Activists bemoan lack of preparedness for climate change as Israel braces for storm

As Israelis prepare for the worst of Storm Byron from Wednesday to Friday, the director of the economic and climate resilience department at the environmental advocacy organization Adam Teva V’Din notes that seven years have passed since the government decided to prepare for the climate crisis, with no concrete results.

Orly Babitzky says, “Once again, Israeli citizens find themselves alone in the face of dangers. The state’s arsenal of tools for preparation includes, at most, contingency plans without funding, or, as in many cases, a complete lack of preparedness plans.

“During the life-threatening extreme event that is expected this week, the state will once again be unable to provide security to its citizens.

“Israel must urgently begin implementing preparedness plans at the local and governmental levels, because the current storm is only a sign of things to come.”

Babitzky adds that with an increase in climate change-related extreme weather events such as heatwaves and drought, “We must not continue to treat rainwater and storms like the one arriving this week as a ‘nuisance.

“We must change our approach immediately and ensure that the water is stored and allowed to percolate into the ground. This is the effective way to refill and restore the aquifers – Israel’s emergency water store.”

The storm, which is bearing down on Israel after it battered Greece and Cyprus, will bring with it 10-20 centimeters (4-8 inches) of rain, heavy winds and severe flood risk in much of the country, the weather service said.