Bibi: Israel “eager to share” ideas and tech in climate change battle

Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel stands ready and “eager to share” its ideas and technology, as world leaders met in Paris to agree a worldwide reduction in carbon emissions. 

The Israeli premier was speaking on Tuesday, as heads of state convened in the French capital in an effort to slow the planet’s warming. 

Israel is a global leader in clean technology, Netanyahu said, and had “learned to do more with less… This is what we as a planet must learn to do”. 

He added: “Israel is a small country with big ideas, but it is not enough that we have those ideas, or that we apply those ideas in our own country. We are eager to share them with you, both individually and as a collective body.” 

Israel is the world’s top recycler of water, he said, re-using up to 80 percent, thanks to innovative technologies like drip irrigation. It is also a pioneer in solar energy and agricultural technology to increase crop yields.

“My office has launched an initiative to reduce global dependence on crude oil, especially in transportation, by establishing Israel as a global leader in the search for fuel alternatives,” Netanyahu said. 

In addition, the country is developing a “smart energy grid” in which individual houses both consume and produce energy to optimise resources.

At home, rabbis from Reform and Masorti Judaism joined Christian and Muslim leaders in a 50,000-strong rally urging the UK Government to increase investment in renewable energy, green infrastructure and new clean jobs.

“Something irreversible is happening,” said Senior Reform Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, “something that will destroy the gift we’ve all been given, Christian, Muslim, Jew, people of any faith and none. 

“Our earth is gathering scars and scratches from overuse and abuse. There’s no insurance policy. We can’t replenish lakes and trees, oil and minerals, melting ice caps. But together, we can halt this damaging process.” 

Richard Verber from World Jewish Relief said: “In order to address a truly global problem we need to see governments working together in Paris.”