Climate Change Threatens Arab Region's Very Existence, Report Warns
A new report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has sounded a dire warning about the impact of climate change on the Arab region. The report states that human-caused warming is pushing the foundations of daily life across the region to the brink.
The 22 Arab countries, which produce around a quarter of the world's oil but account for only 5-7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, are facing unprecedented challenges due to rising temperatures, droughts, and floods. The report warns that extreme heat is already pushing communities to their physical limits, with temperatures soaring as high as 50°C (122°F) in some areas.
The region's water scarcity is a major concern, with countries like Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia having to import more grain due to six years of drought. Reservoirs have fallen to record low levels, forcing governments to enact water restrictions and curtail irrigation for farmers. In Lebanon, water systems have crumbled under alternating floods and droughts, while in Iraq and Syria, small farmers are abandoning their land as rivers shrink and seasonal rains become unreliable.
The WMO report ranks 2024 as the hottest year ever measured in the Arab world, with summer heatwaves spreading and persisting across Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt. Climate extremes killed at least 300 people in the region last year, causing significant damage to crops and infrastructure.
However, with 15 of the world's most arid countries in the region, water scarcity is a top issue. Governments are investing in desalination, wastewater recycling, and other measures to bolster water security, but the adaptation gap between risks and readiness is still widening.
The report also highlights the importance of empowering the region to prepare for tomorrow's climate realities. "We need to take action now," said Rola Dashti, executive secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. "Climate models show a potential rise in average temperatures of up to 5°C (9°F) by the end of the century under high-emission scenarios."
The Arab region's vulnerability to climate change is a paradox - it is both heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and one of the most vulnerable geographic areas. The report serves as an urgent warning call for governments, businesses, and individuals in the region to take immediate action to reduce their carbon footprint and adapt to the changing climate.
A new report by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has sounded a dire warning about the impact of climate change on the Arab region. The report states that human-caused warming is pushing the foundations of daily life across the region to the brink.
The 22 Arab countries, which produce around a quarter of the world's oil but account for only 5-7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, are facing unprecedented challenges due to rising temperatures, droughts, and floods. The report warns that extreme heat is already pushing communities to their physical limits, with temperatures soaring as high as 50°C (122°F) in some areas.
The region's water scarcity is a major concern, with countries like Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia having to import more grain due to six years of drought. Reservoirs have fallen to record low levels, forcing governments to enact water restrictions and curtail irrigation for farmers. In Lebanon, water systems have crumbled under alternating floods and droughts, while in Iraq and Syria, small farmers are abandoning their land as rivers shrink and seasonal rains become unreliable.
The WMO report ranks 2024 as the hottest year ever measured in the Arab world, with summer heatwaves spreading and persisting across Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt. Climate extremes killed at least 300 people in the region last year, causing significant damage to crops and infrastructure.
However, with 15 of the world's most arid countries in the region, water scarcity is a top issue. Governments are investing in desalination, wastewater recycling, and other measures to bolster water security, but the adaptation gap between risks and readiness is still widening.
The report also highlights the importance of empowering the region to prepare for tomorrow's climate realities. "We need to take action now," said Rola Dashti, executive secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. "Climate models show a potential rise in average temperatures of up to 5°C (9°F) by the end of the century under high-emission scenarios."
The Arab region's vulnerability to climate change is a paradox - it is both heavily reliant on fossil fuels, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, and one of the most vulnerable geographic areas. The report serves as an urgent warning call for governments, businesses, and individuals in the region to take immediate action to reduce their carbon footprint and adapt to the changing climate.