CLIMATE CHANGE
Historically known as the land of the two rivers—the Tigris and the Euphrates, modern-day Iraq was the cradle of human civilization. The fertile soils of its rivers were where early humans first started farming. Global warming, however, has turned Iraq into one of the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Rising temperatures, decreasing rainfall, soil degradation, and severe droughts are transforming Iraq’s semi-arid environment into a desert. As climate change intensifies, Iraq’s water resources, agriculture, public health, and socio-economic stability will be threatened.
The Persian Gulf, where Iraq is located, is an arid environment with extreme heat. Iraq’s problems are not unique in the region—Iraq’s wealthier neighbors live in even harsher desert environments. However, they have built the capacity and resources necessary to desalinate up to 90% of their potable water. Gulf countries have a stable electric system that provides adequate air conditioning for their people. The Persian Gulf monarchies also import most of their food and invest in high-tech hydroponics systems to increase domestic production. By comparison, Iraq does not yet have the infrastructure or resources to manage the warming environment as its neighbors do.
