Resource information
This Economics of Climate Change in the
Arab World is presents detailed case studies on the impacts
of climate change in the Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, and
the Republic of Yemen that were summarized. The Arab region
is already being impacted by climate change through more
frequent cyclones, floods, and prolonged droughts. Thousands
of rural producers have seen their crops and herds
devastated by extreme conditions, and have been forced to
abandon their traditional way of life and migrate to crowded
urban areas. Those who stay behind in rural areas struggle
to cope with shortages of food and water. Climate change
affects countries' economies and households through a
variety of channels. Rising temperatures and changes in
rainfall patterns affect agricultural yields of both rainfed
and irrigated crops, and thus global and local food markets.
Adaptation is a process that will take place over decades as
new information makes policy makers reevaluate their climate
vulnerabilities. Still, by seizing the opportunity to act
now and act together, the Arab region can not only meet the
immense challenges of climate change but advance the
development of its entire people.
