This study was prepared under the auspices of the Taub Center Research and Policy Initiative for Environment and Health whose work is generously supported by Yad Hanadiv
The study examines some major environmental challenges to the health of Israel’s citizens and the quality of their lives in recent years: the rise in heat stress, the issue of waste treatment, and the exposure to indoor air pollution. Taub Center researchers, Maya Sadeh and Dr. Rakefet Shafran-Nathan, present a worrying picture. The frequency and intensity of heat stress are continually increasing and no appropriate steps have been taken to deal with the phenomenon; the rates of landfill in Israel, which are among the highest among high-income countries, are contributing to a high level of greenhouse gas emissions in Israel, alongside other types of damage such as the emission of air pollutants and the pollution of the ground and water; and the exposure to indoor air pollution is growing. The researchers emphasize the close connection between these three issues and their critical implications for the health of the population.
Israel has delayed passing the Climate Law and implementing national programs
By signing the Paris Accords in 2016, Israel took on the obligation to significantly reduce emissions within its jurisdiction. However, a number of years have passed without the necessary steps being taken. A draft of the Climate Law, which was approved on first reading in September 2023, specifies an interim target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030. In other words, the annual amount of emissions will be reduced to 70% of the 2015 level. This target is less ambitious than those adopted by the EU countries, which have committed to reducing their emissions by 50%–55%. Israel’s final target is to eliminate emissions completely by 2050; however, this target is not final nor is it binding. In view of the fact that the law has not yet been approved by the Knesset, it is hard to know whether Israel will meet the target. In the meanwhile, the level of emissions per capita in Israel remains high relative to other OECD countries.
A consistent increase in heat stress over the years, particularly in the South and the Golan
In order to assess the change in the intensity of heat stress in Israel, the Taub Center researchers looked at the data for the past seven decades, from the beginning of the 1950s until the start of the current decade. They used an index published by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which links the level of heat stress to potential health consequences. The researchers calculated the average heat stress for each decade based on the temperature and relative humidity measured during the summer months every day at 14:00. For a majority of the measurements, heat stress during the afternoon hours exceeded the threshold value indicative of potential health consequences, i.e., 27 degrees Celsius and 40% humidity. Another finding points to a consistent upward trend in heat stress levels. Until the 1980s, the increase was observed mainly in southern Israel, but subsequently it has also spread to the Center and West of the country, including to the Golan Heights.
Despite the increase in hospitalizations due to the increase in temperature, the issue has been pushed aside and not been dealt with appropriately
The study shows how prolonged exposure to heat stress affects various aspects of health, including increased mortality risk, effects on mental health, and a negative impact on physical activity outdoors. Even though efforts have been made by various government ministries in recent years to develop strategies for dealing with extreme climatic events, with emphasis on heat waves, little attention is being devoted to prolonged exposure to heat stress, which has serious health consequences. It is worth noting that over the years the risk of mortality from high temperatures has been growing. Studies show excess mortality of 45 individuals per year on average as a result of exposure to high temperatures during heat waves.
The data for Israel indicate an increase in the number of hospitalizations with a diagnosis of dehydration or heat stroke between 2010 and 2019. The largest number of hospitalizations was noted for infants from birth to age 4 and older individuals aged 75 and over. Similarly, emergency room visits increase by 1.47% with every increase of one degree Celsius. Furthermore, heat waves and a rise in humidity were found to be associated with an increase in the suicide rate and in morbidity due to mood disturbances, including depression and anxiety.
There is a long way to go in order to reduce heat stress in urban spaces by means of natural shading
One of the most effective ways of reducing heat stress in urban spaces is by means of shading. Taub Center researchers looked at the association between at-risk populations and a lack of infrastructure to reduce heat stress. Their findings indicate that, in some areas, there are differences based on socioeconomic status in the reduction of heat stress by means of natural shading. Thus, for example, in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem, the percentage of shading rises in neighborhoods with a higher socioeconomic status while in Rehovot, Be’er Sheva, and Netanya there are no significant differences in percentage of shading by socioeconomic status. According to the researchers, this issue has not been sufficiently dealt with, even though policy makers are aware of the importance of shade as a means of reducing urban heat islands. According to the study, less than 1% of streets in Israel were sufficiently shaded (at least 50% shade) in 2022 and only 7.6% of the streets had an intermediate level of shading (20%–50% shade).
Indoor air pollution can lead to morbidity and mortality
There is little awareness or discussion of indoor air pollution, particularly in comparison to environmental air pollution. Indoor air pollution originates from both external sources, such as direct emissions from industry and transportation that penetrate a building by way of the ventilation and air conditioning systems or through entrances to the building, and internal sources, such as furniture, consumer items, and domestic heating and cooking systems, which are likely to have long-term health effects. Respiratory exposure to these sources can lead to damage to the liver and kidneys, the development of asthma and allergies, and even the development of cancerous cells. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reported that the health risks of indoor air pollution are no less severe than the risks of external air pollution, and in some cases may be more.
Planning and building regulations require the ventilation of buildings in order to improve the quality of indoor air, even in non-residential buildings. Similarly, the Israeli standard defines threshold values for certain indoor pollutants, although it is not binding. In 2009, recommendations were made for regulation in this area based on a survey of international standards, but they were not implemented and the Ministry for Environmental Protection does not have sufficient resources and manpower to promote efforts to mitigate the problem.
Dr. Rakefet Shafran-Nathan, one of the authors, points to the direct connection between the increasing intensity and frequency of extreme climatic events, such as heat stress, and the exposure to indoor air pollutions. According to her, “Such events cause people to spend more time indoors, thereby increasing respiratory exposure to sources of pollutions, resulting in higher risk of morbidity. Decision makers should promote efforts to deal with this issue, including the establishment of criteria for indoor air quality, monitoring and supervision, and information campaigns to increase public awareness of the issue.”
Waste treatment in Israel
The generation of waste per capita in Israel is 14% higher than the OECD average and the rate of landfill is almost double – 78% in Israel vs 40% in the OECD countries. In 2022, there were more than 9,000 events of waste burning, which is prohibited by law. In view of the fact that the burning of waste is responsible for the emission into the air of 74% of carcinogens or suspected carcinogens, this is an issue of critical importance. Another type of unregulated activity is the dumping of building waste at unsupervised locations. Apart from damaging the landscape and natural environment, this practice is liable to lead to the emission of pollutants such as asbestos and inhalable particulate matter, which are directly related to respiratory and lung diseases.
The Ministry of Environmental Protection is promoting a strategic plan to achieve a sustainable economy by 2050. This primarily involves the transformation from a linear economy, which consumes resources on a large scale and creates pollution, to one that is circular and seeks to minimize waste and use resources with maximum efficiency. One of the plan’s interim targets is to lower the rate of landfill from about 80% today to 20% in 2050. The financing of the plan is meant to come from the Maintenance of Cleanliness Fund.
Maya Sadeh, one of the authors, sums up as follows: “In order to achieve the ambitious environmental goals set by the State of Israel for 2050, steps are needed on both the national and local levels. These include the promoting of designated legislation such as the Climate Law and the strengthening of local authorities in order to allow them to implement the circular economy in their jurisdictions. Furthermore, the lack of available data makes it difficult to deal with the health consequences of climate change. Therefore, it is essential that efforts be made to systematically collect data and make it available to researchers and decision makers. These and other steps are needed in order to cope with expected climatic changes and those that are already occurring.”
The Taub Center for Social Policy Studies in Israel is an independent, non-partisan socioeconomic research institute. The Center provides decision makers and the public with research and findings on some of the most critical issues facing Israel in the areas of education, health, welfare, labor markets and economic policy in order to impact the decision-making process in Israel and to advance the well-being of all Israelis.
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