JNFGoNeutral GR EENTIMES From Jewish National Fund • Editor: Nina Woldin READ WATCH LISTEN ACT SHARE Connect to Israel and the Environment this Summer! Global Warming: Not Cool by Barbara Lerman Golomb, Director of Community Relations, Hazon Click here to watch and listen: What Can I Do About Global Warming? Pomelos for Peace by Ron Bernstein, Founder, Kibbutz Yahel Click here to watch: How to Peel A Pomelo A Different Kind of Harvest by Colonel Sharon Davidovich, Director, JNF Parsons Water Fund Click here to listen: Voices of Peace Choir singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” at the Arab-Jewish Community Center, Jaffa, Israel Choose Green by Nati Passow, Co-director, Jewish Farm School Click here to watch: Organic Cotton Candy CLICK HERE FOR SPONSORS www.jnf.org Visit www.jnf.org/goneutral TO PLANT TREES IN ISRAEL, VISIT WWW.JNF.ORG • 1-800-542-TREE (8733) GbyLBOarbaBra ALerLmanW-GoloAmbR, DMirectIorNofGCo:mmNunOity TRelatiConsO, HaOzonL WHAT EXACTLY IS GLOBAL WARMING? climate. That's why global warming is more Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases warm the accurately called global climate change. surface of the planet naturally by trapping the sun's The warming intensifies hurricanes and causes sea heat in the atmosphere.This “natural”greenhouse effect levels to rise through two main actions: the expansion is good because it keeps the earth about 60ºF warmer of sea water as the oceans warm, and the melting of than it would otherwise be, and it's what keeps our ice over land. For this reason many coastal areas are planet livable.However, too much of these experiencing flooding. Meanwhile drier climates are heat trapping gases in our facing drought. People living in these areas are atmosphere is a bad thing. being displaced, losing their land and their Burning fossil fuels (oil,natural gas and homes. People are suffering in other ways coal) to generate energy has dramatically as well. The warming affect is enabling the increased theamount of greenhouse gases, spread of infectious diseases such as and temperatures are rising. NASA reports malaria; the number of people affected by that in recent years we have been experiencing heat-related problems is rising; and the excess the warmest years on record. The Earth has of greenhouse gases is producing pollution heated by about one degree over the past leading to respiratory illnesses like asthma. You century. Greenhouse gas emissions are might be surprised to learn that air-pollution projected to increase average temperatures related health problems in Israel cause more by 2.5°-10.4°F during this century. deaths in a year than terrorism and traffic-related deaths combined. WHAT’S THE PROBLEM? With approximately 5% of the world's population, WHY IS GLOBAL WARMING the United States produces 25% of the greenhouse A JEWISH ISSUE? gases contributing to this warming. Our lifestyles and The majority of people being impacted most severely activities magnify the problem because of the excessive are those who can't help themselves: indigenous peoples, amount of energy we need to run our electricity; heat the poor, the sick, the elderly, and children. In Judaism and cool our homes, synagogues, schools, and we honor pikuach nefesh, the obligation of preserving institutions; and to fuel our cars. Since trees absorb life. Reducing our dependence on fossil fuels is the carbon dioxide, major deforestation, or the cutting right thing to do. Our Jewish tradition and down and loss of large areas of forest cover, is values teach us to be responsible contributing to the problem as well. The heating of caretakers of Creation, to pursue justice for all the Earth’s temperature is resulting in changes in our people, and to leave our awesome and miraculous world www.jnf.org continued TO PLANT TREES IN ISRAEL, VISIT WWW.JNF.ORG • 1-800-542-TREE (8733) unharmed for future generations. We need to consider Here are some more things you can do: carpool, walk this when making choices about how to produce and or ride your bike and turn things off. Switch off the use energy. lights in unoccupied rooms and turn off electrical appliances like your computer when they aren't in use. WHAT ACTIONS CAN WE TAKE TO Don't forget to unplug your cell phone and iPod chargers when they're no HELP STOP GLOBAL WARMING? Reduce, reuse, recycle, take There are many ways we can conserve energy and longer charging. shorter showers, purchase reusable food containers, and stop contributing tothe problem of global warming. carry reusable bags. (Consider that the average family This concept is not new to Judaism. Bal tashchit, the accumulates 60 non-biodegradable, oil-based bags in prohibition against wasting, originally referred to the only four trips to the grocery store.) Carry reusable cutting down or needless destruction of fruit trees water bottles, eat local and organic foods, plant a tree, even in a time of war. From this law, the Rabbis came and write to legislators to let them know you care up with general ethics about conservation. They argued about this issue and you want them to enact bills that that if you weren't supposed to cut down fruit trees promote conservation and clean energy. Think of ways during the destructive time of war, then certainly during of integrating care for the environment into your Shab- times of peace, you shouldn't carelessly destroy natural bat ritual like having a “lo-watt Shabbat.” Try to live in resources. Even conserving energy is not a more sustainable way by reducing your carbon foot- new to Judaism. According to the Babylonian print. Global warming is an urgent and serious prob- Talmud,one who uses an oil lamp with a cover on it lem. We can sometimes feel overwhelmed by trying to consumes fuel wastefully (it burns faster) which is solve it. So, start simple, but start! It can be easy as against the bal tashchit prohibition. You can begin by changing a light bulb. taking various actions today to “green” your home, Each one of us can synagogue, and school. Create a healthier environment make a difference by the everyday in and outside of your building. Plan to have an energy choices and actions we take. professional conduct an energy audit to see what measures your institution can take to conserve. Some changes mayinclude installing Energy Star appliances, adjusting your thermostat and hot water heater, CLICK HERE TO WATCH AND LISTEN: choosing renewable energy such as solar and wind “WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT power, even putting a solar panel on the roof or GLOBAL WARMING?” installing a solar ner tamid (eternal light)! Barbara Lerman-Golomb is the Director of Community Relations for Hazon which organizes outdoor physical challenges and food-related programs with the goal of creating a healthier and more sustainable Jewish community and world for all. She is the originator of the nationwide climate change campaign, “How Many Jews Does it Take to Change a Light Bulb?”Also known as Barbara WOW, she created WOW (Wonders of theWorld) experiential, environmental, and educational school and camp workshops. She is an author, scriptwriter, and former designer of a wide variety of materials for the leading publishing and edutainment companies. She serves on the Union for Reform Judaism’s Commission on Social Action and the Northeast Camp Commission. Several years ago she left a position at Nickelodeon and MTV to focus her efforts on education, community service, and social justice. She and her family continue to make lifestyle choices to reduce their carbon footprint. www.jnf.org TO PLANT TREES IN ISRAEL, VISIT WWW.JNF.ORG • 1-800-542-TREE (8733) POMELOS FOR PEACE BY RON BERNSTEIN FOUNDER, KIBBUTZ YAHEL Ron Bernstein moved to Israel from Long Island, NY over 30 years ago. He lives on Kibbutz Yahel, which he helped found in 1977. His main profession is in agriculture, having worked at the Agricultural Experimental Station at Yotvata, and as Yahel’s citrus manager for the last 20 years. From 1999 to 2001 Ron served as a shaliach for Union for Reform Judaism’s Youth Division. Since returning from the US Mr. Bernstein has continued managing the citrus operation and has served as a shaliach for Jewish National Fund. Ron is married to Gila and they have three children, one who serves in the IDF and one who was adopted from China seven years ago. Ron told this true story to GreenTimes: The following story happened because For the next twenty five years, members of Kibbutz Yahel of a citrus fruit. First, I need to give a little back- were farming in Jordan, and did so without objection from ground. I live on Kibbutz Yahel which is located in the the Jordanians, despite the fact that there was no peace southern Arava Desert, which runs along the Israel-Jordan treaty between the two countries. Then the situation changed border. A central feature of the Arava Valley is a dry riverbed. in the mid-1990s, when prospects of peace became a real The buildings of Kibbutz Yahel are located on the west side possibility. Underthe “land-for-peace” principle established of this dry riverbed, where the terrain is rocky; the kibbutz by the United Nations, Jordan presumably would agree to make agricultural fields are on the east side, where the soil is peace with Israel if Israel would be willing to give up land. sandy andnutrient-rich. This, of course, included the 1,000 or so acres on which we “What is not generally known is that this dry riverbed was al- had been farming for decades. We at Yahel, and the other ways considered the internationally-recognized border be- villages along the border with Jordan, were willing to tween Israel and Jordan.