Jordan River bicycle ride

להסבר בעברית להוריד קובץ

04/10/2010 UPDATE:
DOWNLOAD THE DOCUMENT 'Update details bike ride_hebrew' BELOW FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE RIDE! (in Hebrew)

Background
Friends of the Earth Middle East (www.foeme.org) and the Israel Bicycle Association (www.bike.org.il) are organizing a unique cycling event to call attention to the threatening impacts of climate change on the Lower Jordan River.

The Lower Jordan River (LJR) used to flow from the Sea of Galilee in a meandering 200 kilometer course down to the Dead Sea. Its water is shared by Jordan, Israel and Palestine. This unique river valley is presently threatened by excessive water diversion, pollution and inappropriate development, leaving less than two percent of the 1.3 billion cubic meters of water that used to flow naturally.

With the Middle East being the world's most water-stressed region, climate change, which is projected to cause sea level rise, more extreme weather events, such as droughts and floods, and less precipitation, will contribute to even greater water stress in the region.

Governments, policy makers and the general public, through the media, must realize that the climate crisis is therefore a new and real threat to the Middle East with severe environmental, economic, political and security implications.

The objectives

1. To raise awareness among the countries in the Middle East and the world there is a urgent need to stop the drying up of one of the most important water bodies – the Lower Jordan River (and consequently also the Dead Sea) – in world heritage;

2. To support 350.org in their campaign to reduce GHG emissions globally. The focus of their events around the world are activities that reduce GHG emissions, therefore we are choosing a means of transportation that cuts carbon emissions.

The plan
To combine the two themes mentioned above by a cycling tour along the Lower Jordan River, calling attention to the consequences of climate change for the water-stressed Middle East region, the benefits of eco-tourism, cycling as a low-carbon and healthy means of transportation and the need for regional cooperation and international involvement to save the Jordan River as shared natural and cultural heritage.

The ride will take place in Israel on October 9th, the day before the Global Work Party, 10/10. The distance will be ~15 km.

Please download the attached file for exact details and how to sign up for the event (in Hebrew. For more information in English please call Friends of the Earth Middle East at 03-5605383, ext. number 113 and ask for Efrath).

We are looking forward to seeing you there!