A recent study has suggested that human-induced climate change has exacerbated a three-year drought in parts of Syria, Iraq, and Iran. The region, encompassing the Euphrates and Tigris rivers, has been experiencing abnormally low rainfall and persistent heat since 2020, leading to a severe drought in wheat farming areas. This drought has had dire consequences on the livelihoods and health of people living in this region, displacing nearly two million people from rural areas in Syria.
Researchers from Iran, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US, led by the World Weather Attribution Group, found that high temperatures, driven by climate change, made the drought much more likely to occur. They concluded that the drought was primarily driven by the very strong increase in extreme temperatures due to the burning of fossil fuels. The severity of the drought is expected to occur at least once every decade in the current climate, and unless the world stops burning fuels, droughts like this will become even more common in the future.
Scientists have warned that even if climate change doesn’t significantly influence low levels of rainfall, higher temperatures are turning many droughts into extreme events. Data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service showed that the world’s warmest October was recorded this year, and 2023 is likely to be the hottest year on record. If carbon emissions remain at 2022 levels, the world will be committed to warming of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by about 2029.
In conclusion, it is evident that climate change is having a significant impact on extreme weather events such as droughts, and urgent action is needed to mitigate the effects of human-induced climate change.
Climate Change Exacerbated Drought in Syria, Iraq, and Iran, Research Shows
I have over 10 years of experience in the field of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology. I have attended numerous conferences and events around the world, and my work has been featured in major publications such as CoinDesk, Bitcoin Magazine, and Yahoo Finance.
