PAYNE INSTITUTE COMMENTARY SERIES: COMMENTARY

August 16, 2024

By Peri-Khan Aqrawi-Whitcomb

In the Kurdistan region of Iraq, nestled between the snow-capped Zagros mountains and the fertile plains of ancient Mesopotamia, the scars of conflict are not just etched into the land but are also woven into the very air the people breathe, the water they drink, and the soil they till. This semi-autonomous region, once a cradle of ancient civilizations, is now at the epicenter of a different kind of battle—one against the relentless march of environmental degradation fueled by climate change and man-made disasters.

The Shadows of War: A Landscape Altered

Kurdistan’s environment has long been a casualty of regional conflicts, with the effects of decades of warfare still reverberating across its landscape. However, the environmental challenges today are not just remnants of past wars; ongoing geopolitical tensions, unsustainable practices, and the looming specter of climate change exacerbate them.

Turkey and Iran, Kurdistan’s powerful neighbors, play a significant role in this unfolding environmental crisis. Turkey’s extensive dam projects on the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, including the controversial Ilisu Dam, have significantly reduced water flow downstream into Iraq. These rivers, lifelines for millions, are now choked, leaving the fertile lands of Kurdistan parched and its ecosystems on the brink of collapse. Iran, too, has diverted rivers that once flowed freely into Iraq, further tightening the noose on the region’s water resources. The result is a rapidly drying landscape, with agriculture—the backbone of the local economy—facing a dire future. As reported by the Washington Kurdish Institute, water has increasingly become a weapon in the region’s geopolitical struggles, exacerbating the environmental crisis faced by the people of Kurdistan.

Gas Flaring and the Poisoned Air

As if the water crisis weren’t enough, the air in Kurdistan is thick with pollutants, much of it stemming from the pervasive practice of gas flaring. Both Iraq and Iran are major offenders when it comes to wasting natural gas. In Iraq, it is estimated that over 17 billion cubic meters of natural gas flare yearly, making it one of the top five flaring countries globally. This wasted gas could generate enough electricity to power three million homes. Iran, too, flares substantial amounts of gas—approximately 10 billion cubic meters annually. If harnessed, this gas could generate enough electricity to supply the needs of the entire Kurdistan region and beyond.

In Iran and Iraq, flaring is a common byproduct of oil extraction, where excess natural gas is burned off, releasing a cocktail of pollutants into the atmosphere. These flares, often visible from miles away, light up the night sky but darken the air with harmful substances like methane and carbon dioxide. The impact on local communities is profound—respiratory illnesses are rising, and the air-sustaining life has become a disease vector.

The environmental toll of gas flaring is not confined to Kurdistan alone; it is a regional issue, with the pollutants crossing borders and contributing to a broader climate crisis. The greenhouse gases emitted from flaring significantly contribute to global warming, exacerbating the extreme weather patterns, like droughts, and flash floods, that have already begun to disrupt life in this fragile region.

The Fire Next Time: Wildfires on the Rise

In recent years, Kurdistan has also seen an increase in wildfires, a consequence of both natural and human factors. The region’s long, dry summers, intensified by climate change, create the perfect conditions for spreading fires. But these blazes are not always accidental. Military operations by Turkey and Iran, including cross-border shelling, often spark fires that ravage large swathes of forest and agricultural land. These fires, once started, are challenging to control, and their impact is devastating—destroying homes, crops, and habitats while releasing more carbon into the already overburdened atmosphere.

Microplastics and the Invisible Menace

While dramatic images of wildfires and gas flares capture headlines, a more insidious threat lurks in Kurdistan’s soil and water: microplastics. These tiny particles, which result from the breakdown of plastic waste, have permeated every corner of the globe, and Kurdistan is no exception. The region’s lack of effective waste management and recycling systems contributes to the proliferation of plastic waste, which eventually degrades into microplastics that contaminate the environment.

These particles are not just an ecological problem—they pose serious health risks to the local population, as they can enter the food chain and accumulate in organisms over time. Cancer rates in the Kurdistan region have been steadily increasing, with local hospitals reporting a surge in cases. While precise figures are difficult to come by, some reports suggest that cancer incidence in the region has doubled in the past decade. This rise is attributed to a combination of factors, including exposure to pollutants from industrial activities, remnants of chemical warfare from past conflicts, and the pervasive presence of microplastics in the environment.

The health risks associated with microplastics are not yet fully understood. However, emerging research suggests a strong link between exposure to these particles and a range of health issues, including inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and potentially carcinogenic effects. In a region like Kurdistan, where the healthcare infrastructure is already under strain, the added burden of environmental health risks poses a significant challenge.

Efforts to tackle the problem of plastic waste and microplastics are crucial for the environment and the health and well-being of the population. Addressing these issues will require comprehensive waste management solutions, public awareness campaigns, and stronger regulations to reduce the use of plastics and promote recycling. The fight against microplastics is not just an environmental imperative—it is a public health necessity for the people of Kurdistan.

A Glimmer of Hope: Solutions for a Sustainable Future

Despite the overwhelming challenges, there is hope for Kurdistan’s environment. The region’s leaders, civil society, and international partners are beginning to recognize the need for sustainable practices and environmental protection.

Water Management and Conservation

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has initiated several water management projects to address the severe water scarcity exacerbated by upstream dam projects in Turkey and Iran. Recognizing the challenges posed by dwindling water resources, the KRG has devised comprehensive strategies, including constructing new dams and ponds and restoring groundwater. Currently, the region has 17 dams, with additional ones under construction, to ensure water security for its growing population and agricultural needs. The KRG has also been exploring modern irrigation techniques, such as drip irrigation, to significantly reduce water wastage in agriculture—a vital sector for the region’s economy. The KRG has started collaborating with international organizations to develop comprehensive water management strategies, which include better storage facilities and the reuse of treated wastewater for agricultural purposes. These initiatives aim to mitigate the looming water crisis and secure the region’s future.

Reducing Gas Flaring

In response to the environmental and health challenges posed by gas flaring, the KRG has taken steps to reduce this practice by working with international oil companies to capture and utilize the gas being flared. One significant initiative is the expansion of the Khor Mor Gas Plant, operated by the Pearl Petroleum consortium. This plant captures associated gas from oil fields. It processes it into usable energy, reducing flaring and providing a much-needed source of electricity for the region. The KRG is also exploring the potential of using this captured gas for domestic energy, reducing the reliance on diesel generators that contribute heavily to air pollution.

Wildfire Prevention and Response

The KRG still needs to invest in better wildfire management practices, including the development of early warning systems, improved firefighting capabilities, and public awareness campaigns to reduce the incidence of human-caused fires. Nevertheless, reforestation projects are also being prioritized to restore the region’s forests, which act as critical carbon sinks and natural barriers against the spread of wildfires.

Tackling Plastic Waste

The KRG has begun laying the groundwork for a more robust recycling infrastructure. Pilot projects in major cities like Erbil and Sulaymaniyah are being developed to manage waste more effectively and reduce the proliferation of plastic waste. These projects include establishing recycling centers and public awareness campaigns to facilitate the use of single-use plastics. Additionally, plans are being made to collaborate with international NGOs to bring in expertise and funding for large-scale waste management projects that can address the issue of microplastics at their source.

A Future in the Balance

The people of Kurdistan, living in a region marked by conflict and hardship, now find themselves on the front lines of a new battle—one against environmental destruction. Yet, in this struggle, there is also the potential for renewal. By embracing sustainable practices, investing in environmental protection, and fostering regional cooperation, Kurdistan can begin to heal its land and secure a more resilient future.

The challenges are immense, but so is the resilience of the communities that call this region home. In adversity, they continue to plant, build, and hope. And in that hope lies the seed of a greener, more sustainable future for Kurdistan and the broader region.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peri-Khan Aqrawi-Whitcomb
Owner PX Consulting

Peri-Khan Aqrawi-Whitcomb is a specialist in sustainable development policies and international affairs with a focus on the Middle East and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In 2018, she was selected by the US based Payne Institute for Public Policy to become a non-resident fellow in a global network of top policy, energy, environmental, and natural resource experts.

ABOUT THE PAYNE INSTITUTE

The mission of the Payne Institute at Colorado School of Mines is to provide world-class scientific insights, helping to inform and shape public policy on earth resources, energy, and environment. The Institute was established with an endowment from Jim and Arlene Payne, and seeks to link the strong scientific and engineering research and expertise at Mines with issues related to public policy and national security.

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DISCLAIMER: The opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, viewpoints, or official policies of the Payne Institute or the Colorado School of Mines.