1980-1984: B.Sc, Faculty of Food Engineering, Technion, Haifa.
1990-1994: M.Sc, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Technion, Haifa.
1995-2000: Ph.D, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Technion, Haifa.
Post Doc. , Research associate with Prof. Willy Verstraete, Lab. Microbial Ecology and Technology Faculty Agriculture & Applied Biological Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium.
Summer Sabbatical, Research associate with Prof. Clinton J. Andrews, Director, Program in Urban Planning and Policy Development, Rutgers University, NJ: "Sustainable energy targets for New Jersey".
Summer Sabbatical, Visiting professor with Prof. Raffaello Cossu, Head of the Environmental Engineering School. University of Padova, Italy.
Prof. Ofira Ayalon is the guest editor of the special issue of Ecology and Environment, which deals with reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
For the launch event of the issue – click here
Well-being benefits by contacting with nature
The studies of the SNI in this field examine the contribution of nature to the mental and physical health of the residents of Israel. The studies examine the beneficial effect of exposure to nature, including staying in nature outside the city, visiting urban nature sites such as parks and urban gardens, and even viewing nature through windows or simply watching nature images. The studies examine the benefits that nature affects different populations, such as ethnic sectors, gender and different ages, and provide recommendations for measures that can be taken to increase the resilience of these populations, through exposure to nature and increasing awareness of its contribution to decision makers, executive bodies, health professionals, culture and sports, and among the general population.
UNESCO Science Report 2021: Science and Innovation In Israel
The UNESCO Science Report was launched in 1993 under the name of World Science Report. Since then, UNESCO has published seven reports in the series. The series describes and reviews the evolution of the support system for science, technology and innovation worldwide over time. Key emerging trends are identified and placed within their socio-economic and political context. Each report begins with an overview of global trends. Dr. Daphne Getz and the team at the Samuel Neaman Institute authored the chapters on Israel in UNESCO's Science Report.
Studies: Climate Change – Adaptation (Israeli Climate Change Information Center – ICCIC)
In accordance with a government decision, the Ministry of Environmental Protection was tasked with preparing a national plan for Israel's adaptation for climate change. To this end, the ministry has decided to establish an Israeli knowledge center on the subject, which will work to strengthen the existing scientific knowledge in everything related to preparing for climate change in Israel and will even work to market the accumulated Israeli knowledge in other target countries.
Studies: Waste Management
Samuel Neaman Institute's studies examine the potential for reducing waste at source, reducing waste landfilling and developing processes that make the nuisance into a resource, both in the domestic sector and in the industry and agriculture sector. Practical policies and tools at the national and local government levels are suggested.
Studies: Natural Gas and Oil
Samuel Neaman Institute's studies in this field address all aspects of the use of fossil fuels and also include a number of studies carried out for the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Energy to examine the environmental impacts of natural gas as a source of fuels for transportation.
Studies: Transportation
Samuel Neaman Institute's publications in the field examine, among others, the environmental impacts of the various means of transportation and the policy required to reduce them, the benefits and barriers to integrating oil substitutes in the transportation sector, including, electric transportation, waste-based and bio-ethanol fuel substitutes, and the economic benefits of transportation projects such as road tunneling and more.
Studies: Climate Change – Mitigation
Climate change attracts worldwide attention because of the environmental, economic and social implications. Samuel Neaman Institute's studies in this field include means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (mitigation) and their purpose is to describe and analyze emissions and provide a scientific basis for formulating national policies in various fields, including energy production, transportation, industry, construction, agriculture, water and more.
Studies: Sustainable Development
Samuel Neaman Institute's publications in the field discuss the challenges and opportunities arising from a situation of lack of resources – land, energy, water, food and raw materials in industry. The studies present analyses of the existing situation, along with the potential for efficiency improvements and innovation and the leverage of Israeli Environmental R&D, agriculture and industry.
Studies: Agriculture
Samuel Neaman Institute's publications examine various aspects of the field of agriculture in Israel, including the social contributions of agriculture; the possibilities for developing sustainable agriculture in conditions of scarcity; sustainable aquaculture; development and adoption of innovation and information technology in agriculture; issues in the management interface between agriculture and water, and more.
Studies: Water, Rivers and Sea
Samuel Neaman Institute's studies examine various aspects of the field of water in Israel, including the implications of the transition of the Israeli water sector from natural sources to reclaimed and desalinated water, water and agriculture, river restoration and the relationship between water, the public and the nature.
Studies: Innovation – Environmental Technologies
Samuel Neaman Institute's publications indicate the necessary steps for the State of Israel to utilize the potential inherent in this market - both for improving the quality of life and the environment in Israel and for the opportunity to export knowledge and technologies and create jobs in the field. The works reflect the main trends in the world, map the uniqueness and relative advantage of the Israeli economy and shed light on the barriers facing entrepreneurs, investors and industries in Israel. In addition, the policy papers detail basic principles for designing a supportive policy.
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Studies: National Environmental Priorities
One of the functions of the Samuel Neaman Institute is to bridge the gap between academia, industry and decision-makers by making applicable, up-to-date information and research-based knowledge accessible to state institutions. The documents of national priorities compiled at the Shmuel Ne'eman Institute deal with a variety of issues that are important to raise on the public agenda.
Industrial Symbiosis in the North of Israel
The term "Industrial Symbiosis" describes a situation in which an industry develops a symbiosis with another industry in a beneficial way for both parties, so that the waste of one organization can serve as raw materials for the other industry. As part of a pilot initiated by the Ministry of Economy, 4s LTD. promotes the project in the North of the country, with Dr. Fortuna and prof. Ayalon as consultants.
Agriculture and the Environment
A report that was submitted to the Sapir Foundation of the Mifal HaPayis Organization, addressed the need to protect rural spaces, and presented recommendations for applying "sustainable agriculture" in selected agricultural areas.
National Policy for Packaging Waste Management
The aim of this research was to examine policy alternatives for sustainable management of packaging waste in Israel. The work includes the definition of packaging types, weight estimation of packaging waste produced in Israel, a survey of packaging waste treatment methods in Europe and around the world
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Preparation of Israel to Post-Kyoto Discussions and GHG Emissions Reduction
The goal of this project was to provide the Ministry of Environmental Protection with a tool for negotiations in Israel and in the international arena after the COP 15, held on December 2009 at Copenhagen, and, in addition, a development of an operational and economic plan for GHG emission reduction
Energy Efficiency in the Milking Center of Ein Harod Ihud
The goal of this project was to examine means for the reduction of energy use or lowering energy costs in milking centers, and to propose measures that will include energy savings based on electricity and fuel consumption with a possible addition of solar energy, while meeting economical benefit criteria.
The effect of expiration date and label type on food waste
01 January, 2021
Food waste is a waste of water, energy, materials required for its production, and during the treatment of waste - pollutants are emitted into the water, soil and air. A study conducted by Prof. Ofira Ayalon and colleagues at the University of Haifa, found that more than half of food waste consists of edible food, some of which is due to misunderstanding of expiration labels.
Treatment of municipal solid waste in Israel
01 January, 2021
In Israel, about six million tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) are produced every year, and the vast majority is landfilled.The paper sheds light on the MSW market in Israel and presents findings regarding major barriers, strategies for removing those barriers, and value accelerators for achieving the goal set by the regulator – reducing waste landfilling.
The irrationality of the flood crisis
18 December, 2020
Every winter we hear about the collapse of urban drainage infrastructure as a result of heavy rains, but the budget of all drainage authorities in Israel for 2020 is only NIS 55 million, while in Nahariya alone, the cost of damage in January 2020 is estimated at NIS 300 million.
Is Israel no longer drying up?
11 July, 2017
In this article published in The Marker, Prof. Ofira Ayalon criticizes the Israeli government for its lagging attitude towards water consumption in the State of Israel. Prof. Ofira Ayalon noted data pointing the possibility of a future shortage of water in Israel, and called on the Israeli government to raise public awareness of the water problem and to invest in finding technological solutions to this problem.
Israel and Trump heat up the world
30 January, 2017
A few hours after the inauguration of The President of the United States, Mr. Donald Trump, The White House issued a statement on the future attitude of the new government towards the energy sector.
Israel can benefit from climate change
28 October, 2016
Israel takes pride in its technological knowledge, and was among the first countries that signed the Treaty of Paris, but in practice - Israel's energy consumption only increases while renewable energy is not. This lack of attention will result in missed opportunities for the state of Israel.
Climate change: stop talking, start doing
31 May, 2016
Israel has recently signed, ceremoniously, the COP21 climate agreement in New York. But what the worth the glamorous pictures if the state of Israel actually does not invest any money in preparing for climate change?
Encouraging waste on behalf of natural gas
16 January, 2016
In previous years, ahead of heat wave days, the Israel electric company begged we try not to activate the unnecessary electrical appliances - last heat wave the tune has changed. The reasons for this change are listed in the article
A 240 million NIS fine on the public
25 January, 2015
Following the Minister for Environmental Protection's initiative, Mr. Amir Peretz, to charge 0.60 ILS per plastic bag consumed at the supermarket by the public, Prof. Ayalon shows in this article the high costs and yet, the relative low benefits of this suggested law.
Not to lower the price of electricity
27 October, 2014
In an era of oppressive living cost, in an era of social protest and a call from the middle class to reduce prices, Prof. Ayalon suggests and explains why a reduction in the price of electricity is a wrong decision.
Garbage bags aren't the reason for pollution in Israel
14 September, 2014
Plastic carrier bags are a popular theme in Israel since 2007, without justification - the damage they are causing is far less significant than perceived. Legislation is also unnecessary, the use of plastic bags can be significantly reduced by education and the cooperation of retail chains.
Leveraging Climate Change
26 June, 2014
Israel may be a small player in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, but it can be a significant factor in the export of knowledge and technologies related to adaptation to climate change - efficient irrigation methods, water design solutions, green building and solar technologies.
Law against plastic bags? You are populists
18 February, 2014
New law proposals are trying to retire the use of plastic bags, but the truth is that this is a small percentage of the total packaging waste and there are more pressing issues.
Why do we need scientists if we don't listen to them?
07 January, 2014
The government raises the price of public transport and the milk carton despite of what the researchers recommend. In Europe, on contrary, a huge budget is allocated to environmental studies through Horizon 2020.
How will the Israeli gas flow?
23 December, 2013
The state seeks to promote the establishment of two land-based facilities to absorb the gas, but residents of the selected location for the facilities object due to safety and environmental considerations. It seems that the establishment of a floating rig in the sea may solve the problem.
Garbage dreams
18 October, 2013
If one wants to deal with the problem of separating organic waste and motivate households to separate waste at the source, we need to let big businesses start the process
The black hole of the gas
04 June, 2013
There are many questions that need essential answers. Impartial work is required in order to examine the potential and the capability of the economy to absorb the gas
Water saving in Italy
24 July, 2012
In Italy, there is hardly any water saving awareness. Among farmers, when the cost of water is part of their production inputs, Israeli technology is used for water saving.
Energy Forum No.25 - Energy in Israel - Vision of 2028
06.06.2012
The Samuel Neaman Institute for national policy, as a part of the energy cluster activity, continues with the series of energy forum discussions, dedicated to issues of national priority. In the recent years, a large number of conferences and meetings had been held, with a wide scope and open to the public. Important and relevant information is often shared, usually without specific recommendations. The energy forum holds issue specific discussions, with a limited number of experts in the discussed field. Our goal is to concentrate on relevant and well defined questions, and produce a set of recommendations and action items, presented to the decision makers in the specific field.
Energy Forum No. 24 - Solar Energy in residential buildings
20.03.2012
The Samuel Neaman Institute for national policy, as a part of the energy cluster activity, continues with the series of energy forum discussions, dedicated to issues of national priority. In the recent years, a large number of conferences and meetings had been held, with a wide scope and open to the public. Important and relevant information is often shared, usually without specific recommendations. The energy forum holds issue specific discussions, with a limited number of experts in the discussed field. Our goal is to concentrate on relevant and well defined questions, and produce a set of recommendations and action items, presented to the decision makers in the specific field.
Environmental Responsibility Conference 2011
21.12.2011
The conference deals with issues related to reconstruction and development of the Kishon River, while examining the environmental and social involvement of the business sector in Haifa and the bay.
Energy Forum 23: Wind Energy Utilization in Israel
19.12.2011
The Samuel Neaman Institute for national policy, as a part of the energy cluster activity, continues with the series of energy forum discussions, dedicated to issues of national priority. In the recent years, a large number of conferences and meetings had been held, with a wide scope and open to the public. Important and relevant information is often shared, usually without specific recommendations. The energy forum holds issue specific discussions, with a limited number of experts in the discussed field. Our goal is to concentrate on relevant and well defined questions, and produce a set of recommendations and action items, presented to the decision makers in the specific field.
The 4th Jerusalem Conference on Environment and Nature
07.11.2011
The Jerusalem Conference on Environment and Nature brought together, for the fourth year first-class experts, policy makers, government officials and opinion leaders for discussion and joint examination of environmental issues and nature of central Israel.
