7 “While Israel has a very small contribution to climate change, it may have a big contribution to solutions,” said Tadmor’s Ofer. While Israel’s share in the total global air pollution and CO2 emissions is estimated to equal a single metropolitan area in India or China, Bennett has stated that Israel’s real contribution to the war on climate change will come from the development of technology. “Israeli start-up and climate tech can tackle climate change, both in mitigation, meaning mainly reducing emissions, but mostly, in adaption to the challenges that climate change will cause,” adds Tadmor’s Ofer. “In that way, Israeli start-ups and climate tech are developing solutions to challenges that Israel is already coping with, such as water desalination, mass food and agriculture production in the desert, water accumulation and other challenges that are unique to Israel.” “Israel is home to more than 500 companies that deal with clean technology and specialize in sustainable agricultural technologies, clean energy concepts and electric vehicles,” said Dr. Tzipi Iser Itsiq. “Therefore, Israel can use the huge budgets invested in the climate economy by the leading European countries and the United States as an opportunity to leverage its research and innovation capabilities.” Ofer at Shibolet adds: “Israel is already well known worldwide for its innovation in the fields of agriculture, water, air, and land treatment- all of which are very close to the fields of climate tech and sustainability. In addition, Israel's disadvantages may themselves lead to innovations. Israel’s need to establish its energy independence, strengthen homeland security and military skills through cyber and intelligence units, and the fact that it is a small-scale economy, may all contribute to new technologies.” So what role will Israel specifically play in the fight against climate change? Use the big budgets in the US and Europe to leverage Israeli innovation
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