2023 was a shaky environmental year, ranging from alarming news to small points of contentment. And starting from October 7, the environment also reflected the difficult change that took place in the country. Just before ending, this is how the civil year looked around
The year 2023 ends in the midst of a severe war - but before it broke out and during it, quite a bit happened and renewed in our environment. From disposable containers, through polar bears and wild mushrooms to the environmental damage of the surprise attack on October 7, these are some of the biggest environmental events that happened in the year that is now coming to an end, in Israel and in the world:
January: Israel returns to the HDP - and the world disconnects from it
The year started with bad news for the environment in Israel, when the government canceled the tax on single-use plastic utensils immediately after its inauguration. But while Israel took a step back in the fight against the phenomenon, in other countries in the world steps were taken to eradicate it. Thus, legislation was approved in Wales in the UK which prohibits the sale of single-use plastic products. Hereby she joined the ranks of countries and bodies with similar laws: Kenya, Australia, Canada, England and the European Union.
February: The secret of the polar bears is revealed
We humans can only marvel at the ice-walking abilities of polar bears. American study Reveal the secret of success of the furry predator from the north: microscopic bumps that line his feet, and which allow him a better grip on the slippery ice. The funding for the research came, among other things, from a tire company - and this is because one of its goals is to develop tires that will be more resistant to slipping in snowy countries.
March: New information on poisoning from wild mushrooms
An Israeli study published this year Revealed the patterns of poisoning from wild mushrooms in Israel. Among other things, it found that about 40 percent of poisonings occur among children up to the age of 6. In addition, these cases were more common among men. In addition, since the outbreak of the corona epidemic in 2020, there has been an increase in the number of poisoning cases in Israel.
April: The fight against the invasion of the Hanbots and the first Israel Prize for Environmental Science and Sustainability Research
In April, scientists and others struggled Against the planting of an invasive tree of the species will sprout On the new promenade in Eilat. This is a tree that came to Israel during the British Mandate period and received praise - until in the early 2000s it was discovered that it spreads widely, and also appears in natural areas where it was not planted - where it harms local vegetation, animals that are harmed by eating it, humans that are allergic to it and may be harmed by its breakage, In a landscape that is filled with a viscous substance that is secreted from it and even with Eilat's much-loved corals. Following the call of the scientists and the extensive activity, the struggle bore fruit - and the planting of the tree on the boardwalk was cancelled.
This year, the Israel Prize for Environmental Science and Sustainability Research was also awarded for the first time to Prof. Avital Gazit from Tel Aviv University. Gazit is a leading researcher in the field of fresh water bodies, and his research and public activity have greatly contributed to the preservation of water bodies such as the Kinneret, the streams, the springs and our winter pools. "I am not receiving the award for being a brilliant scientist, but for the contribution I had to preserving the environment - which my students will continue, and hopefully, their students as well," he said In a celebratory interview on the occasion of his win.
May: 29 species come out of danger of extinction
Among the bad news of the year, there were also some points of light: thus, in exotic Australia it was found that29 species of local animals managed to get out of danger of extinction. This is partly due to international conventions, hunting bans, programs to monitor and dilute invasive predators and the establishment of protected areas. These findings can strengthen the understanding that human actions at both the political and civil levels can save species at risk - and restore local nature.
June: resistant bacteria in streams
An Israeli study that made waves this year found that streams are polluted throughout the country may be a focus for the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which may cause the spread of diseases that will be very difficult to treat. These outbreaks are seasonally influenced: in winter, it is the inflow of sewage that flushes the resistant bacteria from polluted sources into the water sources. In the summer, the bacterial outbreaks occur after periods of rain. Beyond ways to address the problem at the national and research level, the findings also reveal the importance of washing and disinfecting our wounds (even if they are small) when leaving the sea and water sources.
July: Following the fishing in Gaza, and some insights from Jonathan Safran Foyer
Months before the "Iron Swords" war broke out, there were eyes in Israel that were already examining Gaza - or its sea, at least. Israeli researchers have developed a method To collect data from social networks, which allows to map fishing in the Strip through them. In Gaza there is no law or supervision against fishing for protected species - therefore, sharks and bats that are in danger of extinction were fished there freely, and almost no information was collected about the phenomenon. The method made it possible to shed light on fishing - and the marine animals that were harmed in Gaza because of it.
In a completely different context, the guest of honor at the annual conference on science and the environment, held in July at the Tel Aviv Expo complex, was none other than the writer Jonathan Safran Foyer. He who started out as the prodigy of American literature, moved on to write about the consumption of animal food in his book "Eating Animals" - and entered with all his might into the topic of the environment in his latest book, "We Are the Climate". In an exclusive interview held in honor of his participation He mainly demonstrated optimism and hope, and told us among other things about his perception that the power to change is in the hands of each and every one of us.
August: Phoenix of the sea
In August, an Israeli study was published who revealed to the public a truly extraordinary living creature, which breaks the laws of nature. The flower botryll is a small marine animal whose colonies age in their entirety - and then return to being young again. The unique phenomenon was given the term "Orshina rhythm" - the Talmudic name of the mythological phoenix.
September: The environmental damage of "Burning Man"
Last September, an unusually large rainstorm hit the "Burning Man" festival, causing many to get stuck on the spot and making the festival headlines. But just before the event area was filled with mud - and quite ironically - There were those who tried to prevent its existence: a group of environmental activists, who blocked the entrance to the festival and confronted its participants, while protesting the widespread pollution that they claim this huge event creates - despite the anti-establishment that has etched its flag.
October: Greta against Israel, Israel against Greta
When the war broke out on October 7, many in the world sided with Israel - but one who was quick to stand on the other side is the young climate activist Greta Thunberg. Shaked Shafi Cohen, a resident of Kibbutz Nir-Am and an environmentalist, Then wrote to Greta poignant words, in a column that was published in the Swedish press, recounted what she had experienced in her home that was on the day of the surprise attack - and called her to sober up from her painful blindness. Other voices voted That the damage that Tunberg caused by her election is not only political, but also environmental - because the environment does not belong to the left or the right, but to all of us.
November: the toxic infections in the envelope and the reservists who discover nature at war
In November, when the need to rebuild the envelope from the surprise attack and the rocket launchers hit the headlines, scientists began to warn that the damage from terrorism Fill the surrounding area and other areas with toxic impurities, that exposure to them could damage health significantly. Therefore, the rehabilitation planned in Otef will require treatment of these infections - until then, those who are in the place must wear a mask and gloves to protect their health.
In addition, reservists who stayed in the field for many days due to the fighting Animals and plants began to be discovered that in the vicinity of the areas where they serve, between operational activity and guarding. More and more of their photographs and the art they create following the spontaneous encounters with nature have surfaced on social networks. And behind every picture like this, there is also a story hidden, about a person (in uniform) and nature.
December: The hi-techists from Otaf represent us in Dubai
Towards the end of the year, the United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) was held in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates - and it was also affected by the war in Gaza. The huge delegation that was supposed to represent Israel was replaced by a small group at the core Managers of high-tech companies from the surrounding area. These companies suffered damage due to the October 7th attack and the war - including even personal damage. But their message to Israel and the world in their flight to Dubai and in their talks with us was very clear: keep going, and keep succeeding.
And what about in 2024?
Looking ahead, 2024 is expected to be an eventful year. The war that is very present is expected to continue to affect all areas of life - including the environment, and the hope is that the decision makers will be able to take environmental considerations into account which can help a lot in the processes of restoration of the envelope. The US presidential elections will also be held towards the end of the year, and they threaten to restore Donald Trump to power, during which time they were taken Some environmentally destructive decisions (First of all the withdrawal of the USA from the Paris Agreement). All this at a critical time in the fight against the climate crisis, in Israel and in the world. So we can only wish for ourselves that 2024 will be as quiet a year as possible, a year of restoration - and an encouraging and greener year.
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