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Gore: Mideast water shortage is part of global crisis By The Associated Press Former U.S. vice president turned environmentalist Al Gore said in Tel Aviv yesterday that the Middle East's water shortage was a major part of the global climate crisis. Congratulating Israel on its 60th anniversary, Gore praised the country for its forestation and desert irrigation projects, but he warned about plunging water levels in the generally arid Middle East's lakes and rivers. Advertisement "In this region of the world, the water crisis is one of the most important manifestations of the global climate change crisis," said Gore, whose documentary film "An Inconvenient Truth" won an Academy Award. He who is widely recognized as setting the bar for global warming awareness in the world. Gore spoke before giving a closed presentation on climate change at a high-tech conference in Tel Aviv. He also said technological advances such as solar power would be a crucial part in limiting the effects of climate change. He called on the Jewish people's sense of justice to help overcome the global warming crisis. "Humankind must now find a way to reach a higher level of consciousness that allows us to see our planet whole," Gore said. Water levels in Israel's major bodies of water are dropping quickly. The level of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth, has receded about 3 feet (1 meter) each year for the past 25 years. The Jordan River, the biblical location of Jesus' baptism, is only a few feet (centimeters) deep in some places. Environmental groups say the nation's water-hungry agriculture industry strains these natural resources. About half of Israel's water is allocated to agriculture, according to a report from Friends of the Earth Middle East. Although farming is an important symbol of Israeli society, Friends of the Earth said the agricultural sector makes up about 2 percent of the economy. President Shimon Peres, speaking at the conference, advocated renewable energy sources. "From an Israeli point of view, it's better to hang on the sun than to hang on oil-producing countries. The sun is more permanent, more objective, is not a member of the Arab League. We have direct connections and there is plenty of it," he said. National Infrastructures Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer introduced a new renewable energy plan, stating, "We intend to install around 300 megawatts of wind-power stations by 2011." In 10 years, solar stations in the Negev would supply up to 35 percent of all electricity generated in Israel, he said. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Say what you want French court: Claim that Al-Dura tape doctored isn`t libelous. Peace in our time Olmert: Peace talks with Syria are a 'national duty'.

Read & React Al Gore: Israel should lead the way in renewable energy Responses: 123 Olmert to U.S.: Impose naval blockade on Iran Responses: 235 Israel, Syria to begin indirect peace talks Responses: 211 Shein and Berkowitz: The demise of the European left Responses: 128 More Headlines 02:23 PM to Haaretz: Talks with Syria are 'historic breakthrough' 02:21 ANALYSIS: What will come first, peace treaty or indictment? 23:54 Ex-Olmert aide recorded money transfers between PM, Messer 21:36 8 short comments on the Israel-Syria peace talks 20:37 Golan regional head: Olmert endangering Israel's existence 00:49 Man U defeats Chelsea FC in Champions League final 21:02 French court: Claim that Al-Dura tape doctored isn`t libelous 01:37 Ankara hopes for a direct Israel-Syria meeting next month 22:18 Lebanese relieved as standoff ends; Hezbollah supporters celebrate 21:41 Ex-chief rabbi Eliyahu's condition deteriorates further after stroke 18:31 Microsoft CEO, in Herzliya: Our company almost as Israeli as American 19:31 Hamas: Israel-Syria talks won't affect our 'strategic' ties with Damascus Previous Editions Select Day 21 may 20 may 19 may 18 may 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may

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