CANCELLED
Climate Change in the Middle East

The Middle East is a global hot spot for climate change and environmental stress on water, energy, agriculture, health and other essential necessities. Many cities in our region are predicted to become uninhabitable by the end of the century. In recognition of this pressing reality, the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies and its Palestinian partners conduct regional environmental diplomatic activities, academic research, and initiate and execute projects throughout the Middle East. The need to equip national and regional policy makers, diplomats, community leaders, security experts, and health officials with the tools to deal with the growing risks of climate change is urgent. At present, no bi-lateral or regional effort combines scientific understanding of climate change with political, economic, and strategic analysis of national and regional effects to give policy-makers actionable insights and to give businesses sustainable opportunities to combat this challenge, all while addressing the political realities and levels of mistrust among parties. In this talk, advancing climate justice and resilience in conflict zones and examples of trans-boundary environmental projects, such as water production, wastewater treatment, solar energy applications and water-energy-food nexus projects will be presented. SPEAKER: Dr. Tareq Abu Hamed, executive director of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, which was established to advance cross-border environmental cooperation in the face of political conflict, and the highest-ranking Palestinian in the Israeli government from 2013 to 2016 Takeaway box lunches will be offered after the talk. Registration requested.