Comprehensive coverage

environmental issues

An apocalyptic image of a sinking New York. The image was prepared using artificial intelligence and is not a scientific image

A new study reveals: large cities along the Atlantic coast of the United States are sinking at a rapid rate

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A new study reveals: large cities along the Atlantic coast of the United States are sinking at a rapid rate"
Lightning storms over the jungle in Costa Rica. Illustration: depositphotos.com

The rainforests are in danger due to the reduction of thunderstorms

Deforestation in the Amazon may reduce the amount of thunderstorms and harm the rainforest that provides us with oxygen
Fairy circles in the Namibrand Reserve in Namibia in the rainy season. The average diameter of the circles is about six meters. Photo: Dr. Stefan Getzin

The fairy circles - how the plants' coping with the dryness led to this phenomenon

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Researchers from Ben Gurion University offer an innovative explanation for this unique behavior of the fairy circles phenomenon: a combination of phenotypic adaptation at the level of the individual plant, by deepening the roots of the plants into more moist soil layers, and of self-organization in space at the population level
The "ZIM" company announced that due to the threats of the Houthis, it will route at least part of its cargo ships that arrive from the Eastern countries through a longer route around Africa. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Thus, the Houthi threat may increase the pollution of cargo ships

Beyond the security and economic implications, the Houthi threat to the Red Sea may also have significant environmental consequences, which will further increase the polluting footprint of the maritime transport industry
The earth will somehow recover but humanity will be extinct. Illustration: depositphotos.com

A lament for the human race

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Dr. Assaf Rosenthal quotes one of the participants following the climate conference in Dubai: "Humanity must stop using nature as a toilet", "Humanity has become a weapon of mass destruction".
Monsoon rains in a rural area in India.

Heavy rain is about to fall

Weizmann Institute scientists have shown that dry air crossing the equator intensifies the monsoon rains over India. These surprising findings may improve flood warning capabilities and be good news for hundreds of millions
Mediterranean. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Researchers from Israel reveal the next generation of virtual reality and climate models

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Intel's research laboratories reveal 31 research projects that shape the future of artificial intelligence innovation, including two studies from Israel
All 30 employees of the UBQ company live in the south, many of them in the surrounding settlements. Photo: UBQ Materials

From Otaf to Dubai

It was the high-tech companies from the surrounding area that represented Israel at the UN's global climate conference, which opened this week in the United Arab Emirates. Their managers talk about the professional and personal difficulties of the companies and their employees these days - and also about the importance of traveling to the main international event, despite everything
Skyscrapers in Dubai. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Will the COP28 climate conference lead to a breakthrough?

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This week, representatives of many countries are gathering in Dubai to discuss measures to curb global warming and prevent future climate disasters. The conference, known as COP28, poses complex challenges to decision makers
Symbol of the COP28 event in Dubai. Illustration: depositphotos.com

The COP28 climate conference in Dubai opens today against the background of leaks according to which large oil deals will also be held as part of it

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There is also criticism that countries are failing to meet their emission reduction targets, and that global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, jeopardizing the goal of not warming the planet beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius
The reputation of chains like SHEIN has been joined by a new accusation: anti-Israelism. Illustration: Hotpot

Buy clothes in November and keep a clear conscience

The claims that fast fashion chains like SHEIN are pro-Palestinian join the findings of investigations into the terrible working conditions in their factories and the enormous environmental damage they cause. So where should you buy clothes in this year's "shopping month"? And how will this help the Israeli economy?
Lizards and geckos of various species have developed a survival and defense mechanism that allows them to detach their tails to deceive predators. A gecko that shot its tail, photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim, GFDL 1.2

What can be learned about resilience and restoration after a disaster from animals and plants?

In times of war it is not always easy to be strong or to imagine the day after, but various animals and plants teach us that it is possible to survive and show resilience even in hostile and challenging conditions. Many examples suggest that if nature can recover, so can we
The drying up of the Dead Sea, one of the results of the climate crisis. Illustration: depositphotos.com

OECD: 45 hot days and 145 particularly hot nights in Israel due to the climate crisis and worsening drought

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These are data from the Climate Action Monitor report of the Organization of Developed Countries. The Ministry of Environmental Protection calls for the expansion of preparedness for climate hazards, but it lacks the ability to influence other government ministries after at the beginning of the term it spread its powers in favor of bodies that favor industry
Visit of foreign journalists to Kibbutz Kfar Gaza. Photo: Government Press Office.

Experts: It is mandatory to treat dangerous infections created by the attack in the envelope

Experts warn that the severe attack of October 7 and the firing of rockets at Israel filled the surrounding area and other areas with toxic infections, exposure to which could significantly harm health. Therefore, the planned rehabilitation in Otef will require treatment of these infections, and those who are currently in place must wear a mask and gloves to protect their health
The photographs of the children who were kidnapped from their homes to Gaza. From the headquarters website of the families of the abductees. #bringthemhomenow

Come to Israel, Greta, and tell the world what you saw

I read the identification you (#GretaThunberg) expressed with Gaza and Hamas, and I feel deep sorrow and pity for your painful blindness. We both live out of an environmental ideology, but while you were in a safe place - my life and the lives of those dear to me were in existential danger. A resident of Kibbutz Nir-Am and an environmentalist writes to climate activist Greta Thunberg
Diagram - structure of the Gulf of Eilat. Courtesy of the researchers

the good dust

Every year a dust storm occurs at the bottom of the Gulf of Eilat that may reduce global warming
backpackers Investing in local communities. Illustration: depositphotos.com

to travel for nature

How did your trip help the environment you were in? Get to know restorative tourism, which is not only harmless - but also helps nature and local communities during the trip. Food for thought in honor of Hul Moed trips
Soft corals of the Dendronaphtia species, which are common in the Eilat and Red Sea region, were found at a depth of 42 meters in the Mediterranean Sea. Photo: Hagai Nativ, Morris Kahn Sea Research Station

Corals from the Red Sea have invaded Israel's Mediterranean coast

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Until now, the low temperatures of the Mediterranean water in winter have been a barrier to the arrival of tropical corals. The establishment of the Dendronaphtia we found indicates that at least last winter, the waters of the Mediterranean Sea were warmer than before
The price of one etrog may reach 500 shekels. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Etrog in danger: will it be impossible to grow etrog in Israel in the future?

The etrog is currently at risk due to the rise in global temperatures as part of the climate crisis, and it is possible that the day will come when we will no longer be able to grow etrogs in Israel - for the first time in 2,500 years
Green Wash. Illustration: depositphotos.com

Are compensations sufficient for the destruction of the environment?

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At the upcoming climate conference to be held in Dubai, ways to moderate global warming and the need to compensate the affected countries, especially island countries and countries in Africa, will be discussed again. Promises of compensation have already been given, but have not yet been fulfilled, and the question arises whether paying compensation is enough?
The siksak is a chicken whose wings are brown, the rest of its body is "painted" black and white, and its legs are long and thin. Photo: Reut Alon

Who is braver, the city bird or the country bird?

A new Israeli study examined the siksak, a common species of bird - and found that urban siksaks are braver than their rural brethren. Although we usually all appreciate this beautiful feature, it is possible that the change in behavior in question is actually not so positive for these birds
Neri's research focused on species of sharks and bats - important predators whose population has been significantly affected in recent years. Gray racket. Photography: Ilan Burnakash

Caught in the net: what fish in Gaza?

In the Gaza Strip there is no law or supervision against fishing for protected species - therefore, sharks and bats that are in danger of extinction are hunted there freely. A new Israeli study presents a method for collecting data from social networks that allows us to map the phenomenon, and find out what is happening in the Gaza Strip
Google search. Illustration: depositphotos.com

The green side of Google

Google recently published its environmental report, which reveals significant energy savings in its operation, helping its users to act more environmentally and investments in sustainable ventures. Is the picture really so optimistic?
Prof. Bla Galil. Photo credit - M. Mendelssohn

Invasive species: a growing threat to biodiversity in the world and in Israel

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Says Prof. Bela Galil, a senior marine biologist who works as a researcher and curator at the Steinhardt Museum of Nature at Tel Aviv University. In addition, she was one of the three main authors of the chapter on "Effects of biological invasions on nature, nature's contribution to humanity and a good quality of life" in the report Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and System Services (IPBES) International
This map depicts the global temperature anomalies for the meteorological summer in 2023 (June, July and August). It shows how much warmer or cooler different regions of the Earth were compared to the baseline average from 1951 to 1980: NASA Earth Observatory/Lauren Dauphin

The climate crisis delivered a strong blow: the summer of 2023 was the hottest ever

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This raw data is analyzed using methods that take into account the variable distance between temperature stations around the world and the effects of urban heat islands that may distort the calculations.
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