Code Red for Humanity: A Jewish Response to the Climate Crisis

This article was co-authored by Michael Gribov. Director of Movement Building for Jewish Vegan Life.

The world is at a tipping point. The United Nations has declared a “code red for humanity” in response to the accelerating climate crisis. From rising sea levels to extreme weather events, the planet is being pushed to the brink by human activity. As the effects of climate change become more pronounced, it is clear that we are running out of time to avert catastrophic damage.In the face  ofsuch an overwhelming crisis, many are left wondering: What can I, as one person, do? For the Jewish community, the answer is rooted in our long-standing tradition of ethical action and responsibility. As Jews, we are commanded to engage in tikkun olam, the repair of the world. Today, that sacred charge includes addressing the environmental destruction caused by climate change.

Climate Change and Jewish Values

Jewish teachings emphasize the importance of caring for creation. In Bereishit (Genesis), the Torah describes the creation of the world and places humanity in a position of stewardship. We are instructed to “work it and protect it” (l’ovdah u’lshomrah) (Genesis 2:15)—to use the earth’s resources wisely but also to safeguard its integrity for future generations. This responsibility lies at the heart of the Jewish response to the environmental crisis.

Our tradition also teaches us the concept of bal tashchit, the prohibition against unnecessary waste and destruction. In Deuteronomy 20:19-20, we are specifically commanded not to destroy fruit-bearing trees during times of war. This commandment has been expanded by the rabbis to mean that we should avoid any form of reckless destruction, whether of nature, resources, or the environment.

In a world where ecosystems are collapsing, forests are being destroyed, and species are going extinct, bal tashchit speaks to our moral duty to prevent further harm. As the impacts of climate change intensify, Jewish values offer a framework for action, reminding us that environmental protection is not merely an option, but an obligation.

A Call to Action

The climate crisis is often framed in global, abstract terms, but its impacts are deeply personal. From the deadly wildfires in California and Greece to unprecedented floods in New York, Germany, Spain, and China, no part of the world is immune. Israel, too, is increasingly affected by the crisis, facing severe droughts, heat waves, and water shortages. These events are not isolated—they are part of a larger pattern that will only worsen unless we take urgent action.

According to a 2021 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), human-induced climate change has already caused widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean, and land. The report warns that if immediate and transformative measures are not taken, we will see temperature increases of 1.5°C to 2°Cfrom the start of the Industrial Revolution, leading to irreversible damage to ecosystems and human communities. This is the “code red” moment—the last chance to prevent irreversible consequences for humanity and the planet.

In this moment of crisis, the Jewish community cannot afford to stand on the sidelines. We must be part of the solution. Our tradition compels us to take immediate action, both as individuals and as a collective.

The Power of Plant-Based Living

Animal-based agriculture is the prime cause of climate change for two reasons..First, cows emit methane, a greenhouse gas about 80 times as potent per unit weight in heating the atmosphere as carbon dioxide during its 10 – 15 years in the atmosphere. Second, about 43 percent of the world’s ice-free land is used for grazing and growing feed crops for animals. Largely due to the substantial reduction of trees, atmospheric CO2 has passed 420 parts per million( ppm), significantly above the 350 ppm that climate experts think is a threshold value for sustainability. Reforesting much of the land now used for animal agriculture would help avert a climate catastrophe, leaving a habitable, healthy, environmentally sustainable world for future generations.

Israel is especially threatened by climate change because, among other problems, a rising Mediterranean Sea could inundate the coastal plain that contains much of Israel’s population and infrastructure, and (2) the hotter and drier Middle East that climate experts predict makes instability, terrorism, and war more likely, according to military experts.

A shift to plant-based diets could reduce global food-related greenhouse gas emissions by up to 70%, according to a study published in the journal Nature. This simple lifestyle change would not only help mitigate climate change, but also reduce deforestation, conserve water, and promote biodiversity. For Jews committed to tikkun olam, plant-based living represents a powerful and immediate way to make a positive difference for the planet.

Jewish Vegan Life, a nonprofit advocating for plant-based living rooted in Jewish wisdom, has been at the forefront of promoting plant-based diets as part of the solution to the climate crisis. Through campaigns like Shofar for Change, which uses the symbolism of the shofar’s call to awaken us to urgent action, Jewish Vegan Life is raising awareness about the connection between our food choices and the health of the planet. To learn more about the organization and how you can take part in its life-saving initiatives, visit JewishVeganLife.org.

Collective Jewish Leadership in Sustainability

Judaism teaches us the power of collective action. In moments of crisis, it is not enough for individuals to act alone—communities must come together to create meaningful change. This principle is at the heart of the Jewish response to the climate emergency. Whether through advocacy, education, or direct action, the Jewish community can be a leading voice in the fight against climate change.

Already, Jewish organizations around the world are stepping up. Synagogues are installing solar panels, Jewish schools are teaching environmental stewardship, and Jewish environmental organizations like Hazon are mobilizing people to live more sustainably. These initiatives reflect the deeply rooted Jewish commitment to ensuring a livable planet for future generations.

But we need to do more. Every Jewish community, from local congregations to global organizations, must prioritize climate action. This includes integrating sustainability into our communal practices, investing in renewable energy, and advocating for systemic changes that address the root causes of the crisis. In this way, we can embody the values of tikkun olam and bal tashchit, transforming our words into deeds that protect the planet.

Beyond Individual Action: Systemic Change

While individual choices like adopting a plant-based diet or reducing waste are essential, they alone are not enough to solve the climate crisis. The scale of the challenge requires systemic change. This means advocating for policies that promote renewable energy, reduce emissions, and protect ecosystems. It means holding corporations and governments accountable for their role in environmental destruction.

Jewish tradition has always been concerned with justice, and environmental justice is no exception. Low-income communities, communities of color, and indigenous peoples are often the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, despite contributing the least to its causes. Addressing climate change is not just about protecting the environment—it is about fighting for a world that is fair and just for all people.

Our response to this crisis must therefore include advocacy for policies that address these inequities, ensuring that those most impacted by climate change have the resources and support they need to survive and thrive.

A Jewish Vision for the Future

The Jewish vision for the future is one of hope and possibility. We believe in the concept of shmita, the sabbatical year, when the land is allowed to rest and renew itself. This ancient tradition reminds us that healing and renewal are possible, but only if we make space for them. In our time, the world needs a shmita—a break from the destructive patterns that have led to climate catastrophe, and an opportunity for regeneration.

The time to act is now. As we face this “code red for humanity,” we must draw on our tradition of resilience, justice, and hope. The Jewish response to the climate crisis is not one of despair, but of action and possibility. By adopting sustainable practices, advocating for systemic change, and living by the values of tikkun olam, we can be part of the global effort to safeguard the planet for future generations.

Together, we can help avert disaster and create a more just, compassionate, and sustainable world.

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