Thomas Ernst
Syria
Greenfield High School
Syria: The Economics of Global Warming
The issue of global warming is of great importance to the country of Syria. For one
Syria is in the Middle East, so their climate is consisted of sea and desert. (1) Between the humid
Mediterranean coast and the arid desert regions lies a semiarid steppe zone extending across
three-fourths of the country. So not only is it dry in Syria but then they have to deal with a
huge drought caused by what they believe to be global warming.
Over time Syria has had many findings of global warming in their country. The first of
many of their findings was made clear at the United Nations meeting on September 3, 2009; it
was that the land near the Euphrates and Tigris used to be far more fertile. But now they can
hardly find a place to plant anything. A second argument that was found also stated at the
meeting, they mentioned that global warming has caused a large drought that caused the rivers
to recede by ten percent. Also in those areas they found that the precipitation that can be held
in the land fell by forty-six percent within the last three years. The strongest of the arguments
found was on a website about a book called Dwindling Drops in the Sand, by Sama Wareh. She
said that the problem of Syria’s global warming is that the country is “overpopulated” and
“polluted.” (4) Syria is very concerned by global warming issues.
Syria is involved in many organizations such as the United Nations; they believe global
warming is a problem in modern day society. In efforts to stop global warming, the United
Nations is trying to get people to stop some of the greenhouse gasses. The United Nations and
Syria both are strong believers that global warming is taking place but they don’t think that it is
the only thing. Many hope that the earth is experiencing climate change as opposed to global
warming. One scientist in Syria states that “A study of rainfall over the past twenty-five years in
Syria, says that the intensity is increasing.” (3) Over the last seven day it has rained so much
that the trickle of the Barada turned into a massive torrent.”(2)This means nothing though
because if the land isn’t fertile then the rain has nowhere to go, because the land cannot retain
water. Thus making the water dirty, affecting the whole country of Syria.
The diversity of global warming is a strong topic. Syria is a true fighter for their beliefs
and they will stop at nothing until it is reckoned with. Syria’s water issue is really evident for
the country so I can tell that they would have a strong opinion on this issue. Syria is always
trying to find ways to fight this ever flowing problem.
Sources Cited
1. Pike, John. "Syria - Climate." Military. 27-04-2005 . GlobalSecurity.org , Web. 23 Feb 2010.
<http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/syria/climate.htm>.
2. Phil, Sands. "Syria: too much rain, but too little water." National January 27. 2010 , Print.
3. “Turkey, Syria, Iraq discuss water resource of Euphrates, Tigris rivers ." China View. 2009-09-03 .
Xinhua News Agency, Web. 23 Feb 2010. <http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/200909/03/content_11992315.htm>.
4. Ko Cruz, Mimi. "California State University, Fullerton ." What Water?. June 2, 2009. the Office of
Public Affairs at California State University, Fullerton, Web. 24 Feb 2010.
<http://calstate.fullerton.edu/news/Inside/2009/sama-wareh-documents-syrian-watercrisis.html>.