Climate change is one of the greatest environmental, social and economic threats facing the planet today.
The warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice, and rising global mean sea level. The Earth's average surface temperature has risen by 0.76° C since 1850. Most of the warming that has occurred over the last 50 years is very likely to have been caused by human activities
In addition, changes in climate are increasingly coming to be linked with disasters and environmental trends that impact human societies.
FoEME is researching the projections that are being made for climate change in a selection of Middle Eastern countries and territory; Egypt, Israel, Palestinian Authority, Jordan, along with adjacent river basin countries. The study is focusing on the anticipated impact this will have on human societies and economies, and the ramifications that this is likely to have on human security and political stability within this already volatile region.
It is found that a decrease in rainfall coupled with an increase in extreme climatic events due to climate change is likely to significantly decrease water availability in the region, with negative effects on food production and economies. This is likely to increase tensions between countries that share common water resources, and also potentially lead to civil crises and migration that may threaten political stability within countries. In addition sea level rises are likely to have a drastic effect on Egypts Nile Delta region, leading to the inundation of large residential and agricultural lands; refugees, economic losses and food scarcity.
In light of recent scientific findings that show that climate change is happening faster and more drastically than previously envisaged, it is urged that all possible mitigation efforts, including primarily preventing the emission of greenhouse gasses worldwide be immediately executed, and that societal adaptation measures be urgently developed and adopted.