environmental issues

Members of the Extinction Rebellion Red Rebel Brigade take part in a rally calling for action against climate change in Tel Aviv on October 10, 2019. (Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

October 13, 2019, 11:27 am

As climate rallies spread, Israelis to bring protest to sukkahs

Following Europe’s lead, several Extinction Rebellion events planned for upcoming Jewish holiday

By Sue Surkes

Climate change activists participate in an environmental demonstration as part of a global youth-led day of action, September 20, 2019, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

September 21, 2019, 3:56 am

Millions protest in youth-led global climate strike

Masses of children skip school hoping for a ‘social tipping point’ that will push world leaders to act against impending environmental disaster

By Peter HUTCHISON

School children attend a protest march as part of the world's largest climate strike in Sydney on September 20, 2019. (PETER PARKS / AFP)

September 20, 2019, 10:51 am

Kids in Australia, Pacific launch millions-strong global climate strike

Ahead of UN summit in New York, students inspired by teen activist Greta Thunberg demand adults take action

By Andrew BEATTY

A branching coral spawns pinkish bundles of eggs and sperm that are carried away by the currents. (Tom Shlesinger)

September 5, 2019, 10:47 pm

Climate change is knocking coral mating dance out of sync, Israeli study finds

In groundbreaking research, Tel Aviv University academics discover changes to mass spawning events that may lead to extinction of some species of reef builders

By Sue Surkes

In this August 20, 2019 drone photo released by the Corpo de Bombeiros de Mato Grosso, brush fires burn in Guaranta do Norte municipality, Mato Grosso state, Brazil. (Corpo de Bombeiros de Mato Grosso via AP)

August 22, 2019, 11:39 pm

As Amazon burns, wildfires spark fight over who is to blame

As experts count record number of blazes, Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro lashes media critics who say he’s not doing enough to stop deforestation

By MARCELO SILVA de SOUSA

A demonstration against the construction of a desalination plant on the coast in the Western Galilee, July 30, 2019 (Yuval Hadar)

July 30, 2019, 3:58 pm

Hundreds protest planned desalination plant on coast in Western Galilee

Local residents say facility would unduly damage the environment, when it could be constructed in a nearby industrial zone instead

By Diana Bletter

July 21, 2019, 6:48 am

Can’t see the forest for the trees? Environmental debate restarts on KKL forests

Forests harm biodiversity, says Society for Protection of Nature in Israel; KKL insists trees stop desertification; and a senior ecologist says both bodies have outdated ideas

By Sue Surkes

Two wild elephants, part of a herd that arrived at a wetland near the Thakurkuchi railway station, engage in a tussle on the outskirts of Gauhati, Assam, India, on June 7, 2017. (AP / Anupam Nath)

May 6, 2019, 4:12 pm

UN says nature is in worst shape in human history

Thousand-page report approved by 109 nations concludes over 1 million species of plants and animals facing extinction

By Seth Borenstein

Planet Earth: how did it get its start? (iStock/MarcelC)

April 22, 2019, 9:15 am

Move over Big Bang: Should science take a page from religion’s Big History book?

In ‘Origin Story,’ Prof. David Christian offers a big-picture look at Earth, the universe, and everything — a zoom-out perspective that could just save the planet

By Rich Tenorio

In this June 8, 2018 photo, divers collect plastic and other debris during a cleanup organized by Camel Dive Club, at a dive site off the coast of the Red Sea resort of Sharm el Sheikh, in southern Sinai, Egypt. (AP Photo/Thomas Hartwell)

April 2, 2019, 5:16 pm

Egypt province banning single-use plastics to clean up Red Sea

Restaurants, supermarkets, grocery stores, pharmacies and even docking cruise ships will face the new ban, part of environmental push along Hurghada coast

By Samy Magdy

Israelis take part at a protest march to demand immediate action on climate change in Tel Aviv on March 29, 2019. (Adam Shuldman/Flash90)

March 29, 2019, 8:13 pm

Thousands rally in Tel Aviv to demand action against climate change

Chanting ‘we want clean air’ and ‘environment before profit,’ protesters also focus anger on construction of natural gas platform off the coast

By TOI staff

Tomatoes wrapped in plastic. (DutchScenery/ iStock/Getty)

March 5, 2019, 6:03 am

Waste not, wrap not? Environmentalists rip plan to cover produce in plastic

Agriculture Ministry initiative comes as annual report finds Israel wastes 2.5 million tons of food each year, worth NIS 19.7 billion ($5.5 billion)

By Melanie Lidman

Hezbollah terror chief Hassan Nasrallah stars in an Israeli ad campaign encouraging Israelis to recycle plastic bottles. (YouTube screenshot)

February 7, 2019, 11:54 pm

Hezbollah terror chief chides Israelis for not recycling, in mock ad campaign

Hassan Nasrallah appears in billboard ad and video put out by Israeli recycling group aimed to encourage citizens to recycle plastic bottles

By TOI staff

The olive trees outside of Amsterdam’s Portuguese synagogue get wrapped up every year. They are shown here in February 2018. (Hans Kaljee/via JTA)

December 30, 2018, 11:22 pm

By Amsterdam’s Portuguese Synagogue, Spanish olive trees endure northern winters

The grove is an homage to the Jewish community’s Sephardic roots, but increasingly presents a challenge for ethical landscaping and sustainability

By Cnaan Liphshiz

A view of Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 2, 2014, when a flash dust storm hits the Iranian capital. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)

September 8, 2018, 3:57 pm

Conflicts hinder Iran efforts to counter dust storms

With civil war in Syria and Islamic State uprising in Iraq, ‘environment has lost all priority,’ Tehran official says sadly

By AFP