The Implications of the Climate Crisis in the Middle East
Abstract
The climate crisis has been emerging as one of the most significant forces shaping the Middle East, a region increasingly recognized as a climate hotspot that is warming at twice the global average rate. As the crisis deepens as manifested very clearly by the severe drought in the region this year (the winter of 2024-2025), its influence on the region becomes more pronounced. This impact manifests through a variety of phenomena, including sea level rise, an increase in extreme weather events such as sandstorms, floods, and wildfires, a reduction in annual precipitation, and rising temperatures. These developments have far-reaching implications for agriculture, economic stability, public health, tourism, and natural ecosystems. They also exacerbate internal tensions and inter-state conflict potential, as exemplified by the Syrian civil war, in which prolonged drought played a contributing role. The response and preparedness of Middle Eastern countries can be categorized into three groups: (1) Countries with resources and comprehensive climate strategies, such as the Gulf states, Morocco and Israel, which recognize the severity of the challenge and have begun implementing adaptation strategies; (2) Countries with limited resources and partial preparedness, such as Egypt and Jordan; Fragile or failed states, such as Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Sudan and Libya, which currently lack any significant climate preparedness. Strengthening regional climate resilience and developing regional cooperation mechanisms are essential. Given the transboundary nature of climate challenges, it is imperative to foster regional preparedness through cooperative efforts both within the region and with international partners. Israel has promoted and actively participated in several such initiatives.
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