Climate Change and its Potential Impacts on Iraqi Environment: Overview

Abstract

Deforestation, agricultural practices, and greenhouse gas emissions from burning fossil fuels have all contributed to global warming and climate change since the Industrial Revolution. Observed and predicted climate changes include rising sea levels, altered rainfall patterns, altered frequency and distribution of weather events like heat waves, storms, floods, and droughts, as well as the effects on natural and human systems.. Iraq, in particular, is experiencing the full range of climate change effects, which is exacerbated by the country’s precarious state and dilapidated infrastructure. Iraq has been listed as the fifth worst-affected country to climate change due to variables such as rising temperatures, less and erratic rainfall, increased droughts and water scarcity, frequent sand and dust storms, and flooding. In addition, neighbouring countries’ water policies have reduced vital water sources, while rapid population growth, urbanization, and inefficient water use by the agricultural and industrial sectors are driving a demand for more water. The objective of the current study is to focus on Iraq’s major climate change issues, which include: Growing Desertification, Drought, and scarcity of water.