Some years back I read Jared Diamond's excellent book Collapse. It covers a wide range of issues and locations in its analysis of the collapse of civilizations and draws parallels with modern soceity and past societies with the intent of finding ways in which our society can survive rather than collapse.

One of the most important points to me in the book was the critical role of forests in ANY society's economic well being and long term stability. A contrast between Haiti and the Dominican Republic dramatically showed the difference between a nation that was nearly completely deforested and one that preserved its forests. Preserving forests maintained soil productivity as well as protected fisheries that were downstream.

Global warming gives us added reason to be tree huggers. Trees are the most effective long term way of removing carbon from the atmosphere. Nothing else can do so much at such low cost. Combine their protection of the soil, water resources, downstream fisheries, etc. with their ability to sequester carbon, and preservation of forests and tree planting are about the best thing any of us can do to stabilize human society in the face of current challenges.

An area where this is most critical is one that is dear to my heart: the Middle East. I am a pro-Israel Jew. I am also pro-Palestine. But having read a great deal of history, I know that the existance of a Jewish nation is very important to me and to my children. Even the most welcoming of nations has turned anti-Semitic in the past, and so the well being of Israel seems to me kind of like an insurance policy for all Jews. It gives us a place where we can go if and when the nations that hold the diaspora turn on us...again.

But I do not see Israel as existing in a vacuum. Israel, Palestine and Lebanon are three tiny nations whose fates have always been linked as far back as history goes. In fact, the whole region was simply known as Canaan originally and modern Israelis, Lebanese and Palestinians are all descended from those original Canaanites, though with mixing from the outside as well. Each of these nations and their ancestors have been the pawns, battlegrounds, and often slaves of larger, more powerful nations. They have seldom even been independent. Their economic, environmental and political stability are interconnected.

And, being small nations made up of large areas of desert and semi-desert, trees, forests and water are environmental resources that are vital for life. I can think of no better place to apply the important action of preserving forests and planting trees and creating water resources than in these three nations.

Trees and water go together. Deforestation leads to flooding in the rainy season followed by drought. Forests protect watersheds and groundwater.

Part of the success of Israel from its beginning was a widespread program of tree planting. This was viewed by David Ben-Gurion as the most important action for Israel's stability. I would expand that idea to apply to the entire region, not just Israel. That is what this diary attempts to do. This diary does not aim to discuss the rights and wrongs of Israel, Lebanon and Paletine, but to recognize the interconnection among these nations, most importantly as one environmental zone. Tree planting and water resources are critical for the future of all three nations.

I will start with Israel. For some years now, one of my actions to mitigate my own contributions to global warming has been to plant trees in Israel through the Jewish National Fund (JNF). JNF has been at the forefront of tree planting in Israel since the very beginning of modern Israel. I have both donated to plant trees (including three trees each year in honor of my son's birthday) as part of my efforts to mitigate global warming, and donated to build water resources to help economically and environmentally stabilize the region.

But again, Israel does not exist in a vacuum and it SHOULDN'T exist in a vacuum. As a pro-Israel Jew I consider the economic and environmental stability of Palestine and Lebanon are critical for the economic and environmental stability of Israel. So I also urge support of tree planting and building of water resources in Palestine and Lebanon as well. What follows are two ways I have found for people to do this that appeal to me very much.

Planting Olive Trees in Palestine:

Although I am pro-Israel, I am critical of some of what Israel does. One thing that I think is critical is tree planing not just in Israel, but throughout the area. And I think an economically viable Palestine is JUST as important as an economically viable Israel if peace is going to happen.

Israel has a history of destroying ancient olive groves in Palestinian territory. Although I support Israel's right to defend itself, I think this practice is counterproductive. So, I want to publicize the work of an organization that is providing olive saplings to Palestinian farmers. I think the benefits both environmentally and economically of this effort are critical for peace.

"Planting Peace in Palestine" is not merely a subheading. It is a statement of our sincere belief that Palestine must be a viable economic entity and its people must have the means to earning a livelihood if there is to be a true partner for a just peace...

Trees for Life provides individual Palestinian farmers with new olive tree saplings (3 years old) to plant and nurture in order to renew their decimated groves. The project will help offset the enormous destruction of olive trees by the Israeli army, settlers and the illegal Annexation Wall.

Olive farmers in the regions of Jenin, Nablus Salfit, and Ramallah receive 25 to 50 olive tree saplings each. The program was designed to keep costs down to an incredibly efficient $2.00 (USD) per sapling. in addition, PFTA representatives will deliver and distribute the olive saplings and ensure prompt planting. They will also visit all participant farmers after planting to ensure proper care of the trees and assess watering needs for the summer months. Farmers requiring assistance to water trees during summer will be assisted by PFTA.

Please help plant peace in Israel/Palestine by helping Palestinian farmers plant olive trees.

Also part of this region that needs stabilization is Lebanon. A nation that is caught in the middle with Syria and anti-Israel extremists pulling it one way and moderates who want a modern, democratic, peaceful nation trying to hold the center. Once again, I believe environmental degradation and economic stagnation are only going to make matters worse. One organization that is planting cedars in Lebanon and trying to improve water supplies and firefighting capabilities in Lebanon is the Association for Forest Development and Conservation. Their website seems under construction, but you can read about them through World Wildlife Fund here, and here is their email address: afdc@afdc.org.lb

Until their website is up, I urge you to contact them to find out more about their work and how you can help.

Planting trees and building up water resources in Israel, Lebanon and Palestine will not in themselves build peace. But it will help the process. In fact I think a better environment, economy and water resources are CRITICAL for peace. That is why I highlight these groups.