Baghdad: Head of the Strategic Center for Human Rights Fadhel Al-Gharawi confirmed that Iraq has lost 30% of productive agricultural land due to climate change, noting that it ranked fifth in the world affected by global warming.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Gharawi stated that Iraq is one of the countries most affected by climate change in the Middle East and North Africa region. The effects of these changes are increasingly evident in the water, agriculture, health, and economic sectors. He highlighted that recent data indicate climate change and environmental pressures have become a direct threat to the sustainability of natural resources and human development in the country.

Al-Gharawi added that Iraq has witnessed a significant increase in temperatures by 1.2 degrees Celsius compared to before the mid-twentieth century, with expectations of an additional increase of up to 2.5 degrees Celsius by 2050 if effective measures are not taken. The per capita share of fresh water has decreased to less than 1,000 cubic meters per year, placing Iraq among the countries suffering from severe water stress. Repeated droughts over the past decade have reduced the area of agricultural land by more than 30%.

Al-Gharawi pointed out that the level of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers has decreased by more than 50% compared to historical rates due to the lack of rainfall and the policies of the upstream countries. As a result, 39% of Iraq’s lands suffer from desertification, while 54% face the risk of deterioration.

He added that Iraq has recorded an annual increase in carbon dioxide emissions by 3%, relying heavily on fossil fuels to generate energy. Baghdad and Basra are among the cities most exposed to air pollution, exacerbating the health problems of the population. Additionally, Iraq has witnessed an increase in the rate of sand and dust storms at a rate of 272 days per year in some areas, with expectations for the number to rise to 300 days by 2030.