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Copenhagen Summit Launches
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09/12/2009
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The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen (COP15) has finally begun (December 7th –18th). Gil Ya’acov, Executive Director of Green Course , will be traveling to Copenhagen as part of the Israeli delegation. Gil is certainly going with high hopes and prepared to be an active participant. Gil represents Green Course’s goals of a solid treaty that will lower world green house gas emissions.
Green Course has constantly been working to grow Israel’s environmental awareness and plant the seeds of change. A recent survey of western countries had Israel placed as the #1 in investment in renewable energy technologies, but dead last in implementation of those technologies within Israel. One of the apparent reasons for this is that under the Kyoto protocol, Israel was considered a developing country despite its advanced position in most categories and its expected acceptance to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). On environmental issues, Israel behaves like a developing country.
Despite high hopes, world expectations are mixed in light of recent declarations that world leaders will not be signing a legally binding treaty. There is a risk that the United States delegates may come empty handed as they are waiting for Congress to enact legislature which is being contested. There are also issues that have not been resolved between developing and developed countries and what each respective group’s roles will be in the agreement. The conference has now been delegated as a platform to develop a substantial framework that will lead into a complete treaty.
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Original article
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Focus Campaigns for 2009/10
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30/11/2009
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Water:
The always important issue of water and water conservation. The Kineret (Sea of Galilee) has fallen below the safety upper Red Line which is -213 metres below sea level. As the Kineret approaches the Black Line, -214.87 metres below sea level, desperation for a solution moves to the forefront. The Black Line represents the point the Kineret will be irreversibly salinated and undrinkable. Green Course will focus on public conservation of water and implementation of grey water usage. Through this, Green Course hopes to continue to pressure the governments for more legislation regarding Grey Water system being mandatory in new buildings and government incentives to conserve water. This should occur in conjunction with public awareness campaigns for water conservations.
Transportation:
Green Course is pushing for sustainable, environmentally friendly, and improved public transportation throughout Israel. On the national level, Green Course wants increased bus service throughout Israel.
• In Tel Aviv, our focus is on more bus lanes, enforcement of these bus lanes, and the complete reorganization of the bus system to be implemented as planned by September 1, 2010.
• In Jerusalem, in anticipation of the light rail lines, the current bus systems have fallen even further into disrepair without the proper maintenance. This needs to change.
• In Rehovot, Green Course is pressuring the municipality to fulfil its commitments to a reorganization of the main street that would include bus and bike lanes.
Solid Waste:
Currently, there is almost no separation of waste in Israel. Rates of recycling are very low. Israel’s continued wasteful habits are quickly filling our landfills and polluting our world. There are two big bills that Green Course is actively supporting: The Packaging Bill (manufacturers responsible for packaging) and the Deposit Bill (increased collection of plastic bottles).
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Original article
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Public Transportation Day
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02/11/2009
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As part of Public Transportation Day (Oct 19), Green Course ran seminars and held events to promote public transportation
Green Course held big events in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Rehovot.
In Tel Aviv, the Minister of Transportation, Yisrael Katz, announced that the police would begin enforcing the bus lanes this week.
A victory for public transportation!
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PRESIDENT OF ISRAEL AWARD FOR VOLUNTEERING, 2009
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09/09/2009
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Green Course, Israel's largest volunteer organization for the environment, received the President's Award for 2009 at a reception at the President's Residence in Jerusalem. Among the reasons Green Course received the award were "... promoting social- environmental issues.. concern for future generations... promoting awareness amongst the public and for assimilating the belief in the ability of the public to influence policies and bring about real change..."
President Peres praised the volunteers stating they make him feel proud to be Israeli. "I am excited... seeing the beautiful side of Israeli society which deserves much appreciation is not a common event... we forget our country has other, wonderful sides to it. You, the volunteers represent the light, the warm and sensetive heart beating at the center of Israeli society."
Gil Ya'acov, Executive Director of Green Course: "Receiving the award is a great priviledge for Green Course, and indeed reflects the understanding of the deep significance of environmental issues; Green Course trains the future leadership of the State of Israel for a better, healthier tomorrow and, in fact, we already see many of our alumni in key positions in the public and private sectors, impacting the lives of us all. We hope to continue contributing to society for future generations."
We would like to take this opportunity to thank our supporters, foundations, Jewish communities and private donors in Israel and abroad, who make our achievements possible!
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