EcoPeace in the Media:
September 7, 2019, Morocco World News
The Climate Crisis Could Help Fuel Peace in the MENA Region
by Perri Huggins
September 12, 2019, MENAFN – The Peninsula
Advocates propose solutions to water scarcity crisis in Cape Town edition of Doha Debates
September 15, 2019, The Times of Israel
Annexing the Jordan Valley threatens regional security
by Gidon Bromberg & Yana Abu Taleb
EcoPeace @ Climate Week NYC, September 23-29 2019
EcoPeace was delighted to have participated – alongside businesses, governments, academic institutions, arts organizations, individuals and other non-profits – in this very special, annual week-long events program run by The Climate Group, an international non-profit focused on accelerating climate action. All 3 EcoPeace Middle East Directors attended, along with other key staff. Here are just some of the highlights:
Discussion on the Work of EcoPeace with the Foreign Minister of Finland HE Pekka Haavisto
UN Climate Summit in NYC
EcoPeace Israeli Director, Gidon Bromberg, spoke about the organisation’s Water Energy Nexus program at the UN Climate Summit in NYC. The session was focused on Climate and Security and highlighted the growing understanding that Climate Change is not only a development issue, but also an issue of national and global security.
A Conversation with Tom Friedman
Israeli Director, Gidon Bromberg, caught up with longtime supporter of EcoPeace, The New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman, at an event of One Blue Dot, held at National Geographic Encounter.
New York University (NYU)
The EcoPeace team delivered a seminar about locally led peacebuilding at the Peace Research and Education Program of NYU Global Affairs Program.
Columbia University
All 3 EcoPeace Directors presented on “Climate Change, Water Security and National Security” at the Sabin Center for Climate Law at Columbia University Law School.
Hudson / Jordan River
In our new capacity as an official Jordan River Waterkeeper®, we were invited to join environmentalists, who protect the Hudson River, and religious leaders, in New York City, for an interfaith ceremony focusing on the shared risk river communities and ecosystems across the globe face from climate disruption.
Yana at Doha Debates
On September 10th, Yana Abu Taleb, EcoPeace’s Jordanian Director took part in a debate on how to solve the water scarcity crises occurring in many countries around the world. The debate was organized by Doha Debates and produced by the Qatar foundation. Her co-debaters were South African activist and education advocate, Obakeng Leseyane, and Georgie Badiel, a model, former Miss Africa and founder of the Georgie Badiel Foundation.
For a recap of the debate:
https://www.dohadebates.com/2019/09/10/water-debate-recap/
For Doha Debate’s interview with Yana:
US Environmental Protection Agency Workshop
On September 3rd, a workshop was held in partnership with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the US State Department and the US Embassy in Jordan, to present the results of two studies into plastic mulch use in the agriculture sector in the Jordan Valley and the operation and safety procedures of the Deir Alla landfill.
The workshop was attended by: farmers, the mayors of Deir Alla and Tabaqet Fahl, representatives from the Ministries of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, and workers from the Deir Alla landfill. The goal of the workshop was to present findings to key stakeholders. Many energized discussions took place after the floor was opened for comments, and several important suggestions and criticisms were put forth.
Click the link below to see the publications:
http://ecopeaceme.org/projects/sustainabilitiy/
Launch of the Water Diplomacy Program for Young Professionals
The Water Diplomacy program for young professionals was officially launched in September with three groups in Jordan, Palestine and Israel – 75 young professionals, leaders in their fields – who came together in order to learn about water realities in the Middle East and the importance of regional cooperation to achieve stability and water security. The participants will research and explore diplomacy tools and shared water resources in our region, and engage in both local and regional sessions.
Farmers’ Training
September saw EcoPeace continue it’s professional farmers’ training program with two new trainings – one in Jordan and one in Israel.
On the 16th, 23 farmers from Palestine visited the Beit Shean Valley in Israel and Eden Farm research station. The delegation learned about Alfalfa crops and ways to increase yields with less water usage.
A training was also held in EcoPeace’s Eco-Park in Jordan. Over 2 days, 30 farmers, 5 agricultural engineers and 5 fresh graduates working at the National Agricultural Research Center, gathered to learn about methods of soil analysis, fertigation and irrigation.
Efficiency of Water Use in Agriculture Workshop
On September 23rd, the Education Program Manager and the External Affairs Officer attended “Efficiency of Water Use in Agriculture”, a workshop at the Arab American University of Palestine. The workshop was presented by Dr. Michael Davidson, who focused on the principles of climate smart agriculture and tools for efficient use of water in agriculture. EcoPeace also invited Dr. Michael, and Palestinian Water Authority (PWA) representatives, to the Ramallah office for a meeting to discuss opportunities for future cooperation.
Youth Climate Change March in Tel Aviv
On Friday 27th September, EcoPeace joined other environmental organisations, and over 2000 people (mainly youth), in support of a “Students for Climate Change” demonstration through central Tel Aviv.