'Israel's desertification to expand by 2020'
Report by Climate Change Information Center predicts next decade in Israel will be hotter and drier
A recent report complied by environmental experts at the requests of the Environmental Protection Ministry predicts a tough decade for Israel climate-wise, Ynet learned on Monday.
The report was penned by the Climate Change Information Center at Haifa University and is the result of a joint effort by seven steering committees, comprised of over 100 scientists, public servants and environmental experts. The findings are meant to become the basis for a national climate-change readiness plan.
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The report analyzed seven major fields expected to be affected by climate changes: Domestic climate, public health, the water economy, eco-construction, wildlife diversification, the economy and Geostrategy.
The report concluded that over the next 10 years, the average annual temperatures in Israel will rise by 0.5-0.3 degrees Celsius, while the average annual precipitates will fall 1.1%-3.7%.
Sandstorm in the Judean Desert (Photo: Yigal Laubell)
The frequency of heat-waves, forest fires and floods is also expected to rise, resulting in property and ecological damage, the report said.
The report notes that the exact impact these changes will have on wildlife diversification is unknown, but the expert believe that the coming climate changes will affect the migration patterns of birds in the area.
"Global climate is changes and that's a fact. We're all experiencing heat-waves, floods and less rainfall. these phenomena are not expected to disappear and Israel must take part in the global effort adopt new behavioral patters that will lessen environmental impacts," Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan said.
