Climate Change, Israel and the Jewish People

Key Findings:

Ambassador Gideon Behar, the Special Envoy for Climate Change and Sustainability at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, maintains that the Middle East (including Israel) will not be spared from the consequences of climate change, and regional collaborative efforts should be initiated to mitigate the crisis. 

Behar believes that Israel has the potential to be a world leader in practical solutions to climate change impacts, particularly in the fields of agriculture, water, renewable energy, animal protein replacement, and reforestation. 

He points out that the climate crisis should be considered a factor contributing to the volatility of the Middle East, as it influences various developments and affects the economies and security of the region's nations. Behar cites the example of climate change being one of the factors behind the Syrian civil uprising. The region is also facing challenges such as water shortage, desertification, and population increase, which hinder food production and have already impacted countries like Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia.

The Middle East has experienced a significant rise in temperatures in recent years, leading to extreme heatwaves and an overall increase in temperature. Rising sea levels pose a threat to coastal populations, endangering arable land, infrastructure, and displacing millions of people. The transition to renewable energy presents challenges for oil-producing countries in the region, as renewable energy sources have become more cost-effective compared to fossil fuels.

Behar emphasizes the importance of reevaluating the Middle East in light of climate change and other environmental challenges. He calls for preparedness measures in Israel, including building resilient cities, relocating infrastructure away from flood-prone areas, ecosystem rehabilitation, promoting renewable energy, economic diversification, and enhancing financial and insurance systems' resilience to climate crisis impacts. 

Israel's capabilities, knowledge, and innovations in addressing climate change can be shared with other nations in the region, aligning with the Jewish value of tikkun olam (repairing the world). Collaboration with Diaspora Jewry, which shares an interest in sustainability and environmental protection, can strengthen the relationship between Israel and world Jewry.