Environmental Report Warns of Consequences of 15 Climate Disasters Threatening Natural Resources in Iraq

A specialized environmental observatory reported identifying 15 types of environmental, climatic, and human-caused disasters that have struck the country over the past three decades, strongly warning of their worsening impact on natural resources, as well as water and food security. In an official statement, the observatory explained that these consecutive disasters have led to a decline in agricultural production and a significant degradation of ecosystems. It noted that over half of the country's landmass is now threatened by desertification, alongside widespread land degradation. The list of documented disasters includes severe challenges such as drought, dust storms, floods, the drying of marshes, industrial pollution, and the environmental fallout of armed conflicts. The observatory issued an urgent call for relevant authorities to declare a climate emergency and adopt a comprehensive national strategy to combat desertification. This strategy should include launching major afforestation projects, modernizing irrigation systems, and forming a supreme committee for disaster risk management and mitigation.