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Teen sisters from Gaza win environmental award
Farah and Tala Mousa, displaced by conflict and living in a tent, have been named Middle East regional winners of the Earth Prize for converting rubble into reusable construction blocks.
From destruction to innovation
The sisters, aged 15 and 17, developed their project after their home was destroyed in an airstrike in August. Repeated displacements and the sight of rubble-filled streets inspired them to seek a practical solution.
"After our entire city turned into rubble, everything around us pushed us to think about a solution," Tala told the BBC. "We refused to see rubble only as a symbol of destruction and loss."
How the bricks are made
The process involves crushing debris, sieving it, and mixing it with materials like clay, ash, and glass powder. The resulting lightweight blocks are designed for non-load-bearing uses such as pavements, partitions, and garden beds.
The sisters tested their invention by helping a neighbor secure a tent during bad weather. Their prototype was lost when they were displaced again, but they remain determined to rebuild.
Plans to expand the project
The sisters will use their $12,500 prize to train around 100 young people in Gaza to produce the bricks. Their goal is to manufacture at least 200 blocks and encourage self-reliance in reconstruction efforts.
"We want to participate in reconstruction ourselves, instead of waiting only for outside help," Farah said.
Broader context of destruction
The war in Gaza, triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023, has displaced nearly 90% of the territory's 1.9 million residents, according to the UN. Damage is estimated at $70 billion, with millions of tonnes of rubble scattered across the strip.
Israel's military campaign, launched in response to the October 7 attack, has killed over 72,700 people in Gaza, including 856 since a ceasefire took effect in October 2025, the Hamas-run health ministry reports. The ceasefire, part of a U.S.-backed plan, includes provisions for reconstruction, though humanitarian agencies say large-scale efforts have yet to begin.
Earth Prize and other regional winners
The Earth Prize recognizes young innovators addressing environmental challenges. Other regional winners include an 18-year-old from Ireland, who created biodegradable plastic, and two 17-year-olds from Kenya, who designed a low-cost exhaust filter using natural materials.
A public vote will determine the overall winner after all regional winners are announced.
