Snapshot on Israel: Water Conservation

An Update on Israel’s Water Situation

Located on Kibbutz Ketura in the Arava desert of southern Israel, the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies (AIES) is the premier environmental teaching and research program in the Middle East, preparing future Arab and Jewish leaders to cooperatively solve the region’s environmental challenges. AIES is a primary beneficiary of the Arava Institute Hazon Israel Ride.

By Clive Lipchin, PhD, Director, Center for Transboundary Water Management, Arava Institute for Environmental Studies

This winter Israel was blessed with abundant rainfall. January 2012 was the wettest January on record. The Kinneret has risen by over one meter and Mount Hermon is covered in snow. Nonetheless, this good news needs to be tempered with the reality that prior to this year’s rainy season, the last six years have been drought years and Israel is faced with a growing water scarcity problem that one good rainy season will not solve. The reason behind the water scarcity problem is due to a number of factors. These are: population increase and a higher standard of living, the negative effects of climate change on naturally occurring water resources, and Israel’s commitments to allocating water to her neighbors. (more…)

New Route for the 2012 Israel Ride

Our new route for 2012 includes two days of cycling through the northern forests followed by three days in the south, riding on the open roads in the Negev desert. (more…)

The Conversation Continues: Siach Applications Open

Applications open for 2nd Annual Siach Conference

Siach, an Environment and Social Justice Conversation, brings together committed activists from across Israel, North America, and Europe.

Apply now for this year’s conference this at Ohalo Manor on the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) in Israel, June 15-18, 2012.

Flight and registration subsidies are available. (more…)