Babel: Translating the Middle East
Shirin Hakim: Iran’s Environmental Challenges
Jul 11, 2023
Dr. Shirin Hakim, Head of the Environment, Climate Security, and Public Health unit at the Center for Middle East and Global Order, discusses Iran's worsening environmental issues and the Iranian government's mismanagement of natural resources. They also touch on how Western sanctions play into the regime's environmental strategy. Later, the podcast explores the potential for environmental diplomacy in the Gulf region, the role of Saudi Arabia and the UAE in addressing environmental issues, and the importance of the US in facilitating solutions in the Middle East.
30:59
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Quick takeaways
- Iran's environmental challenges include water crisis, air pollution, and urbanization, threatening its sustainable development potential.
- Sanctions on Iran exacerbate environmental issues by hindering trade, restricting access to clean technologies, and increasing environmental degradation, creating social tensions.
Deep dives
Iran's Environmental Challenges
Iran faces various environmental challenges, including a water crisis, air pollution, and urbanization. The country's agricultural sector consumes nearly 90% of its water sources, leading to dwindling groundwater reserves and desertification. Additionally, Iranian cities suffer from poor air quality caused by the use of low-quality petroleum and outdated vehicles. The country's growing population and urbanization also increase stress on the environment. These environmental issues threaten Iran's sustainable development potential.
