"The state of Israel is densely populated, mainly at the coastal plain. As a result the coastal plan aquifer, which supplies about one third of Israel water demand, is polluted in many areas. The main pollutants are: Nitrates, Chlorides, Heavy Metals, Chlororganic compounds and insecticides. Our cities are crowded and the once green orchards, which covered the open space between the cities, turned into building developments.

The density of cars and trucks is high, many of them old, resulting in heavy air pollution.

Solid waste mountains became landmarks and the noise is loud everywhere. This, together with our share of contribution toward global warming and ozone depletion should make us stop and reflect about the future.

Population growth on the one hand and the rising standard of living, which is a worldwide trend, on the other, could bring us soon to an ecological disaster"

(Excerpts from a lecture by Dr. Y. Goldshmid at a meeting on Sustainable Development).