Dear Friends,As we move into our 9th year of action, Green Course is expanding in outreach and in the scope of our activities. At the start of the new academic year we established seven new chapters in the Rupin College , David Yalin College in Jerusalem, Bezalel Academy of Art & Design, Levinsky College in Tel Aviv, The College of Management in Rishon LeZion, Ben Gurion University Extension in Eilat and The Max Stern Academic College Of Emek Yezreel bringing the total number of chapters across Israel to 26!
This summer the general assembly of Green Course chose to focus on 3 national campaigns as a policy: Sustainable Energy, Public Transportation & Reducing Air Pollution.
The latter has seen a recent development of utmost significance with the Knesset's approval of the Clean Air Act (CAA) for further legislation. The CAA is actively promoted by Green Course, along with its initiator IUED and other partners. So far, pollution in Israel has never been dealt with as a general problem, subsequently each factory creating its own guidelines, with car and other types of pollution treated disjointedly. Under the CAA, the government will be obligated to produce a master plan to reduce air pollution in Israel by 2015. The Act will also bring about development of nationwide criteria for pollution which all industries must follow.We hope this academic year will be one of growing awareness for the environment and one of expansion of Green Course and the environmental movement through the wide range of activities we run. Our achievements greatly depend on thousands of Green Course volunteers, friends and supporters.
I wish us all a great year full of partnerships for a better and more just environment.Yours,
Gil Yaacov
The Plan to build over 20,000 house units on the hills of Jerusalem has been frozen after Jerusalem Mayor Uri Lupolianski announced his decision to object to the plan.
At this time the Mayor is establishing a coordinating team with the environmental movements and Green Course prepares for the crucial and final decision on the plan, to be made on the 2nd of January by the National Council on Planning and Building. During the previous council meeting, Green Course lead the largest protest seen in recent years for the environment, with over 900 participants. Green Course, together with the coalition for the preservation of the hills of Jerusalem demands the examination of healthier alternatives for developing Jerusalem in its existing boundaries.
The campaign was initiated over 2 years ago, out of concern that the plan will result in widespread destruction of open spaces around the city and subsequently weakening the inner city; during this time over 16,000 opposing signitaories were gathered from citizens of the city.To join or support the campaign for the preservation of the hills of Jerusalem contact: info@green.org.il
Ecocinema Israel took place this year in the Northern town of Rosh –Pina.
1,500 people came to watch films, hear lectures and participate in activities for parents and children in this unique event. The opening film was Al Gore's "An inconvenient truth".
Green Course students from the Tel-Hai college and from other universities and colleges, together with the Green Course Alumni , took a most important role in producing and running this festival, in partnership with environmental groups in the north and the local Cinemateque.
For the northerners this event was a chance to learn about environmental issues uniquely , while enjoying the festival allowed some benefit after the shattering war they experienced during the this summer.
Green Course is now working on plans for the international film festival in Tel-Aviv in May 2007 in which we will also celebrate 10 years of activity for Green Course!For more information on Ecocinema email: tsur.mishal@gmail.com
Israel's Top Executives Ride for the Environment
On November 23rd Green Course partnered with the business sector in the annual cycling event: "Businesses on Wheels". The event initiated by The Marker (Israel Financial News) & Altshuler Shaham Investment House drew over 400 top Israeli executives to a cycling get-together, in order to promote health, sports and environmental awareness.
The event promoted top level exposure to the business sector.
December
1st -2nd
Environmental Education Conference 3 rd – Governmental Convention on Sewage Flowing to the Mediterranean- Green Course Demonstration 7th – Chapter Director Seminar 8th-9th Environmental Leadership Conference 10th Demonstration for Israel oil independence and alternative energy promotion, Infrastucture Office 22nd-23rd National Conference for Young Environmental Leadership.
Conference focus: Negev as the peripheral "waste yard" of Israel with heavy industrial pollution.
As activities are underway in 26 Green Course chapters in campuses and
across Israel, it is time to thank all those who through their support allow
Green Course to grow in activities and outreach for a better environment
and a brighter future.
Green Course, the only nation-wide student environmental organization in Israel, was founded under the auspices of the Society for the Preservation of Nature (SPNI) in 1997. We now have over 6,000 volunteer students in 26 chapters in universities and colleges across Israel, including 1500 new members this year. Green Course is the largest environmental volunteer organization in the country, focusing on national and local campaigns, greening university campuses, and promoting environmental education. Our volunteers are today’s students and youth and tomorrow’s environmental leaders!
