Israel Climate Change Impact: What Actions Scientists Say Jewish Nation Needs to Take Against Global Warming

Global warming affects different countries in different ways. Israel’s location near two major seas, as well as its arid climate, makes it a nation susceptible to big climate change.

Scientists have done a plethora of research on the topic worldwide and some have zeroed in on the Jewish nation’s unique issues when it comes to global warming. Action will be required as soon as possible to hold off some adverse effects, while some aspects of climate change are unavoidable and therefore scientists must present ways for mankind to adapt.

Here are five actions that scientists say Israel should take in its fight against global warming.

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1. Regional Efforts
Israel needs to be cognizant of the effects that political unrest in its region have on its water supply. Since global warming has the potential to make the available amount of fresh water even harder to share, countries will need to look at things from a regional viewpoint. According to the Jerusalem Post, Prof. Alon Tal from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev’s Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research said, “It surely serves as a cautionary tale for Jordan, Egypt, and even Lebanon.”

2. Desalination
Prof. Tal also states that desalination is a step to take to try and keep up with fresh water loss. In the same Jerusalem Post story he said, “Indeed, the shift to desalination, which provides the vast majority of Israeli municipal water supply today, can be seen as the kind of climate change adaptive measure.”

3. Urban Planning
According to an article in the Israel Journal of Health Policy Research titled, “Climate Change and Health in Israel: Adaptation Policies for Extreme Weather Events,” Israel needs to factor in health aspects when it comes to buildings and urban planning. Things like shade, wind exposure, and thermal comfort will be very important in future years.

4. Weather Monitoring
The same article also recommends that earlier detection of extreme weather events could save lives and improve the transition to living in a world with a different climate. A monitoring system that can warn citizens of heat waves, cold spells, floods, and other extreme events, plus yearly training exercises, can help prepare citizens.

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5. Irrigation
Arie Issar, professor emeritus at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev's J. Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, wrote an editorial for Haaretz in 2009 that if groundwater was used for irrigation in the desert, more green plants would be available to absorb carbon generated by industry. In the past, Issar convened experts to develop a document urging the world to plant trees in desert areas, something Israel has plenty of.

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