Climate change in the Holy Land

Yesterday I spent visiting people, places and organisations around Bethlehem. To enter this part of the world I have to pass the wall that is a big disgrace to the whole world. I thought that everybody understood the mistake of building dividing walls after the iron curtain.

Anyway the visit was a tremendous experience. First I got a guided tour in the landscape to see the very strategic building of settlements and then I went east in the direction of the Dead Sea. The birdlife was exiting and the view astonishing.

But the change of weather patterns are clear to people hear. The rain is much less then it used to be which is a problem to people relying on water harvesting. Even if there is a natural cycle of the amount of rain this is a warning of what might be more in a near future. And water is a big issue here. Some people have a lot of water and some are short of it. As it is on the rest of the planet. Some uses a big part of the resources and a majority is left with what is left.

Water and human rights are connected. I think that we have to see the same thing in Climate Change. There is a connection that must be stressed. Just look at the WCC webpage you will see that this is something that must be taken seriously.

I got the privilege to meet with Palestinian authorities, NGO:s, educational people and faith communities to discuss the problem related to climate change.

Again the response I perceived was that there is a need for capacity to meet the demands that climate change puts on a society. And with the political situation in this place of the world the capacity is small. Anyway the people expressed a great engagement in the issues and a genuine will to meet the challenges of climate change. Should be a sign of hope to all of us. A light for all of us from the place where the angels proclaimed peace on earth to the shepherds at the night of nativity!