Engineers Without Borders, Biological Society, People and Planet Society, Roots & Shoots Society and Oxford Israeli Cultural Society present:
Environmental Challenges of the 21st Century: Israel's Innovations and Contributions
Speakers:
Professor Avigad Vonshak is the Director of the Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research (BIDR). The BIDR is the research arm of Ben-Gurion University. Its task is to study the problems of Desertification and develop new methodologies to help in preventing it and promote sustainable development of dry lands. Professor Vonshak has been involved in many international training programs organized by UNEP, UNESCO and other international agencies.
Professor Alon Tal holds degrees in international and criminal law, environmental science and law, and political and economic sciences, as well as a doctorate in environmental health policy. He founded the Israel Union for Environmental Defense (IUED) in 1990 and the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies in 1996. He has taught environmental law at Tel Aviv University for 15 years and was recently appointed Professor of Environmental Policy at Ben Gurion University. Professor Tal has published many books, academic papers and press articles on the legal aspects of environmental protection. He also performs pro bono legal work for environmental NGOs.
Chair:
Prof. Steve Rayner, Director of the James Martin Institute for Science and Civilization, Said Business School
With the advent of climate change, the protection of water supplies has become increasingly important in both the developing and the developed world. As a country comprising 50% desert and with the lowest water-per-capita ratio in the world, Israel has needed to carefully protect its environment in order to support the population. For decades it has been recycling its scarce water supplies so as to irrigate farms in the Negev desert. Israel also has a long record of providing assistance in irrigation techniques to Sub-Saharan Africa, where people face the regular prospect of severe drought. Israeli scientists are currently working towards providing a method of sustainably converting sea water into drinkable fluid through the use of solar power. Recently a decision was taken to equip all commercial and residential buildings with solar water heaters, Israel being one of the only countries in the Middle-East without vast oil reserves. Environmental concerns, particularly the allocation of water reserves, also play a significant role in the continuing search for a peace settlement in Israel.
The speakers are leading experts in environmental research. They will be discussing how such new methods and technologies are being used to address environmental problems in Israel and across the world. They will also cover the impact of resource distribution on peace settlements, and how cutting-edge science can have a key bearing on political negotiations. The event will be followed by a drinks reception.
Followed by a drinks reception.
Details
Wednesday, May 14th (Week 4)
8pm - 10pm
Oriel College
Co-hosts:
