Climate Change and Water Harvesting in Iraq

The Middle East region is facing major challenges related to climate change, and Iraq is no exception. Despite being a historically water-rich country, Iraq faces demands from multiple directions for this critical resource: population growth, the legacy of multiple wars, transboundary water (mis)management and a changing climate. (...) Large storage dams have been the dominant strategy for supplying water for irrigation, causing reduced attention to parsimonious and environmentally friendly technologies, such as water harvesting. Such dams bring unfavourable impact on people, environment, and ecosystems around the dams as well as in downstream areas. (...) Climate adaptation in Iraq does not need to focus on finding new technologies or knowledge, as sustainable solutions adapted to drylands have existed in the Middle East region for thousands of years. Such traditional water harvesting methods should be central to future climate adaptation strategies in Iraq and other dryland countries.

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