Category: Blog

“We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” ~Native American Proverb

For years, I blamed my parents for my anxiety, my defensiveness, and my need to be right. Then I learned they inherited the same patterns from their parents. And theirs before them.

This wasn’t about blame. It was about breaking a cycle nobody chose.

The Stutter That Taught Me Everything

As a teenager, I developed a stutter. Not just occasional hesitation—paralyzing anxiety about speaking.

I’d anticipate making mistakes when reading aloud. Starting conversations felt like walking through a minefield. The fear of stuttering …

“We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.” ~Native American Proverb

For years, I blamed my parents for my anxiety, my defensiveness, and my need to be right. Then I learned they inherited the same patterns from their parents. And theirs before them.

This wasn’t about blame. It was about breaking a cycle nobody chose.

The Stutter That Taught Me Everything

As a teenager, I developed a stutter. Not just occasional hesitation—paralyzing anxiety about speaking.

I’d anticipate making mistakes when reading aloud. Starting conversations felt like walking through a minefield. The fear of stuttering made me stutter more—a cruel self-fulfilling prophecy.

In college, studying psychology, I discovered something liberating. The anxiety about stuttering was causing the stuttering.

Once I learned to relax, breathe deeply, and stop anticipating errors, the stutter disappeared. Years later, I successfully presented high-stakes business proposals to executives. Not a single stumble.

I thought I’d conquered a personal flaw through willpower and technique. I was wrong.

The Discovery That Changed Everything

During college, I learned my father’s story. As a child, he had a lisp.

His father—my grandfather—thought it was hilarious. He’d make my dad recite tongue-twisters in front of family and friends. Highlighting his speech impediment for entertainment.

That cruel mockery created anxiety. That anxiety transmitted to me.

Different manifestation—stuttering instead of a lisp. Same underlying pattern: fear of speaking, anticipation of judgment, dread of being heard.

The medical field claims stuttering is genetic. But no gene has been identified. What I inherited wasn’t DNA. It was learned behavior.

My father’s anxiety about speaking became my anxiety about speaking. Not through genetics. Through observation, absorption, and unconscious imitation.

This realization brought us closer. We worked together in the family business after college.

Understanding this generational pattern created compassion between us before he died.

We Learn Who We Are from Birth

We begin learning emotional responses from our first breath. Our parents are our first teachers—not by choice, but by proximity.

We watch how they handle stress. Whether they express emotions or suppress them. How they react to criticism, disappointment, conflict.

These aren’t conscious lessons. Nobody sits down and says, “Today I’ll teach you anxiety.” We absorb patterns the way we absorb language. Through immersion.

Attachment theory tells us early bonds shape how we relate to others throughout life. If our caregivers were emotionally unavailable, we learned that seeking connection leads to disappointment. If they were unpredictable, we learned to stay vigilant, always watching for mood shifts.

These patterns feel normal because they’re all we’ve known. Like growing up in a house where everyone speaks softly—you don’t realize you’re whispering until you visit a family that talks at normal volume.

The Patterns We Inherit Without Knowing

I’ve spent twenty years in change management, helping organizations break dysfunctional patterns. The same patterns that cripple organizations cripple families. They transmit across generations like a computer virus copying itself onto new systems.

Anxiety and self-doubt.

Your parent worried constantly. Now you do too. You scan for danger even when there is none.

Perfectionism.

Nothing you did was quite good enough growing up. Now you drive yourself relentlessly. And criticize yourself harshly when you fall short.

Conflict avoidance.

Arguments in your house were scary—shouting, door-slamming, silent treatments. Now you’d rather suffer in silence than risk confrontation.

Emotional unavailability.

Your parents didn’t know how to talk about feelings. Now you don’t either. You change the subject when conversations get deep.

Boundary struggles.

You were told, “Family has no boundaries. We share everything.” Now you can’t say no. You feel guilty prioritizing your own needs.

These aren’t character flaws. They’re learned responses to the environment you grew up in.

And what you learned, you can unlearn.

Why Blame Keeps You Stuck

When I first understood my stuttering came from my father’s anxiety, I was angry. Why didn’t he fix himself before having kids? Why did he pass his damage to me?

Then I learned about his father’s cruelty. And I had to ask: was my father supposed to heal trauma he didn’t even recognize?

Blame requires someone else to change. But you can only change yourself.

Resentment hurts you more than them. It’s like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.

Here’s the paradox: you can’t heal what you won’t acknowledge. But you can’t move forward while blaming.

The shift that changes everything: “This isn’t my fault. But it is my responsibility.”

Your parents couldn’t teach what they never learned. They did their best with what they inherited. Understanding that doesn’t excuse harmful behavior. But it creates space for compassion.

And compassion—for them and for yourself—is where healing begins.

The Pattern Recognition Practice

Change starts with awareness. You can’t interrupt a pattern you don’t recognize.

Here’s how to begin.

Identify inherited behaviors.

Ask yourself: What behaviors did I watch growing up? When do I sound like my parents—even when I swore I wouldn’t? What struggles did they have that I now face? For me, it was the anxiety about speaking. The anticipation of failure. The internal critic that said, “You’ll mess this up.”

Understand the committee in your head.

Those critical voices aren’t yours. They’re recordings of other people’s voices—parents, teachers, bullies, authority figures.

My internal voice said, “You’re going to stutter. Everyone will notice. They’ll think you’re stupid.”

That wasn’t me. That was fear I learned.

Catch yourself mid-pattern.

Awareness itself is the intervention.

When I felt anxiety rising before speaking, I’d pause. Notice the feeling. Name it: “This is the inherited pattern.”

Then breathe. Deeply. Three slow breaths.

That pause—between trigger and response—is where freedom lives.

Choose a different response.

You don’t have to react the way you’ve always reacted.

Instead of avoiding speaking situations, I deliberately practiced. Small presentations at work. Reading aloud to my son. Each time, focusing on breathing rather than anticipating errors.

The pattern weakened. The new response strengthened.

Just as you learned these patterns, you can unlearn them. With focus, time, and awareness.

The Gift You Give Yourself—and Your Children

Breaking inherited patterns isn’t just about healing your past. It’s about transforming your future.

Every time you interrupt an automatic response, you break the generational chain. You stop transmitting that pattern to your children.

My son doesn’t have speech anxiety. Because I didn’t model it for him. The cycle broke with me.

That’s the most profound gift: stopping the transmission.

You can’t change your parents. You can’t erase your past. But you can choose different patterns moving forward.

When my father and I worked together, understanding these patterns created a bridge between us. I stopped resenting him for what he couldn’t give. He stopped feeling guilty about what he’d passed down.

We both recognized we were doing our best with what we inherited. And we could do better for the next generation.

He’s gone now. But that understanding—that compassion—was healing for both of us.

Where Healing Begins

Your poor self-image isn’t your fault. Your anxiety, your perfectionism, your difficulty with boundaries—none of it is a character flaw.

These are learned behaviors. Inherited patterns. The emotional equivalent of your grandmother’s china—passed down through generations without anyone questioning whether you actually wanted it.

You didn’t choose these patterns. But you can choose what to do with them now.

Recognition is the first step. Not to assign blame, but to understand the mechanism.

Then comes practice. Catching yourself mid-pattern. Pausing. Breathing. Choosing a different response.

It won’t be perfect. You’ll slip back into old patterns. That’s normal. Progress, not perfection.

But over time, the inherited patterns weaken. Your conscious choices strengthen.

And one day, you realize that critical voice is quieter. That anxiety is manageable. That automatic reaction doesn’t feel so automatic anymore.

You’ve broken the cycle.

Start Today

Choose one inherited pattern you recognize. Just one.

This week, notice when it shows up. Don’t try to fix it yet. Just notice.

“There’s the perfectionism.”

“There’s the conflict avoidance.”

“There’s the need for approval.”

Awareness is where change begins.

These patterns took years to develop. They won’t disappear overnight. But they will change. Because they’re learned behaviors. And what you learned, you can unlearn.

Your struggles aren’t character flaws. They’re inherited patterns. And patterns can change.

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“We can’t receive from others what they were never taught to give.” ~Unknown

When I was younger, I believed that love meant being understood. I thought my parents would be there for me, emotionally and mentally. But love, I’ve learned, isn’t always expressed in the ways we need, and not everyone has the tools to give what they never received.

As an adult, I’ve learned something both liberating and heartbreaking: Parents can only give what they have.

I used to get frustrated that my parents couldn’t really understand my mental health struggles. The realization didn’t hit me suddenly. It …

“We can’t receive from others what they were never taught to give.” ~Unknown

When I was younger, I believed that love meant being understood. I thought my parents would be there for me, emotionally and mentally. But love, I’ve learned, isn’t always expressed in the ways we need, and not everyone has the tools to give what they never received.

As an adult, I’ve learned something both liberating and heartbreaking: Parents can only give what they have.

I used to get frustrated that my parents couldn’t really understand my mental health struggles. The realization didn’t hit me suddenly. It settled in slowly, in moments when frustration turned into sadness, hurt, and a quiet kind of grief. When I finally allowed myself to face the loneliness and disappointment I’d pushed aside for years, I began to accept it.

If they were never taught emotional regulation, how could they show it to me?

If no one ever held space for their pain, how could they hold space for mine?

They loved me with the language they knew, even if that language was incomplete.

Later, I realized they never had the tools or support to understand their own emotions. They weren’t ignoring me; they simply didn’t have the capacity. They came from a different generation, with limited knowledge and very little space to explore feelings. Understanding that changed the way I saw them.

Accepting their limitations wasn’t about excusing the harm or pretending everything was fine. It was about finally letting go of a dream that kept me stuck—the dream that one day, they’d become the parents I wished for.

There were moments when I felt deeply misunderstood, like when I tried to talk about my anxiety and was told to just be strong. I didn’t need advice; I needed comfort. Those moments made me realize how different my emotional world was from theirs.

The acceptance can be bittersweet. I had to grieve what I needed but never received—the comfort when I was overwhelmed, the emotional safety to speak freely, and the validation that my mental health struggles were real and not weakness.

Grieving meant sitting with the hurt of being misunderstood, the loneliness of carrying feelings on my own, and the disappointment of not experiencing the closeness I had hoped for. Allowing that grief was painful, yet it also made space for healing.

And it brings a strange kind of freedom.

When I stopped expecting my parents to meet needs they couldn’t meet, I created space for fulfillment elsewhere—through personal growth, meaningful friendships, and chosen family.

Releasing those expectations felt like finally setting down a heavy weight I had carried for years.

I began building my own emotional vocabulary and learned how to soothe the parts of me that once screamed for their understanding. At the same time, my relationship with my parents shifted, not because they changed, but because I stopped measuring them against a version they couldn’t be. I could see them more clearly, with compassion and honesty, and in that clarity, I found peace.

This doesn’t mean it’s easy to be kind and compassionate toward them.

Some days, my inner child still rises up, hurt and angry. Compassion isn’t automatic; it’s a practice. A mindful decision to keep the past from shaping today.

When my inner child rises up:

I feel sudden waves of hurt, anger, or frustration.

Old memories or unmet needs surface, sometimes triggered by small events.

I might withdraw, snap, or ruminate, replaying the moments I felt unseen.

Physically, it feels tense, restless, or tearful.

When I offer compassion:

I pause and acknowledge the feelings without judgment: “It’s okay to feel hurt; this was hard for you.”

I consciously soothe the younger part of me through self-talk, journaling, or comforting routines.

I remind myself that I am safe now and have the tools and support the younger me lacked.

The anger softens, tension eases, and I feel steadier, calmer, and more present.

Impact:

When left unchecked, the inner child keeps me stuck in old patterns, replaying grief and frustration.

Offering compassion validates my experiences, interrupts cycles of shame, and creates space for healing and growth.

Here’s what helps me when it’s hard:

Remembering their humanity

They are not only parents; they are people shaped by their own pain, fears, and limitations. I came to see that their distance or emotional unavailability wasn’t about me but about the wounds and fears they carried from their own lives. Understanding this shifted my frustration into compassion, even when their actions had once hurt me.

Holding two truths at once

I can acknowledge the hurt and understand their struggles. Compassion doesn’t cancel out pain.

Reparenting myself

When I give myself the care I needed as a child, I loosen the grip of old expectations.

It looks like noticing my own feelings without judgment, offering comfort when I’m anxious or sad, and reminding myself that it’s okay to need support.

It means setting boundaries I wished I had, speaking kindly to myself, and creating small rituals of safety and reassurance—a warm cup of tea, journaling, or simply sitting quietly with my emotions.

Reparenting isn’t a single act; it’s a series of mindful choices that teach my inner child they are seen, valued, and loved.

Setting boundaries without guilt.

Acceptance doesn’t mean unlimited access. I can love them and still protect my peace.

Finding my own teachers.

Emotional growth can come from therapy, community, or personal reflection. I’m no longer waiting for them to teach me.

Letting go of the hope that someone will change is one of the most painful forms of love. And sometimes, it’s the only way to make space for your own growth.

I’ve stopped expecting my parents to give me what they never knew how to give, and I’ve begun giving myself the love and care I was missing. Sometimes healing begins with accepting them as they are and then turning that compassion inward.

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Critics of a new set of luxury towers including Israeli-Greek architect Elias Mesinas, warn that the scale of the towers, loss of public green space, and creeping luxury-led gentrification risk undermining Jerusalem’s historic skyline, community fabric, and long-standing planning principles — raising a fundamental question: not whether Jerusalem should densify, but how it can do so responsibly while preserving what makes the city unique.

The post Luxury tower in Jerusalem ruins its sacred heritage and eco-architects are worried appeared first on Green Prophet.

In November 2025, entrepreneur Nahum Rosenberger announced plans to develop Israel’s most expensive urban renewal project at the Hasbon (Hesbon) complex in central Jerusalem. The project, with an estimated investment of NIS 3.6 billion (about $1 billion USD), will span about 7 acres and include three high-rise towers of 41, 43, and 45 floors, comprising approximately 950 residential apartments.

Beyond housing, the development will feature extensive mixed-use components, including 8,600 square meters of retail space, 8,300 square meters of office and employment space, around 6,100 square meters of hotel use, and underground parking. Large areas will be dedicated to public use, reflecting the city’s priorities.

The urban renewal is being managed by Eden, Jerusalem Municipality’s economic development arm. Public-benefit allocations will include a 4,300-square-meter library, auditorium, and laboratories, four kindergarten classrooms, three daycare classrooms, a 600-square-meter synagogue, an 1,800-square-meter sports hall, and a 10-dunam public park. Some of the photos released by the developer are shown here.

The project is designed by the internationally renowned Dutch architecture firm MVRDV, in collaboration with Danish architect Jan Gehl, known for people-centered urban design. The local architectural firm is MAARCS, with landscape architecture by Urbanof (Orbanof), led by Lior Levinger.

Once a historic cigarette factory, the Hasbon complex is being transformed into a new, vibrant community and cultural hub in the heart of Jerusalem, aiming to create an innovative urban space that connects community life, culture, and the city center, according to the city, but Israeli-Greek architect Elias Mesinas sees things differently. He writes:

Jerusalem is a city whose urban identity was shaped over centuries through a balance between sacred sites, preserved skylines, and community-driven discussion. Today, that balance is being tested. At Hasbon compound, a proposal for a 50-storey three tower luxury development has triggered more than 200 objections from the local community concerned about the project’s scale, shadows, and long-term impact on public space. The issue is not whether Jerusalem should build or densify, but how it should do so, and for whom.

The city inherited from the British Mandate era three “red lines” in planning: protection of the skyline, building in stone, and preserving the valleys. As the city expanded westward with distinctive garden-city neighborhoods, and to the east with massive, dense but low-rise residential complexes, these principles ensured visual harmony with the Old City and the historic neighborhoods and landscapes and a sense of place for the local community. Recent urban-renewal policies — driven by seismic-risk mitigation (Tama 38), demographic projections for population growth, and mass-transit expansion — have challenged these constraints. The result has been a gradual acceptance of planning and zoning schemes previously considered unthinkable for the city, leading to a wave of approvals for high-density high-rise redevelopment for luxury living rather than affordable units, threatening to push long-time residents out of historic neighborhoods through ‘gentrification.’

Over the past three decades, Jerusalem’s Community Councils have played a critical role in engaging residents in planning processes and ensuring that the voice of the community is heard in planning committees. As someone who has served as an urban planner for one of these Councils, I have seen how local knowledge and civic involvement has improved plans, has protected open spaces and old trees, has increased public amenities, and has ensured that neighborhood character is considered.

Further, in 2023, community action even succeeded in rerouting the light rail planned blue line, to ensure that it does not harm the neighborhood but rather serves it. In the past, community advocacy has even succeeded in rejecting international ‘trophy projects,’ from Frank Gehry’s Tolerance Museum to Moshe Safdie’s residential plan in the Judean Hills, and in 2023, MVRDV’s proposal for the President’s Hotel site in historic Talbieh neighborhood: although significantly reduced in height after strong neighborhood objections — a case in which I personally delivered the community’s position to planners and the design team, ultimately, it was canceled and the property sold to another developer.

This context is essential for understanding the current Hasbon Square controversy. The site’s planning history began with approval for a single 30-storey tower on the old Pazgaz building in 2021. Over the years, through amendments and increasing developer ambitions, the proposal expanded into a three-tower scheme that now aims to also occupy land of Meir Sherman park – part of Independence park – a public park since 1921. Despite the impressive portfolio of the international teams involved — including architects MVRDV and urban planner Jan Gehl — the plan raises substantive planning concerns, and community objections, primarily about quality public space.

The community objects to the loss of meaningful public space. A significant portion of existing green area – Meir Sherman park – is proposed for development. The remaining open space would spend much of the year in shade due to the towers’ half-kilometer-long shadow — one projected to reach in the afternoon near the Old City walls less than 800 meters away. A public space without sunlight risks becoming symbolic rather than usable, inviting and pleasant.

The community objects to private sky courts labelled as public but inaccessible. Private elevated courtyards dramatically increase the project’s volume and height. Although described in the project documents as ‘public amenities’, these spaces are in fact private, for use by the development tenants only, leaving the local community with only a minimal share of accessible public use — around three percent, and a significantly bigger project.

The community raises objections about a compromised public square, the proposed plaza that sits behind tall structures that block sunlight and intensify winds, raising doubts about whether it will function as a comfortable civic space in Jerusalem’s microclimate, as intended.

The community also objects to surpassing the already dominated skyline of the historic city with high rise development planned or under construction. Breaking the existing policy with a 50-storey development, threatens to further compromise both the city skyline – visible from the public and open spaces in the city.

 

The development raises concerns about a high-end real-estate venture that maximizes returns while offering thin layers of “green” or “public” features. The Hasbon project proposed greenery on terraces 50 floors up does not inherently make the project “green,” nor does it justify expanding building rights or increasing the built volume. Similarly, branding shaded plazas as “vibrant” public spaces does not guarantee they will serve their intended users, given the environmental and micro-climatic conditions of public spaces dominated by high-risers. The project, as currently presented, does not adequately reconcile developer objectives with Jerusalem’s civic, environmental, and cultural needs.

This no doubt is a moment of decision. As the objection period comes to a close, the community’s message is consistent and measured: the question is not whether to build, but how to build responsibly and in a way that serves the city and the community. Jerusalem needs seismic reinforcement, affordable housing, and quality public space. But it also needs to preserve the values that make it one of the world’s most cherished cities. Good urban development can achieve both — respecting community, climate, heritage, and daily life.

Jerusalem has repeatedly shown that planning is strongest when residents, professionals, and decision-makers work collaboratively and all voices are heard. The Hasbon development offers an opportunity to reaffirm this approach. A project of this scale should enhance its surroundings, not overwhelm them; it should give more to the city than it takes. The city of Jerusalem and the local community deserve nothing less.

The post Luxury tower in Jerusalem ruins its sacred heritage and eco-architects are worried appeared first on Green Prophet.

Batteries only sell well when their value is clearly explained. This is where solar design software, energy-yield calculators, and proposal platforms become essential tools for installers. AI is leading the way.

The post Hybrid Solar + Storage: How AI and Smart Modeling Tools Are Helping Solar Installers Scale appeared first on Green Prophet.

In November 2025, entrepreneur Nahum Rosenberger announced plans to develop Israel’s most expensive urban renewal project at the Hasbon (Hesbon) complex in central Jerusalem. The project, with an estimated investment of NIS 3.6 billion (about $1 billion USD), will span about 7 acres and include three high-rise towers of 41, 43, and 45 floors, comprising approximately 950 residential apartments.

Beyond housing, the development will feature extensive mixed-use components, including 8,600 square meters of retail space, 8,300 square meters of office and employment space, around 6,100 square meters of hotel use, and underground parking. Large areas will be dedicated to public use, reflecting the city’s priorities.

The urban renewal is being managed by Eden, Jerusalem Municipality’s economic development arm. Public-benefit allocations will include a 4,300-square-meter library, auditorium, and laboratories, four kindergarten classrooms, three daycare classrooms, a 600-square-meter synagogue, an 1,800-square-meter sports hall, and a 10-dunam public park. Some of the photos released by the developer are shown here.

The project is designed by the internationally renowned Dutch architecture firm MVRDV, in collaboration with Danish architect Jan Gehl, known for people-centered urban design. The local architectural firm is MAARCS, with landscape architecture by Urbanof (Orbanof), led by Lior Levinger.

Once a historic cigarette factory, the Hasbon complex is being transformed into a new, vibrant community and cultural hub in the heart of Jerusalem, aiming to create an innovative urban space that connects community life, culture, and the city center, according to the city, but Israeli-Greek architect Elias Mesinas sees things differently. He writes:

Jerusalem is a city whose urban identity was shaped over centuries through a balance between sacred sites, preserved skylines, and community-driven discussion. Today, that balance is being tested. At Hasbon compound, a proposal for a 50-storey three tower luxury development has triggered more than 200 objections from the local community concerned about the project’s scale, shadows, and long-term impact on public space. The issue is not whether Jerusalem should build or densify, but how it should do so, and for whom.

The city inherited from the British Mandate era three “red lines” in planning: protection of the skyline, building in stone, and preserving the valleys. As the city expanded westward with distinctive garden-city neighborhoods, and to the east with massive, dense but low-rise residential complexes, these principles ensured visual harmony with the Old City and the historic neighborhoods and landscapes and a sense of place for the local community. Recent urban-renewal policies — driven by seismic-risk mitigation (Tama 38), demographic projections for population growth, and mass-transit expansion — have challenged these constraints. The result has been a gradual acceptance of planning and zoning schemes previously considered unthinkable for the city, leading to a wave of approvals for high-density high-rise redevelopment for luxury living rather than affordable units, threatening to push long-time residents out of historic neighborhoods through ‘gentrification.’

Over the past three decades, Jerusalem’s Community Councils have played a critical role in engaging residents in planning processes and ensuring that the voice of the community is heard in planning committees. As someone who has served as an urban planner for one of these Councils, I have seen how local knowledge and civic involvement has improved plans, has protected open spaces and old trees, has increased public amenities, and has ensured that neighborhood character is considered.

Further, in 2023, community action even succeeded in rerouting the light rail planned blue line, to ensure that it does not harm the neighborhood but rather serves it. In the past, community advocacy has even succeeded in rejecting international ‘trophy projects,’ from Frank Gehry’s Tolerance Museum to Moshe Safdie’s residential plan in the Judean Hills, and in 2023, MVRDV’s proposal for the President’s Hotel site in historic Talbieh neighborhood: although significantly reduced in height after strong neighborhood objections — a case in which I personally delivered the community’s position to planners and the design team, ultimately, it was canceled and the property sold to another developer.

This context is essential for understanding the current Hasbon Square controversy. The site’s planning history began with approval for a single 30-storey tower on the old Pazgaz building in 2021. Over the years, through amendments and increasing developer ambitions, the proposal expanded into a three-tower scheme that now aims to also occupy land of Meir Sherman park – part of Independence park – a public park since 1921. Despite the impressive portfolio of the international teams involved — including architects MVRDV and urban planner Jan Gehl — the plan raises substantive planning concerns, and community objections, primarily about quality public space.

The community objects to the loss of meaningful public space. A significant portion of existing green area – Meir Sherman park – is proposed for development. The remaining open space would spend much of the year in shade due to the towers’ half-kilometer-long shadow — one projected to reach in the afternoon near the Old City walls less than 800 meters away. A public space without sunlight risks becoming symbolic rather than usable, inviting and pleasant.

The community objects to private sky courts labelled as public but inaccessible. Private elevated courtyards dramatically increase the project’s volume and height. Although described in the project documents as ‘public amenities’, these spaces are in fact private, for use by the development tenants only, leaving the local community with only a minimal share of accessible public use — around three percent, and a significantly bigger project.

The community raises objections about a compromised public square, the proposed plaza that sits behind tall structures that block sunlight and intensify winds, raising doubts about whether it will function as a comfortable civic space in Jerusalem’s microclimate, as intended.

The community also objects to surpassing the already dominated skyline of the historic city with high rise development planned or under construction. Breaking the existing policy with a 50-storey development, threatens to further compromise both the city skyline – visible from the public and open spaces in the city.

 

The development raises concerns about a high-end real-estate venture that maximizes returns while offering thin layers of “green” or “public” features. The Hasbon project proposed greenery on terraces 50 floors up does not inherently make the project “green,” nor does it justify expanding building rights or increasing the built volume. Similarly, branding shaded plazas as “vibrant” public spaces does not guarantee they will serve their intended users, given the environmental and micro-climatic conditions of public spaces dominated by high-risers. The project, as currently presented, does not adequately reconcile developer objectives with Jerusalem’s civic, environmental, and cultural needs.

This no doubt is a moment of decision. As the objection period comes to a close, the community’s message is consistent and measured: the question is not whether to build, but how to build responsibly and in a way that serves the city and the community. Jerusalem needs seismic reinforcement, affordable housing, and quality public space. But it also needs to preserve the values that make it one of the world’s most cherished cities. Good urban development can achieve both — respecting community, climate, heritage, and daily life.

Jerusalem has repeatedly shown that planning is strongest when residents, professionals, and decision-makers work collaboratively and all voices are heard. The Hasbon development offers an opportunity to reaffirm this approach. A project of this scale should enhance its surroundings, not overwhelm them; it should give more to the city than it takes. The city of Jerusalem and the local community deserve nothing less.

The post Luxury tower in Jerusalem ruins its sacred heritage and eco-architects are worried appeared first on Green Prophet.

Eating dark chocolate can keep you looking young. Make your own healthy hot chocolate mix

The post Dark chocolate benefits means slowing aging: make Italian hot chocolate with this recipe appeared first on Green Prophet.

Stick to commonsense advice. Eat a balanced diet. Exercise regularly. Don’t smoke. And consume dark chocolate.

A study led by geneticist Dr. Ramy Saad at King’s College, London (KCL), found that higher blood levels of theobromine, an alkaloid found in cocoa beans, matched slower biological aging. Dr. Saad’s research focuses on how molecules influence DNA aging markers in human blood.

Related: Dr. Bronner sends us dark chocolate to review

“This is a very exciting finding, and the next important questions are what is behind this association,” he says.

“Our study finds links between a key component of dark chocolate and staying younger for longer,” adds Professor Jordana Bell, a professor of epigenomics at KCL. We wonder if chocolate camel milk will ever appear in these studies.

Researchers are exploring the possibility that theobromine works together with cocoa flavanols, compounds thought to improve cardiovascular health. Polyphenols, health-boosting compounds that exist in fruit and vegetables, are found in cocoa too, and may be part of the molecular action working to slow aging.

“This study identifies another molecular mechanism through which naturally occurring compounds in cocoa may support health,” said Dr. Ricardo Costeira, a postdoctoral researcher working at KCL.

An additional PubMed study from 2022 on cardiovascular risk factors on humans and animals suggested that theobromine favorably influences inflammation, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

Study results skew positive for chocolate as a health and life booster, although research is ongoing: laboratory experiments, detailed dietary records, and long-term trials are still ahead to understand how theobromine interacts with human aging.

We simple folk know that lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption and enough sleep naturally affect how a person ages. Others include stress, and home and work satisfaction. And always, genetic factors.

So we can’t control everything that affects how long we live, but we can work on our quality of life. Science gives conditional approval to chocolate – in moderation – as part of a health-boosting diet. And we don’t need research to identify that pop of sensation we get from chocolate as pleasure.

Avoid chocolates heavy in sugar and added fat; they subvert the health benefits you’re looking for. Instead, go with fair-trade, organic chocolate with a high cocoa percentage.

Following are two recipes for making hot chocolate at home. Because why pay for commercial chocolate powder when you can save money making your own?

 

Here’s to your health!

The post Dark chocolate benefits means slowing aging: make Italian hot chocolate with this recipe appeared first on Green Prophet.

“It’s all right if you can’t remember. Our subconscious is spectacularly agile. Sometimes it knows when to take us away, as a kind of protection.” ~Kathleen Glasgow 

A couple of weeks ago, I found myself crying in the park. It was supposed to be just a typical summer day. I was enjoying my usual stroll with my dog, Boni. The sun was shining, and the shade of the trees provided a very welcoming shelter from the burning sun.

Children were running and laughing, and their joy drew me in. Two of them, tiny three-year-olds, were squealing, all happy, wearing Hawaiian-style …

“It’s all right if you can’t remember. Our subconscious is spectacularly agile. Sometimes it knows when to take us away, as a kind of protection.” ~Kathleen Glasgow 

A couple of weeks ago, I found myself crying in the park. It was supposed to be just a typical summer day. I was enjoying my usual stroll with my dog, Boni. The sun was shining, and the shade of the trees provided a very welcoming shelter from the burning sun.

Children were running and laughing, and their joy drew me in. Two of them, tiny three-year-olds, were squealing, all happy, wearing Hawaiian-style skirts and flowers around their necks.

I looked to the right, and there was the perfect birthday scene: a whole setup with tables, an abundance of food and drinks, balloons floating in the air, hanging by invisible threads, adults conversing with each other, and more kids playing in different spots.

The atmosphere was so heartwarming that I immediately felt happy for the birthday girl. Inspired by the scene, I asked myself, “Oh, how were my birthday parties?“

Blank.

Oh my, I couldn’t remember my birthday parties as a child past a certain age, no matter how hard I tried. It was as if I were walking to a place I was sure existed, and all of a sudden, I found a wall. Where the hell did it go? Why can’t I see it? Why is this wall here? Immediately, I started crying. “I don’t remember!” I said to myself repeatedly, sad and frustrated.

Boni started walking me around as I tried to recall my memories. “You can do this, Erika, c’mon!” But I couldn’t. My last memory of a birthday party as a child was before I was physically and sexually abused. All parties after that? Blank. Did they exist? I’m pretty sure they did. Did I have fun? I have no idea.

The question here is not the birthday parties per se; I’m sure I had some sort of celebration, but the heartbreak was knowing little Erika was so hurt and traumatized that her brain shut down on such special occasions.

If you’ve been through traumatic experiences, you may be relating to me right now and thinking, “I feel you, Erika. How do we deal with that?” I get you. It is so painful not having experienced certain things, not being able to remember, not being able to hop into some conversations because your childhood was not “normal” or you can’t remember anything.

But I’m here to bring you hope. Even though it is heartbreaking, you can soothe your heart and find peace. That’s what happened to me on that day when I realized I couldn’t remember my birthday parties. I used five steps I’ve learned on my healing journey to help me process my emotions and get back to my center fairly quickly.

You can use these same steps every time you feel triggered by a memory (or lack thereof) or if something from your past is really bothering you.

1. Acknowledge the pain.

If there’s one thing I learned on my healing journey, it’s that pain needs to be seen and acknowledged. There’s no point in wiping our tears away and pretending like nothing happened. I tried that, and it resulted in years of feeling anxious and numb.

Nowadays, I welcome the pain and celebrate the tears. They are a sign of release, and isn’t that what we want? To release these emotions and pain stored in our bodies?

That’s where I started. I acknowledged my pain. And I know this sounds wild, but I started talking to myself there and then. I spoke to little Erika: “I get what you are feeling. It is painful, and it sucks. You didn’t deserve to go through all that. I see you. Feel what you want to feel. I will hold you; I’m here for you.” And I let the tears, the sadness, and the grief take over.

Although it was a bit unusual to go through this process at the park, I believe that walking and being in nature helped me work through my emotions more easily. I’m not trying to have another breakdown at the park, but being surrounded by nature and moving really came in handy!

2. Soothe and regulate.

My next step was to help myself regulate. After allowing my feelings to surface, I wanted to bring myself to a more grounded place. We want to express our emotions, but being in that place for longer than necessary is not ideal either.

So, I used deep, slow breaths to help me relax, gently touched my arms up and down, softly rubbed the palms of my hands against each other, and kept walking in silence. The feelings were still there, but as time passed, they became less intense, and the sense of panic I felt started to fade.

I can’t remember if I hummed, but it helped me regulate my emotions in the past, so I’m leaving it here in case you can use an extra tip.

3. Bring yourself back to the present moment.

After letting grief take over and returning our body to safety, it is time to get back to the present moment, because when we go through situations like this, our mind goes straight to the past, and for that instant, we’re not here anymore. That is normal, but we’ve got to pull ourselves back. And that’s what I did.

Shamelessly, I started talking to little Erika again: “Girl, we got awesome birthday parties now! You are surrounded by love, and home feels safe. It’s simply amazing!“

The trick is to show yourself that you’re no longer in the past.

My hope is that you are safe and in a different position right now and that your painful past circumstances are no longer present in your daily life. If that’s not where you are yet, my heart goes out to you, and I want you to know that you are not alone. It is not unusual for survivors to find themselves in situations that are eerily similar to their past, but after all you’ve been through, you deserve better.  You deserve to take your power back. May this be your sign to reach for support to create real safety in your life.

You might have felt powerless back then, but you have the power now. And that takes us to the next step.

4. Make plans for the future:

Here is the thing: in these situations, we tend to focus on what we didn’t have, what we lost, or what we were “robbed” of. But this is you taking your power back. Yes, you didn’t have it back then, but you can give it to yourself right now if you choose to, whether that’s something tangible like a birthday cake or something more emotionally based, like self-validation.

Since you have the power, you get to decide what to do from here. And that’s exactly what I did. I reflected on my conversation with my inner child and figured out my needs—in the moment and moving forward.

So ask yourself what you need, and go all in; this is not the time to be embarrassed or to overlook your needs. Need bigger birthday parties? A more active social life? More rest? Asking everyone to take pictures at events so you can look back and remember?

Sometimes this step takes a bit of time, so it’s okay to ask the question and allow space for the answers to come. Whatever that need is, you can always give it to yourself now. I know you may be thinking it, so let me say this: it is never too late to give yourself what you didn’t have back then. You deserve it!

5. Talk about it.

This step is entirely optional, but I found out through personal experience that it can be highly beneficial to you and your loved ones. In my case, I was walking my dog, and eventually, I needed to get back home, where my partner was waiting for me.

In the past, I’d say nothing about what happened and just keep it to myself. I’d think, “I dealt with it, so what’s the point in sharing?“

But here’s the thing (only valid if we’re talking about healthy, loving, supporting people): when you share what happened to you, your loved one will understand why you may be “off.” They may help you with anything you need; they can give you space and time, or a hug, or a shoulder to cry a bit more on.

Or in my case, a very enthusiastic “Your next birthday parties are going to be SPECTACULAR! We’re gonna celebrate so much and create loads of new beautiful memories!“

People who love you want to know what’s going on with you and to support you in any way they can, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

These were the steps that helped me on that day, and honestly, on any day I felt triggered by memories of the past, or the absence of them. My hope is that they help you, too.

Know that you are not alone, and that from the present moment, anything can happen. Your past may sometimes come to shake you, but you can turn it into a powerful moment of healing and release. Lean into curiosity and show yourself some love and compassion. You really deserve it.

Cheers to filling in the blanks with new, beautiful, happy memories!

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I’ve never believed that change should be reserved for special days, but the New Year tends to carry a sense of promise. It often brings a surge of clarity, motivation, and hope that maybe things really could be different.

And then, as January moves along, that initial energy fades.

Responsibilities pile up. Our bandwidth shrinks. And before we know it, we’re pulled back into the familiar current of obligations, far from the shore we were hoping to reach.

It’s not that we lack willpower or discipline. Most of us are already trying hard. What we often need instead is the …

I’ve never believed that change should be reserved for special days, but the New Year tends to carry a sense of promise. It often brings a surge of clarity, motivation, and hope that maybe things really could be different.

And then, as January moves along, that initial energy fades.

Responsibilities pile up. Our bandwidth shrinks. And before we know it, we’re pulled back into the familiar current of obligations, far from the shore we were hoping to reach.

It’s not that we lack willpower or discipline. Most of us are already trying hard. What we often need instead is the right kind of support to help us stay the course when life inevitably intervenes.

That’s why I wanted to share something I think many of you will appreciate.

The Best Year of Your Life Summit 2026, presented by Wisdom for Life, is a free, eight-day online event designed to help you approach the year ahead with intention rather than just hope.

More than 50 respected teachers and guides come together to share practical insights to help you build a solid foundation for the year—one that actually supports your real life.

This is the sixth year of the summit, and hundreds of thousands of people have participated since it first launched.

Whether you’re focusing on your health, relationships, finances, mindset, or sense of purpose, you’ll find grounded tools you can start using right away.

Claim your FREE spot now

You’ll hear from voices you may already know and trust, including Tara Brach, Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Kristin Neff, Ken Honda, Pico Iyer, Sue Morter, Marci Shimoff, and many others.

Each session is intentionally short—about 20–25 minutes—so you’re not asked to carve out huge blocks of time or absorb information you’ll never use. The focus is on insight you can integrate into daily life without overwhelm.

Over the eight days, you’ll explore how to:

• Build sustainable energy and vitality so you’re not exhausted by 3pm or short-tempered with the people you love
• Strengthen your relationships with tools for better communication and deeper presence
• Create financial clarity that replaces the anxiety keeping you up at night with actual confidence
• Develop habits that stick because they’re aligned with who you truly are, not who you think you should be
• Reconnect with joy and purpose in ways that feel natural, not forced

Claim your FREE spot here

The summit touches on all the areas that tend to shape our days most:

• Habits, mindset, and purpose
• Emotional and mental well-being
• Physical health and vitality
• Relationships and communication
• Financial health and abundance
• Simplicity, balance, and harmony
• Spirituality and self-discovery

Most years, we hope things will be different. We try harder, set more goals, and push through.

This year, try a different approach: build the foundation that makes lasting change possible. Eight days with the right kind of support can help shape your whole year ahead.

Reserve your FREE spot now

Oh, and when you register, you’ll also receive two bonus guides—How to Build a New Habit and How to Stop Procrastinating—by James Clear.

I hope the summit is helpful to you!

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Stick to commonsense advice. Eat a balanced diet. Exercise regularly. Don’t smoke. And consume dark chocolate. A study led by geneticist Dr. Ramy Saad at King’s College, London (KCL), found that higher blood levels of theobromine, an alkaloid found in cocoa beans, matched slower biological aging. Dr. Saad’s research focuses on how molecules influence DNA […]

The post Eat Dark Chocolate To Slow Down Aging (With Recipe) appeared first on Green Prophet.

Stick to commonsense advice. Eat a balanced diet. Exercise regularly. Don’t smoke. And consume dark chocolate.

A study led by geneticist Dr. Ramy Saad at King’s College, London (KCL), found that higher blood levels of theobromine, an alkaloid found in cocoa beans, matched slower biological aging. Dr. Saad’s research focuses on how molecules influence DNA aging markers in human blood.

“This is a very exciting finding, and the next important questions are what is behind this association,” he says.

“Our study finds links between a key component of dark chocolate and staying younger for longer,” adds Professor Jordana Bell, a professor of epigenomics at KCL. We wonder if chocolate camel milk will ever appear in these studies.

Researchers are exploring the possibility that theobromine works together with cocoa flavanols, compounds thought to improve cardiovascular health. Polyphenols, health-boosting compounds that exist in fruit and vegetables, are found in cocoa too, and may be part of the molecular action working to slow aging.

“This study identifies another molecular mechanism through which naturally occurring compounds in cocoa may support health,” said Dr. Ricardo Costeira, a postdoctoral researcher working at KCL.

An additional PubMed study from 2022 on cardiovascular risk factors on humans and animals suggested that theobromine favorably influences inflammation, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

Study results skew positive for chocolate as a health and life booster, although research is ongoing: laboratory experiments, detailed dietary records, and long-term trials are still ahead to understand how theobromine interacts with human aging.

We simple folk know that lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption and enough sleep naturally affect how a person ages. Others include stress, and home and work satisfaction. And always, genetic factors.

So we can’t control everything that affects how long we live, but we can work on our quality of life. Science gives conditional approval to chocolate – in moderation – as part of a health-boosting diet. And we don’t need research to identify that pop of sensation we get from chocolate as pleasure.

Avoid chocolates heavy in sugar and added fat; they subvert the health benefits you’re looking for. Instead, go with fair-trade, organic chocolate with a high cocoa percentage.

Following are two recipes for making hot chocolate at home. Because why pay for commercial chocolate powder when you can save money making your own?

 

Here’s to your health!

The post Eat Dark Chocolate To Slow Down Aging (With Recipe) appeared first on Green Prophet.

Qatayef – also spelled katayif or qatya’if – is traditionally eaten at Ramadan (get our Ramadan vegetarian ideas here), but it’s a treat anytime. In fact, it’s a treat that’s gone through history.

A recipe for qatayif appears in a tenth century Arabic cookbook by the writer Ibn Sayyar al-Warraq, who compiled recipes going back to the eighth and ninth centuries. People have been eating qatayif for a very long time.

The post Simple Qatayef recipe makes fabulous nut-filled pancakes appeared first on Green Prophet.

Stick to commonsense advice. Eat a balanced diet. Exercise regularly. Don’t smoke. And consume dark chocolate.

A study led by geneticist Dr. Ramy Saad at King’s College, London (KCL), found that higher blood levels of theobromine, an alkaloid found in cocoa beans, matched slower biological aging. Dr. Saad’s research focuses on how molecules influence DNA aging markers in human blood.

“This is a very exciting finding, and the next important questions are what is behind this association,” he says.

“Our study finds links between a key component of dark chocolate and staying younger for longer,” adds Professor Jordana Bell, a professor of epigenomics at KCL. We wonder if chocolate camel milk will ever appear in these studies.

Researchers are exploring the possibility that theobromine works together with cocoa flavanols, compounds thought to improve cardiovascular health. Polyphenols, health-boosting compounds that exist in fruit and vegetables, are found in cocoa too, and may be part of the molecular action working to slow aging.

“This study identifies another molecular mechanism through which naturally occurring compounds in cocoa may support health,” said Dr. Ricardo Costeira, a postdoctoral researcher working at KCL.

An additional PubMed study from 2022 on cardiovascular risk factors on humans and animals suggested that theobromine favorably influences inflammation, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

Study results skew positive for chocolate as a health and life booster, although research is ongoing: laboratory experiments, detailed dietary records, and long-term trials are still ahead to understand how theobromine interacts with human aging.

We simple folk know that lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption and enough sleep naturally affect how a person ages. Others include stress, and home and work satisfaction. And always, genetic factors.

So we can’t control everything that affects how long we live, but we can work on our quality of life. Science gives conditional approval to chocolate – in moderation – as part of a health-boosting diet. And we don’t need research to identify that pop of sensation we get from chocolate as pleasure.

Avoid chocolates heavy in sugar and added fat; they subvert the health benefits you’re looking for. Instead, go with fair-trade, organic chocolate with a high cocoa percentage.

Following are two recipes for making hot chocolate at home. Because why pay for commercial chocolate powder when you can save money making your own?

 

Here’s to your health!

The post Eat Dark Chocolate To Slow Down Aging (With Recipe) appeared first on Green Prophet.

Few fashion accessories carry the environmental burden of sunglasses. Most frames are constructed from petroleum-based plastics and acrylic polymers that linger in landfills for centuries, shedding microplastics into soil and waterways long after they’ve been discarded. Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López, president of the Spanish eyewear brand Hawkers, saw this problem differently than most industry executives.

The post Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López Turned Ocean Plastic Into Profitable Sunglasses appeared first on Green Prophet.

Few fashion accessories carry the environmental burden of sunglasses. Most frames are constructed from petroleum-based plastics and acrylic polymers that linger in landfills for centuries, shedding microplastics into soil and waterways long after they’ve been discarded. Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López, president of the Spanish eyewear brand Hawkers, saw this problem differently than most industry executives. Rather than viewing sustainability as a cost center or a marketing gimmick, he treated it as both an ethical obligation and a business opportunity.

Hawkers launched in 2013 with a €300 investment from four university friends in Elche, Spain. Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López entered the picture three years later, leading a €50 million funding round and assuming the presidency in November 2016. Under his direction, the company expanded from a scrappy e-commerce startup into an international brand selling more than 4.5 million pairs of sunglasses across 50 countries. But Betancourt López wasn’t satisfied with growth alone. He pushed Hawkers to rethink what its products were made of and where those materials came from.

Pulling Profit From Pollution

The H20 collection, launched as a limited-edition capsule line, marked Hawkers’ most ambitious sustainability initiative. Each pair of sunglasses in the series incorporated plastic waste recovered directly from ocean waters. The company collected tens of thousands of plastic bottles that had been polluting marine environments and transformed them into functional eyewear. The name itself referenced water, signaling the collection’s origins and purpose.

“We always have been conscious about sustainability, and we know that the market is shifting toward that direction,” Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López said. “Everyone is getting more conscious and wanting to understand how the product they buy impacts their life, but also the world and environment as well.”

Hawkers didn’t stop at the frames. Both the frames and lenses across all six H20 models use materials designed to minimize planetary harm. Some models feature bamboo-based biodegradable compounds combined with recycled plastics. Others employ biodegradable acetate or plant-based co-polyesters. The lenses themselves break down into biomass, carbon dioxide, and water when disposed of properly. Even the packaging received an overhaul: the typical plastic wrapping was eliminated in favor of recycled paper tape, and the carrying pouches were fabricated from ocean-recovered plastic bottles.

The Business Case for Sustainability

Skeptics often assume that environmentally conscious manufacturing erodes profit margins. Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López has argued the opposite. When he joined Hawkers, the brand carried a valuation of approximately $60 million. After implementing sustainability initiatives alongside aggressive expansion into retail and international markets, the company’s worth climbed past $100 million, with annual sales exceeding that same threshold.

The economics of sustainable eyewear reflect broader shifts in consumer behavior. The global sunglasses market reached $39.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $58.8 billion by 2033, according to IMARC Group research. Within that expansion, sustainability has emerged as a significant differentiator. Roughly 12% of new sunglasses lines now incorporate recycled or bio-based frame materials, a figure that continues to climb as younger buyers prioritize environmental responsibility.

Hawkers recognized this shift early. The company built its reputation on selling designer-quality sunglasses at a fraction of luxury prices—frames that might cost €20 to €25 compared to €100 or more from competitors like Ray-Ban or Gucci. Adding sustainable materials to that value proposition strengthened rather than diluted the brand’s appeal. Customers weren’t just purchasing affordable eyewear; they were buying into a set of values.

“We know from first-hand experience how to revolutionise the eyewear industry,” the company stated when launching the H20 line. “So, we also recognize that—having become market leaders—it’s also our responsibility to lead by example by promoting sustainability.”

The decision to abandon acrylic—a thermoplastic that takes years to decompose and produces harmful microplastics during degradation—proved central to this repositioning. Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López directed the company toward alternatives including bamboo-based biodegradable materials, biodegradable acetate, and recyclable carbon compounds. Manufacturing shifted in-house, with production facilities operating in Spain, Italy, and China, allowing tighter control over material sourcing and quality.

Meeting Demand From Eco-Conscious Buyers

Consumer preferences have moved decisively toward products that align with environmental values. Market research indicates that brands prioritizing sustainable materials and ethical manufacturing practices resonate strongly with younger demographics, particularly millennials and Generation Z shoppers who treat purchases as expressions of identity. Hawkers built its customer base precisely among these groups, using influencer marketing and social media campaigns to reach college students and young professionals.

The H20 collection addressed what many in this demographic consider non-negotiable: transparency about environmental impact. Each element of the product—from ocean-recovered plastic pouches to biodegradable lenses—told a story buyers could share. Knoji, an independent review platform, assessed Hawkers products as both ethical and sustainable based on evaluations from environmentally conscious shoppers.

Hawkers also expanded its One Eco line, featuring models like the One Eco Polarized Green, constructed from bamboo-based biomass combined with recycled plastic. These frames carry TR18 lenses with excellent optical quality and durability while remaining environmentally responsible. Polarized options provide UV400 protection and anti-glare properties, ensuring that environmental credentials don’t compromise performance.

Beyond the Product: Rethinking the Supply Chain

Sustainability at Hawkers extended past materials selection into manufacturing infrastructure. COVID-19 exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains, prompting Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López to reconsider the company’s dependence on external suppliers. Beginning in early 2021, Hawkers invested in building an in-house production facility, ramping output from 30,000 units monthly to 90,000 units. This vertical integration allowed tighter oversight of environmental practices throughout the production process.

The factory uses high-end Italian machinery, with molds costing up to €80,000 compared to roughly $10,000 for cheaper Chinese alternatives. These polished molds create shiny and matte finishes through injection molding rather than painting—a distinction that matters for sustainability. Chinese competitors often rely on paint or stickers for surface effects, which contaminates materials and prevents recycling. Hawkers’ approach enables the company to recycle defective raw materials directly into new production batches, eliminating waste that would otherwise reach landfills.

“We believe that pollution and deforestation are major factors contributing to global warming,” the company stated, noting that Hawkers sees itself at a tipping point regarding environmental responsibility. Owning production facilities meant the brand could control not just what materials entered the supply chain but how waste was handled at every stage.

Scaling Responsibility Across Markets

Hawkers now operates in more than 50 countries, with offices spanning Hong Kong, Barcelona, Mexico City, Los Angeles, and Elche. Mexico alone accounts for 35-40% of sales, driven partly by sponsorships with athletes like Formula 1 driver Sergio Pérez. Across these markets, Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López has pushed the sustainable product lines as core offerings rather than niche experiments.

The company maintains over 60 retail locations, primarily across Spain and Portugal, alongside robust e-commerce operations that still generate the majority of revenue. Each channel reinforces the sustainability message. Online listings highlight eco-friendly materials, while physical stores allow customers to examine the quality of bamboo-based frames and recycled components firsthand.

Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López has described environmental responsibility as inseparable from long-term business health. “You have to use all the tools you have in marketing, creativity, reinvent yourself constantly,” he said regarding the challenge of maintaining relevance in fashion markets. Sustainability functions as one of those tools—a way to differentiate Hawkers from competitors while addressing genuine consumer concerns about planetary impact.

The numbers suggest this approach delivers results. Hawkers has sold more than 4.5 million pairs of sunglasses globally, with the brand generating over $100 million in annual revenue. Facebook featured the company as a marketing success story, citing an 86% increase in engagement and 51% return on advertising spend. These metrics reflect not just effective promotion but a product that resonates with buyers seeking both style and substance.

For Leopoldo Alejandro Betancourt López, the H20 collection and broader sustainability initiatives represent more than corporate responsibility checkboxes. They demonstrate that environmental consciousness and profitability can coexist—that pulling plastic from oceans and transforming it into fashionable eyewear creates value for shareholders, customers, and ecosystems alike.

 

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