Environment and Climate in the Middle East

news, conferences, policy discussions and academic publications on environmental issues and climate change in the Eastern Mediterranean

Environment and Climate in the Middle East

Archives for December, 2019

Leviathan gas field pollution – Haaretz/ Jerusalem Post

Israeli court allows Leviathan gas rig to run test emitting cancerous pollutants – HAARETZ Drilling, which was supposed to commence on Tuesday, is expected to emit large quantities of pollutants including benzene, a carcinogen Zafrir Rinat | Dec. 19, 2019 | 9:29 AM An Israeli court overturned Thursday the temporary interim order that halted the […]

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Ministry of Environmental Protection calls to shutdown Haifa refineries – YNET

Although it’s beside a populated area, Haifa Bay is known as one of the most polluted places in Israel, now the ministry is trying to shut down its oil refineries before the land becomes damaged beyond repair Ilana Curiel | Updated: 12.09.19 For the first time in Israel’s history, the Ministry of Environmental Protection has […]

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Turning waste to gold in Gaza – Al Jazeera

With few employment opportunities, three young men in Gaza have launched an innovative business of their own. by Walid Mahmoud & Muhammad Shehada 17 Dec 2019 Gaza City – Few opportunities await Gaza’s youth after they graduate from university. Unemployment among university graduates aged 19-29 years old in the besieged coastal enclave was just shy […]

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Water allocation, rationing on the table following groundwater consumption study – Jordan Times

By Hana Namrouqa – Dec 09,2019 AMMAN — Water pumping from the Kingdom’s main aquifers increased by 32 per cent between 2017 and 2018, according to a new study released on Monday, prompting a debate around the need to reconsider crop water allocation. The study detected groundwater consumption patterns using satellite remote sensing applications, Ministry […]

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‘National Water Carrier’ bags international ‘Best Strategic Project 2019’ award – Jordan Times

By JT – Dec 14,2019 AMMAN — Jordan’s “National Water Carrier” project has won the “Best Strategic Project 2019” award after competing with over 100 global projects at the Infrastructure Leadership Forum held recently in Malaga, Spain, Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abul Saud said on Saturday. The event, held in cooperation with the […]

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Ministry adamant on drinking water safety, urges patience – Jordan Times

No compromise of public health as interruptions linked to purification process — spokesperson By Bahaa Al Deen Al Nawas – Dec 11,2019 AMMAN — The Water Ministry is committed to delivering drinking water compatible with Jordanian standards and if any contamination is detected, the affected water source will be temporarily blocked until purification has been […]

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Invasive species are displacing native birds in Israel, study confirms – Haaretz

Technion researchers found that local species are losing to birds from Asia in the competition for limited natural resources. Nature conservation groups recommend strict measures, including shooting some of the invaders Zafrir Rinat | Dec. 17, 2019 | 11:36 PM | 2 Ornithologists and conservationists have for years feared that invasive alien species from across […]

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Boorish boars hog highways in Haifa – YNET

Since the northern city banned culling the animals, the wild pigs have been rummaging in the city night and day looking for food; the phenomenon sparked a fierce debate between the local residents afraid for their safety and animal rights groups AFP | Updated: 12.16.19 Dozens of the beasts have taken up residence in the […]

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Less rain, hotter summers: Israel faces drastic climate change – YNET

[supplements previous reports from other sources] The temperatures, which are expected to rise by some 1.2 degrees celsius by 2050, will lead to environmental changes so severe, people will find themselves suffering from a plethora of diseases, unless strenuous measures are introduced today Ilana Curiel | Updated: 12.03.19 The already scorching weather in Israel is […]

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New Publication: Not Just Tolerated—A Global Leader: Lessons Learned from Israel’s Experience in the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification – Israel Studies

Alon Tal Israel Studies Vol. 25, No. 1 (Spring 2020), pp. 122-148 Abstract Israel’s influential role in the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification since the agreement’s inception is explored. Several factors can explain the country’s successful diplomatic interaction. A combination of: low international interest and competition for expertise about the issue; Israel’s unique, achievements […]

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Smog Shuts Schools, Universities in Iran – Naharnet

Air pollution forced the closure of schools and universities in parts of Iran on Saturday, including Tehran, which was cloaked by a cloud of toxic smog, state media reported. The decision to shut schools and universities in the capital was announced late Friday by deputy governor Mohammad Taghizadeh, after a meeting of an emergency committee […]

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Egypt is among countries most affected by climate change: Minister – Egypt Independent

December 4, 2019 Egypt is among the countries most impacted by climate change, but the government is continuing its efforts to meet the challenge head on with new renewable energy projects, Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad said on Monday. While taking part in the UN Climate Change Conference COP25 held December 2-13 in Madrid, Fouad stressed […]

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EcoPeace’s annual regional conference

This year, EcoPeace’s annual regional conference, with 170 people in attendance, was held in Jordan from 5-6 November and celebrated the organisation’s milestone 25th anniversary. The program included workshops and presentations by staff, youth and women leaders, and a keynote address by special guest Robert Kennedy Jr., President of Waterkeeper Alliance. The conference was designed […]

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Israel downgrades representation at global climate summit – Haaretz

As the COP25 kicks off in Madrid amid global youth protests, only Israel’s energy minister will show up as the country’s political deadlock continues Zafrir Rinat | Dec. 3, 2019 Breaking from tradition, Israel won’t be sending its environmental protection chief to the COP25 climate change summit that began in Madrid Monday, as Minister Zeev […]

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What is Israel doing about climate change? Nothing, says watchdog – HAARETZ

As world leaders convene for COP25 in Madrid: Israel hasn’t enacted any climate law but settles for ephemeral government resolutions, says environmental watchdog report, explaining why puny Israel’s emissions do matter a great deal Ruth Schuster | Dec. 3, 2019 Israel, would-be light unto the nations, has no climate change legislation. While some feel that […]

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Israel’s average temperature has risen by 1.4 degrees since 1950 – GLOBES / YNET / Haaretz

Climate change will hit Israel especially hard, study finds – GLOBES 3 Dec, 2019 16:18 Shani Ashekanazi The average temperature in Israel is projected to rise 1.2 degrees by 2050. A new report by the Israel Meteorological Service (IMS) presents for the first time a comprehensive analysis of temperature and precipitation trends, based on data […]

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Over 100 leading Israeli scientists demand climate change action – Haaretz

Contrary to the image the gas companies try to cultivate, natural gas is very damaging to the environment and to public health, the scientists argue Nir Hasson | Nov. 19, 2019 | 11:55 AM More than 100 senior Israeli scientists submitted a petition to Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz Monday, demanding that Israel stop planning to […]

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New climate change report spells disaster for Israel – Jerusalem Post

A new report published on Tuesday by the Ministry of Environmental Protection paints an alarming picture of the future of the state of Israel. By IDAN ZONSHINE DECEMBER 3, 2019 The countries of the world are currently meeting in Madrid as a part of the UN Climate Change Conference, COP25, with the aim of reducing […]

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Israel Environment Ministry opposes plan for new Rehovot neighborhood – Haaretz

Ministry claims that plan would harm important open spaces and that the construction reserves inside the city should be utilized Zafrir Rinat | Dec. 2, 2019 | 6:16 AM The National Committee for Planning Priority Housing Areas last week posited a plan for a new residential neighborhood in Rehovot, which will opened for the filing […]

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