For a clean Israeli environment.

Like everyone else, I’ve been thinking a lot about what my society has done for the environment and what long term changes are being made as the world-at-large starts paying attention to the state of the Earth.

I know that on the whole, everything that anyone has done has been a drop in the green bucket. I’m not a green-nut myself, but I am a person who avoids wastefulness, values organization and enjoys a breath of fresh air… that doesn’t come from an a/c.

Here’s a brief summary of what I’ve been exposed to/seen on the ground in Israel:

Solar energy

There are tons of companies in Israel that are working vigorously on solar energy developments and exporting their ideas and goods. You might recognize the name Solel, for one.

Solar panels for homes have been around for years; something like 80% of Israeli residents have these in their homes. Before I moved here, I had barely understood the concept; heard that out in California they used these. Here, it’s everything: electricity-saver, money-saver, power-saver. Called a dood-shemesh in Hebrew, it’s the type of thing you ask about before you rent a place. The sun automatically heats up the panel, and the heat absorbed is what makes your shower nice and comfy. Israel has won big marks for the popularity of the solar panels.

For more information regarding Israeli solar energy, here’s a detailed article. And here’s news on the latest developments in electricity versus solar billing.

Drinking water

I was passed this feature article in Haaretz about Israeli tap vs mineral water: Addicted to the bottle. Here’s a taste:

Families can spend as much as thousands of or tens of thousands of shekels a year on fancy water. Does their outlay pay?

One unbiased expert says, unequivocally, no. “The quality of tap water in Israel is among the best in the world, in terms of the Health Ministry’s standards,” says Prof. Avner Adin of the Faculty of Agriculture at Hebrew University. “My family and I drink tap water without a second thought.”

The article basically explains that many researchers claim Israeli tap water is not only safe and tasty, but preferable to mineral water, which is a waste of money and resources and not even as healthy as everyone thinks.

Of course, there’s also the little matter of the plastic bottles that the bottled water industry contributes… On Neviot’s website, they make a whole display of the different kinds of bottles you can carry around.

Plastic

The last time I was in New York, I noticed it was in vogue to carry around non-plastic bags in the supermarket and elsewhere. And, really, when I say in vogue, I mean fashionable to walk around with 100% all-natural fiber bags that say on them, “I’m not a plastic bag.”

Im  not ap lastic bag, either.

In Israel, for months, I’ve seen the non-plastic bags in the supermarket, sold for a few shekel, to be replacements for the plastic bags that Israelis – like everyone else – are so eager to use and recycle by reusing them as garbage bags. Are Israelis buying it? I don’t know. I don’t see them being walked around very often.

The government, however, is making an attempt by formulating a bill to ban the production, importing and distribution of plastic bags. in fact, a small charge will be implemented for each plastic bag used. Good thing too, since apparently Israel’s population of 7 million use about 430 million plastic bags a month in 2005

We personally have started to use those bags ourselves, with occasional picking up plastic bags to reuse as garbage bags at home.

And then, at my office a few months back, a couple of coworkers attempted a revolution in using ceramic mugs and bowls instead of the tons of wasteful plastic goods they order every week. I took up the cause myself and have been ok with it, at the very least.

Automobiles

I have read a lot about the work of Israeli researchers and advancements in hybrid cars, electric cars, water-power. Every so often I will read an article about the latest researcher or start up focusing on this. There is an Israeli start up dedicated start putting in ‘chargers’ for electric cars on city streets. Israel is one of the leading in the research for water-powered and vegetable-oil powered cars.

I have begun to consider what my next car would be and I definitely think out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new, because soon enough I won’t have a choice around here.

By the way:

Conclusion

I do think that Israelis get a bad rap from visiting Americans, who consider themselves green and eco-savvy to a fault. I do acknowledge that until recently, Israel was terrible in the eco arena. It’s hard to compare too because the United States is a bigger place with more people with more stores with more factories with more indulgences… with more bad habits. But these days, it’s unfair to judge Israelis harshly; its researchers are leading in areas of water desalination, electric and water-run cars, solar paneling, etc.

In fact, dare I say I am proud of what I’ve seen so far, as small as it may be. Of course, there is tons more to be done and what we have so far is so small, but it’s the national psychology that always has to be shifted before you can see real change. I can see that from the academic point of view as well in areas of the government, Israel is definitely moving its psychology in the eco-friendly direction.

Comments

4 responses to “For a clean Israeli environment.”

  1. Globalina Avatar

    You go girl! Globalina likes your tips! Thanks for trying to inspire other people to clean up and green up their environment and lifestyle!

    http://www.globalina.wordpress.com

  2. rivka m Avatar
    rivka m

    thing is, I trust J-m tap water to be safe (safer than DC tap water), but I dislike the taste. I guess I’m more used to lead and arsenic and god knows what else than to limestone.

  3. […] Belson says he noticed the amount of energy waste in North America the moment he arrived. “Growing up in Israel we were always conscious about energy and being responsible about water use. When I moved to Canada it struck me that all the hallways in public buildings were lit all the time, whereas in Israel you press a button for a few minutes of light to get you where you need to go.” (click here to read about Israeli energy conservation at Lizrael blog) […]

  4. […] Here’s some more encouraging news about creating a clean Israeli environment: […]

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