"Hope Tree" of Bottles for the Sea of Galilee

sea of galilee israel photo treeA “Hope Tree” planted outside Sea of Galilee incites eco-awareness in Israeli kids and public.

Israel’s only freshwater body of water, the Sea of Galilee (known locally as the Kinneret) is about the only thing every Israeli can agree needs to be repaired. Every year the water line sinks lower and lower, as more water is pulled from the lake for showers, agriculture and a growing population. But “Hope Tree” aspires to create a little more awareness to the problem.

sea of galilee bottle treeDespite the so-called affection for the Sea of Galilee, and its water levels which can be discussed on national TV programs and radio shows, surprisingly there is little regard for rubbish strewn along its shores. After every major holiday, the beaches at the Sea of Galilee look like Armageddon. But new environmental awareness, starting with kids, may help clean and care for the Kinneret.

I stumbled along this “art exhibit” a few weeks ago when on a tourist run with a family member who wanted to see the sea. At a busy round-about, we can see a tree full of bottles, collected by children from the Sea of Galilee. They call it a Hope Tree – Hope that the Sea of Galilee will be clean and full. It’s a nice idea; let’s hope. I also hope the bottles will be off the tree when it starts to bloom again in the spring.

bottle tree israel

More on the Sea of Galilee:
Israel’s Ministry of Environment to Clean Up Galilee Sea
Israel to Compensate Jordan for Polluted Water With Sea of Galilee Water
Galilee Retreat Heals the Body and Soul

Karin Kloosterman
Karin Kloostermanhttp://www.greenprophet.com
Karin Kloosterman is an award-winning journalist, innovation strategist, and founder of Green Prophet, one of the Middle East’s pioneering sustainability platforms. She has ranked in the Top 10 of Verizon innovation competitions, participated in NASA-linked challenges, and spoken worldwide on climate, food security, and future resilience. With an IoT technology patent, features in Canada’s National Post, and leadership inside teams building next-generation agricultural and planetary systems — including Mars-farming concepts — Karin operates at the intersection of storytelling, science, and systems change. She doesn’t report on the future – she helps design it. Reach out directly to [email protected]
8 COMMENTS
  1. That is so beautiful to se the children taking matters into their own hands. I had the same sentiment when the young folk in Germany tore down the Berlin Wall.

  2. That is so beautiful to se the children taking matters into their own hands. I had the same sentiment when the young folk in Germany tore down the Berlin Wall.

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