Environment Minister: Desertification intensifying, rainfall decreasing

Gilad Erdan announced a comprehensive national plan of action to adapt to climate changes.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection yesterday announced a comprehensive national plan of action for what it called, "adaptation to climate change". The plan is based on a report prepared by a team of experts that examined the government's readiness for anticipated climate changes in the coming years.

The climate change report predicts warm and gloomy forecasts: average annual temperatures will continue to rise in the upcoming decades at a rate of 0.3-0.5 degrees Celsius per decade. Average precipitation levels in the coming years will continue to decline, and intense heat waves will lengthen and become more frequent.

On the other hand, periods of torrential rains and flooding will occur much more often during the winter rainy season. The specialists' report also warns of the worsening desertification, especially in southern Israel.

Ministry Chief Scientist Dr. Sinai Netanyahu gathered the information for the report, in cooperation with more than 100 scientists from Haifa University, specialists, and representatives of environmental organizations.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection said that the plan would include the adaptation of buildings in Israel to weather climate changes, as well as urban planning changes for the expected rise in temperature and flooding, using green building techniques. Civilian and military coastal facilities will be adapted in an effort to counteract rising sea levels that are predicted. New insurance plans covering natural disasters are also being prepared.

Minister of Environmental Protection Gilad Erdan said, “Global climate change is already here that’s a fact. We are all experiencing the manifestation of diminishing precipitation, heat waves, floods and more. These phenomena will continue to intensify and to become more frequent. Therefore, we must all take part in worldwide efforts to change our behavior, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 10, 2012

© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2012

Twitter Facebook Linkedin RSS Newsletters גלובס Israel Business Conference 2018