Although Israel is a small country, its environmental problems are similar to those of larger nations like the United States. They include degradation of ground water, population pressures, disappearing open space, air pollution and disposal of solid and chemical wastes.

How are these problems dealt with by Israelis and their government? And how do these efforts compare with policies and practices in the United States?

Answers will be provided by Irving Schiffman, a professor emeritus at Cal State Chico, in a discussion of “Environmental Protection in Israel,” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18, at Congregation Bet Haverim, 1715 Anderson Road. The program, which will take place in the CBH social hall, is sponsored by the Israel Matters Committee.

Schiffman notes that the level of environmental awareness, including the activity of environmental organizations, has increased over the years in Israel.

“But Israel’s fractionated political system — a multi-party system and governmental coalitions — makes solving environmental problems complicated and frustrating,” he says. “The country’s lack of natural resources contributes to its vulnerability, but this has been partially offset by a growing solar industry and the recent discovery of gas fields off the coast.”

Schiffman taught courses in environmental policy, planning, local government, public law and Israeli politics at Chico and has advised the Israel Environmental Protection Service on the development of local environmental protection units. He has a Ph.D. in political science from UC Davis.

Israel Matters’ next program will be “Jerusalem, The Undivided Capital of Israel: Geography and History” on Sunday, Jan. 22, at Congregation Bet Haverim. For more information, call Al Sokolow at (530) 758-3246.

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