Rapid population growth and steady expansion of
agriculture and industry have contributed to environmental
deterioration, especially in the coastal area, where more than half of
Israel's population and most of its industry are concentrated. To combat
pollution of the Mediterranean and Red Sea coastlines, Israel has
adopted a multifaceted program of inspection, legislation, enforcement,
shore clean-ups, and international cooperation, primarily within the
framework of the Mediterranean Action Plan.
Under conditions of water scarcity and intensive development, the degradation of water quality is a critical problem.
The main causes of groundwater pollution are chemical fertilizers,
pesticides, seawater intrusion, and domestic and industrial wastewater.
High priority has been given to wastewater treatment to safeguard its
effects on the environment and public health and to develop an
additional water source for agricultural irrigation. A recently approved
plan for water management stipulates seawater and brackish water
desalination, improved wastewater treatment for reuse purposes,
efficient water production and water conservation. A rehabilitation
program for polluted streams has been initiated with the aim of
transforming them into freshwater resources with ecological and
recreational value. The quality of drinking water is strictly
supervised.
Factors affecting air quality include energy production,
transportation, and industry - and all three have increased dramatically
in recent years. The use of low sulfur fuel for energy production has
helped reduce concentrations of sulfur dioxide considerably, but
pollutant emissions linked to increased vehicular traffic have risen
significantly. Lead-free gasoline, catalytic converters, and lower
sulfur content in diesel fuel have been introduced to mitigate the
problem. A nationwide monitoring system is providing updated information
on air quality throughout the country. Israel also strives to comply
with international resolutions on ozone depletion and climate change.
Rapid growth in population, standard of living, and consumption have
led to significant increases in solid waste in the order of 4%-5%
annually. Most of the country's illegal garbage dumps have been shut
down in recent years and replaced with environmentally-safe landfills.
Efforts are being made toward integrated solid waste management, which
will include reduction, recycling, recovery, and incineration. Recent
recycling regulations should facilitate the shift to low- and nonwaste
technology.
"Cradle to grave" management of hazardous substances is based on
licensing, regulation, and supervision over all aspects of their
production, use, disposal, and treatment. Enforcement of legislation,
implementation of a national contingency plan for integrated emergency
response to accidents, and remediation and upgrading of the national
site for hazardous waste should minimize potential dangers to health and
the environment.
Enforcement of environmental legislation is a top priority alongside
environmental education, from kindergarten to university. The public
takes part in environmental law enforcement as anti-litter trustees and
animal welfare trustees are empowered to report on violations of the
respective laws. Economic tools are increasingly used to promote
environmental improvement, both in the form of financial grants to
industries that invest in pollution prevention and in the form of taxes
and levies on polluters. In line with the principles of sustainable
development, efforts are directed at resource conservation and
prevention of pollution in all economic sectors.