Jul. 5, 2007 21:43 | Updated Jul. 6, 2007
9:41
Israel urged to 'act
now' or risk global warming tragedy
By RON FRIEDMAN
Israel could lose its sea ports and suffer billions of
dollars in irreparable damage if global warming is allowed to
continue unchecked, an environmental group warned on Thursday.
According to a new report by the Israel Union for
Environmental Defense (Adam Teva V'din), Israel will not be
spared the tragic outcomes of increased global warming and will
in fact experience higher-than-average temperature increases.
The group studied the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change's (IPCC) report and derived from it the probable
scenarios for Israel.
The report, titled "The forecast is in our hands," describes
two possible scenarios. The first reflects the outcome of
unchecked global warming with few or no steps taken to curb
greenhouse gas
emissions.
Under this scenario, temperatures will rise by approximately
3.3 degrees Celsius with more frequent and more intense heat
waves. Annual rainfall will decrease by 20 percent to 30
percent, mostly coming from sporadic and intense storms. Rising
sea levels caused by the melting of polar icecaps will flood the
entire coastline, causing irreparable damage to essential
infrastructure like ports and power plants, as well as
residential areas along the shore. The southern desert will
expand northward from Beersheba, where it is today, to places
like Kiryat Gat. Public health will suffer due to problems in
the water drainage systems and an increase in airborne diseases.
The economic expense of coping under this scenario is
calculated at roughly $33 billion a year.
The second scenario, which is based on the assumption that
the world makes a concerted effort to reduce emissions by global
adoption of economic, social and environmental sustainability,
shows a much lower impact. While temperatures will still rise
and precipitation will decrease, the impact on agriculture, air
quality and public health will be limited and no harm will occur
to state infrastructure.
Joining the world in an effort to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions will cost Israel roughly $1.5
billion a year.
"It is both possible and desirable to make a change. We call
on the government to adopt the necessary policy, to set out
clear goals and timetables in order to reduce the global
warming," said IUED Executive Director Tzipi Iser Itzik.
The authors of the report recommend that Israel adopt the
EU's approach and commit to reducing
carbon emissions by 20% by 2020. They also recommend a
series of economic actions such as incentives and subsidies for
the development of alternative energies, emission reduction and
the capturing and storing of carbon and integrating the cost of
carbon emissions in all future developments.
"We cannot hitch a ride on the larger countries; we cannot
say that we are small and insignificant. We must do everything
we can to help prevent a tragedy," said Prof. Dan Yakir. "We
have the ability to lead the way with our technology and
know-how. It is no longer a technical matter, it is an ethical
issue."
The report and its recommendations mark the start of a
national campaign meant to raise public awareness and call for
government action. As part of the campaign, which goes by the
slogan "Spare a minute, save a generation," the group opened a
new Web site with information about the dangers of global
warming. The Web site offers a calculator with which people can
measure their average carbon emission rate and tips on how to
reduce it.
"In the same way that people go on a diet to reduce their
weight and improve their health, we suggest that they reduce
their emissions and ensure the health of future generations,"
said IUED campaign coordinator Irit Lechter.