Extreme Weather

Israel’s hot, dry Negev Desert.

Israel gets heat waves 4 times a year, with an average of 97 degrees Fahrenheit, and it is expected to increase to an average of six times a year. Israel and other Middle Eastern and North African countries represent a climate change hotspot where temperatures are warming at twice the global average. Regional climate changes could trigger water and food shortages, massive migration, and border tensions. 

The Israel Meteorological Service reported on extreme weather events in Israel that indicate a significant warming trend in all regions of the country. The western regions, like the coastal plain, the lowlands, and the northern Negev, have a higher warming rate, unlike the valleys, the east, and the north.

World Bank estimates that by 2025 alone, 80 -100 million people in the region will experience water stress. Due to the heatwaves, The Mediterranean Sea is heating 20% faster than the world’s oceans, impacting biodiversity. According to Davar, Israeli farmers suffered millions in losses due to climate change in 2021 alone, leading to significant shortages in certain summer crops. Records show a 45% increase in weather-related agricultural damages compared with the previous five years alone. 

Some tips to prepare for heat waves are to stay hydrated, stay in an air-conditioned indoor location, limit your use of the stove and oven, and seek medical care if you or someone has symptoms of heat-related illness. Another important factor is to check on a friend or neighbor and have someone do the same for you.

References:

Haaretz

jpost

Gov.il

israel21c.org

CDC