Rising Temperatures, Rising Tensions. Climate change and the risk of violent conflict in the Middle East

Rising Temperatures, Rising Tensions. Climate change and the risk of  violent conflict in the Middle East

Description

Climate models are predicting a hotter, drier and less predictable climate in the Middle East—a region already considered the world's most water-scarce and where, in many places, demand for water already outstrips supply. For Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, climate change threatens to reduce the availability of scarce water resources, increase food insecurity, hinder economic growth and lead to large-scale population movements. This could hold serious implications for peace in the region.

Rising Temperatures, Rising Tensions: Climate change and the risk of violent conflict in the Middle East is the latest IISD report on the links between climate change, peace and conflict. Drawn from extensive consultations and workshops throughout the region, augmented by desk research, the report makes three key points:

-The legacy of conflict in the countries of the Levant undermines the ability of countries and communities in the region to adapt to climate change.

-Climate change itself poses real security concerns to the region.

-There is much that national governments and authorities, civil society and the international community can do address the challenge of climate change, and in so doing, address some of the threats it may pose to regional peace and security.

Information

Author(s)
Oli Brown, Alec Crawford
Publisher
International Institute for Sustainable DevelopmentManitoba: June 2009
Place published
Winnipeg
Date / journal vol no.
June 2009
Pages
42

References