All Stories
Green-spored Parasol - Poisonous, Photo by Yehudit Golan
Small, Yet Dangerous: Too Many Israelis are Poisoned by Wild Mushrooms
A new study reveals the patterns of wild mushroom poisoning in our country: most casualties are men and children up to 6. And where do most poisonings occur? No, it is not dense forests – but rather the neighborly lawns
The Containers. Photo By Ofer Snir
Say No to Overflow: a Solution Against Floods?
A new Israeli invention – rainwater storage tanks to be placed on residential buildings and controlled by a computerized system – may reduce the load on the drainage systems in cities, thereby helping to minimize the dangerous floods Israel has encountered in the recent winters
Credit - David Keisar
The Answer is Blowing in the Wind
A new Israeli invention facilitates water desalination, using a unique wind turbine with a vertical rotation axis, that works without electricity. This invention answers the problem of the vast energy consumption of the current desalination process and could allow residents of isolated communities to enjoy fresh water
Gay Acacia. Photo by Tamar Kafri
Making the Acacia Great Again
A new study recommends that the Aravah and Negev areas will be planted with acacia trees of species that don’t occur naturally in Israel – including the gay acacia, which currently grows in the neighboring Kingdom of Jordan. The purpose of that is to help the important ecosystems which are dependent on the acacias, that are growing weaker and weaker
Photo by Omer Golan
The Forest Can’t Be Seen for the Beetles
The balance of power in the forests has been maintained for years, yet now tiny beetles threaten to take over our pines. A new study suggests using inanimate forest rangers: "trap trees" which would keep the miniature pests away from the trees
Photo By The Laboratory for Civil and Environmental Robotics at the Technion's Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering
The Robotic Farmers of the Future
Israeli researchers from the Technion are developing a solution that addresses the shortages in seasonal harvesters: robots that pick fruit for us
Photo by Naama Lev
What a Waste!
Who are the Israelis that go out into nature and leave dump after them? A new study exposes an unpleasant truth: we are those Israelis
Photo by Stuart Rankin, Flickr, Edited NASA visualization, CC BY-NC 2.0
If We Want to Save Our Planet, We Need to Think Out of This World
Although many people might not be aware of it, NASA doesn't just deal with space – it also does a great deal to study the Earth's climate – and the way it's changing today
أشجار، أزهار والنباتات – لفترة حمل مع أقل ضغوطات نفسية وجسدية
بحث إسرائيلي جديد يشير الى أن هنالك علاقة بين العيش في بيئة خضراء (بوجود نباتات) ومستويات منخفضة لهورمون الكورتيزول – هذا الهورمون يفرز بحالات الضغط، لدى النساء الحوامل.
Hotter Summers, Higher Health Risks
A new Israeli study from the Technion finds an uninterrupted rise in the country’s temperature and humidity rates. Not only does this feel unpleasant, it is also dangerously unhealthy long-term
Photo by Alex Belogub on Unsplash
The Plight of Next-Generation Trees
A new Israeli study finds young forest trees struggling to reach maturity due to the harsh drought conditions intensified by the climate crisis.
Photo by Mincho Kavaldzhiev on Unsplash
Let’s Rethink Our Materials
The fight against the climate crisis requires the replacement of the materials that intensify its impacts. Other materials can contribute to a more environmentally prosperous future, and we must educate ourselves to use and develop them in Israel.
Photo by Hanoch Zoref
Why Did the Judean Hills Fire Grow So Large?
The fire that broke out in the Judean Hills last summer raged in areas where extensive efforts had been made to prevent fires. So what went wrong, and how can the next big fire be prevented?
Photo by Katie Rodriguez on Unsplash
The Hidden Methane Emissions
Measurements carried out in one of the landfills in Israel raise the concern that the calculations on the basis of which methane greenhouse gas emissions are estimated do not accurately reflect the real emissions. Why does this cause so much concern, and what does the Ministry of Environmental Protection intend to do about it?
Photo by Jeremy Bezanger on Unsplash
Take from the Rich and Give to the Poor: Forest Edition
A new Israeli study finds carbon passing from healthy trees to struggling trees all thanks to the fungi that grow on their roots.
Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash
The Importance of a Diverse Forest Inventory
A new Israeli study finds forests with greater varieties of tree species capture and store more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than forests dominated by one main species. From stock markets to combating the climate crisis the advice is the same; it’s always good to diversify.
Image sourced from chabad.org
How Green Can Judaism Get?
With the climate crisis at the forefront of the national conversation, there has been an uptick in religious communities integrating sustainability into their own practices. Will this set a new standard going forward?
Photo by Yonatan Bar-Yosef
Let’s Pool it Together
As climate change and land development projects persist around the world, vernal pools are becoming increasingly difficult to protect around the world. How are they faring in Israel, and what can be done to preserve those that remain?
Photo by Michael Bryant on Unsplash
Reaching New Heights
A new terrestrial survey based on NASA satellite photos has identified the tallest trees in Israel. Which trees are they, where can they be seen, and how will they fare in a harsher climate?
Photo by Eddie Kopp on Unsplash
Planting Solutions in the Ground
When applicable, let plants do the work for us. A new Israeli study has found an effective and eco-friendly way to clean soils contaminated with heavy metals, and it involves some trickery.
Photo by Dr. Victor Kina
Israeli Study Discovers Fish in Absence of Humans Amid Prior Covid Lockdowns
Much like the reports of rarely seen mammals roaming city streets during lockdown periods, so too were uncommon fish species in the beach waters of Eilat.
Photo by Moon on Unsplash
Sukkot Special: It’s Up to Us Now
Sukkot reminds us of the protection God provided the Israelites as they trekked through the Sinai Desert from Egypt. But in the era of the climate crisis, what kind of protections do we have now, and how can Israel improve its own climate resiliency?
Photo by Hernan Sanchez on Unsplash
Too Bright To Be Sound Asleep
With cities growing larger, urban residential areas are getting louder and brighter, and it’s becoming harder to sleep at night. A new Israeli study sets out to prove that noise and light pollution are impacting your sleep schedule.
Image by feraugustodesign from Pixabay
Will Wastewater Suffice?
To alleviate concerns over water scarcity, wastewater reclamation has emerged as a trusty solution to provide adequate water resources. But even after rounds of treatment procedures, is it safe to use? New Israeli research sheds light on the issue.
Photo by Daniel Peters on Unsplash
Make Forests Resilient Again
With climate change warnings reaching unprecedented new levels, how will our forests cope? A new study reveals how effective Israeli forests are in sequestering carbon from the atmosphere and what needs to be done to improve their resiliency to the climate crisis.
Photo courtesy of Yaron Ben Nun.
Putting Buildings on Ice
With renewable energy storage lacking and demand for indoor cooling spiking, an Israeli company has found a sustainable way to supply both.
Photo by Marta Wróblewska on Pixabay
The Branch Doesn’t Fall Too Far from the Tree
Just as buildings require maintenance, so do municipal planted trees. Researchers warn of an overlooked life-threatening phenomenon: falling branches in the summertime.
Photo by Moritz Kindler on Unsplash
A.I. Gives Traffic Reduction the Green Light
To address the alarming economic and environmental consequences of inefficient vehicle transportation, Israeli company, Intelligent Traffic Control (ITC), has developed a twofold solution to lessen road congestion and alleviate its burden on the environment.
Photo by Noa Zuckerman
Can Plant-Covered Buildings Cool Things Down?
With each passing summer, cities are getting hotter and more unbearable. With the demand for cooling at an all-time high, a new Israeli study investigates the real-scale benefits of living green buildings on the urban environment and human health.
Photo by Hiriya Recycling Park
What a Throwaway Year
Researchers from the Hiriya Recycling Park examined the urban and residential waste throughout Tel Aviv during the COVID-19 pandemic and revealed some surprising findings.
Photo courtesy of Valeria Kogan
Improving Greenhouse Crop Yields with AI
Between frequent climate extremes and the rising human population rising, major breadbasket nations are struggling to satisfy supply and demand. A new Israeli ag-tech company is providing artificial intelligence to improve local agriculture.
Photo courtesy of Dr. Meir Abelson
Dead in the Water
Without a present plan in motion to stabilize the Dead Sea, the landscape will continue to deteriorate around it, endangering Israel’s tourism and the lives of its southern citizens. Can it be saved, or is it a lost cause?
Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash
The Next Step in Mitigating Food Waste
Try to visualize the combined weight of 5.5 million blue whales, the largest animal on the planet. We’re generating more food waste than that every year, globally. Can a new food pricing initiative lower Israel’s enormous annual food wastage?
Photo by Spencer Davis on Unsplash
Eating Away at the Planet
Most are unaware of the connection between what we eat and the growing effects of climate change. Could the farm-to-table movement set a new sustainable standard for food production and accessibility in Israel?
Photo by Dr. Shai Oron
The Contamination Eilat’s Fish Farms Left Behind
Over a decade after they were removed from the Gulf of Eilat, the effects of the fish cages are still noticeable as Israeli researchers have detected pollutants in the area where they were once located more than a decade ago.
Photos by Cate Bligh, Elizabeth McDaniel, and Mohammed Shahhosseini on Unsplash
A Prognosis for Medical Waste
With the dramatic increase in medical supply production to combat the spread of COVID-19, improperly discarded PPE poses a threat to our environment. Luckily, a new Israeli invention is revolutionizing how we manage this waste safely and sustainably.
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
Go With Your Gut
Recent findings from the Weizmann Institute identify how the Mediterranean diet in relation to gut health paves the way for medical advances, all the while providing a sustainable nutritional lifestyle.
Photo by RFERL
Is Gender Inequality Sabotaging Our Fight Against Climate Change?
Countries aren’t moving fast enough to meet the environmental targets for 2050 set by the Paris Agreement. Addressing underlying gender inequality may be the key to picking up the pace, something that Israel has just begun to tackle.
Photo courtesy of KitePride
Setting Sail with Sustainable Shopping
As textile and clothing production and its waste generation wildly ramp up, one organization is showing just how well sustainable conduct could transform the overly excessive nature of the fashion industry.
Photo by Marcin Jozwiak on Unsplash
Industrial Symbiosis: Good For the Economy, Good For the Environment
How do industries break a decades-long cycle of indiscriminate waste dumping when our own economy encourages it? Answer: Educate the market. With a little nudge, one industry’s waste can be another’s raw material.
Photo by Cole Keister on Unsplash
An Opportunity for Real Change
Six moves can bring about a rapid revolution in the Israeli energy economy, which will benefit all citizens of the country.
Photo by Amir Yurman
Sinking Into Ancient History
There are dozens of ancient shipwrecks sunk along the Mediterranean shores of Israel, which offer a glimpse into the past. Just how much has shipping changed since then?
Photo by Amy Humphries on Unsplash
Speeding Tree Growth with Fungi
Israeli researchers have found a natural and symbiotic way to expedite the growth of pine trees by involving edible fungi mushrooms in their early years of growth.
Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash
Predicting Electrical Grid Problems Before It’s Too Late
A collaboration between an Israeli and an American company may help to curb the problems caused by grid overload and equipment malfunction.
Photo by Paz Arando on Unsplash
You Are What You Wheat
Special for Shavuot: Although the Green Revolution brought wheat production to its highest capacity, it slashed wheat’s genetic diversity making it less resilient to climate change stressors. An Israeli initiative may be wheat’s best shot at genetic restoration.
Photo courtesy of Racheli Gabrieli
The Independent Cows of the Golan Heights
Since 1967, a unique herd of free-ranging cows have been thriving in the Golan Heights. After surviving wars and attempted culling, the woman who has accompanied them for years hopes they will receive official protection from the state.
Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash
Israeli Startup Aims to Convert Carbon Emissions Into Natural Gas
A new technological prototype from a new Israeli company may make it possible to make circular use of the carbon dioxide emitted from combustion engines. Will closing the loop in this way even be feasible or economically viable?
Photo by Bluewater Globe on Unsplash
Detecting Water Contamination Before It Reaches your Tap
On top of the issues brought on by freshwater scarcity, contaminated drinking water has only compounded the problem. Luckily, Israeli researchers have found a way to detect contaminated water in real time before it reaches our homes.
Photo by Israel Defense Forces on Flickr
The Environmental Cost of Israel’s Wars
Since Israel’s declared statehood, the journey to securing its national sovereignty has by no mean been a cakewalk considering the many military conflicts it has had with neighboring countries. But how have military clashes impacted Israel’s environment?
Photo by Tsvika Tsuk, Israel Nature and Parks Authority
Rooted in History
The first Israeli study of its kind examined how the important archeological site in Beit She'arim can be saved from the roots of the trees that penetrate it without harming the trees themselves.
Photo by J Sommer on Flickr
Not Mush-Room for Error
A new Israeli study reveals the threats currently facing wild mushroom populations in Israel. What needs to be done, and what needs to change in order to ensure their presence and diversity for the climatically grim years ahead?
Photo courtesy of Prof. Maoz Fine, Bar-Ilan University
The Perils of Cold-Induced Coral Bleaching
Despite the high temperature tolerance of northern Red Sea corals, a new Israeli study shows how susceptible they are to cold-shifted seawater conditions—a potential consequence of the climate crisis.
Image from bcorporation.net
Corporate Sustainability: To B or Not to B
In recent years, more than 3,900 companies around the world have received B Corps certification, a badge awarded to businesses and organizations for sustainable business performances. But only four are Israeli companies. Why are they the only ones and what are they expected to gain from this move in the near future?
Photo by Doug Kelley on Unsplash
Can Grapevines Cope with Climate Change?
A new Israeli study reveals how vines manage to survive in the dry and heated conditions of the Israeli summer. But will they be able to thrive when conditions significantly worsen due to the climate crisis? What will happen to our wine?
Photo by John Yunker on Unsplash
Birds, Bushes, Balance
A new Israeli study has found a link between the proliferation of shrubs in forests and the variety and quantity of birds in the surrounding area. How will this affect existing shrub thinning policies aimed at preventing severe instances of forest fires?
Photo by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash
From Waste to Paste
A new development makes it possible to convert discarded plastic bags left to pollute into strong, adhesive glue substances. Will this succeed in reducing the ongoing environmental damage perpetrated by disposable plastic?
Screenshot of Tar Detection Map on "Jellyfish Inc." website
Detecting Tar Contamination in Real-Time
A new initiative by marine scientists will make it possible for citizens to report tar contamination on Israeli coasts and keep up to date with the development of the severe oil spill that recently befell Israel’s marine environment.
Photo by James Martin on Flickr
What is the Future for Green Jobs?
In the global effort to economically recover from the Coronavirus pandemic, government leaders worldwide are discussing and debating the transition towards green economies to curb the negative effects of the current climate crisis in the process. Can Israel follow suit?
Photo courtesy of Kenaf Ventures
A Botanical Cure for Construction Sector’s Heavy Carbon Emissions
In the effort to decarbonize the buildings and construction sector, a CleanTech Israeli company has developed a unique and environmentally friendly building material: the kenaf plant.
Photo by Jae C Hong/AP
Did Wildlife Really Reclaim Cities?
A new Israeli study assesses whether wildlife really “took over cities” during pandemic-related lockdown periods or if reports were simply exaggerated.
Photo by U.S. Department of Agriculture, CC BY 2.0
Passover Special: A Moral Obligation to Cut Food Waste
As annual food waste around the world inches closer to reaching one billion metric tons, what can Passover teach us about our responsibilities in correcting this issue and other environmental issues like it?
Photo by CDC on Unsplash
How Can We Control Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria?
The continued overuse of antibiotics in livestock feed is fueling dangerous consequences for human public health as bacteria grows ever more resistant to them. A new report from the Ministry of Health outlines recommended policy measures to curb this trend.
Photo by Engin Akyurt on Unsplash
How Does the Coronavirus Affect Diabetics?
A new study conducted at Ben Gurion University draws a link between COVID-19 lockdowns and harmful secondary damage to the health of diabetics. The looming climate crisis may also play a role in their overall health.
Photo by Zoya Loonohod on Unsplash
Is Air Pollution Making Coronavirus Worse?
Two Israeli researchers have collected data from around the world and found a worrying link between air pollution levels in OECD countries and the level of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19.
Photo by Lexi Lee on Flickr
The Mental Weight of Environmental Calamities on Children
A new survey conducted by psychiatrists found that more than half of the young patients they had treated over the past year had experienced emotional distress due to environmental issues. What can we do to curb this concerning phenomenon?
Photo by Max Kaplan-Zantopp
Israel Oil Spill: It Was Only a Matter of Time
Israel is still reeling from an oil spill that has laced around 160 kilometers of Mediterranean coastline with tar. Will this event spark a cultural shift away from fossil fuels, or will our dependence on them continue to put marine ecosystems and public health at risk?
Photo by Bas Emmen on Unsplash
Toning Down Wasteful Printing Habits
With demand for paper rising, so too are deforestation rates as well as paper-related waste. In response to this growing issue, Israeli company, ePaper Ltd. is marketing innovative technology to large companies and government ministries that encourages and minimizes paper use.
Photo by Mariana Proença on Unsplash
Can Solar Energy be Cleaner?
Although solar technology is revered as the energy of the future, it’s emission-free functionality overshadows solar panels’ improper disposal when they expire. Luckily, a team of Israeli researchers may have found a way to avoid substantial solar panel waste.
Photo by Michael Schiffer on Unsplash
Recycling Plastic: Let Bacteria Do the Work
Collaboration between researchers from Ben Gurion University and a Portuguese recycling company is working to develop an original technological solution to the problem of single-use disposable plastic: feed it to bacteria.
Photo by Maicol Santos on Unsplash
Sustainable Protein is Leaping Forward
Are insects the answer to sustainably sourced protein? Israeli company, Hargol FoodTech, is developing a new genetic line of edible grasshoppers, which could help minimize the agriculture sector's notorious GHG emissions.
Photo by Ella Pozner
Are We Planting Too Many Trees?
Special for Tu Bishvat: A new Israeli study finds that low density forests sequester more carbon dioxide than dense ones and thus better contribute towards climate change mitigation.
Photo by Lucy Wolski on Unsplash
The Race for Breast Milk
Biotechnology companies are trying to develop synthetic substitutes for breast milk as an alternative to dairy-based products. But does this solution adequately alleviate health and environmental concerns?
Photo by Roey Egozi
The Farms Keep Flooding
Heavy winter rainfall events are producing intense and frequent floods to many agricultural areas in Israel. With greater financial damages accruing over time, what measures can be taken to better protect farmer’s livelihoods and our source of food?
Photo by Yasmina H on Unsplash
The Green Way to Recover from COVID-19
Experts in economics, policy, and environmental fields have presented a detailed plan designed to rescue the Israeli economy from the hardships brought on by the Coronavirus. Can green initiatives improve our environment and repair Israel’s economic crisis?
Photo by Aleph Farms
Growing Meat as Opposed to Raising Meat
Israeli ag-tech company, Aleph Farms, can successfully produce cultured meat using a fraction of the land, resources, and time. Young activists are echoing this principle to generate broader public acceptance as a legitimate way to combat climate change.
Photo by Max Kaplan-Zantopp
The Couple that Changes the Relationship Between Birds and Farmers
She is an agroecologist from Germany, and he is a bird watcher from Israel. Their new joint study explores the way migratory birds help farmers in the southern Arava administer natural pest control
Photo by Elizaveta Ivanova
The Attractive Odors of Marine Plastic
It has been long assumed marine animals eat plastic because they visually mistake it for prey. However, a recent study suggests this ingestion may actually be the result of the aromas that marine plastic debris emit. Lethal consequences were seen along Tel Aviv’s coastline.
Photo by Prof. Maoz Fine, Bar-Ilan University
A Catastrophe in the Red Sea is Imminent
The Safer oil tanker has not been maintained in the five years since its takeover by Houthi rebels off the west coast of Yemen. Experts warn of a disastrous oil spill in the Red Sea as the vessel nears its final stages of decay. Can this be stopped before it’s too late?
Photo by Benjamin Rascoe on Unsplash
Climate Change is Compromising our Security
National security hangs in the balance as climate change weakens the integrity of nations’ militaries worldwide. Upgrading military infrastructures to properly cope with weather extremes should be prioritized in order to prepare for the conflicts that lie ahead.
Photo by Mark Katz on Israel Nature and Parks Authority
Ashalim Stream Still Contaminated from Disastrous Acid Spill
Monitoring program reveals that even after three years, flora and fauna of the Ashalim stream have not yet recovered from 2017 acid spill.
Photo by Maria Lupan on Unsplash
Israel’s cities are not ready for the climate crisis
A new Israeli study conducted in Haifa found that the city is not sufficiently prepared to deal with the effects of the climate crisis. Additionally, the lack of awareness among local decision-makers and city residents was found to be alarming Photo by Maria Lupan on Unsplash
Israel’s cities are not ready for the climate crisis
A new Israeli study conducted in Haifa found that the city is not sufficiently prepared to deal with the effects of the climate crisis. Additionally, the lack of awareness among local decision-makers and city residents was found to be alarming
Lumiweave - by Anai Green
Lumiweave – The evolution of light and shade
Anai Green, this year’s winner of the Women4Climate Tech Challenge, has created a novel outdoor fabric called Lumiweave, combining the benefits of renewable off-the-grid solar energy with day-time shading in one material.
Photo by Richard on Flickr
Are there ecosystems that benefit from climate change?
While rising temperatures and intensifying droughts caused by the global climate crisis threaten ecosystems and wildlife in Israel, there are some habitats that might actually prosper in the new reality
Photo by Igal Ness on Unsplash
Israel must aim for net-zero emissions
One of Israel's primary goals should be to quit fossil fuels and create an economy with zero emissions by 2050. That is the dominant global trend, and if we do not change our course, we may pay a severe economic price.
Photo by Shelbey Miller on Unsplash
Music for the plants
Some gardeners claim that playing music for their garden plants helps them grow. Others even write music, especially for plants, to increase the growth rate. But can plants even hear? And if so, can this property be utilized to increase agricultural yields and feed the world's ever-growing population? Israeli scientists weigh in on the matter
Photo by paul silvan on Unsplash
Will Israel buy Jordanian green electricity in the future?
Following the buzz generated by the normalization agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, an initiative to purchase renewable energy from Jordan has somewhat fallen between the cracks. Could this really be a tangible solution?
Photo by Victor Sobhani on Flickr
Israeli pine trees are dying of thirst
Intensifying droughts and severe heat are beginning to devastate the country's pine populations. A new research study examined which pine trees could be more resistant to the new climate reality
SONY DSC
The last surviving olive
In a new study, Israeli scientists examined how local olive trees cope with dwindling water supplies caused by an intensifying climate crisis
Common Fig
A new Israeli initiative aims to protect urban wild plants
Have you recently come across some strange words written in chalk on the sidewalk? Most likely, this is not a children's game, but a new initiative aiming to raise awareness about the importance of wild plants in the urban environment – and it is gaining momentum.
Photo by Amir Arnon, Ramat Hanadiv
What’s the Gazelle eating?
The Mountain Gazelle is a symbol of nature conservation in Israel, but its habitats are disappearing quickly, and its future is uncertain. Luckily, the country’s forests seem to have given refuge to stable gazelle populations. For the first time, scientists are trying to understand how Israel’s pine forests support these elusive herbivores
Photo by Jochen Bückers on Unsplash
What will happen to the trees?
In hardly any other country of the world has planting trees changed the landscape and the living conditions as much as it did in Israel. In an ongoing research study on the country’s forests, researchers are looking for an answer to the question: “How will Israel manage and preserve its forests in the future?”
Photo by Dr. Ori Fragman-Sapir
Israel’s forests give shelter to country’s most endangered plants
Israel is known for having performed one of the world’s most extensive tree-planting endeavors. What many people don’t know is that today these forests are home to some of the most endangered plant species in the country
Photo by Sarah Ohayon
The Forgotten Reef
There is a little natural wonder, hidden underwater just off the beach of the Bat Galim neighborhood in Haifa. But the authorities’ continued disregard for the site could significantly damage its unique ecosystem
Photo by Andreas Rockstein on Flickr
Silent invasion
In the United States and Europe, measures are already underway to stop the spread of Ambrosia confertiflora, a particularly aggressive invasive plant that originated in America. However, Israel is still not sufficiently aware of its harmful effects on public health and the environment. A team of experts is trying to change the situation
Photo by natsuki on Unsplash
Under the radar: How sportfishing in Israel contributes to a crisis in the Mediterranean Sea
Sportfishing in Israel has various negative effects on the health of the Mediterranean fisheries. What can be done to improve this situation?
Photo by Ivan on Flickr
The Environmental Tariff of Drinking Water
A new Israeli study examined the environmental and climatic effects of the country's drinking water, from its starting point, through pipelines and desalination plants, all the way to the end consumer
Photo by NPS
A new approach to earthquake early warning: SeismicAi
A young Israeli company is aiming to revolutionize earthquake early warning, with a new seismic algorithm and a unique seismic sensor network
Photo by Katya O. on Unsplash
Will Israeli watermelons become renewable fuel in the future?
The Malali watermelon is known for its large crunchy seeds, a popular snack among Israelis. However, 97 percent of the fruit is discarded in the field as waste. A new Israeli study shows that this waste could be used to produce renewable fuel
Photo by Christopher A. Dominic on Flickr
New sensor technology “at face level” for more accurate air quality measurements
Israeli scientists from the Technion are developing a set of small portable sensors and a unique algorithm for accurate air pollution mapping in order to monitor the air we breathe more effectively
Photo by Miguel Bruna on Unsplash
Is Israel Really a World Power of Renewable Energies?
Why is Israel ranked first among OECD countries in the rate of solar power generation from the economy’s total electricity consumption? A look at the fine print of the Israeli energy market
Photo by Eldad Israeli on Flickr
What makes the birds tick?
In a first-of-its-kind study, Israeli scientists, in collaboration with Keren Kayemet LeYisrael -the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF), set out to discover what makes millions of migratory birds spend their resting hours in the forests throughout the country and to further support this important behavior of wild birds.
Photo by Pierre Janineh on Flickr
Public Spaces and Mental Health in Times of COVID-19
The global quarantine measures in the face of COVID-19 have been unprecedented. And while Israel is still struggling to prevent a second lockdown, city dwellers thirsty for the outdoors flock to the beaches and parks. What did COVID-19 teach us about the importance of public spaces in the city?
Photo by Jared Brashier on Unsplash
Researchers strive to monitor forest health with drones
In the 1970s, Keren Kayemet LeYisrael – Jewish National Fund (KKL – JNF) began monitoring the health of Israeli forests. Five years ago, they started using satellite imagery. Today, scientists are deploying drones to find out if new technology can replace conventional monitoring methods
Photo by John Fowler on Unsplash
Goats Against Fires
Sometimes complex problems require creative solutions. An excellent example of this is the decision made by the Jerusalem Municipality to prevent fires with the help of an unusual group of firefighters
Photo by Fredrick Suwandi on Unsplash
Could there be an Israel without air conditioning in the future?
After almost two months of nation-wide lockdown due to COVID-19, Israel went from quarantine straight into a record-breaking heatwave, and AC’s throughout the country were running at full speed
Photo by Atlas Green on Unsplash
Going green: Tourism in a post-coronavirus world
What will local and global tourism look like after the Corona crisis? Dr. Yael Ram, a tourism researcher, thinks that flights and resorts will return, but the industry must be aware of its impact on the environment in order to be prepared for future crises
Photo by Andrew Magill on Flickr
Milk made in Israel – with Ibuprofen and Caffeine
Israeli researchers have found drug and pesticide residues in locally produced milk, but the offices in charge keep passing the buck. "No one in Israel is investigating whether there are any residues of contaminants like pesticides in cattle feed ... It doesn’t interest anyone," says researcher
Photo by Karsten Würth on Unsplash
Peering into a World of Solarpunk
As the environment continues to benefit from restrictions imposed by the government because of COVID-19, perhaps we should take advantage of the cleaner climatic conditions and lay down the groundwork for a more environmentally synergistic society
Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Endangered Turtles Find Home in Israeli Sewage Plant
In the bustling central district of Israel, in a quiet green spot near the water, five turtles have set up their permanent home, undisturbed from human activity – almost. The location the turtles have chosen as their residence is right next to the Palgey-Sharon wastewater treatment plant
Photo by Adrien Delforge on Unsplash
Food Security in a Post-COVID-19 World
Are food imports and exports a thing of the past? What will food security in a post-COVID-19 world look like?
Photo by Jacques Bopp on Unsplash
Israeli scientists work to save the country’s coastline from rising tide
Ancient escarpments along Israel’s coast are being broken down by the constant wave action while the sea level rises and beaches disappear. What does this mean for Israel’s changing coastline?
Photo by Joshua Lanzarini on Unsplash
Israel’s Post-COVID Hope for Food Security: Legacy Seeds
Can humanity cope with the current food supply we are accustomed to today? What changes can we make to prepare for the next crisis? Israeli scientists are studying the advantages of legacy seeds in order to answer these questions
Photo by Marco Verch on Unsplash
From Shavuot to Dairy to Desalination
To prevent public gatherings during COVID-19, Lag BaOmer took place without bonfires, resulting in a significant reduction in air pollution. Now, Shavuot will be the first holiday to be celebrated after most restrictions have been lifted in Israel
Photo by Karsten Würth on Unsplash
From COVID-19 to Sustainable Economy?
While global leaders are trying to transition their economies back on track, environmental activists see a unique opportunity for governments to embrace more sustainable economic and environmental principles
Photo by Ross Sneddon on Unsplash
Public Health Experts see Opportunity for Future Planning amidst Corona Crisis
As COVID-19 continues to dominate headlines, public health experts have viewed this time as an opportunity to learn from the situation and plan for future pandemics that may arise from climate change and environmental degradation
Photo by Tapio Haaja on Unsplash
Aviation Arrives at a Crossroads
The spread of Coronavirus is financially crumbling the airline industry, but will its predicted comeback boost prior carbon offsetting efforts for the sake of the environment, or will its economic fossil fuel associated recovery prevail over climate-conscious innovations?
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Tel Aviv – New York – Berlin
After weeks of grueling lockdowns and desperate searches for exit strategies, many large and mid- sized companies have resumed limited operations. However, small businesses like restaurants, cafes, and bars, that depend heavily on daily revenue have to remain closed, making it even harder for them to survive
Photo by Dafna Tal on Flickr
Light pollution in the Red Sea
New research in Eilat shows that artificial light at night from surrounding tourist attractions has negative effects on corals
Photo by Lilach Daniel on Flickr
A Smokeless Lag BaOmer
The decision to cancel Lag BaOmar bonfires this year due to the coronavirus could serve as an opportunity to find more original and less health-damaging and environmentally harmful ways to celebrate the holiday
Photo by Charles Deluvio on Unsplash
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly About Working from Home
Working from home used to be a luxury. The thought of sleeping in and not changing out of pajamas was a dream that was only within reach a few times a year, if that. However, now, it has become a reality across the globe.
Photo by Dave Herring on Unsplash
Too much water for the Kinneret?
Since the beginning of the year, the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) has been rising at a consistent rate. Over the last couple of weeks, the water level has been pushing closer and closer to the “upper red line,” reaching a 16-year high. Such an extreme rise does not come without ecological implications
Photo by ZAVIT
“Flowing,” Israel’s one-of-a-kind TV Series
With COVID-19 dominating the news, many people on lockdown are looking for new and entertaining shows to take their mind off things. Look no further than Zormim (“Flowing”).
Photo by Daniel Lerman on Unsplash
Overpopulation in Israel: A self-made crisis
With COVID-19 all over the news and on everyone’s mind, it’s easy to cast aside the issues that are at the root of many of modern society's problems and those that could exacerbate global crises like Coronavirus
Photo by Stefan Heesch on Unsplash
Coronavirus Pushes Israel’s Innovative Spirit to New Levels
The coronavirus pandemic has put the entire world in a gridlock. Like many other countries, Israel is near a complete lockdown, and most of the population is confined to their homes. However, the crisis-experienced nation known for its “outside-of-the-box-thinking” seems to have a couple of aces in the hole
Photo by Wikipedia
City animals: nuisance or neighbors?
With cities attracting more people every year, tolerance for urban animal life is in question. An audio tour project created by an Israeli researcher is shifting perspectives
Photo by Jasmin_Sessler on Pixabay
Coronavirus crisis likely to exacerbate Israel’s plastic problem
Partial lockdown raises concerns over potential increase in demand for single-use items due to food delivery services and protective masks; but while plastics may temporarily be on rise, outbreak could have positive impact on country's green credentials
Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Wastewater Treatment Gives Hope to Alexander River
Pollution sources originating from the West Bank remain a serious threat to the ecology of the Alexander River. An ongoing project to build a new Israeli wastewater treatment plant offers the possibility of full river restoration within the next decade
Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Turning Plastic Waste Into Sustainable Products
A recently unveiled technology from an Israeli-led company might help combat the globally mounting plastic problem
Photo by Sarah Vorsanger
The Israeli Prosthetics Clinic That Gives People and Animals a Second Chance
Technoleg Orthopedic Institute has helped countless amputee patients regain the motion of walking for more than 40 years. Recently, they became the first and only place in Israel to make prosthetics for animals
Photo by Mark Kao on Flickr
Sustainable Food For The Future
Have you ever considered where your food is produced? The vast majority of our protein comes from land-based farm operations, while only 15% of protein comes from the sea. Cultivating seaweed and aquatic organisms including fish has the potential to provide our global population with high-quality resources with numerous proven health benefits
Photo by Benjamin Horn on Unsplash
Scientist finds microplastics in milk
A simple experiment conducted by an Israeli scientist has revealed, once again, that microplastics are everywhere. Not only in the environment but also in many every-day consumer products
Photo by Judeus Samson on Unsplash
Making Purim Sustainable
How to celebrate Purim while minimizing the environmental damage
Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash
Finding Clean Cosmetics is a Click Away
A new Israeli tech-solution helps consumers to detect suspicious contents in products on online shopping sites, thus buying wisely and safely
Photo by Robert on Unsplash
Storms ahead for Israel
The wild weather that hit Israel in the early days of 2020 is indicative of a trend that is becoming increasingly acute due to the climate crisis, so how are the country, its cities, and the insurance industry coping with the alarming outlook for the coming decades?
Photo by Glenn Beltz on Flickr
Leviathan: A Risk Worth Taking?
Israel’s newly finished Leviathan Gas Rig is being praised by energy executives and government officials as the path to energy independence. But will environmental impacts caused by natural gas exploitation remain unchanged or will it lead to catastrophic consequences, as it often has in the past?
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
Work from home, save money and protect the environment
Working remotely from a neighborhood cafe or regional business center can help to reduce road congestion and pollutant emissions, as well as save billions of dollars that would have otherwise been lost to commuting
Photo by Yang Jing on Unsplash
Transition énergétique: Israéliens et Allemands réfléchissent ensemble
Récemment le centre d’Etudes israélo-allemand de l'université de 'Haïfa a tenu sa première conférence sur les processus de décarbonation et sur leur application en Allemagne et en Israël pour assurer une transition énergétique de qualité
Photo by Nathan Queloz on Unsplash
All you need is trees and trees again
Tu B’shevat or the “New Year of the Tree,” began as an agricultural holiday. Over time it has turned into the most important ecological day of the Jewish calendar, on which trees are planted all over Israel. Today, in times of the climate crisis, afforestation has become more crucial then ever
Photo by Joseph Barrientos on Unsplash
Israelis continually exposed to extreme levels of air pollution
A new joint research by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Health reveals alarming findings on the human impact of air pollution in Israel
Photo by Francesco Gallarotti on Unsplash
Israeli Startup Helps Farmers Cope with Climate Change
Rural communities in Africa rely heavily on agriculture. However, the impacts of climate change have severely affected the crop yield in recent years. OKO, an Israeli startup, is working to make sure that these farmers do not suffer economically from crop loss
Photo by Javardh on Unsplash
Israeli Organization is Taking a Stand on Plastics
Plastic Free Israel, an Israeli grassroots organization, is promoting environmentally conscious alternatives and raising awareness of how to live a plastic-free life by educating, motivating, and inspiring individuals to be role models for the planet
Photo by Wikimedia Commons
Israeli start-up strives to cut CO2 emissions using food waste
An Israeli startup, HomeBiogas, aims to cut three million tons of CO2 emissions by 2022 using an affordable and accessible biogas system that is fueled by a combination of bacteria and food scraps
Photo by AbsolutVision on Unsplash
Green from the Outside, Business on the Inside
An Israeli researcher conducted a study demonstrating how the portrayal of landscapes and the environment has shifted in advertisements from the 1950s until now
Photo by Eric Patnoudes on Unsplash
Vers des religions plus vertes?
Photo by Rade Šaptović on Unsplash
Israeli and German scientists join forces in the fight against climate change
Recently, the Haifa Center for German and European Studies at Haifa University held its very first conference on decarbonization strategies in Germany and Israel
Photo by Timon Studler on Unsplash
Camouflaged Pollution
The IDF has the critical mission of ensuring Israel’s security, but often during its activities, the environment gets damaged. So who is guarding the guards?
Photo by Jon Flobrant on Unsplash
Obésité et environnement, des liens et lesquels?
Des études scientifiques menées dans les pays occidentaux ont observé des corrélations entre l'environnement et le surpoids chez les enfants. Ces liens sont toutefois très complexes et difficiles à interpréter car ils intègrent bien souvent d’autres facteurs
Photo by Clarisse Meyer on Unsplash
From Oil Lamp to Light Pollution
Chanukah is the Jewish festival of lights. Every year, in December, during the darkest time of the year, Jewish people around the world celebrate “the festival of lights” with the lighting of the Hanukkiah. But what does modern society actually associate with light?
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
The Line Between Religion and the Environment
Is there a connection between religion and the environment? It is often thought that caring about religion does not go hand in hand with being environmentally conscious. However, religious leaders of different faiths are confronting this misconception
Photo by i yunmai on Unsplash
You can’t just walk it off
Past research has shown that the built environment can allow for changes in adolescent obesity rates. A new Israeli study shows that this linkage is more complex than previous research suggests
Photo by Matt Howard on Unsplash
Smartphones can be used to predict forest fires
The key to preparing well ahead of the next fire could be in our pocket, say Israeli researchers
Photo by Shai Pal on Unsplash
Transition énergétique: Israël peut et doit mieux faire
Israël s'était engagé à fournir 10% de son électricité grâce aux énergies renouvelables d'ici 2020, date fixée dans le cadre de l'Accord de Paris. Un pari ambitieux et qui semble hors d'atteinte aujourd’hui quand seule 5% de l’électricité est générée par des énergies propres.
Photo by Héctor J. Rivas on Unsplash
Chic Tech
The fashion industry is in desperate need of a change in order to reduce its impact on the environment. An Israeli company wants to use the power of technology to revolutionize the way we produce and consume
Photo by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash
Is Israel finally turning its back on single-use plastics?
Israel is known for its excessive use of disposable plastic products; however, recent developments indicate that a change is underway
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
Climat: Appel des scientifiques aux élus de la start up nation
Les scientifiques israéliens ont lancé, à l’initiative de la Société israélienne des Sciences de l’Environnement et de l’Ecologie, une pétition interpellant leur gouvernement et les citoyens à prendre des mesures significatives pour lutter contre les changements climatiques dont “les effets sur le terrain sont déjà visibles et nocifs”.
Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash
Ten Percent Green Electricity for Israel in 2020?
According to Israel’s energy commitments, ten percent of its electricity will be supplied by renewable energy sources in 2020. How close is Israel to meeting this goal, and how does it match up with other nations in the world?
Photo by Shai Pal on Unsplash
Israeli scientists call on policymakers to act on climate change
Coinciding with the UN Climate Action Summit in New York, Israeli scientists issued a large-scale petition urging their government to take radical action against climate change. “Climate change is happening here and now, and its effects are clear and palpable,” the experts say
Photo by matthew Feeney on Unsplash
Israeli scientists use prawns to fight tropical disease
Aquaculture practices are most commonly used to increase food security, ensure the nutritional needs of people, boost a nation’s economy through trade, and provide jobs. However, Israeli researchers are using aquaculture techniques to reduce tropical infectious diseases
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
Antibiorésistance dans les élevages : Israël parmi les mauvais élèves
Israël fait partie des mauvais élèves de la planète et n’applique pas les recommandations sanitaires, d’où une forte augmentation des maladies liées à des intoxications alimentaires
Photo by Ivan Bandura on Unsplash
New Israeli Technology Combats Oil Pollution
A remote sensor capable of producing high-resolution data on soil contaminants could be placed on drones or satellites to help deal with oil leaks
Photo by Dana Friedlander on Flickr
Sukkot and the Ecological Crisis
As one of the most Jewish holidays, Sukkot celebrates the harvest and remembers the Israelites pilgrimage through Sinai. It's also a time of reflection on humanity’s relationship with nature. What does Sukkot tell us in the times of climate change?
Photo by Yoav Aziz on Unsplash
During Yom Kippur, air pollution levels all over Israel plummet to near zero
Once a year, for 24 hours, traffic all over the country grinds to a halt. Cars, buses, trucks, and traffic lights give way to empty roads filled with a somewhat rare silence. Trains stand still, and airports shut down. This is Yom Kippur
Photo by Pille-Riin Priske on Unsplash
Israël, Terre Promise Pour Végans et Végétariens?
Les mouvements végétariens et végans se développent à vive allure dans le monde, dictés par des considérations environnementales, par le souci de protéger les animaux, sa propre santé, … En Israël cette évolution est très marquée et ce petit pays est en train de devenir un modèle pour ceux qui bannissent la viande de leur alimentation
Photo by Yoav Aziz on Unsplash
Yom Kippour en Israël : sans voiture, la pollution chute
Une fois par an, Israël vit une journée exceptionnelle avec Yom Kippour, jour du Grand Pardon. Le pays est à l’arrêt : aucune circulation automobile, aéroports fermés, usines et commerces baissent le rideau, ... Une expérience unique au monde qui se traduit par une chute drastique de la pollution de l’air
Photo by Louis Reed on Unsplash
Israel lags behind global efforts to halt deadly “superbugs”
India banned “last-hope” drug misused in livestock, and the WHO has launched a global campaign against drug-resistant bacteria. But Israel lags behind. Infectious disease expert Prof. Myriam Weinberger: Foodborne infections are skyrocketing
Photo by Teresa Vega on Unsplash
Energie verte: améliorer le processus
Responsable d’un quart des émissions de gaz à effet de serre, l’agriculture fait aussi partie de la solution pour réduire notre dépendance aux énergies fossiles, grâce notamment à la production de biogaz et de biométhane à partir des déchets agricoles. L’enjeu est désormais de développer ces processus pour améliorer leur performance et réduire leurs effets secondaires
Photo by Sandra Wattad on Unsplash
Jewish and Muslim Women in the Urban Environment
According to a new study, Jewish women feel calm in quiet neighborhoods, while Muslim women tend to be more relaxed in the bustling city center. There may be a physiological mechanism for dealing with pollution, noise and heat in urban environments
Photo by Philip Reitsperger on Unsplash
Israel is taking on the Jellies
Every summer, jellyfish appear in the coastal waters of Israel, deterring beachgoers, thus, damaging the tourism industry. Now, Israeli scientists developed an app that helps to track these sea creatures in order to make one’s beach experience more enjoyable
Photo by Keith Chan on Unsplash
Will a New Pipeline Project Save the Dead Sea?
In a region of the world where freshwater is scarce, the Dead Sea is disappearing, and collaboration among neighboring countries is nearly impossible, Israel and Jordan are making strides to budget the Red Sea-Dead Sea Conveyance
Photo by Shai Pal on Unsplash
A hole in the heart of the Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area
Coastal cities in Israel, like many cities around the world, are likely to experience increased land subsidence as a result of declining groundwater levels
Photo by Paulo Almeida on Unsplash
Can Tel Aviv Reconcile the Rise of Electric Scooters?
Tel Aviv is facing increasingly complex transportation challenges and must now consider whether it should act against the rise of e-scooters, or implement better biking infrastructure to help them safely thrive
Photo by Dimitris Panagiotaras on Unsplash
Il faut sauver la Méditerranée
Le développement urbain, la surpêche, les déchets, la pollution, le tourisme de masse ont conduit à un appauvrissement de la diversité marine dans l’est de la mer Méditerranée
Photo by Dave Herring on Unsplash
Solving a Long Standing Sewage Problem
An imminent environmental crisis in Jerusalem and the surrounding Kidron Valley is bringing together Palestinian Authorities and Israeli officials to solve a long-standing sewage issue
Photo by Sebastian Unrau on Unsplash
Can’t see the forest for the…climate change
The importance of forests in the global fight against greenhouse gas emissions was highlighted at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP24), held in Katowice, Poland in December 2018.
Photo by Leon Ephraïm on Unsplash
Cow Power from Israel
The agriculture industry contributes heavily to greenhouse gas emissions, but an Israeli start-up might have developed the only complete solution for treating agricultural waste through biogas production
Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
The real value of shade
Shade does not only protect us from the sun, but it lowers the risk of skin cancer, reduces air pollution, and encourages physical activity. A new Israeli report revealed that providing shade can save thousands of shekels per person each year
Photo by Stacey Franco on Unsplash
Keeping the Mediterranean Sea Alive
Human development, overfishing, and increased pollution and tourism have led to decreases in marine biodiversity in the eastern Mediterranean. Israel has issued a third research proposal to see how Marine Protected Areas help shelter surrounding ecosystems
El Waze de las medusas
Grandes densidades de medusas pueden ocasionar daños en la infraestructura y en el turismo. A través de la ciencia ciudadana, un proyecto israelí busca solucionar este problema
Photo by Stephen Radford on Unsplash
L’Agritech israélienne au secours de la planète
L’Agritech en Israël est un secteur en pleine évolution, dont les enjeux ne cessent de s’intensifier avec la croissance de la population mondiale dans un environnement perturbé par les changements climatiques.
Photo by Philipp Lublasser on Unsplash
La plante miracle qui transforme les eaux usées en cristal
Des chercheurs israéliens se sont penchés sur le traitement des eaux usées en utilisant les caractéristiques de Dame Nature
Photo by Marcelo Sternberg
Un centre d’observation climatique, unique au Moyen-Orient
Une équipe de scientifiques israéliens mènent des expériences pour étudier les effets des modifications pluviométriques sur l’écosystème de la région
Photo by Stephan Zabini on Unsplash
L’or vert
Les algues, nouvel eldorado pour des start-up israéliennes d’autant que le climat du pays est favorable à leur exploitation
Photo by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash
Israël s’attaque à la pollution au plastique
Deux villes balnéaires interdisent leur usage en bord de mer
Photo by Changyoung Koh on Unsplash
Manger de la viande, mais sans tuer d’animaux, des nouveaux défis
Des chercheurs israéliens ont gagné des subventions internationales pour avoir conduit des travaux sur la viande cultivée en laboratoire et sur les substituts végétaux aux protéines animales
Photo by JOSHUA COLEMAN on Unsplash
Lutter contre la résistance aux bactéries, un enjeu en Israël
Un groupe d’experts israéliens issus de divers domaines s’est réuni pendant 36 heures pour plancher sur cette menace sanitaire mondiale et proposer des solutions innovantes
Photo by Sergio Rodriguez - Portugues del Olmo on Unsplash
Femmes juives et musulmanes dans un environnement urbain
En centre-villes, les femmes musulmanes sont moins sujettes au stress et réagissent mieux que les femmes juives, qui ont besoin d’espaces verts pour être détendues. Un mécanisme physiologique leur permettrait de mieux s'adapter à la pollution et au bruit, selon une étude scientifique israélienne
Photo by Pontus Wellgraf on Unsplash
A Boiling Forecast for the Century
Israel faces alarming news about extreme heat due to global climate change, but trouble almost always comes with opportunity
Photo by Alexandr Podvalny on Unsplash
Revolutionizing the food systems in Israel and the U.S.
U.S. and Israeli experts are trying to implement changes in the food system to make people more aware of what they eat
Photo by Marcin Monko on Flickr
A Spillover Crisis: How Gaza’s Water Shortage Affects Israel
Recently, the Israel Water Authority announced an upgrade to the water supply line from Israel to the Gaza Strip. The renovations will be carried out on Israeli territory. But will upgrading the water supply on only one side of the border solve an transboundary issue? Photo by Stephan Zabini on Unsplash
Green Gold
Several Israeli companies are taking advantage of the country’s ideal environmental conditions for algae farming
Photo by Dave Herring on Unsplash
The Sea of Galilee is heating up
Climate Change could render Sea of Galilee unusable in next 30 years, scientist say Photo by Brian Yurasits on Unsplash
Two cities set on tackling plastic
In a move to curb pollution, two cities in Israel ban single-use plastics from beaches
Photo by Andreas Gücklhorn on Unsplash
Can Israel become an energy independent nation?
Israel's energy infrastructure relies on a centralized source supplying mainly natural gas to power plants all over the country. Natural disasters, supply shortages or war could quickly bring a nation's electricity grid to its knees
Photo by donald modeste on Unsplash
The Land of Milk?
Eating dairy products is a long-standing tradition of Shavuot. The increasing demand for dairy around the holiday sheds light on the environmental impact of the industry. Is an environmental-friendly Shavuot just around the corner?
Photo by Eran Menashri on Unsplash
A one-of-a-kind research station for climate change
A team of Israeli scientists is experimenting with changes in rainfall patterns to determine how native vegetation will adapt to new climatic conditions
Photo by Testudo kleinmanni
Save the turtles – from people!
There is a vast number of captive turtles kept as pets in homes, and it is up to their owners to give these wild animals their freedom back. At the Gazelle Valley Park in Jerusalem, an unusual animal welfare initiative aims to protect the local turtle population Photo by JOSHUA COLEMAN on Unsplash
Israeli experts come together to tackle a global problem: Bacteria resistant to antibiotics
Antibiotic resistance is on the rise, a multidisciplinary team of Israeli experts has developed a series of creative solutions
Photo by Frédéricke Boies on Unsplash
Lag BaOmer – Cheerful Tradition and Public Danger
Lag BaOmer is approaching, and many Israelis commemorate this holiday by having a big bonfire in their backyard. Unfortunately, the benign intentions of those fires may have malignant consequences Photo by Stephen Radford on Unsplash
Could Israel’s AgriTech help stem the looming world food crisis?
A rapidly growing world population coupled with an imminent climate crisis keeps pushing the planetary boundaries beyond their maximum capacity, and one of the most impacted sectors by these dramatic shifts is agriculture
Photo by Cole Keister on Unsplash
Turning 71: Israel’s top environmental stories of the year
Israeli Independence Day is just around the corner, and during this past year a lot has happened; especially in environmental matters Photo by Philipp Lublasser on Unsplash
The plant that transforms wastewater into clean water
Israeli researchers came up with a biomimicry method for solving the wastewater problem by using nature’s wisdom
Photo by Marek Okon on Unsplash
Red Sea corals may be resilient to climate change
Corals in the Gulf of Aqaba/Eilat continue to thrive under extreme conditions, similar to those expected to prevail towards the end of the 21st century
Photo by Omar Elsharawy on Unsplash
What Passover teaches us about the environmental crisis
In times of global warming, hurricanes, floods, and droughts, the Plagues of Egypt remind us of what happens when people ignore the signs of an environmental catastrophe
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash
Israeli scientists find large amounts of microplastics in table salt
According to a new study, every Israeli consumes about 2,000 plastic particles per year Photo by Changyoung Koh on Unsplash
The other kind of meat
Israeli scientists win international research grant for their development of meat alternatives
Photo by luis-tosta on Unsplash
The price of water
Israeli scientists fear for public health due to mineral deficiency in desalinated seawater
Photo by Lilach Daniel on Flickr
Are off-the-rack Purim costumes not eco-friendly?
Wearing costumes on this cheerful holiday is a treasured tradition, making for great carnival-like parties in the streets. But the growing demand for off the rack costumes and accessories also make for a lot of waste
Photo by Alan Levine on Flickr
Israel has a severe plastic problem, but real change is possible
The state of plastic waste in Israel is bleak: pollution is increasing, research is stagnating, policies on dealing with the crisis are unclear, and the last plastic recycling plant is closing its doors
Photo by Ziv Zemah Shamir
Please do not feed the sharks
An annual gathering of sharks near a coastal power plant in the North of Israel attracts beachgoers, divers and sailors alike
Photo by Shane Stagner on Unsplash
These little microbes turn algae into plastic
Israeli scientists have created a biodegradable plastic that just might save the planet
Photo by Dr. Shabtai Cohen
The tree that survives the desert
Tu B’Shevat, a Jewish holiday commemorating the importance and sanctity of trees, could not be more fitting in this day and age
Photo by Nazar Hrabovyi on Unsplash
Will there be another Hanukkah Miracle?
From droughts and pests to cold waves, climate change brings new threats to the olive oil industry – one of Hanukkah’s oldest symbols
Photo by Ashleigh Robertson on Unsplash
Jellyfish outbreaks might cost Israel millions each year
Power stations and desalination plants along Israel's Mediterranean coast are struggling with jellyfish invasions
SESAME: A beacon of light
A new particle-accelerator in Jordan brings together scientists from all around the Middle East to conduct research in biology, archaeology and environmental sciences
Photo by anton-chernyavskiy-553689-unsplash
With jellyfish against microplastics
A new Israeli venture seeks to address two major problems awaiting us at sea: jellyfish and microplastics
Photo by Akshay Sharma on Unsplash
Toward Reptile Conservation
Recent mapping research provides a new avenue for development of conservation efforts
Photo by Guido Jansen on Unsplash
The burning land
Ecological terrorism at the Gaza border creates shadows on Israel’s landscape
How to protect your skin (and the environment)
The commonly used sunscreen is bad for the environment and has health side effects to humans too. How can we avoid them?
Photo by Henry & Co. on Unsplash
Tailoring fashion sustainability
What is ‘slow fashion’? And how can we help save the world by choosing more wisely our clothes-washing habits and shopping preferences?
The Environmental Wind Tunnel at the Institute for Biological Research in Israel, Ness Ziona
Advancing science one gust at a time
New facility serves as a platform for conducting a variety of environmental experiments, without ever leaving the laboratory
Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash
Out of sight, out of mind
For the first time, scientists set out to study the abundance of microplastic particles in Israel’s Mediterranean coastal waters. New "plastic bag law" shows promising results
Tel Aviv, the city of bikes?
What can Tel Aviv learn from Copenhagen, Europe’s no. 1 in bicycle-friendliness?
Fashion from ocean plastic
Adidas joins the wave of fashion companies producing clothes from recycled plastic waste. But will it help to cut fashion industry’s environmental toll?
Ein Avdat in the Zin Valley in the Negev. Photo by: Andrew Shiva, Wikipedia
Should we make the desert bloom?
Is the desert “nothingness that needs to be conquered" or a unique environment we should protect? The long ecological history of the Negev might hold the key to the answer
Israel’s markets are about to get ugly
A team of students work to bring Israel’s ugly fruits and vegetables to supermarkets nationwide, in order to cut food waste and environmental harm
xavier sotomayor
The next Great Depression
Israel’s struggle against pollution could mean a new kind of Great Depression
Photo by Keith Chan on Unsplash
The Dead Sea: A different kind of heritage
The salt sea has some 12 million years of geological and chemical history. Will efforts to stabilize its water level kill its very essence?
Photo by Anna Popović on Unsplash
A delayed Lag B’Omer: A smoldering risk?
Controversial 24-hour delay might result in a two-day bonfire revelry, jeopardizing health and environment
A traffic jam in the Red Sea
Is diving in Eilat destroying its very purpose?
Photo by Holger Link on Unsplash
