DID YOU KNOW?
Climate change is more than an environmental crisis
Learn more about the interconnected social impact of climate change and the role it's played in global conflict and civil unrest throughout history, and still today, with our quick facts below.
The Mediterranean region is one of the most biodiverse on the planet
It makes up only 1% of the world’s ocean areas but houses 10% of its biodiversity. 1 in 3 species - and 2 in 3 plants - found in this region exist only here.
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The Posidonia Oceanica absorbs 15x the same amount of material in the Amazon Rainforest
One of these endemic plants is the Posidonia Oceanica, the “lungs of the Mediterranean" and one of the world’s largest and oldest plants in existence. It’s critical for water purification and sea life.
But the Mediterranean region is heating up 20% faster than the rest of the world’s oceans.
It's unique ecology makes it more sensitive to climate change. Temperature rises kill off key life-enabling species like the Poseidonia (expected to be 70% extinct in just 25 years), making water unsafe for marine life - including coastal landscapes characteristic of the region.
Within 75 years, average regional temperatures are expected to rise by 34-42 F (1.2-8.5 C)
This means new average summer high temperatures up to 130 F in Europe and 160 F in Middle East and North Africa regions.
Oceans expand and acidify, causing extreme water shortages
Without plants like the Poseidonia to purify oceans, water acidifies and kills off other species. Heat also expands oceans and sea levels rise, infiltrating irrigation systems with unsafe and unusable water.
Directly impacts sanitation, health, agriculture, hydroelectric power/ technological and economic advancement, etc.
The Middle East & North Africa already account for 75% of the world's most water-scarce regions
Water shortages, infertile land, and dying marine species cause health issues like malnutrition, dehydration, and sanitation - but also put pressures on local economies.
In Kenya, 50 tons of fish died out due to water quality and overfishing, leading to a practice known as “Sex for Fish” where sexual favors were exchanged for fish.
Environmental Conditions caused 15% of world violent conflicts in the last 200 years
This doesn’t include where natural resources like water were weaponized or withheld as a result of conflict.
Total water scarcity expected in the Middle East & North Africa by 2050
The crisis happening now in Northern Africa and the Middle East will, under the expected conditions, expand into Europe. At the same time though, the situation in MENA regions will only continue to worsen and eventually become unsustainable for life.
Climate change not yet grounds for Refugee status
Mass-migration north to Europe is expected, increasing risks of sex trafficking, kidnapping, drowning, malnutrition, etc. en route. Entering tumultuous, under-resourced, and socially distressed countries ill-equipped to sustain such high levels of vulnerable populations - increasing all risks, for all populations. Without refugee status, risks of marginalization, biased resource allocation, etc. increase among MENA refugees.
Environmental change causes water crises..
And water crises lead to water conflict - violent disputes associated with access to, or control of, water resources
The 1867 6-day war, Palestine & Israel. Crisis in the region continues today, where resources have become weaponized and largely contributed to its global escalation.)
Resource allocation and access to the Nile River has been a constant source of contention in Sudan. 2023: "Clashes Renew in West Darfur as food and water shortages worsen in Sudan Violence." Numerous extremely deadly riots and tribal clashes documented in the last century.
Ongoing violence and attacks in Kenya over "biased resource distribution" across the Borana, Rendille, Gabra, Burji, & Somali communities in search for arable land.
The 1867 6-day war, Palestine & Israel. Crisis in the region continues today, where resources have become weaponized and largely contributed to its global escalation.)
Water conflicts date back to 2500 BC. Here are just a few more recent examples you may recognize.
