Voices of Change: Noa from Tel Aviv, Israel

What is your name and where are you from?  

My name is Noa Fisher and I live in Tel Aviv, Israel. 

 Have you heard the term Climate change? 

Certainly. In my youth, I was always interested in the environment and nature, largely thanks to my parents who took me on many trips. But the turning point was 9 years ago when I decided to become vegan for ethical reasons. I researched about Veganism, and this learning exposed me to the climate crisis because there is a strong link between the two. This sparked my interest, and later I decided to work in the field personally and worked as an environment and animal correspondent at Ynet.  

What is the climate over there? 

I have spent most of my life in Israel, a country known to be very hot. Additionally, the summer is very long—usually beginning around June and still hot even until October. Moreover, there are no rains during the summer months. The transition seasons in Israel are very short, and at times they are almost imperceptible. Winter is characterized by a drop in temperatures and rains, but there is a significant difference in temperatures and the amount of precipitation in different parts of the country, despite its small scale. This is due to Israel's unique geographical location, situated between three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa. In the north of the country, more precipitation typically falls than in other parts, and in the desert regions of the country, very little precipitation falls. The climate crisis has a significant impact on the Israeli climate, which is manifested in higher-than-average global warming, frequent heatwaves, and in winter—flooding events. 

The climate crisis has a significant impact on the Israeli climate, which is evident in higher than average warming. In Summer - frequent heatwaves, and during winter – flooding events.  
Unfortunately, our cities in Israel are not planned in accordance with the climate crisis. There are not enough trees in the streets (trees provide shade and cool the temperatures), and the infrastructure is not suitable for extreme rainfall events. Thus, every summer we suffer greatly from walking in the streets, and every winter we suffer greatly from floods on the roads and sidewalks. 

 What is your opinion on climate change, why does it occur, and what is the main cause?  

According to researchers, the climate crisis is mainly caused by the sustained emission (over several hundred years) of an very large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, resulting from human activity.  
It should be noted that the climate crisis is not the only environmental crisis that Earth is facing. An equally important crisis is the extreme decline in biodiversity – plants and animals. Estimates indicate that there has been about a 70% decline in wildlife since measurements began in the 1970s. These are staggering numbers that severely affect humanity through damage to the world's ecological systems. The decline in biodiversity is also related to climate change, but not only: human activities including the conversion of natural areas to agriculture and construction and the introduction of invasive species are major factors in this case. I believe that we as humans need to be more attentive to the environment we live in, and understand that the existence of Earth's natural systems also directly affects us.  
Recognizing this can lead to a more sustainable way of living in the world, which (hopefully) will help us deal with these severe crises. Individuals can also have an impact. For example, reducing the consumption of animal-based foods, increased use of public transportation, reduced consumption (less online shopping, buying second-hand products, etc.), reusing materials, and recycling can greatly help. Also, spreading the message can greatly help us all to live in a better world. 

Discover how climate change is impacting other regions around the world