Israeli Plants Resistant to Climate Change

Ayalim Association http://ayalim.org/ was founded in 2002 with the goal of strengthening existing communities and social involvement in the Negev and Galilee. The Association’s role is to revive the former pioneering spirit  in the 21st century and with means to achieve this goal through the establishment of student and entrepreneur villages.

A recently published study by Ayalim shows that while Israel, like the rest of the world, is expected to be impacted by the effect of global warming, Israel’s plans are more resilient than other plant species when it comes to being able to withstand the stresses of global warming. The study took place over the course of a few years and included scientists from Israel, Germany and the United States.

They studied a variety of different plant species from around the world under conditions similar to those expected to occur due to climate changes.  The researchers assumed that different species of flora, including oats, barley and a range of flowering plants and clover would either die of or disperse their seeds in an attempt to find cooler locations with more rainfall.  When it came to these Israeli plant species, many did not.

The researchers explain that over the past 1000 years, these plan species have become increasingly resilient.  The results of this study are making climate researchers rethink the impacts of global warming on Israel and the surrounding region.  One of the researchers commented by saying that  “plant communities in the Holy Land can cope with climate change of ‘biblical’ dimensions.”

"Our plants are strong and so our the people of Israel!" says the spokesman 

Zimmer Accomodation to be Graded

During the last decade, there was a significant growth in the rural tourism and zimmers (rural accommodation) industries. According to statistics, this industry is worth about 1 billion shekel a year. There are about 9,000 zimmers in Israel which mainly attract domestic tourism during weekends, holidays and vacations and therefore result in an annual occupancy rate of 38%.

As part of the Ministry for the Development of the Negev and Galilee's policy to develop and bring prosperity to the periphery, a need was identified to exploit the potential of rural accommodation both for domestic and incoming tourism and, as a result, the IBB initiative was developed, a grading system that facilitated for the first time an address for inquiries and an answer for every tourist wishing to stay in zimmers.

The IBB grading system checks 140 different criteria in line with international norms and grades the rooms according to standards A, B and C that determine the levels of quality and service.

The criteria include, among others, type of mattress/pillow; cleaning in non-conventional areas; distance of zimmer from chicken coop or cow shed; size of room; noise from the air conditioning; credible advertising/price correspondence.

The zimmer owners participate in a workshop and the rooms are checked by a consultant working on behalf of the Tourism Ministry. At the end of the process, they connect to an internet system that synchronizes online reservations (it is possible to see which zimmers are available) alongside the zimmer grading, price per night, nearby attractions and more. A sign bearing the zimmer grading is places on the zimmer door.

Summertime and the Living is Easy?

Summertime and the living is easy, goes the words of Gershwin’s song in Porgy and Bess. I suppose in the fantasy world of the theater, anything goes! Nothing could be further from the truth for our family after a hectic week last week (and I am supposed to take it easy!!)

Following a party at the beginning of last week for the barmitzvah of yet another of our Grandsons, we made our way back home on Monday to a) deliver the barmitzvah cake, at least the half that was left, to a shelter for battered women b) to organize a stone setting for an elderly friend who passed away and had no children and finally c) drove to Zichron Yaacov for a performance of Broadway songs at the local theater.

The next day was my routine visit to the Cardiologist, who was happy with my progress and told me there was no problem to my starting to “lightly” exercise again. This was a welcome comment since we had planned to go to the Galilee and Golan with the family for a couple of days to do some trekking and continue the barmitzvah celebration.

The Galilee/Golan outing started in temperatures of 37 -38° C, the whole trip planned by the children. We arrived at Ein Tina, a river with a pool close to the parking area for the young children whilst some of the “elder” community walked via the river bed towards the waterfall.. Yes in spite of the dry winter, there was still water flowing.

Having enjoyed 3 hours there, we then all moved North on to the Golan Heights (seeing quite clearly how prior to 1967, the Syrians were able to fire on the farmers working in the fields in Israel) where we arrived at our “sleeping quarters” for the night – bamboo huts, with the “luxury” of mattresses provided, one electric bulb and a single socket. The huts were all in line like town houses so noises traveled down the line quite effectively.

We all settled down to a BBQ, enjoyed by all, it just seemed strange that we were there as “invited guests” and not involved in the planning or implementation.

The next morning, we set off for the Banias river and its waterfall. From Kibbutz Snir we followed the nature trail towards Moshav Sha’ar Yishuv. The scenery was exquisite, the waterfall amazing and the grandchildren (and some of their parents) enjoyed the dips in the river at those points were the flow was not dangerous. After three hours we arrived at our destination and our cars with relief. The weather although not at the previous days temperatures was still around 30° C.

We then traveled south, near to Bet She’an to a kibbutz Tirat Zvi where everyone enjoyed a relaxing time over the Shabbat before returning home.

Thankfully I had no after effects, so the “ticker” must have been working well. However, it was a pleasure to sleep that night in my own bed!!

Will the Snow Arrive This Year?

The grandchildren in Jerusalem are getting excited about the possibility of snow this week. Even those in the Tel Aviv area are making their plans to visit Jerusalem if snow arrives. Whether their parents are involved in these plans remains to be seen!!

A heavy fall of snow in Jerusalem happens only once in 5-7 years so the children want to make the most of it. Temperatures are expected to reach freezing levels Tuesday night during the inclement weather, which is forecast to begin Monday night and continue through Thursday.

If it does happen, schools will close giving the children every opportunity to enjoy the snow to its maximum.

It is reported that the Jerusalem municipality is on standby to clear streets and salt main roads to prevent freezing, while the city's hotline will be manned by extra staff.

The Mayor of Jerusalem announced that all homeless people in Jerusalem will be offered the option of staying in hotels during the inclement weather expected in the area.

The Jerusalem Post reported that according to the plan dubbed "Warm House," Welfare officials in the city have been instructed to provide shelter for all the homeless people until the cold front passes. Further, all Jerusalem residents are being asked to phone the municipality to report any homeless person who is on the street.

If the snow does arrive, we need to pray that it also falls on Mount Hermon since in the spring; it is the melting snow which helps to fill the Sea of Galilee. We are not making any headway in filling up the Sea this winter. In fact today it was reported that in 2007 there was only 50% of the average rainfall. It is not going to be long before the government has to consider rationing.

We typically collect rain water on our balcony each winter and use it during the summer to water our plants. However, whereas in the last few years we have had 120-150 bottles by the winters end, we are well down on the number of bottles stored this year.

Maybe we will have to smell a bit more in the summer and take fewer showers!!!

Water and Ambulances

Finally residents in the North of the country are going to have their own ambulance service. A new Magen David Adom station http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Health/mda1.html has been established in Carmiel http://www.webscope.com/karmiel/ with the generosity of British Friends of Magen David Adom.

The new station will serve not only Carmiel but also Tefen and the Arab villages in the area. The communities in the north have been waiting for 30 years for this day and finally the patience has been rewarded for the 150,000 residents of the area.

Meanwhile further to the East, the Sea of Galilee has reached its lowest level in five years, the Water Authority announced Monday. The water level in the lake was -212.59 meters at the end of 2007, which is 3.79 m. below the top red line. The last time the lake dropped that low was on March 9, 2003.

Israel's main source of drinking water dropped 42 cm. in 2007, the authority said. In addition, since 2004, the Sea of Galilee's water level has been steadily decreasing. This is in part because of below-average rainfall over the last three years, the Water Authority said.

If this winter does not produce more rainfall, it will be the worst four years since the early 60s, the authority warned. Four consecutive years of below-average additions to the Sea of Galilee have only occurred twice in the last 77 years.

In the short term, pure drinking water is planned to be diverted from agricultural use to households, in addition, the water authority has embarked upon a campaign to promote efficient use of water. It's a campaign with a twist, as it's directed at Israel's youngest inhabitants.

"The focus of the campaign is on children. A spokesman said "If I come into your house and see you washing dishes and the water is running all the time, I'll ask you to stop and change how you wash your dishes. And to be polite, you'll do so, but go back to what you know tomorrow, however, if parents feel a tug on their leg while they are washing dishes and their children ask them to change their ways, then they will, because they want to assure their children they've been taught the right message."

In the long term, Israel has put its full support behind desalination plants. Said the spokesman, "In the longer range, the Water Authority is working to stabilize the water market and reduce reliance on natural sources," There are currently two desalination plants operational in Israel and another three expected to be online by 2013.

The plant in Ashkelon is the biggest of its kind in the world and produces 108m. cubic meters of water a year and a smaller one in Palmahim produces 30m. cubic meters. A plant near Hadera is set to open by 2009 with a capacity of 100m. cubic meters. Another two plants, one in Ashdod and another near Nahal Sorek, are expected to be ready by 2013. The total capacity of all the plants would then stand at 505m. cubic meters a year, which would go a long way toward satisfying demand.. Israel consumes about 700m. cubic meters of pure drinking water a year.