The Repercussions of Climate Changes on the Human Development Dimensions in the Iraqi Marshes: Development Challenges and Required Interventions

Abstract

Due to its hazards and severe effects on all economic and human sectors and activities, climate change has recently grown to be one of the biggest and most global issues endangering people's lives, which will continue to hamper all development efforts aimed at achieving population stability, well-being, and a decent standard of living, as well as economic growth and sustainable human, social, and spatial development. The most well-known industries impacted by climate change include those in agriculture, tourism, and industry; other notable industries include health and education; and the expansion of cities and rural areas. Iraq is among the five nations most vulnerable to climate change based on its geographic location. The Iraqi marshes region had the largest portion of the repercussions of these climate changes, the most prominent of which were drought, receding rains, and low water levels. One of the resulting losses was the economic and social activities of its population. Accordingly, the issue with the current study was embodied and resulted from these effects on the marshland residents, particularly the rising rates of migration, the unstudied population mobility, high rates of death, inequality, rising rates of conflict, falling educational attainment, and high rates of poverty and unemployment. The purpose of this study is to shed light on the aspects of human development that have been most significantly impacted by climate change, including poverty and food shortages, health, education, migration, displacement, employment, unemployment, and women's empowerment, and the most significant challenges associated with climate change, including drought, desertification, and low water levels, and the necessary government interventions to lessen these effects, enhance population well-being, achieve social justice, and promote gender equality. The research dealt with the study of the repercussions of climate changes on the human development dimensions of the marshes in Dhi Qar Governorate.