Due to the climate crisis, Israel is at increased risk of environmental consequences, according to the OECD's Climate Action Monitor report published last weekend.
According to the report, which analyzes and compares actions, needs and forecasts to prepare for the climate crisis of both member and partner countries, last summer was the warmest since temperature measurements began, so it is estimated that 2023 will be the warmest year since measurements began, and it will be 1.43 degrees Celsius higher than before the industrial revolution.
According to the report, even in a moderate scenario, people in Israel between 2099 and 2080 are expected to be exposed to about 80 days a year in which the maximum temperature will be 35 degrees Celsius, the third highest figure among all the countries examined. This is due to the fact that Israel will have an average of about 45 more such days than in 2014-1995, the highest figure among all OECD member countries and partner countries examined.
Keeps warming up. Earth (illustration), photo: Reuters
The result is even worse when you look at the expected hot nights between 2099 and 2080, when the temperature will not drop below 20°C. In those years, people would be exposed to about 145 such nights, an increase of about 48 nights on average compared to the average in 2014-1995 – the second highest increase relative to the countries examined.
Hot nights, especially their long duration, contribute equally or even more in some cases to heat stress, the development of urban heat islands, and increased mortality. Therefore, there is an urgent need to prepare for widespread exposure of the population to high temperatures for a long time.
Another issue in which relatively exceptional results are presented regarding Israel is the exposure of crops to drought conditions, which are defined in the report by an index that includes a decrease in precipitation and exposure to high temperatures (which affect soil moisture). The increase in the area exposed to drought conditions on average in 2014-1995 and between the area expected to be exposed to drought conditions in 2099-2080 in a moderate scenario in Israel is the highest among all the countries examined.
We'll see fewer days like this. Rain in Modiin, last month, photo: Jonathan Shaul
In response to the report, Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman said: "The data emerging from the report indicate the need for continued preparedness for climate change."
The Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Environmental Protection, Prof. Noga Kronfeld Schor, said: "The report clearly shows the fact that Israel is at increased risk of the consequences of climate change. Even today, when Israel is dealing with security threats, it is important not to neglect dealing with additional threats, including climate change, and especially today it is important that priorities and the investment of resources be done correctly and efficiently."
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us