Posted on February 11, 2025
Post for Tu B’shvat (New Year of the Trees)
My name is Tomer Gertel, Amitim 2020. I live in Meitar, in the Negev. I manage Government Relations and Policy at Green Course, one of Israel’s largest environmental organizations. We address a wide range of issues, including climate change, energy, air pollution, and waste—many of which are overlooked in the current political agenda. I work at the intersection of the Knesset and the government, collaborating with politicians to advance environmental legislation and oppose harmful policies.
Today, the climate crisis is perceived as a distant issue: many are either unfamiliar with it or consider it irrelevant to Israel. Our main challenge is to instill the understanding that the environment affects everything—security, food, water, air, access to nature. It’s also about preparing for extreme events. Our message is that everyone is affected—therefore everyone must join in the effort. Unlike many other countries, environmental issues in Israel haven’t become politicized. So, while it’s not the top priority it ought to be, we’re not in a situation where the left pushes the environmental agenda and the right opposes it. It’s a small consolation, but it allows me to engage with a broad range of politicians from across the spectrum.
The greatest opportunity in this role is engaging with people. My youth brings unique opportunities to promote policy, as it stands out and is treated differently. Precisely because many members of the Knesset and government don’t fully understand the issue, when an opportunity arises, there’s often room for us to push for change. Just last April, we successfully reversed government legislation by nearly 180 degrees. Our presence on the ground is crucial.
We have no choice but to push for change. It’s not about what’s politically realistic, but what’s right. We must act. One of the organization’s biggest battles, for instance, has been to shut down the polluting oil refineries in Haifa. This process began 20 years ago and was only finally approved by the current government. It’s taken two decades; no one knew how the feat would be achieved. Yet, here we are today, with the legislation finally approved. So, I think defining a goal isn’t about whether it seems realistic at the time—it’s about dreaming and envisioning a different reality. Former Prime Minister Shimon Peres once said that pessimists and optimists die the same way, but live differently. There’s no point in being pessimistic. We must stay optimistic, as our optimism is all we have.
One concept we encountered during the war was the connection between renewable energy, the climate crisis, and energy security. Gas and oil companies often claim that these resources ensure energy security. But suddenly, during the war, a previously unfamiliar topic began circulating in Israel—the “darkness scenario,” in which Hezbollah and Hamas could attack our power stations. This made us realize how vulnerable our electricity grid is and how energy security isn’t as reliable as we once thought. Most people are unaware, however, that—before the war—most of Gaza’s electricity was generated from solar energy. We have over 300 sunny days a year in this region, yet Israel generates only about 12% of its electricity from solar energy, while Gaza generated over 70%, which is remarkable. I remember watching an interview about the search for Hamas militants in the tunnels, where they discovered solar panels embedded in the ground. This means militants in Gaza realized, long before we did, that the sun is the best resource for energy security.
Solar energy also happens to be our best way of reducing emissions. This is where everything connects: Energy security will help reduce emissions, fight the climate crisis, and provide reliable, clean, and cheaper electricity, all while reducing air pollution. However, instead of accelerating solar energy deployment, our government has chosen to build two new power stations. We’re up against people who are indifferent to the environment and government officials influenced by lobbyists and economic interests.
The war has been devastating for the environment. Israel’s biodiversity is among the most unique in the world—we are situated at the crossroads of three continents, resulting in an extraordinary variety of species. We are also the second most important migratory route for birds globally. However, during times of war, many nature reserves are destroyed by military activity and fires, which have been the worst Israel has experienced since the state’s founding. Much like the upheaval in people’s lives, the environmental damage from the past year will take decades and significant effort to restore.
We must say that change is possible and present an alternative vision. We must also be willing to work together. One major issue I’m working on, for example, is the Dead Sea, which lies at the intersection of three territories: Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Israel. To rehabilitate the Dead Sea and bring water into it, we need collaboration across these borders. Another example is the issue of waste burning. The waste crisis in Israel is catastrophic: 80% of our waste is landfilled, and illegal waste burning has become a national epidemic. Today, air pollution from waste burning is the leading cause of cancer in Israel. Many of these fires occur in Palestinian Authority areas in the West Bank. But nature doesn’t care about borders, and people living on the other side of the fence don’t care where the waste is burned—they care about breathing polluted air. These are called ‘cross-border hazards.’ Regardless of political views, we all share one space, and if we don’t face this crisis together, we’ll fail. We must recognize that, on a climate level—much like the situation in Gaza—what we fail to address now will explode later. We can’t afford to ignore it.
There’s a great collaboration, which began before the war, between Israel and Jordan. Jordan is a key partner in many fields, including energy. While Israel generates only a small percentage of its energy from renewables, Jordan, under similar conditions, generates 50%. However, Israel excels in one area: water. We’ve become experts in water management and desalination, and know how to utilize and make the most of this vital resource, which Jordan lacks. An agreement is now being formed where we will provide water to Jordan, and they will supply us with electricity. This is a remarkable example of bridging gaps and working collaboratively on critical issues.
At the end of the month, a historic hearing will take place in the Supreme Court regarding a lawsuit we filed, alongside teenagers and senior citizens with the Green Movement, about the connection between the climate crisis and our right to life and security, and the violation of the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty. This lawsuit follows a series of similar cases in Europe, Australia, and the U.S. that succeeded in forcing governments to address climate change and reduce emissions. After many attempts to change the situation, this is incredibly exciting. It’s about acting on all fronts, and I’m hopeful for the best.
I believe in the power of action. Every day, I see the impact of our presence, the importance of our work, and why we must never stop. What gives me hope is seeing those who stand with me. There’s nothing more inspiring than standing together in solidarity to protect our right—all of our rights—to live here.
