Ecology

From Ukraine to Gaza, war's ecological toll sparks ecocide accountability push

As conflicts from Ukraine to Gaza ravage ecosystems, momentum is building to recognize environmental destruction as a war crime

Plumes of smoke rise after the IDF carried out house demolitions in the northern Gaza Strip in January. It is believed that between 80,000 and 200,000 tons of munitions were fired or dropped on Gaza over two years of war.
Visitors walk across salt formations along the receding shoreline of the Dead Sea, a stark sign of the region’s growing environmental crisis.

Israel's overlooked challenge: Environmental damage from two years of war - from the editor

An employee of Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority inspects a burnt tree following a rocket attack from bordering Lebanon, at the Tel Dan nature reserve in northern Israel in November 2024.

After the ceasefire, the land still burns

Kibbutz Neot Semadar was selected for the UN Tourism organization’s Best Tourism Villages list

A kibbutz in the south joins the list of the best tourism villages in the world


Pollution to paradise: Tel Aviv aims to make Yarkon swimmable again

Cleaning the river has significant ecological implications, including fish and plants returning to the river, as well as other natural habitats in the future.

 The Yarkon River, December 31, 2023.

Israel allocates hundreds of millions to preserve open spaces

The Israel Land Authority approves NIS 400 million for environmental and ecological projects, including the rehabilitation of war-affected areas.

 What portion of the ILA budget is allocated for preserving open areas?

Lessons from Israel's desert woodlice

Jerusalem researchers discover how isopods choose safe burrow sites in a scary desert when larger, stronger creatures are looking for a meal.

 A desert isopod female assesses a potential burrow while another one observes from a distance.

New industrial zone threatens to destroy Israel's most vulnerable wildlife

A plan to establish a new industrial zone in the country's center could destroy the habitat of many Israel animals and lead to their extinction.

 Wildlife seen near the area of the Sha'ar HaShomron and the Nahal Raba quarry in Israel

Haifa U. researchers awarded $100,000 to discover shark survival secrets

78% of shark and ray species in the Red Sea are classified as threatened, including around 40 species on Israel's coast.

While Dr. Scheinin restrains the shark, Dr. Livne performs an ultrasound examination with the portable ultrasound to determine if the shark is pregnant

This rare 'dragon' breed believed to be extinct has resurfaced in the wild

A population of lizards that was defined as extinct since 1969 has been located in Melbourne, Australia. It is believed that these are only the first "survivors."

 The Victorian Grassland Earless Dragon was previously believed to be extinct - but now has made a resurgence into the public eye.

These areas are breeding grounds for germs - are you cleaning them?

Unveiling cleaning oversights and expert tips to revitalize your space, including surprising spaces you never thought to clean.

Cleaning [Illustrative]

Birds having trouble raising young due to climate change - study

The researchers warned that further climate change is likely to result in future declines in breeding productivity.

 Birds are silhouetted as they fly during sunset in Jerusalem.

Israeli jackals in Golan Heights show signs of domestication, study finds

Jackals may be in the process of domestication after long-term exposure to humans in the Golan Heights.

 Close up of a golden jackal in the Golan Heights.

Holon art exhibition adds a twist to garbage disposal

Atuma embraces quite a conceptual stretch and the exhibits duly span a broad spectrum of ideas and presentational formats.

 Works by Shaul Cohen and Reut Dafna are part of this year's Israeli Design Season in Holon.