Today is Earth Day, a day on which we reflect on the ways in which we use and interact with our environment. This year already, we have been profoundly reminded of our increasingly harmful effects on the environment. With the devastating wildfires that ravaged Australia, the swarms of locusts decimating agriculture in East Africa, and the ongoing flooding and landslides in Brazil all being linked with climate change, we can see the global impact when we shirk our responsibility as stewards of the natural world.

While the current crisis of COVID-19 is not linked to climate change, this moment in history has given us a snapshot of what society can achieve when we have strong local, national, and international support of a singular goal. It also gives us an idea of what the world can look like when we simply slow down. As we fly less, drive less, and consume less, we are starting to see a significant decrease in global air pollution, a clearing of Venice’s famous canals, and even a return of native animal species to land they had previously abandoned due to urban sprawl. On the human side of things, we are seeing companies successfully adapting and innovating e-solutions and work-from-home practices that not only protect each other from the virus now but could be continuously practiced in the future to help protect our natural world.

In Israel, already well known as the world’s innovation hub, we can take pride in some of the ongoing efforts to make our world more sustainable.

GreenWall

For anyone spending much time on social media these days, they will know that many have committed themselves to caring for house plants as a way to pass the time, as well as for the well-documented health benefits of bringing greenery into your living space. Vertical gardening and agriculture company GreenWall has taken this idea a step further by investing in the conversion of urban spaces into green spaces. As many of us hunker down in our urban jungles to outlast the pandemic, companies like GreenWall could provide us with a source of greenery and agricultural produce that is much closer to home. With more than 60% of global population expected to live in urban centres by 2050, start-ups like this Israeli company are planning for a greener and more beautiful future.

BreezoMeter

As more and more reports emerge linking higher COVID death rates to regions with lower air quality, we begin to recognize the need for better observational and reporting tools. Thankfully,Israeli start-up BreezoMeter has produced an app that tracks and reports on air quality conditions in over 95 countries worldwide. Customizable apps such as this one provide essential information to individuals dealing with respiratory illnesses or sensitivities, which can provide some comfort in these challenging times.

Aleph Farm

This food tech company is on the front lines of tissue engineering and cell reproduction technology in an effort to cut down on emissions from industrial farming. Aleph Farms promotes its innovative products by highlighting the increased food safety and improved animal welfare that it provides. In a time where people are slowing down and reconsidering their relationship with the world around them, food tech companies like Aleph Farms give us a hope for a healthier, more sustainable future.