According to experts, an assessment of Iran’s environmental situation reveals a country grappling with crises and disturbances across all environmental aspects. The unchecked growth in Iran’s population, irrespective of its capacities and resources, has led to a significant surge in the ecological footprint.
Surveys conducted over the past four decades indicate that over 20 million hectares of pastures have undergone transformations, resulting in the extinction of numerous animal and plant species.
The development of agricultural land has been uneven and unsustainable, not aligning with its ecological potential. Astonishingly, more than 86 billion cubic meters of renewable water are utilized in the agricultural sector, yet the yield gap stands at approximately 60%.
This implies that only 40% of the plant yield potential in Iran is converted into harvestable yield, with approximately 30 million tons ending up as waste.
Dariush Golalizadeh, the head of Iran’s Department of Environment, has revealed that over the past two years, a staggering 800,000 individuals have relocated from the central and southern provinces of Iran to the northern regions due to the impact of climate change.
Speaking at a conference on air pollution and climate change, Golalizadeh underscored the severity of these mass migrations as significant consequences of climate change in Iran. He emphasized the potential ‘security consequences’ that may arise from this issue in the future.
Golalizadeh, equating climate change to air pollution, highlighted it as a ‘serious challenge’ for Iran, urging a dedicated focus in policy-making. He stated, ‘In the realm of climate change, we are approaching a precipice, and if we fail to adapt, the existing sanctions and restrictions may inflict severe damage on the country.’
Drawing attention to the fact that 90% of Iran’s energy is currently derived from fossil fuels, Golalizadeh cautioned against the associated air pollution, which further exacerbates the effects of climate change. He added, ‘Iran leads the world in terms of the intensity of energy consumption, indicating a deviation from established policies and plans.’
Acknowledging that certain crops in Iran are ill-suited to the country’s natural conditions, Golalizadeh admitted the lack of an effective plan from the regime to address climate change.
Simultaneously, Behzad Laighi, the deputy forecaster of the Meteorological Organization, echoed concerns about climate change consequences. He highlighted signs such as the Caspian Sea’s water level drop on the northern coast and issues like droughts, floods, and dust storms in the south.
Laighi identified ‘the consumption of fossil fuels and human activities’ as the primary culprits of climate change. Earlier warnings from experts had indicated the acceleration of climate migrations in Iran due to crises triggered by drought, land subsidence, unemployment, and air pollution.
Recent years have witnessed numerous residents from the south and east border areas migrating to the north to escape water scarcity and the challenges of micro-pollination. Economic constraints and the impracticality of agriculture have prompted northerners to sell their land to immigrants, transforming fertile lands into multi-story buildings and altering the cultural ecosystem.
Areas in Iran are experiencing severe water stress, with large portions having access to less than a thousand cubic meters of water annually. Nearly 35 million Iranians reside in regions facing this water scarcity, heightening the likelihood of climate migration among these communities.
It is crucial to note that even regions not currently below the 1000 cubic meters limit are at risk. If these migrants move to water-abundant areas in the north, the potential for intensified crises and collapse looms over the northern provinces.
