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 April, 2020

Earth Resurrection Day – Environment and Development

Najib Saab. 22/04/2020 On 22 April half a century ago, 20 million Americans took to the streets, demanding serious action to protect the environment and preserve nature. This uprising, which remains the largest mass event in the world, triggered changes far beyond the United States borders. Earth Day, as it has been named, became an […]

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Help save the Dead Sea before – Jerusalem Post it’s too late

The Dead Sea is shrinking to its lowest level in recorded history. By NOAM BEDEIN APRIL 22, 2020 20:40 If there is one positive outcome of the pandemic, it is the environment. The planet is breathing with less pollution. Animals are wandering freely in quarantined cities. And by coincidence, just this year, Israel witnessed a […]

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World Bank provides $63 million for advancing sustainability in Palestinian energy sector – WAFA

WASHINGTON, Tuesday, April 28, 2020 (WAFA) – The World Bank approved a $14 million grant as part of a multiphase Advancing Sustainability in Performance, Infrastructure, and Reliability of Energy Sector (ASPIRE) program to improve operational and financial performance of the Palestinian electricity institutions and diversification of energy sources, yesterday said to a World Bank press […]

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Ghajar Says Gas Found in Block 4 Not Commercially Viable – Naharnet

Drilling off the Lebanese coast has shown some traces of gas but no commercially viable reserves, Energy Minister Raymond Ghajar said on Monday. “Initial drilling results showed the presence of gas at different depths in the geological layers” of block 4, he told reporters at a news conference. But around two months after drilling started […]

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With bees on decline, mechanical pollination may be solution -YNET

The Edete Corporation had developed the mechanical pollination after a drastic fall in bee numbers around the world, largely due to intensive agriculture, the use of pesticides, and climate change Reuters 04.22.20 A mechanical hum replaced the buzzing of the bees in one Israeli community this season as farmers, concerned over the global drop in […]

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UAE Wages War on Tiny Scourge Threatening Date Palms – Naharnet

Said Al-Ajani looks proudly over his lush date plantation, which recently survived a plague of red weevils — a destructive insect wreaking havoc across the Middle East and North Africa. “For 24 years, we cultivated our land normally. Then, we had to start spraying five to six times a year against the weevil,” said the […]

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Finland rejects 104,000 kilos of Israeli oranges with banned pesticide – Jerusalem Post

Authorities rejected eight consignments of oranges since February due to the discovery of bromopropylate, which has been banned in the EU. By EYTAN HALON APRIL 29, 2020 Finnish customs have rejected approximately 104,000 kilograms of oranges imported from Israel in recent months, after discovering the presence of a banned pesticide. Authorities said they had examined […]

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Tel Aviv to stop operating bicycle rental service – Haaretz

Municipality says decrease in demand, coupled with popularity of electric bikes and scooters, led it to decide to terminate the Tel-O-Fun service in August Bar Peleg | Apr. 30, 2020 Tel Aviv announced it is terminating its contract with Tel-O-Fun bicycle rental service in August due to the increasing popularity of electric bikes and scooters. […]

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Coronavirus and the Environment: Lessons We Are Learning – Arava Institute

In honor of Earth Day next week, I am excited to invite you to join me on Zoom for the kickoff of the Arava Institute’s series of environmental micro-classes. In this time of isolation and social distancing, reconnect with nature by attending engaging 15-minute classes with the Arava Institute’s experts. We will be covering topics […]

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EcoPeace Global Dialogues

EcoPeace is thrilled to launch the first in a series of webinars that aim to continue the conversation around best practice in environmental peacebuilding. Now, more than ever, we must come together, in a spirit of cooperation, to address the immediate and long term challenges that threaten our world. Join us for a powerful, facilitated […]

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Passover, climate change & the coronavirus – Jerusalem Post

Will we use the coronavirus experience as a wakeup call that we need to do things differently on so many fronts? By MICHAEL M. COHEN APRIL 13, 2020 At our Sedarim around the world last week, asking the question, “Ma nishtanah halailah hazeh?” (How is this night different from all others?) took on deeper meaning […]

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Climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic – Jerusalem Post

Unlike the wildfires in California or Australia, we cannot claim that the pandemic is a direct result of climate change. By DAVID LEHRER APRIL 15, 2020 In late 2019, the sense of urgency for the world to deal seriously with climate change was building. As climatologists began to sound the alarm that we were fast […]

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As coral reefs pale worldwide, Aqaba’s reefs show unique resistance to global phenomenon – Jordan Times

Corals will only thrive if ‘serious action’ is taken to protect them, experts say By Maram Kayed – Apr 11,2020 AMMAN — While coral reefs are starting to bleach, turning pale and white in seas around the world, those growing in the Gulf of Aqaba at the northern end of the Red Sea are determined […]

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New canal to flow water from Kinneret to Jordan River as water level rises – Jerusalem Post

In February, the Water Authority announced that it would open the dam in late March if the Kinneret reached 20 centimeters below the upper red line. By TZVI JOFFRE APRIL 16, 2020 The Water Authority decided to open a canal to flow water from the Kinneret to the southern Jordan River on Thursday with the […]

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