Welcome to our weekly newsletter that highlights environmental trends and solutions driving us towards a more sustainable world.
Greetings, it’s Livia. War has devastating impacts on both human life and the environment. Two teenage sisters have devised a plan to aid in the sustainable reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, one repurposed rubble piece at a time.
**This week’s highlights:**
– Gaza sisters transform war rubble into bricks
– The Big Picture: Fire-loving fungi
– Youth and advocacy groups file a lawsuit against the Carney government over climate policy rollbacks
**Gaza sisters recognized for eco-friendly innovation**
Tala and Farah Mousa, the first Palestinian winners of the 2026 Earth Prize in the Middle East region, have developed an award-winning environmental initiative using easily available materials.
The sisters, observing the widespread war debris in Gaza, saw an opportunity to rebuild sustainably. After their home was bombed, they envisioned a way to turn destruction into construction. Through their project, Build Hope Palestine, they repurpose rubble into bricks for non-load-bearing purposes like pavements and garden beds.
Collaborating with their grandfather, Samer, the sisters set up a workshop outdoors to crush and blend rubble with clay, ash, straw, or glass powder. The resulting rectangular bricks have already proven useful in stabilizing tents during strong winds.
Their project won the Middle East category of the 2026 Earth Prize, recognizing youth tackling environmental challenges globally. Looking ahead, Tala and Farah aim to expand their project beyond Gaza to assist war-torn areas worldwide.
**Family-driven innovation**
Tala and Farah enlisted their grandfather’s expertise to refine the brick-making process. They utilized local materials and simple techniques to create the bricks, emphasizing sustainability and cost-effectiveness.
**Empowering communities for a greener future**
The Mousa sisters aspire to train young individuals, disseminate practical knowledge, and recycle substantial rubble quantities to support communities in rebuilding sustainably and independently. As regional winners, they will receive funding to enhance their project and conduct workshops for 100 young Gazans.
As the world grapples with the aftermath of wars like the Gaza conflict, innovative solutions like the Mousa sisters’ initiative offer hope for a more environmentally conscious and resilient future.
By Livia Dyring
Thank you for reading. For questions, feedback, or story suggestions, please contact whatonearth@cbc.ca.
**Editorial Team:** Emily Chung | Logo design: Sködt McNalty
(Source: [CBC](https://www.cbc.ca/news/climate/what-on-earth-gaza-rubble-bricks-9.7240259))