in changing environments. Inspired by our location in the desert, we aim to discover, to create, and to develop solutions to dynamic challenges, to pose questions that have yet to be asked, and to push beyond the boundaries of the commonly accepted and possible.
We are proud to be a central force for inclusion, diversity and innovation in Israel, and we strive to extend the Negev’s potential and our entrepreneurial spirit throughout the world. For example, the multi-disciplinary School for Sustainability and Climate Change at BGU leverages over 50 years of expertise on living and thriving in the desert into scalable solutions for people everywhere.
BGU at a glance:
20,000 students | 800 senior faculty | 3 campuses | 6 faculties: humanities & social sciences, health sciences, engineering sciences, natural sciences, business & management, and desert research.
For all press inquiries, please contact:
James Fattal, J Cubed Communications
516.289.1496
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