Iraq’s Looming Environmental Catastrophe

Iraq is a country with a long and rich history, often called the birthplace of civilization. But it is also a country that is suffering from a terrible environmental nightmare caused by climate change, water shortage, drought, and heat. This nightmare is affecting its people, culture, and heritage in horrible ways.

## The Water Crisis

One of the biggest environmental problems in Iraq is the lack of water. Iraq relies on two main rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates, for its water supply. But these rivers are drying up because of many reasons, such as dams built by Turkey and Iran, too much water used for farming and drinking, and less rain and snow because of climate change.

According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Iraq’s water per person has gone down by more than 60 percent since the 1970s. The report says that Iraq could run out of water by 2030 if nothing is done. This could be very bad for food security, public health, social stability, and regional cooperation.

The water crisis also hurts Iraq’s wildlife and ecosystems, especially the Mesopotamian marshes in the south. The marshes are one of the largest wetlands in the Middle East and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are home to hundreds of kinds of birds, fish, plants, and animals, such as the endangered Basra reed warbler and the endemic Mesopotamian spiny eel. They are also home to thousands of Marsh Arabs who have lived there for thousands of years, practicing a unique culture and way of life based on fishing, farming, and reed crafts.

But the marshes have been damaged by decades of war, drainage, pollution, and drought. According to UNEP, the marshes have lost about 90 percent of their original area since the 1970s. The loss of the marshes has not only harmed the animals and the people who live there but also made it easier for saltwater from the Persian Gulf to come in. This has increased soil salinity and reduced agricultural productivity in the region.

## The Temperature Rise

Another environmental problem in Iraq is the rising temperature. Iraq is already one of the hottest countries in the world, with an average yearly temperature of about 22°C (72°F). But because of climate change, Iraq’s temperature is expected to go up by 2°C (3.6°F) by 2050 and by 4°C (7.2°F) by 2100. This means that Iraq could have more often and stronger heatwaves, dust storms, droughts, and fires.

The temperature rise has serious effects on human health, farming, energy, and infrastructure. For example, heat stress can cause dehydration, heatstroke, heart problems, and breathing problems. It can also make people work less and use more energy for cooling. Moreover, higher temperatures can make crops grow less, have more bugs, and need more water.

According to a study by the World Bank, Iraq is among the countries that are most at risk from climate change effects in terms of money losses. The study estimates that Iraq could lose up to 8.7 percent of its money by 2050 because of climate change-induced temperature rise. This could make Iraq’s economy worse and make more people poor and unequal.

The temperature rise also affects Iraq’s cultural heritage, such as its ancient monuments and archaeological sites. For example, the ancient city of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is threatened by erosion, salinization, vandalism, and looting due to climate change and lack of protection. Similarly, the ancient city of Ur, the birthplace of Abraham according to some traditions, is endangered by rising groundwater levels due to reduced drainage.

## The Way Forward

Iraq’s environmental nightmare needs bold and quick action from both inside and outside actors. Some of the possible solutions are:


Improving water management.

Iraq needs to improve how it manages its water, how it uses it well, and how it saves it. This includes making a national water plan, working together with other institutions, spending money on water systems and technology, teaching farmers and families how to save water, and working together with other countries on shared water issues.


Adapting to climate change.

Iraq needs to get ready for and deal with climate change effects. This includes making a national climate change plan, putting climate change into other policies and plans, doing things like early warning systems, heat stress prevention programs,
crop diversification
and disaster risk reduction.

Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.

Iraq needs to lower its greenhouse gas emissions and join global climate action. This includes making a low-carbon development plan, using more renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, using energy better and saving it more, lowering gas flaring and methane leakage from oil fields, and taking part in international climate talks.

Iraq’s environmental nightmare is not only a danger but also a chance for positive change. By dealing with its environmental challenges in a whole and lasting way, Iraq can make its human development better, keep its natural heritage alive, and improve its regional and global role.