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


Israel hosts African agricultural experts to collaborate on climate change

Some members of the delegation are from countries with no diplomatic relations with Israel. 

DeserTech visitors in Israel

Ukraine to pursue legal action against Russia over environmental crimes

The environmental crimes in question were those caused as a result of the current war between Russia and Ukraine. 

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, chief of staff of Presidential Office Andriy Yermak and Secretary of Ukraininian National Security and Defence Council Oleksiy Danilov attend a meeting of the National Security and Defence Council in Kyiv, Ukraine September 30, 2022.

Why is Israel still drowning in garbage?

Environmental Affairs: Despite new recycling strategies, Israel remains a world leader in the production of waste per person.

 A WORKER gathers vegetable and fruit carton boxes at the Mahaneh Yehuda market in Jerusalem.

Elephant extinction could have major impact on atmospheric carbon levels, researchers say

The possible extinction of these giants found in the wild could have detrimental effects on the environment.

 A wild elephant walks along the Trincomalee road in Habarana, Sri Lanka

Israeli scientists find combined weight of all bugs on Earth - study

The collective weight of terrestrial arthropods is about 1 billion tons, which is roughly the same as the weight of all people and farm animals on Earth combined.

 A pile of ladybugs (illustrative).

Fireworks are damaging to wildlife, environment, pets, study finds

A study at Curtin University found that fireworks have bad ecological effects around the world.

 Fireworks display.

Primate ancestors survived extreme climate change 50 million years ago - study

According to new research out of the University of Kansas, early primates were able to adapt to life in the warm climate of prehistoric Canada. 

 Tongue of a glacier in the Remote Peninsula; western shoreline of Sam Ford Fjord about 15 km (9.3 mi) from its mouth. Northeast coast of Baffin Island north of Community of Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada, from above.

Australian park rangers say 'Toadzilla' could be world's biggest toad

Dubbed "Toadzilla," the cane toad was spotted by "shocked" park ranger Kylee Gray during a patrol in Conway National Park in Queensland.

Cane toad dubbed "Toadzilla" and believed by Australian park rangers to be the world's biggest toad is held by Queensland Department of Environment and Science Ranger Kylee Gray, in Conway National Park, Queensland, Australia January 12, 2023.

WWII shipwreck leaked pollutants into sea, changing ocean floor around it - study

Shipwrecks often contain hazardous materials - explosives, petroleum, and other substances that could be harmful to the oceanic environment.

Torn deck plating of the V 1302 John Mahn that was damaged by the bomb that hit amidships.

Orcas hunting a great white shark were captured on camera for the first time

According to a 2019 National Geographic article, orcas likely target shark livers because they're "high-fat and delicious."

 Orca, illustrative image.