IDF’s Number One Enemy: Pollution

1st place winner, Major Dror of the Israeli Air Force

We’ve all heard of being “carbon neutral,” and while the technology does not yet exist for vehicles, let alone an entire army to have zero impact on the environment, the Israeli Defense Forces is pushing to be the first.

A self-declared “green” army, the IDF recognizes projects that connect its soldiers with the environment. In the 7th annual competition held by the IDF and Ministry of the Environment, soldiers who worked to protect sources of water were honored last week.

“Preventing harm to natural resources is vital to the same extent as protecting the state from its enemies,” said Environmental Minister Gilan Erdan. “Air, soil and water pollution is a real threat to our existence and quality of life.”

One of such campaigns which the army has taken upon itself is biological warfare, in the form of organic pesticides. In recent years the army has created nesting boxes for Barn Owls in various bases across Israel. These hungry birds make sure that pests like mice and snakes are taken care through the food chain and not by using harmful toxins.

Barn owls in an old amunition box, First Sergeant Amir Ezer

In addition to projects ranging from preserving the marine environment to “Green IT,” they also held a related photography exhibition titled, “The IDF and the Environment Through the Eye of the Camera.” Read all about the competition and see the other winners by clicking here.

For a full presentation of the pictures (in Hebrew) Click here

Source: Ynet

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