Efforts to address regional water shortages due to rising temperatures
The Middle East and North Africa region is facing a worsening water crisis. Already the world’s most water-scarce region, MENA is currently grappling with the growing effects of climate change, which are exacerbating water scarcity through higher temperatures, reduced rainfall, and more frequent and prolonged droughts.
According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, every country in the region will experience extremely high water stress by 2050. The urgency of the situation is underlined by the latest climate data showing that 2024 is on track to be the hottest year yet. On record.
The impact of water scarcity in MENA spans economic, social and environmental dimensions. Water scarcity threatens agriculture, the backbone of many economies in the region, undermining food security and livelihoods. Environmental impacts also include soil degradation, desertification, and the collapse of ecosystems that sustain biodiversity. Socially, water scarcity can lead to conflict and internal displacement as communities compete for dwindling resources.
This crisis is not only a regional problem, but also a global concern, as its repercussions could worsen migration, destabilize governments, and increase geopolitical tensions. Last month, Dr. Mahmoud Fatallah, head of the Arab League’s Department of Environment and Meteorology, summed up the region’s vulnerabilities: The region faces significant challenges, including reduced annual rainfall, rising temperatures, and soil degradation. ”
The MENA region’s plight highlights the stark paradox of being the region least responsible for the world’s carbon emissions, yet bearing some of the harshest effects of climate change.
It is one of the regions least responsible for the world’s carbon emissions, yet has the harshest consequences.
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh
Delaying action to address water scarcity and climate change in MENA will only make the problem worse. The risks are high: If temperatures in the region rise by 4 degrees Celsius, available freshwater will decrease by 75%, with potentially devastating effects on agriculture, industry and human survival. Projections suggest that many countries in the region could experience up to 5 degrees warmer by the end of this century. Such increases could make parts of MENA uninhabitable, force large-scale migration, and increase the potential for resource-based conflict.
The economic cost of doing nothing would also be devastating. Agriculture, which consumes more than 80 percent of the region’s water, will suffer a significant drop in productivity, threatening food security and raising prices. Water-dependent industries, such as energy production and manufacturing, could face disruption and economic growth could be hampered. Moreover, the costs of crisis management, whether for emergency relief or rebuilding after a climate-related disaster, will far exceed the investments needed for today’s proactive measures.
Socially, the consequences of inaction are equally dire. Water scarcity is already contributing to instability in the region, and worsening conditions could heighten insecurity even further.
To avoid these dire consequences, MENA governments, regional organizations and the international community must act decisively. Several key measures are essential to mitigating the water crisis.
Raising awareness about the severity of the crisis and encouraging conservation efforts at the community level can have a big impact. Educational campaigns can empower individuals to practice water conservation and advocate for policy change.
Second, it is also important to adopt sustainable water management practices, such as modernizing irrigation systems, reducing water waste, and implementing policies to regulate water use. Technologies such as drip irrigation and reuse of treated wastewater can significantly improve water efficiency in agriculture and other sectors.
To avoid these dire consequences, MENA governments, regional organizations and the international community must act decisively.
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh
Investments in technology can also provide solutions to local water problems. Gulf countries are making great strides in investing in advanced technologies such as desalination and renewable energy to address the region’s water scarcity and strengthen resilience to climate change, and Saudi Arabia is eyeing this initiative. Be the leader you should be.
Climate change knows no borders, and so do efforts to combat its effects. In other words, MENA countries should strengthen regional cooperation to share resources, knowledge and technology. Collaborative efforts such as transboundary water management agreements can help ensure fair and sustainable access to shared water resources.
More importantly, the international community and world powers have a moral and strategic obligation to help address MENA’s water crisis. Although the region’s contribution to global emissions is small, major emitters bear significant responsibility for climate change, which exacerbates water scarcity in MENA. Fatallah highlighted this disparity, saying, “Although the Arab world is not a major emitter of carbon dioxide, the effects of climate change are disproportionately felt here.”
Financial and technical assistance from developed countries will play a key role in helping MENA adapt to climate change. This support will take the form of investments in infrastructure such as desalination plants and renewable energy projects, as well as funding research and development of innovative water technologies.
In conclusion, water scarcity in MENA is not just a regional problem, but a global challenge with far-reaching implications. If the international community fails to act, the impact will extend beyond regional borders. The displacement of millions of people due to uninhabitable conditions could trigger a migration crisis in nearby areas and beyond. Economic disruption caused by resource scarcity can destabilize global markets, while geopolitical tensions over water resources can escalate into broader conflict.
Addressing water scarcity in MENA requires a collective effort. By investing in sustainable solutions, fostering regional and international cooperation, and recognizing the world’s interconnectedness, we can mitigate the effects of climate change and create a more resilient future for MENA and the global community. can be built. Now is the time to take action. Because the alternative, a future marked by scarcity, conflict, and suffering, is intolerable.
Dr. Majid Rafizadeh is a Harvard-educated Iranian-American political scientist. X: @Dr_Rafizadeh
Disclaimer: The views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Arab News.
