The electricity market's effort to meet the growing demand for power during the hot summer months of 2011 has taken its toll on the environment, as increased power production resulted in higher emission levels, a new report by the Central Bureau of Statistics said. The report stressed that while it reviewed 2011, the similar power demands noted in the summer of 2012, as well as Israel's need to resort to coal-based power production, due to problems in the natural gas supply from Egypt, may spell similar results in 2012. According to the CBS, sulfur dioxide (SO2) emissions were up by 10% in 2011, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions were up 3% compared to 2010, as were suspended particulate matter (SPM) emissions, which added 15%. In 2011, 76 million tons of greenhouse gasses (CO2) were emitted – up 1% from 2010. Vehicle emission, however, was down as a result of technological and gasoline improvements. Other data suggests that the Dead Sea's water levels continue to drop at a rate of over a meter a year. In 2011, Dead Sea level dropped to an unprecedented law of 425.5 meters below sea levels. But not all is grim. The Central Bureau of Statistics found a 2% increase in forestation, which spanned 216 acres. Forest fires claimed 1,482 acres. The CBS also found an increase in waste management – 461 million cubic meters in 2011, compared to 455 million cubic meters in 2010. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter