As Jews consider whom to support for president, Israel’s security and future well-being are properly prime considerations. Fortunately, as indicated by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and others, both Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) have strong records of support for Israel.
However, there is one great threat to Israel that is seldom considered by Jewish voters. Israel now has the worst drought in its history and desperately needs rain to avoid a major calamity.
However, according to the Israel Union of Environmental Defense, the situation may get far worse. Their 2007 report indicates that global warming may cause a decrease in rainfall of up to 30 percent, in addition to major long heat waves, severe storms and the flooding of much of Israel’s coastal plain, where most Israelis live, by a rising Mediterranean Sea.
Hence, steps to reduce global climate change are essential if Israel (and, indeed the entire world) is to avoid an unprecedented catastrophe.
Yet, McCain has chosen a running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, who does not believe that human activities are contributing to global warming, in spite of a major scientific consensus that they do.
Perhaps this is not surprising, given that McCain has only a 24 percent lifetime environmental voting record, according to the League of Conservation voters.
By contrast, Senators Obama and his vice presidential pick Joe Biden (Delaware) have 86 percent and 83 percent lifetime records, respectively. Little wonder that leading U.S. environmental groups, including the League of Conservation Voters, the Sierra Club and Friends of the Earth have endorsed Obama.
I hope Jews will consider these factors, since we are to be co-workers with God in the task of protecting the environment.
Richard H. Schwartz, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, College of Staten Island
Richard H. Schwartz is author of “Judaism and Vegetarianism” and “Judaism and Global Survival,” and is president of Jewish Vegetarians of North America.
Loading ...